Celebrity Interior Designer Michelle Workman Talks About Her Holiday Traditions
In our continuing series of profiles of celebrity holiday traditions, today we feature Michelle Workman.
Workman is a Los Angeles-based interior designer, who has worked with such clients as John Travolta and Kelly Preston, Leah Remini, Kirstie Alley and she recently completed Jennifer Lopez’s Los Angeles home. She is the mother of two children.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Los Angeles but my grandparents lived in Ventura, California, which is where I spent my Christmases.
Any traditions around preparation for holidays – when did you start decorating? did you have any shopping rituals/church or temple rituals? Any specific activities like cookie baking, charity work or crafts and gift-giving?
I’ve started a tradition with my children of doing a special craft project each year that we then incorporate into our decorating. Last year, we made glittery birds to hang on the tree.
For holiday dinners/celebrations was there a specific place you would go as a family when you were a child? Have you continued that with your own family or do you have new traditions for these celebrations?
On Christmas Eve, we would gather at my grandparents’ house. Christmas music would play in the background as we sat around the fire, chatting with the family, drinking eggnog and eating cookies. We would each open one gift and save the rest of our gifts for Christmas morning. My grandmother would then start cooking Christmas dinner. At my house, we do everything the same, except rather than Christmas dinner, we have a large brunch that we can then graze on the rest of the day.
Was it casual with paper plates and plastic cups or was it formal with nice china and sterling silver?
Always formal. I make brunch as pretty as possible with lots of flowers, serving it on silver serving dishes and the good china.
Any unique guests or funny events that occurred at any of these celebrations?
I would get to see my great-grandparents. And the Brothers from the local catholic high school would attend — I always loved hearing their Irish accents.
What’s your favorite holiday dish? Any dishes you have that are unique/strange/noteworthy?
I always make homemade cranberry sauce using my grandmother’s recipe. I’m the only one who eats it, but it reminds me of her, which makes me enjoy the process.
What’s the strangest tradition your family either had when you were a child or has now?
Having Christmas brunch instead of Christmas dinner.
What’s the most important part of the holidays for you?
Having as many family members around as possible, and just really enjoying each other’s company, while watching the kids have some pretty magical moments.
What new projects do you have coming up that you would like the readers to know about?
You can keep up with my new projects at:
Photo courtesy of Duff Images
