Carrying the Mantel

The article highlights the launch and evolution of Fig & Dove, a holiday decor line founded by interior designers Colleen Waguespack and Mollie Hill. Waguespack, drawing from her childhood experiences in a bustling New Orleans home where Christmas was a highly anticipated and meticulously decorated occasion, observed a gap in the market for sophisticated holiday accents. Despite her family's large size and the inherent "happy chaos," her mother consistently elevated the Christmas celebration by incorporating family heirlooms and sterling silver, setting a precedent for special occasion decorating. As Waguespack transitioned into helping her own design clients prepare their homes for the holidays, she encountered a prevalent issue: the market was saturated with ephemeral, often kitschy Christmas decorations. These items, designed for single-season use and subsequent disposal, did not align with the elegant interiors she and her clients sought to achieve. This observation spurred her to create a line of holiday decor that would offer enduring elegance and quality, prompting her to believe she "could do this, and could do this better." In collaboration with fellow interior designer Mollie Hill, Waguespack launched Fig & Dove. The brand focuses on handcrafted holiday trimmings, including tree toppers, ornaments, and stockings, predominantly made by Southern artisans. The initial collection, introduced in its debut year, emphasized a timeless aesthetic through a neutral color palette of gold and cream, complemented by refined materials such as velvet. Notable pieces from this inaugural collection included Brad Bourgoyne's acrylic dove ornaments, which conveyed a sense of motion, and Mia Kaplan's sculptural wooden wreaths adorned with painted greenery. Building on this foundation, Fig & Dove has expanded its offerings by collaborating with New Orleans painters to introduce vibrant colors to the line. Amanda Stone Talley's abstract and graphic fabric designs have been incorporated into three new stocking options. Simultaneously, Logan Ledford contributed to the collection with two sets of porcelain ornaments, each featuring her distinctive playful dots, including a set in a muted palette of navy, red, and aqua acrylics. These limited-edition collections integrate a sense of whimsy while upholding Fig & Dove's established aesthetic. Waguespack emphasizes that while maintaining sophistication, there is indeed "a time and a place for fun," particularly during the festive holiday season. #HolidayDecor #InteriorDesign #SouthernArtisans #ChristmasDecorations #FigAndDove #HandcraftedDecor #ElegantHoliday #LouisianaDesign #HomeAccents #HolidayDecor #InteriorDesign #SouthernArtisans #ChristmasDecorations #FigAndDove #HandcraftedDecor #ElegantHoliday #LouisianaDesign #HomeAccents