Photo: Very European in style, the great room is warm and inviting.

Text by Lauren Churchin
Photography by Ruda Anderson, RUDA Photography
Holiday decorations by William Horton

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” Reading the famous first line of Clement C. Moore’s beloved holiday poem is enough to evoke nostalgic feelings of a traditional 19th-century Christmas complete with carolers, snow-tipped trees, twinkling white lights, and endless strands of shimmering garland. The Renaissance inspired home of Mike and Tiffany Mullen and their four children is decorated to reflect the homeowner’s passion for classic styles such as 19th-century and French baroque décor, resulting in a rich, elegant holiday atmosphere reminiscent of Moore’s timeless literary masterpiece depicting the true meaning of the season.

The foyer is highlighted by a large-scale garland swag that frames the arched doorway leading to the great room.

William Horton of Dallas-based William E. Horton Designs, Inc. is the interior designer responsible for bringing the Mullen’s ideal winter wonderland to life and has worked with the family for over 20 years. “Bill [Horton] is a true artist with great insight into holiday and seasonal décor,” says Mullen. His clients vary from professional sports figures to investment strategists and oil developers who are mostly located in Texas, New York, and Louisiana. “My design philosophy is to keep whatever is applied in the appropriate scale, and most importantly, it should accent rather than detract from the surroundings,” says Horton. “My vision is inspired by the architecture and interior design of the space.”

Close-up of the great-room mantle with armor antiquity and custom garland.

Setting the stage for a festive transformation, the Mullen’s custom-built home is located in Dallas’s Preston Hollow neighborhood. When this rustic backdrop is covered with glistening frost and the sky is grey from the winter chill, it is easy to imagine old-fashioned storybook holiday celebrations taking place within the homes nearby. The prestigious and secluded Preston Hollow neighborhood offers multi-acre estates surrounded by deeply wooded areas, creeks, lakes and nature trails, and has become known for its famous residents including former President George W. Bush, H. Ross Perot, and Roger Staubach among others. The CEO of Energy Equipment Resource, Inc. and a celebrity himself, Mullen was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show for his Texas-sized lifestyle and highly-publicized search for the perfect mate, which he later found in international model Tiffany Kornegay.

A Convex Regency-period mirror reflects the view of the formal living room.

Each year just after Thanksgiving and in anticipation for the upcoming holiday season, it takes a dedicated team comprised of five people working for three days straight to complete the design installation for the Mullen’s home. The reason for such a lively and quick team is because both the interior and exterior decorations are completely assembled, ornament by ornament, and lovingly hung with care before being deconstructed and stored in the attic after the New Year. The laborious, yet rewarding process begins outdoors. Each of the 12 window balustrades on the outside of the home are illuminated by large garlands of evergreen filled with red, gold, and warm white LED lighting, which consume 80 percent less energy than standard exterior lighting and can last as long as 12 to 15 years. “One of the biggest obstacles is being able to electrify everything outdoors and disguise the electrical cords and connections,” says Horton. “My pet peeve is seeing exposed wires.” LED lighting helped to solve this common design challenge because the strands require fewer cords and wires to install and are much safer to manipulate due to their low operating voltage. The result of thousands of twinkling lights on the home at night is enchanting, giving a magical mid-day luster to the perfectly kept lawn and gardens below.

The garlands are extra full with mixed variations of foliage and texture.

Upon first entering the home, visions of custom-designed jewel tone garlands and wreaths dancing down the winding staircase and encircling a massive gothic chandelier hanging in the foyer instantly greet visitors with an uplifting feeling of holiday spirit and Old World charm. This sense of merriment creates the perfect atmosphere for the numerous charitable events and fundraisers that are held in the Mullen’s home during the holidays honoring many local nonprofit organizations including the Crystal Charity, Junior League of Dallas, Dallas Symphony, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

No detail too small, a chandelier is draped with Christmas foliage.

Visible from the inviting foyer is the great room, which is the main focus of Horton’s overall interior design and both his and the homeowner’s favorite space. It is undeniably cozy and personal with just enough room for the Mullen’s and their children to open gifts on Christmas morning, while at the same time play host to over 100 family members and friends who come and go throughout the holiday season. The room appears to have been transplanted from an English castle, boasting an expansive vaulted ceiling, massive carved limestone fireplace and a stunning 14-foot Christmas tree. The tree is nestled in front of a tapestry-draped window, beckoning a long winter’s nap or glass of eggnog in front of a crackling fire. It’s not hard for one to imagine Old Saint Nicholas coming down the chimney, smoking his pipe, and carrying a bag full of toys. In total, there are 18 embellished garland swags, four wreaths, and one large tree adorning the lower level of the estate. Each unique piece is encrusted with various Murano glass ornaments, pinecones, berries, nuts, hundreds of Italian white mini lights, and beautiful French wired silk ribbons. “I prize all of the holiday decorations due to their custom touch,” says Mullen. Most of the pieces come from New York, Europe, and Dallas according to Horton, whose favorite local boutique for holiday décor is P.S. The Letter in Fort Worth, a boutique that has been specializing in unique collectibles and fine china for over 20 years.

While the décor itself is custom and extravagant, there is simplicity to the design allowing the overall architecture of the home and warmth of those celebrating within to reveal the true magic and captivation of the holiday season. The back-to-basics 19th- century design aesthetic perfectly reflects the Mullen’s deep-rooted family values and belief that the true meaning of Christmas can only be found in time spent with loved ones, giving back to the community, and perhaps taking a moment to relax and re-read a favorite holiday poem by the fire.

The exterior alive and bright at night.

“For us, the holidays are a time for reunion, celebration, reflection, and thankfulness,” says Mullen. “We have too many exciting Christmas memories in our home to specify. What’s really important is just being with family.” TH&L