Mary Ann Cox uses vintage elements, such as Christmas cards, and handcrafted pieces, such as a holly painting, to decorate for the holidays.
Cox has transformed her home into a merry oasis through her creativity and artistic abilities. She incorporates original artwork, natural elements and a good eye for her seasonal decor in December, which she said she thinks is the most beautiful time of year.
“The creative process involved in decorating, that I also use in my artwork, is a big part of why I enjoy preparing my home for Christmas,” Cox said. “The joy for me comes from the warm memories that flood over me every time I unpack special ornaments from special people in my life, especially the ones no longer living.”
Pendy Bowers, Cox’s friend of 37 years, said she enjoys seeing how Cox blends traditional, vintage and whimsical elements and incorporates mementoes from her childhood, travels and special times with friends.
“When you visit Mary Ann’s home during the holidays, you know you are in for a visual treat,” Bowers said. “That really is my favorite part, admiring how her artistic talent translates into how she arranges her unique collections each year.”
It is clear Cox has an imaginative and inspired mind upon entering her one-story home in Crawford. A wooden stand ornate with lush greenery held up by woven baskets welcomes people into the home. She also has a delicate nativity scene and bright red holly sprinkled around the stand.
“I wanted to make it look as natural as possible,” Cox said.
The showstopper is the living room’s ornate and twinkling Christmas tree.
Pink and blue ribbon cascades from the top of the tree, which is next to a dark turquoise bureau filled with festive knickknacks.
The room balances Cox’s personal style and holiday spirit, with the artist accessorizing with items she has had for several years.
“I try to pull in the turquoise, because that's what I have, and then the spots of red,” Cox said.
A testament to Cox’s artistic eye and attention to detail can be found zooming onto the Christmas tree, which has been ornamented with vintage Christmas cards from the early 1900s that were bought at various antiques stores.
Cox maintains an antique booth at Lexington Vintage in Athens, where she sells handmade Christmas items.
Cox does more than just organize and decorate her home; she also incorporates her own work into her seasonal style. Her 3-by-4-foot acrylic depicting holly hangs on a wall before the tree and bureau. The artwork took Cox roughly four hours to complete.
“Acrylic paints are very forgiving as you can quickly work over mistakes because they dry so fast,” Cox said. “I work very fast, which sometimes is good and sometimes not so good.”
Cox uses her artistic skill to delve into the spirit of giving.
For more than 10 years, Cox has painted watercolors on cards and mailed them to friends and family. This year, she compiled various winter and holiday paintings and printed a small booklet to send to her loved ones.
“Creating and sending out this ‘gift’ has given me much joy, and the warm responses have been the best gifts I have ever received,” Cox said.
Maia Capuano is a Fink Fellow in the Cox Institute’s Journalism Writing Lab at the University of Georgia.