By Angel Rasper of Sacksteder’s Interiors

Photography courtesy of Sacksteder’s Interiors, Pintrest, Houzz.com, and Google images.

Most folks have an appreciation for the warm orange glow of a fireplace with the beckoning sound of seasoned wood crackling afire, along with the entertainment of the performance of flames dancing to the beat of their own drum. So how can we enhance one of our most favored gathering spots for Christmas? Enjoy these designer “tips of the trade” and may your holidays be filled with joy and laughter that is carried along throughout the year!

The Victorian architecture in the Wilderstein Historic Site is played up around the mantel area, demonstrating a true testament to the detailed craftsmanship that went into the design of the home. One [...]

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Tags: Christmas decorating ideas, christmas decorations, christmas mantle, Hooker Furniture, mantle

A color pallete is one of the first things an interior designer decides on before decorating a room. This year Sam Moore Furniture, the upholstery division of Hooker Furniture, is breaking all the rules. I am finding inspiration in the colors of Sam Moore’s chairs to decorate rooms for Christmas. Bright colors are in, and so are pinks and blues for Christmas décor. So why not combine all these fun, bright colors to make for some unique (possibly edgy) Christmas decorating?

Here are some creative color schemes for your Christmas home and furniture décor:

Antigo chair with the bright pink Petal finish.

Hot Pink

My favorite color is pink. Bright pink, light pink, neon pink, it doesn’t matter. I just love pink. And nothing makes me happier than seeing pink Christmas trees and pink ornaments! Is it easy to match your [...]

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Tags: bright colors, Christmas décor, Christmas decorating, Christmas decorating ideas, colorful christmas, Sam Moore, Sam Moore Furniture, upholstered chair

This time of year, memories of growing up come to mind ––  visits to Santa, annual parades, the one Christmas when we actually had snow on the ground. Unlike Ralphie from the movie, A Christmas Story, I can’t recall anything I had to have. Thinking back, one of my fondest seasonal recollections is of the homemade Christmas ornaments my mother, sister and I created.

Photography By Ellen M. Reed

Suzanne and I worked on the lovely but less complex ornaments. Equal lengths of ribbon (and sometimes ric-rac) were glued to colored or clear glass ornaments. We also cut out doilies that had been sprayed silver or gold and glued them to red, silver, gold and blue glass ball ornaments.  A few rhinestones and beads were also added. Who knew that this personal touch to our family’s holiday décor [...]

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Tags: Christmas decorating, Christmas decorating ideas, design ideas, design trends, Do-it-yourself Christmas decorating, Do-it-yourself holiday decorations, holiday decorating

If you’re like me and millions of others who work from a home office, you probably spend many of your waking hours in your office, but very little time decorating your work space for the holidays. Of all the rooms in the house, I would venture to say the home office may be the most neglected this time of year.

Leave it to the designers of Linly Designs to transform a home office into a festive but functional holiday haven in a Tuscan Old World style donned in the sophisticated color scheme of gold, bronze and other rich neutrals. The Clarendon Hills, Illinois furniture and interior design store has become famous for its Christmas Open House event held each year the first weekend of November. This year, the 7,400-square-foot showroom is featuring four large Christmas trees, two small [...]

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Tags: bookcases, Christmas, Christmas decorating ideas, executive home office furniture, holiday decorating, home office decorating, home office furniture, Hooker Furniture, Hooker Furniture European Renaissance collection, Linly Designs, wood home office furniture

Your in-laws are on their way. The turkey you put in the oven hours ago is still raw.  Your outfit is splattered with food.  Your home is barren and bleak and no decorations are to be found.  Not to fret-well, on the last part at least.  Quick, inexpensive Christmas decorations are often at your fingertips! Simply look in your cupboard or backyard for some inspiration!

Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

I personally love “do-it-yourself” art projects.  There is something so special about decorations that are personally made.  The time and creativity that goes into these projects not only warm your home with personality, but are quick and inexpensive to make!

To instantly dress up an exposed banister, try wrapping pine and holly berry boughs with some leftover wrapping ribbon from last year’s gifts.  To add some rustic definition, wrap [...]

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Tags: Christmas, Christmas decorating ideas, Do-it-yourself Christmas decorating, Do-it-yourself holiday decorations, holiday decorating ideas, Holidays