DALLAS — Michael Hamilton has been decorating the Degolyer House at the Dallas Arboretum for two decades.
“I love it, but the expectation to change it to make it more special, to make it unique enough, to make it extraordinary — that’s the pressure.” Hamilton explained. “And then when you accomplish it, and you can walk back in and see it. That’s the joy.”
The process takes about five days of hands on, all-day decorating. For Hamilton, the preparation for decorating the house starts in January.
“When you leave a project that’s this big and you’ve worked on it for five days, you kind of just put the boxes in the closet and go, ‘okay I’m done with that one,’” Hamilton stated. "But then you walk back through it and go, ‘I did this.’ It gives me goosebumps and it makes my heart sing for the public to get to see it.”
Hamilton has been decorating for about 40 years. He picked up the art from his grandmother.
“She inspired me because she always told me just be creative,” Hamilton said." She would decorate her house. I mean we would have Christmas for hours.”
Hamilton says his skills are elevated by what some would say is a weakness.
“I have one eye. And I’m sure you can tell by this interview that it’s wonky-eyed,” Hamilton said. "All of you at home close one eye and walk up to your Christmas tree and look at it. I think this is my God’s gift. I over-exaggerate depth.”
Michael will continue to use his gift to bring joy to those at the Arboretum. See his decor for yourself here.