“Have fun. Never worry about what someone else’ll think about it. Go for it.”

Wise words from Mel Day, of Dogwood Tree Floral Designs and florist for the Governor’s Executive Mansion here in the City of Oaks. And according to Mel, you don’t have to live in a castle to decorate like a king.

I spent some time at the Governor’s Executive Mansion in Raleigh last week while volunteers and staff were on hand to decorate for the holidays. With the bounty of nature included in the design, it’s easy to see that goodness does grow in North Carolina.

Gerald Adams, whom I’d met last summer while touring the outdoor gardens, is the grounds supervisor. He and his crew have amassed quite the natural spectacle for the delight of their fellow North Carolinians to view during the Holiday Open House Tours from December 11 - 14 (more information below).

Throughout the mansion, visitors will see a wide variety of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs: magnolias, curly willow, elaeagnus, flat cedar, several varieties of holly, spruce, mistletoe, and cryptomeria. Then there are Mel's favorites, which include anything with berries (Gerald always makes sure to supply plenty of fresh greenery with berries), and hydrangeas. "I've never met a hydrangea I didn't like," he said.

Gerald and Mel work closely to gather the natural materials from the grounds of the mansion and a couple other municipal locations, like the Archives building across the street. Each summer, Mel submits several theme proposals to First Lady Mary Easley and her staff. Once the theme is chosen, the collective team hits the ground running. Like the greenery, decorations are donated and reused from year to year.

"Mrs. Easley has such an eclectic, fun, free-form taste in decorating," said Mel. "I started [decorating the mansion] during the last year the Hunt's were in office, and while Mrs. Hunt was wonderful, her tastes tended to be more traditional." Mrs. Easley's eye for the artistic is clearly evident in the use of colors and space, and in the unusual designs from room to room.

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ROOM BY ROOM

The Gentlemen's Parlor theme is North Carolina, and all of the decorations reflect the old North state. A Fraser Fir dominates the room, and staff are hopeful that this year's tree won't run afoul of the Mansion's ghost—speculated to be that of Governor Fowle (1889 - 1891)—who likes to tinker with the tree. Governor Fowle was the first governor in the mansion, and died upstairs. It would seem he never left ...

This year, a Dogwood-flower garland is woven amongst scarlet Cardinals and dainty birds nests, which are collected throughout the year by Mel's brother, Captain Billy Day, retired from the NC Highway Patrol. The nests come from his farm in Person County.

The Ballroom has walls with 24K gilded paint, so you can imagine how spectacularly it shines in the light of the chandeliers and holiday lights. At one time it was known as the Music Room, so decorations in this room all have a music theme. The mantle, like in all of the rooms, is not to be believed. Magnolia leaves and elaeagnus branches have been painted with gold spray paint and manipulated into a stunning array. A grand piano finishes off the room.

The Library is one of my favorite rooms, if nothing more than I appreciate any home with a whole room dedicated to books and knowledge. Since Governor Easley has put such emphasis on education during his terms, this year's Library theme is education.

The bay window is adorned by live wreaths, which match perfectly the decorated mantle. Pencils, flash cards, school buses, and other school supplies fill the room and give the traditional wreaths and swag a whimsical finishing touch. Donna Ford from Sweet Memories Bakery in Apex, NC created and donated a spectacular gingerbread house, which can be seen in the Library.

The Morning Room is another one of my favorites. It was once a screened porch, but was enclosed while Governor Hunt was in office so that the room could be used year-round. There's a nature theme here, and the Children's Tree, another Fraser Fir, is decorated with ornaments made by Silk Hope Elementary in Siler City. Each grade took a different critter: Kindergarten - snails; 1st grade - dragonflies; 2nd grade - turtles; 3rd grade - ladybugs; 4th grade owls; 5th grade - grasshoppers; 6th grade - red birds; and 7th/8th grade - frogs.

The tree topper is a series of butterfly kites. Nature decorations spill out beyond the door to beneath the grand staircase, where a peaceful nature scene awaits visitors. Two large deer are surrounded by moss and poinsettias and a handful of orchids, which are grown in house by Gerald.

The Ladies Parlor reflects the more feminine side of the mansion, and makes it easy to understand why the theme of this room is a Victorian style. This Fraser Fir is decorated with pinks and mauves, and golds. Fuschia orchids and pink poinsettias complete the style.

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INTERESTING FACTS

Each of the trees has over 9,000 lights. Most weigh around 1,000 pounds and take about 20 people to move. Musical groups from across the state will provide festive music during the public tours this week, when more than 12,000 people will tour the mansion. The trees and wreaths are from Barr Evergreens in Crumpler, Sturgill Tree Farms in West Jefferson, and Bluff Mountain Nursery in Hot Springs. The poinsettias are from Homewood Nursery in Raleigh. All other greenery is from the Executive Mansion grounds. Each year, it takes approximately 15 volunteers four days to decorate the Executive Mansion for Christmas.

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PUBLIC TOURS
The Governor's Executive Mansion will be open for public tours:

• Thursday, Dec. 11 - Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10am - 5 pm
• Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1 - 4pm

Visitors should bring a photo ID; the tour is free. Visitors will take a self-guided walk-through tour of the downstairs rooms; docents will be available to answer questions. If you have a group larger than 50, call the Mansion's Visitor's Center.

I've mingled the in-progress pictures in with the finished decorations for a before and after view.