A ‘tree stylist to the stars’ known as Dr Christmas has revealed how he transforms Kris Jenner, Kathy Hilton and John Legend’s homes for the holiday season – and what it takes to make your decorations look designer on any budget.
Bob Pranga and his partner Debi Staron are the owners of Dr Christmas, a business based in Los Angeles, California, which works to bring cheer into the lives of regular clients and celebrities alike with unique and colourful displays.
Mr Pranga almost stumbled into the job by accident while working in Macy’s in New York, a department store known for its designer wears, in the 1980s.
‘They put me into the Christmas department during the season so I started doing some trees up there,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
Bob Pranga and his partner Debi Staron are the owners of Dr Christmas, a business based in Los Angeles, California, which works to bring cheer into the lives of regular clients and celebrities alike with unique and colourful displays (pictured with Kathy Hilton and Kyle Richards)
Mr Pranga almost stumbled into the job by accident while working in Macy’s in New York, a department store known for its designer wears
‘They put me into the Christmas department during the season so I started doing some trees up there,’ he told Daily Mail Australia
Actress and ex fashion model Mia Farrow spotted Mr Pranga’s work and asked if he could come and set her tree up at home, before introducing him to Kathy Hilton, mother of Nicky and Paris.
‘I started working at Christmas stores to do up Christmas trees before moving to LA working with Kathy Hilton at her store on Sunset Boulevard,’ he said.
‘I officially started doing this in 1989. I started working for a lot of Kathy’s friends before calling up a local TV station and appearing on a show, spreading the word.’
It wasn’t long before Mr Pranga was working alongside Kyle Richards, who will appear in The Real Housewives of the North Pole streaming on Hayu this year, Christina Applegate, Beyoncé and Ben Affleck.
Paris and Kathy Hilton (pictured left and right respectively) smiling with Dr Christmas at an event
It wasn’t long before Mr Pranga was working alongside Kyle Richards, who will appear in The Real Housewives of the North Pole streaming on Hayu this year, Christina Applegate, Beyoncé and Ben Affleck
Everything the Dr Christmas service offers is custom-made to fit into each client’s house and to suit a theme, which is discussed during the earliest consultation meeting.
‘We sit down and figure out whether they want it for their children, to show off… every look is available. In the old days Christmas would follow fashion but nowadays every house is unique,’ he said.
After the consultation and plans are in place the Dr Christmas team – of which there are 10 crew members excluding Mr Pranga and Ms Staron – set a date and come over to install the pieces.
Mr Pranga tries to be in and out of the client’s house within four hours – before returning sometimes the day after Christmas to take down all of the decorations.
‘It’s like setting up a movie set and then taking it back down again, leaving no trace, once you leave,’ he said.
Dr Christmas with John Legend at a party hosted by the famous musician (pictured right)
‘It’s like setting up a movie set and then taking it back down again, leaving no trace, once you leave,’ he said
Kevin Hart (right) pictured with one of his Dr Christmas designed trees
‘Christmas is certainly not a cheap thing to do and the average starting price is $5,000 but there is no upper limit.’
At the upper end of the scale clients are paying Dr Christmas $280,000 to deliver on their Christmas wishes.
Decorating in the Christmas spirit is a full-time job for Mr Pranga from October to January each year. He started Dr Halloween six years ago in a bid to capitalise on the spooky holiday as well.
‘Halloween is almost as big as Christmas in California,’ he clarified.
One of the strangest things he has ever been asked to do is strap a Christmas tree to a Harley Davidson motorbike so the rider could drive around with it.
However he certainly couldn’t guarantee it was a safe option.
‘The rules on tradition have been completely rewritten. This year everyone is in the mood to party,’ he said.
A gorgeous living room display created by Dr Christmas and his team
While there are no specific rules on how to decorate over the December period, Mr Pranga does have some tips on getting the most out of your tree
While there are no specific rules on how to decorate over the December period, Mr Pranga does have some tips on getting the most out of your tree.
‘People think to get a designer feel you need to have lots of little things on your tree but that’s not the case,’ he said.
‘You just need to add a focal point to your tree – maybe in the middle somewhere – that signifies the theme you’re going for.
‘Once I did an all-red Christmas tree with ruby slippers in the centre and everyone thought I’d gone for The Wizard of Oz.
‘Pick your focal point, like a photograph or ornament and have fun with it. Ribbon will also work wonders to help you accomplish a designer look.’
He hinted that this year plenty of celebrity clients were going back to basics with red, gold and green colourings, but he ‘doesn’t know why’.
‘Traditional is in this year,’ he said.