A spectacular holiday home in a winter wonderland.

Aglow with lights from inside and out, Sarah’s sprawling 4,000-square-foot country house offers a warm, inviting respite from the snowy landscape.

Red doors brighten up the mudroom closet.

Sarah’s holiday home boasts a colourful entryway (perfect for the kids to play in). With classic white beadboard panelling and rustic furniture, she created a space filled with cosy country charm. Red doors brighten up the mudroom closet.

A neutral palette is warmed by a richly coloured rug and throw pillows.

Designer Sarah Richardson dressed her mantel with simple boughs and amaryllis, offsetting the plaster coat of arms that friend Tommy Smythe found in a vintage shop. The Bank of Nova Scotia crest has significance for Sarah’s husband, Alexander Younger, so she gave it to him as a birthday present.

Get a complete tour of Sarah’s holiday home in our photo gallery.

Christmas at Sarah’s idyllic country retreat is stylish yet casual.

The 12-foot tree in designer and HGTV host Sarah Richardson‘s farmhouse living room was cut down on their property by Sarah’s husband. Loaded with ornaments, both old and new, the tree stands between the dining room and living room, allowing it to be seen from many vantage points. The warm colour scheme of red, orange and cream in the space creates a cosy feeling, perfect for a country home.

Get a complete tour of Sarah’s holiday home in our photo gallery. And for more holiday decorating ideas, see our Christmas Decorating gallery.

Salvaged cabinets and high-end appliances give this space an authentic country air.

The dramatic stove hood highlights the professional range, which comes in handy when  Sarah and her husband host large numbers of guests.

Playful and easy-to-clean polka dot oil cloth fabric covers three stools.

Sarah designed a grand kitchen — perfect for baking and entertaining during Christmas. An oversized butter-yellow kitchen island offers a casual spot for morning coffees and a large work surface, ideal for party-time food prep.

Embrace mix-and-match dining when hosting large groups.

It’s Christmas tradition in many families to cram dozens of people into a space that normally seats four. This year, embrace the chaos and set a charming, mix-and-match table. Toronto designer Sarah Richardson remembers a year the dining table featured a mix of silver cutlery from her mother-in-law, antique Limogoes plates from her own mother, dinner plates from her grandmother, and placemats made from an Irish linen runner. “I think what’s important is not getting too caught up in having a perfectly matched setting for 12 people,” says Richardson. “I can’t imagine anything looking tickety-boo because then it has no reflection of history.”

For more ideas, see our Designers’ Holiday Decorating Tips photo gallery.

Unconventional greenery puts a unique spin on traditional handrail Christmas decorations.

In designer and HGTV host Sarah Richardson‘s holiday house, no area goes undecorated. A boxwood garland along the handrail is a lighter take on a pine or spruce garland, but equally festive. Yellow and gold bird ornaments reference the painted stair runner and add a fun touch. If properly dried and stored, boxwood can last for several seasons before needing replacement.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Sarah Richardson’s Holiday House, Christmas Decorating Ideas and Gorgeous Garlands.

Reclaimed pieces add country charm.

Sarah painted a salvaged clawfoot tub yellow to coordinate with the country-chic drapes. The vanity is also a reclaimed find that blends well with the feel of the old home.

A daring mix of prints creates a casual, playful bedroom.

An antique brass bed layered with a country quilt and tons of pillows is an inviting destination. From polka-dots to paisley to floral and stripes, Sarah is a master at mixing unexpected textiles.

Grey-blue tones create a serene colour palette.

Sarah decorated the guest bedroom with care. Her playful approach to fabric is evident in the mix of the drapes, headboard, bedskirt and throw pillows — which are different yet cohesive.

Add a little sparkle to your front or back yard.

“Christmas for me lives everywhere,” says Sarah. Even the apple orchard on her 50-acre farm gets some holiday sparkle.