The time has come for our annual holiday Tastemaker Series! Today, we are thrilled to feature Interior Designer, Fran Kennan, who partnered with Dogwood Hill artist Holly Hollon, to create a regal holiday collection of invitations, stationery, wrapping paper, gift tags and more!
Fran is a nationally recognized Interior Designer and founder of Fran Keenan Design. She is known for her imaginative layering of patterns and color to create beautiful and functional spaces for high-end projects from the East to the West Coasts. Originally working in fashion in New York City and later as the decorating editor at Cottage Living magazine, she is continually inspired by fashion, history, art, lifestyle, and photography when creating spaces that are unique to her clients.
While collaborating on this collection with Holly, Fran created an Elizabethan-inspired collage in her studio as a jumping-off point for the artistic direction. “I’ve long admired Fran’s iconic blend of old-world charm with modern design, where she masterfully layers textiles and unexpected elements,” Holly said.
According to Holly, the entire collection is anchored by two lush patterns (see below for her sketches). One pattern was inspired by a tapestry in Fran’s studio and the other came from historic Elizabethan tile designs.
Both patterns Holly created are available as wrapping paper, alongside holiday cards, invitations, and stationery.
Continue scrolling for a preview of Fran’s holiday tastemaker collection as well as our Q&A with her.
You can shop the entire Fran Keenan Tastemaker Collection on our website here.
Holiday Q&A with Fran:
What was the inspiration behind your holiday suite?
The inspiration contained both modern and historical references. I love so many antique needlepoints and tapestries, so the patterns began with Holly & I referencing a French chair with a needlepoint on it as a jumping off point. I love modern color combinations, like citron and red, so it was fun to implement an edgy palette in a medieval layout.
What was the process like designing your holiday suite with the Dogwood Hill team? What was your favorite part about the process?
I usually start by building a board. The board can be anything, but it always gives me a landing spot for all of the elements that work and the massage process begins. I collected some antique tile floors from travel and shared those with Holly. Lettering is also a source of inspiration, so I had some lettering from antique hymns that felt cool in the mix.
What do you love most about the holiday season?
The holiday season is a time to be with family and the older our kids get, the more rare it is for us to all be together. I also adore the glow of a Christmas tree in my house for a month -that is always a joy.
What is your favorite tradition?
We have several fun traditions, one of which is always opening one present every Christmas Eve.My husband Matt & I get to pick which one it is. We also have Thai food every Christmas Eve, because we all love it and it’s usually a big night of wrapping and so forth. Additionally, we shop for an Angel Tree, and I always love shopping with the kids and making sure those kiddos get what they need. I love seeing my kids thinking of someone else during the season. Probably my favorite tradition is Sausage Pinwheels on Christmas morning. My mom made them every year and gave them to all of our close friends and I always love having it for our family, and if we have the time, we drop some off at close friends too.
What is your most memorable holiday and why?
Christmas was a big deal at our house growing up. I remember my Dad really getting into whatever it was we were getting and it was fun to see my parents enjoying the gathering of the gifts. Being older and having a family of my own now, it makes me even more grateful for the tireless efforts my parents made to make our holidays special.
What is your favorite holiday movie?
My favorite holiday movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. It’s so cool.
What is your favorite holiday song?
O Holy Night is my favorite holiday song, and I love Michael Bublé.
A little Black Friday, but the older I get, the earlier I start. I do tend to wait to the last minute on some things, getting a real rush pulling something together at the last minute.
What (if anything) brings you a sense of calm during the busy holiday season?
Making soup and enjoying fires are two of my favorite things to do during the holidays.
Are you Team real tree or faux tree?
I’m Team REAL TREE. My family would move out if we got an artificial tree. HA!
Are you team white lights or colored whites?
I love white lights! They work better with our house aesthetic, but I love colored lights for clients when it makes sense in context, no doubt!
Is there one holiday entertaining hack or secret you can share?
I love using leftover fabric and wrapping special gifts in fabric and I do LOVE adding a sprig or live berry. And when in doubt, just dim the lights (or cut them off) and add a ton of votives. Overhead lights should be illegal around the holidays. LOL.
What are you most thankful for this year?
I am most thankful for my family. We lost my mom 3 years ago, so time together is never lost on me.