Maisonette Muse: Vanessa Traina
Chicest mother in town, Vanessa Traina is OUR latest Muse. We visited the adorable mama-son duo at the Greene Street boutique, where, just as we’d suspected, impeccable style and holiday cheer blended to perfection. From furniture, to ready-to-wear, to kitchenware, everything Vanessa surrounds herself with is a marriage of elegant and modern, stylish, timeless, and totally lust-worthy. Find out how she’s celebrating her first Christmas as a mother.
- Photography
- Mimi Crawford
- Written By
- Phoebe de Croisset
This is your first Christmas as a mother – how are things different in your household as you approach the holidays?
Louis will be 9 months just before Christmas so he is still a bit too young for some holiday traditions, but one thing we are definitely looking forward to is Louis’s first visit with Santa. My husband can’t wait to get the photo of Louis sitting on Santa’s knee – the official holiday photo.
How are you celebrating Louis’s first Christmas?
We will be spending Christmas in San Francisco with my family and on the 26th, we fly to Gstaad to spend New Year’s with my husband’s family. It’s a long way (and a lot of luggage!) but it will be well worth it. Gstaad is such a pretty and picturesque town – and a total winter wonderland this time of year.
Big tree or little tree? Real tree or artificial tree?
We decided not to get a tree this year, as mother has three massive trees waiting for us at home in San Francisco – she takes Christmas very seriously. Anything we’d have done here in NYC just wouldn’t have compared – although next year we will try our best!
Louis will be 9 months just before Christmas so he is still a bit too young for some holiday traditions, but one thing we are definitely looking forward to is Louis’s first visit with Santa. My husband can’t wait to get the photo of Louis sitting on Santa’s knee – the official holiday photo.
How are you celebrating Louis’s first Christmas?
We will be spending Christmas in San Francisco with my family and on the 26th, we fly to Gstaad to spend New Year’s with my husband’s family. It’s a long way (and a lot of luggage!) but it will be well worth it. Gstaad is such a pretty and picturesque town – and a total winter wonderland this time of year.
Big tree or little tree? Real tree or artificial tree?
We decided not to get a tree this year, as mother has three massive trees waiting for us at home in San Francisco – she takes Christmas very seriously. Anything we’d have done here in NYC just wouldn’t have compared – although next year we will try our best!
Who is your holiday entertaining inspiration?
My mother (Danielle Steel). No one does holidays quite like her. When I was little, she would host an annual Holiday Party back in San Francisco. It was a black-tie dinner and dance, and she decorated the house so beautifully. For a few years, she ran snow machines outside, which I thought was just the most incredible thing. We would peer out the windows and look at the falling snow – it was PERFECT.
How much does your mother inspire or influence the way you entertain?
My mother greatly influences the way I entertain; from the dress code to the décor, I have learned everything from her. She always made everything look seamless, effortless. Guests were always attended to – the environment was warm and relaxed. Of course, that requires a lot of planning, and the help of many elves!
One invaluable lesson you learned from her when it comes to entertaining for the holidays?
The key to a great placement. My mother always paid close attention to seating her guests carefully and strategically at the table – she knew exactly how to keep things interesting, without making anyone feel left out or uncomfortable.
My mother (Danielle Steel). No one does holidays quite like her. When I was little, she would host an annual Holiday Party back in San Francisco. It was a black-tie dinner and dance, and she decorated the house so beautifully. For a few years, she ran snow machines outside, which I thought was just the most incredible thing. We would peer out the windows and look at the falling snow – it was PERFECT.
How much does your mother inspire or influence the way you entertain?
My mother greatly influences the way I entertain; from the dress code to the décor, I have learned everything from her. She always made everything look seamless, effortless. Guests were always attended to – the environment was warm and relaxed. Of course, that requires a lot of planning, and the help of many elves!
One invaluable lesson you learned from her when it comes to entertaining for the holidays?
The key to a great placement. My mother always paid close attention to seating her guests carefully and strategically at the table – she knew exactly how to keep things interesting, without making anyone feel left out or uncomfortable.
What is your first memory of Christmas? What was the part you most looked forward to?
By far, it was of course seeing what Santa had left under the tree.
Favorite dish, drink, activity?
Caviar, for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.
What's the best part about the holiday season? The worst part?
The excess and the excess.
Favorite family holiday tradition from your childhood?
My mother has an age-old brownie recipe that I remember from when I was a little girl. We would make batches and batches and then deliver them to friends and family just before Christmas. This year, we’ll continue the tradition with my nieces.
What is Louis wearing for Christmas Eve?
Gingham Christmas pajamas by Petite Plume. And the Busy Bees corduroy rompers paired with a festive shirt underneath.
By far, it was of course seeing what Santa had left under the tree.
Favorite dish, drink, activity?
Caviar, for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.
What's the best part about the holiday season? The worst part?
The excess and the excess.
Favorite family holiday tradition from your childhood?
My mother has an age-old brownie recipe that I remember from when I was a little girl. We would make batches and batches and then deliver them to friends and family just before Christmas. This year, we’ll continue the tradition with my nieces.
What is Louis wearing for Christmas Eve?
Gingham Christmas pajamas by Petite Plume. And the Busy Bees corduroy rompers paired with a festive shirt underneath.
