Natural materials ( or materials that look like them) work well for any home from the late Victorian era to the early 20th century. Arts & Crafts influences favored natural greenery and building materials and muted colours. This entrance features a large poinsettia plant and lush staircase treatment.
Sideboards are a perfect foil for decorating at Christmas. Pull out your crystal and your silver and use it - or at least show it off!
Group the objects in clusters - they look better in groupings of 3 or 5. Put the tallest piece at the back and create a "staircase" to the lowest piece.
Windows deserve their own treatment. Here the original bay windows with lace draperies are accented through the use of a simple berry wreath and swags of greenery tie it all together. The side jabots are hung on the original swing rods - typical for a 1912 house.
Hallways or entrances create an instant impression of the rest of the house. In this entrance there is a set of French doors to the right, leading to the living room and a single door leading to the kitchen. The bigger doors are decorated with the larger arrangement whereas the kitchen door is embellished with a smaller version of the swag.
Mantels are the perfect place to let your individuality show. It can be simple or ornate. In keeping with the relative simplicity of the house this mantle is decorated with berry topiaries, red candles in antique brass holders and large pine4 cones. The picture over the mantle is decorated with a natural look swag of greenery.
This dining room shows how the colours chosen for the home can work well at Christmas. The grey green of the walls are a perfect backdrop for the burgundy touches throughout the room - the tapestry "portiere", the berry swag over the tall sideboard, the burgundy plates, and the velvet fabric on the chair seats. Even the hand painted globe lamp is painted with burgundy roses.
This parlour takes its decorating cue more from the Victorian era than early 20th century. The original burgundy tiles on the fireplace are a perfect detail at Christmas. The luxurious fabrics used on the upholstered goods, the cushions, the red glassware, and the natural greenery create a Victorian style experience.
The colour of the walls in this dining room makes Christmas decorating a snap! A large scale wreath flanked by two tall candlestick or banquet lamps really anchors this setting. If your sideboard has a mirrored back, it's perfect for village scenes such as the one in this picture - It gives a depth of view not possible without a mirror.
