Christmas Decorating Ideas from Historic Homes
Tours of Victorian Homes at Christmas Offer Ideas
Oct 7, 2008
By taking advantage of local historic house tours in the weeks before Christmas, you'll find many exciting decorating ideas that are easy to copy in your home. Christmas decorating in the United States very often takes on a Victorian flavor, no matter what style our homes really are. That's because the Victorians embraced the holiday season with gusto, and used the season to display the abundance of riches which was available to them in a new era of industrialization and middle-class wealth.
Della Robbia Style Creates Richness
One popular style is often called "Della Robbia", after the Renaissance Italian artist who used masses of fruits in his paintings and sculptures. Victorians loved the concept of abundance which this style evoked, and emulated the originals by filling their homes with color and light. The warmth of the fireplace was enhanced by the brilliant reds of candles, heavy drapes, warm throws on the settee, and glowing polished metals in the room such as lamps, candlesticks and sconces.
Create the Look of Victorian Abundance
Duplicating this vision of richness on a budget isn't difficult. Craft stores and discount stores carry inexpensive artificial evergreen roping. You'll also find artificial fruit, on picks, with which to fill the roping. Add velveteen wired ribbon bows, and a fat candle or two. Buying several smaller poinsettias and grouping them together is as effective as one big plant.
A staircase in your home could be a special feature at Christmas. A sweeping center staircase in a Victorian mansion might have had pots of poinsettias set on each step all the way to the top. Your staircase is probably much smaller and narrower, so you might place real or silk poinsettias on one side only. A simple idea is an evergreen roping entwined down the balusters. Artificial fruit, gilded or naturally colored, can be placed in the roping for added color.
Decorate the Exterior of Your Home with Victorian Style
Flank a small table-top tree with a pair of jolly resin elves or angels. Artificial trees of this size are not only reasonably priced, they are versatile; there are ways to use them year after year in many different ways. Decorate with colorful weather-proof ornaments and a big bow, and set on a low table or box covered with a festive cloth. (It's best to place this in a sheltered spot that is still visible to passers-by.) Wrap large empty cardboard boxes in colorful paper with plastic bows, to set around the base of the tree. Secure these with plastic ties, bungee cords, or tape so that the elements won't cause them to be damaged.
Outdoor displays needn't be lavish if your budget is tight; the discount and home improvement stores are featuring more and more creative lighting, from netting that drapes over hedges to pre-lit artificial trees, icicle-style garlands, and more. Artificial evergreen roping, intertwined with lights, can be draped around the porch posts, railings, banisters, and the door.
Tour the Historic Homes in Your Town
Take time to visit the historic homes in your area around Christmas time to gather ideas for your home. Many of these tours are fund-raisers for local charities, museums, historic districts and historic associations. Volunteers often dress in period costume. Look for special events such as Christmas caroling, Christmas teas or brunches, and talks given by local experts. There's a wealth of creativity waiting for you wherever you look.
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