There is nothing more welcome than the front entrance (exterior) of a house festively decked up for the Holiday season.  It may be cold outside, but it makes a home look warm and cozy as guests arrive, and gains the admiration of passersby.

Here a really abundant pine garland is swagged around the door for starters. And, by that way, that’s really key – when using a garland to adorn your front door, you don’t want it to look anemic, so use a really full, lush garland to get that abundant look.
Next, its all about the urns.  They may hold geraniums or petunias in the summer, but when the weather turns nippy, you want to get those babies filled with festive holiday decor. Again, make them FULL, and lush – remember, think ABUNDANT for the best visual effects. And to really make the display striking, you need height – that’s where the tall branches rising up from the center of the urns come into play, really capturing the essence of nature and spirit of the season at the same time.

This living room, decorated for Christmas, is a beautiful example of simple Christmas decor. It is classic simplicity for those who prefer to keep things understated.

From Canadian House and Home, an understated living room is given a shot of punch with bright purple and orange toss cushions. The jewel tones are reiterated in the orange holiday ornaments on the ottoman to give a burst of cheer to the neutral palette.

A small and simple table top tree sits in front of the window, while the mantle is adorned, but with classic simplicity – a simple evergreen garland is swagged over the mantle, free of a lot of frou-frou, and a small silver-white ornamental Christmas tree stands on each end of the mantle top.

If your invitation to the Obama’s Christmas Party got lost in the mail, here’s your chance to take a Christmas House tour of  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – the White House.  Check out the White House decorated for Christmas 2012!  Source:  HGTV

A table top Christmas tree sits in front of a window in a room at the White House for Christmas 2012 to be enjoyed by President Obama and his family. Its lovely to see the White House decorated for Christmas.

The Obama’s love their dog Bo, who joined their family shortly after they moved into the White House.  Their Christmas decor for 2012 includes not just one but SIX hand-made decorative replicas of Bo! If you were to be so lucky as to go for a stroll through the White House this Christmas, you’d never know where Bo would turn up.  Incorporating Bo into their Christmas decor shows the Obama’s love their their furry family member, and their sense of whimsy and humor.  This version of Bo, shown above,  is crafted from plastic pom-poms!

The intimate family dining room at the White House where just the family gathers. The Obamas have been criticized by the opposing party this year for putting up too many Christmas trees, however, there are only a few more than the Bush’s typically had when they were in the White House.

The festive front entry way decorated for Christmas with a Victorian Kissing Ball made from evergreen sprigs; a pretty red ribbon dangles from the bottom. Very festive, very romantic!

Christmas wreaths are suspended on red ribbons in the windows of this beautiful sun lit corridor which the president walks through several times each day. Classic, elegant Christmas  window decorations.

A “cranberry urn” on a console table is part of the Christmas decor in a room at the  White House.

 Bo sits in front of some Christmas table decorations at the White House, including one of six eco-friendly replica’s of him, made from re-purposed materials.  He’s one good looking dog!

Bo wanders through the White House, decorated for Christmas,
& makes a Final Inspection of the Christmas Tree – Watch!:

Get a Look at the White House Christmas Decorations
Inside the White House Christmas Party:

The Christmas fun begins!  Michelle, Bo and the girls come out to inspect the main Christmas tree for the White House when it is delivered by horse drawn carriage, a White House Christmas tradition.

Image from the 2012 White House Christmas Card –
Bo in the Snow!

Bo in the Snow! This is the image from the White House Christmas Card for 2012!
Its Bo, frolicking in the snow on the White House grounds. Love it!

Christmas Living Room in Gold and Beige

Watch a live tutorial on how to decorate a Staircase for Christmas with garland and lights – the finished project is LAVISH and gorgeous! Instructions given by an interior decorator. Add your own improvisations and touches to make it your own and give it your own personal sense of style.

 Garland, Snowflakes, Candles and Cone Trees… and a partridge in a pear tree…? A Christmas Mantel decorated with faux pine garland lit with cluster lights and dangling snowflake ornaments. A row of 15 tea light candles glow on the hearth. And on either side of the fireplace are decorative Chrismtas trees, a glittering silver cone tree to one side, and a miniature pine tree to the other. It sounds a little ecclectic by the written word, but when you look at it, it all comes together nicely into one beautiful and cohesive display. 

Source Better Decorating Bible.

Christmas Mantel With Lime Decorations and Garland of Magnolia Leaves:  

A simple but beautiful garland of magnolia leaves swags across this white mantel, framing it in green.  Three wide glass cylinder vases are positioned on the top of the mantel, equally spaced, and filled with limes. A tall clear glass cylinder vase of pale red tropical flowers is placed at the center of the hearth of the fireplace, and the same tropical flowers are pinned to the garland at each edge of the mantel top. Its a bit of an eclectic combination really – and yet, it works.

What do you think? Would you keep the tropical flowers on this one or lose them?

From: Southern Accents This opulently decorated Christmas mantel conveys a lavish feel.  A garland made from an abundance of fresh ever greens is set on the mantle top and allowed to drape down both sides of the fireplace. Red berries, long narrow feathers, and really large pinecones are nestled in among the greens to play up the look of abundance. Small potted spiral cedar topiaries are placed at either end of the mantle to complete the opulent look.

Gorgeous Purple and Lime Green Christmas Mantel Design by In My Own Style.com. Faux pine garland is laid across the mantel top and illuminated by white twinkle lights. An assortment of lime green, silver, and purple Christmas balls are wired into the garland for a really stunning color combination!

A faux pine wreath hangs on top of the mirror over the fireplace mantel, suspended in place by a gorgeous lime green wide satin ribbon, tied off with a sumptuous bow, at the center of which is suspended one single purple glass ball.

On either end of the mantel are positioned large clear glass candle holders to complete this beatuiful look – a visual masterpiece created by inmyownstyle.com