If you google « Christmas Decorating », you will come up with millions of images, ranging from the ultra-traditional green and red to kooky and wild hot pink and turquoise. Christmas decor, like politics, is just one of those topics on which everyone has an opinion and no-one quite agrees! Two weeks ago, I was lucky enough to preview the Vankleek Hill Christmas Home Tour, and with it a wide variety of styles of holiday decor. I’ve narrowed down the gorgeous Christmas decor from the tour into three distinct styles. I hope it’ll provide you with some inspiration as you start getting your home ready for the holidays!

I received complimentary admission to the Christmas Home Tour, courtesy of The Review, but was not compensated in any other way for this post. All opinions are my own.

Where is Vankleek Hill, you ask? Vankleek Hill is a small but vibrant Ontario town, located between Ottawa and Montreal. My parents moved there about a year ago and they have quickly fallen in love with the tight-knit community. So when I heard that Vankleek Hill was hosting a Christmas Home Tour (with funds supporting several deserving organizations), I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to bring you some gorgeous Christmas decor inspiration!

Glamorous & Glitzy

I KNOW, RIGHT??!! I had to start with this picture because it just has that « WOW » factor that encompasses a glamorous and glitzy decorating style. What could possibly have more pizzaz than a Christmas tree ball gown?

I couldn’t think of anything, either.

Designer Danielle Arbour created a stunning visual display in this heritage home, with plenty of character and glamorous style.

Sparkle and shine are synonymous with glamour. A garland festooned with glittering baubles and shimmery ribbon is perfect!

Another stunning take on a non-traditional Christmas tree dress, this time with a mermaid silhouette. This would be such a fabulous way to decorate, particularly if you didn’t have the room for a full Christmas tree.

This tree, designed by Carole and Stephanie Aubin of Vankleek Hill Home Hardware, shimmers beautifully in a copper, gold, and russet palette. I particularly love the gorgeous tree skirt. A sequinned tree skirt just screams « glamour »!

This beautifully decorated dining room, by Sasha McKeown and Donna Czet, is another type of glamour altogether. Elegant, polished silverware and glimmering gold-rimmed dishes set a formal tone, while the jewel-coloured glassware is a rich, festive touch. It looks like the royal family is about to sit down to Christmas dinner. 🙂

If you peek through that far door you’ll catch a glimpse of the next style stop on our tour!

Rustic & Country

In a complete 180°, Sasha and Donna created a perfectly rustic, farmhouse-style entrance. Complete with a buffalo check basket of yarn and an antique spinning wheel, this space is the antithesis of their fabulously formal dining room!

No detail was overlooked, with even their front porch decked out in rustic style. Antique kettles placed on rough wood stumps and lots of natural greenery make it feel like Christmas time in the wilderness! The snow shoes are a perfect vintage touch.

Decorator Donna Doucette created a charming, rustic, and welcome front entrance with a simple pallet tree, pinecones, and a natural wreath. The wire basket is quintessentially farmhouse.

A yarn-ball wreath (made by Donna Doucette) lends a cozy feel to one of the rooms, which happens to house the owner’s weaving loom! Very knitting – I mean – fitting.

Danielle Arbour decorated the kitchen in her tour home with a baking-themed Christmas tree. Trimmed with cookie cutters in all shapes and sizes, it was perfect for a country kitchen. That buffalo check runner is another great rustic touch!

A wreath above the master bed, and cheerful Christmas pillows create an inviting space for snuggling. In this house, decorated for Christmas by Cottage Blue Home, natural greenery is the name of the game! Is there really anything better for the holidays, though? 🙂

Of course, greenery is probably the most traditional of all decor choices for the holidays. It fits into every style, be it glamorous and showy, rustic and understated, or traditional and classic.

Traditional & Classic

This *might* have been my favourite use of greenery of the whole tour. I love the simplicity of the white candles, framed by natural cedar and a big burgundy faux poinsettia. In front of that delicate antique settee, it is the perfect classic touch.

Designers Carole and Stephanie Aubin set the mood with this charming, traditional Christmas swag. Pinecones and berries are something of a favourite of mine. 😉

An elegant coffee bar, complete with my chocolate of choice (mmm Ferrero Rocher!) and scrumptious-looking baked goodies is a decadent way to end a holiday feast. Using heirloom china gives it a classic and personal look.

Regardless of which style you choose, decorator Donna Czet says it is important to make your Christmas look special. Whatever « special » means to you – family heirlooms on display, shimmering candles, lots of greenery, multicolour lights – make sure it has a place!

Don’t you just love the richness of that blue leather armchair? The vignette on the side table makes it the perfect cozy reading spot, I think.

Another lovely vignette was this corner, created by Donna Doucette. The twine spheres, illuminated with white lights, and the spectacular centrepiece on the grand piano lend an air of understated artistry to the space.

For more information about the Vankleek Hill Christmas Home Tour and the designers who created these beautiful spaces, please click HERE.

So which of these three styles appeals to you most? Are you someone who goes for the sparkle and shine of a glamorous holiday look? Do you prefer a rustic, farmhouse style? Do you gravitate towards a classic look, with lots of greenery and lights? Or are you like me, and like to include a little of everything in your Christmas decor? I’d love to hear from you!

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I’ll be back early next week with a couple of ways you can bring the Christmas Home Tour eye candy into your own holiday decorating. Want a heads-up when posts are published? Please sign up in the side bar to receive them by email! → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → → →

P.S. All my Christmas and holiday-related posts are available HERE!