If there’s one destination that can convince us to trade in our dreams of a white Christmas for a much balmier, tropical one, it’s The Colony Hotel. Each year, the iconic hotel decks the halls in fresh garlands and wreaths, colorful baubles, and ribbons—and the cherry on top is the spectacular Christmas tree commanding the living room. So when The Colony asked VERANDA to partner with floral maestro Lewis Miller to design the Christmas tree this year, it was safe to say: it was a gracious and resounding yes.
Led by VERANDA’s Style & Market Director Rachael Burrow Rummel and Style & Market Editor Catherine Smith, the pair drew up plans for a whimsical tree that celebrates its tropical setting while still embodying the classic joyous spirit of the season. The traditional dark greens of the season were traded for lighter leafy hues, and those classic reds were saved for your favorite lipstick, as blush—inspired by the hotel’s famous pink facade—became the unexpected pop against the verdant feast (the hotel is nicknamed the Pink Paradise).
“For this year’s Christmas tree, we took inspiration from the lush, green landscaping seen throughout Palm Beach, as well as the iconic nude pink of The Colony Hotel. These various shades of green and pink put a youthful spin on the classic holiday palette, and also act as a nod to the custom de Gournay wallpaper in the hotel lobby,” says Smith.
With inspiration in hand, Miller began working his magic, weaving together coastal motifs, twinkling lights, and dazzling ornaments that add just the right amount of sparkle. “The Colony already has such a strong, iconic point of view — it’s joyful, glamorous, and unapologetically itself — so my job was to lean into that DNA rather than reinvent it,” says Miller. “The twist came from making it feel more textural than ornamental, more verdant fantasy than traditional Christmas tree. Everything was lush, green, and abundant.”
Instead of a traditional garland, Miller sprinkled foraged greenery—clips of playful philodendron and grapevine—native to the region to create a lush, jungle-like appearance. Seashells and starfish make their way from the beach to mingle with frosted pinecones and adorable rattan bells topped with pistachio-hued ribbons…