Decorating For Christmas At Historic Houses

History is brought to life in many historic houses, especially at Christmas time, when special decorations help to welcome the social season and visiting guests. In this revised second edition, learn history and local customs through engaging text and over 420 color photos. Costumed guides interpret Christmas traditions in some of the thirty specially decorated houses that are featured from across America. Both magnificent estates and simple residences offer a variety of styles, tastes, and ideas to inspire your own celebrations. See preserved buildings with illuminated gardens, inviting dining halls, and stunning interiors. Enjoy the many efforts on display here that help to make the Christmas season a magical time of sharing, caring, and gratitude.

The beauty of Christmas is displayed through decorated historic homes from around the country. From Virginia to Texas, tour 27 houses and see how history comes alive in a festive way during the holiday season. Learn the traditions of President Lyndon Baines Johnson's family with a trip to "The Texas White House," revisit colonial America with a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, and get decorating tips from professional designers. With more than 300 color images, historic homes ranging from magnificent estates to simple residences offer a variety of styles, tastes, and ideas to inspire your own celebrations. Homemakers, decorators, historians, or anybody who loves the magic of Christmas will appreciate the engaging text and wonderfully decorated interiors.

This New York Times bestselling book is filled with hundreds of fun, deceptively simple, budget-friendly ideas for sprucing up your home. With two home renovations under their (tool) belts and millions of hits per month on their blog YoungHouseLove.com, Sherry and John Petersik are home-improvement enthusiasts primed to pass on a slew of projects, tricks, and techniques to do-it-yourselfers of all levels. Packed with 243 tips and ideas—both classic and unexpected—and more than 400 photographs and illustrations, this is a book that readers will return to again and again for the creative projects and easy-to-follow instructions in the relatable voice the Petersiks are known for. Learn to trick out a thrift-store mirror, spice up plain old roller shades, "hack" your Ikea table to create three distinct looks, and so much more.

Enjoy this historical approach to festive Christmas decorating. Taking inspiration from the wonderful decorations of fruits and greens at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, and other historic house museums across the nation, this book provides essential details for creating colorful decorations of your own for exteriors, entryways, consoles, mantels, bedrooms, dining rooms, and the kitchen. Beautiful color photos give inspiration for authentic decorative arrangements made with fresh, dried, and preserved fruits and greenery. Instructions for drying your own fruit are included, as are sources and tips for buying and caring for your faux botanicals. This book is a fabulous keepsake for those who love Christmas and the elegant historical decorations of the past.

No home in America celebrates Christmas quite like the White House. Whether adorned with hand-made ornaments or thoughtful crafts, the White House has warmly welcomed celebrities, dignitaries, and hardworking Americans and epitomized the Christmas spirit. And behind each holiday celebration is a First Lady who lends her own style and grace to the festivities. Christmas With the First Ladies is a look at the holiday magic that happens at the White House, capturing the Christmas decorating history and techniques from Jackie Kennedy through Michelle Obama. Each first lady’s design aesthetic is profiled, such as Lady Bird Johnson’s themes of home and family to help heal the nation after John F. Kennedy’s death; Nancy Reagan’s interest in renewing a child-like sense of wonder; and Laura Bush’s “Red, White, and Blue “ Christmas for a nation banding together. With anecdotes and intimate photos of the presidential families during the holiday season, as well as personal craft and recipes used by the first ladies, Christmas With the First Ladies is the perfect centerpiece for holiday gatherings!

My 21 Years in the White House, first published in 1960, is the fascinating account by Alonzo Fields of his service as head butler under 4 presidents: Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower. Fields (1900-1994) began his employment at the White House in 1931, and kept a journal of his meetings with the presidents and their families; he would also meet important people like Winston Churchill, Princess Elizabeth of England, Thomas Edison, John D. Rockefeller, presidential cabinet members, senators, representatives, and Supreme Court Justices. He would also witness presidential decision-making at critical times in American history -- the attack on Pearl Harbor, the death of Franklin Roosevelt, the desegregation of the military, and the outbreak of hostilities in Korea. As Fields often told his staff, “...remember that we are helping to make history. We have a small part ... but they can't do much here without us. They've got to eat, you know.” Included are sample menus prepared for visiting heads-of-state and foreign dignitaries.

Here is Christmas decorating, history, architecture, and interior design wrapped in one sparkling package. Three-hundred and sixty-three gorgeous, inspiring images provide leisurely looks at historic house interiors magically decorated for Christmas. Begin with the Foreword by Christopher Radko, famed re-creator of vintage Christmas ornaments. Tour historic holiday homes from Filoli to Colonial Williamsburg, and look inside San Antonio's most beautiful house--the Spanish Governor's Palace. Marvel that a typical ranch-style house was home to two future US presidents, a first lady, and two governors. Visit the honeymoon home of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Enjoy the modest dwelling of Canadian WW I flying ace Billy Bishop, and tour the "castle" of Model A creator Edsel Ford. Some houses' Christmas décorations are period correct; others are joyfully au courant.

Whether you want to create a cozy winter wonderland in your living room, a blooming summertime welcome on your deck, or an autumn refuge by your fireplace, Liz Marie Galvan’s Cozy White Cottage Seasons gives you the inspiring photos, DIY ideas, and fun recipes you need to feel at home on any budget and in every season. Do-it-yourself interior designer and popular blogger Liz Marie Galvan helps you create space to snuggle up, stretch out, or kick back at home so you can focus on what matters most during the holidays and every day. Following the popularity of Cozy White Cottage, Cozy White Cottage Seasons is a beautiful, full-color photography holiday lifestyle book with easy-to-do, practical tips to make your home a welcome haven—from New Year’s Day to spring, summer, fall, and all the way through Christmas. Cozy White Cottage Seasons equips you to: Create cozy celebrations, traditions, and memories indoors and out Repurpose furniture and decor for every season Cultivate your flair for vintage, modern, farmhouse, or a unique style all your own Design a hot cocoa bar—and make other seasonally cozy recipes Store and manage holiday clutter And so much more! In addition, you’ll find fun ideas to celebrate and decorate for: Christmas Thanksgiving Halloween Fourth of July Father’s Day and Mother’s Day Easter Valentine’s Day And any special gatherings Cozy White Cottage Seasons is a great gift for Christmas, birthdays, and Mother’s Day or as a beautiful yet practical housewarming gift. A cozy enthusiast living in an 1800s farmhouse, Liz’s design tips and wisdom have been featured on the TODAY show, Better Homes and Gardens, and Country Living. With decorating tips, fun family traditions, and doable ways to make your home inviting in every season, Liz helps you create a beautiful living space and a grateful heart all year long. Look for Liz's other cozy home décor book full of DIY inspiration, Cozy White Cottage.