Welcome Home!

One of my favorite ways to unwind in this busy season is to enjoy the hard work of decorators around the area.

Years ago, when the children were small, we would put them in the car and drive through a neighborhood of beautiful homes that was filled with bright lights, holiday music and even Santa Claus who gave each child a wave and a peppermint cane. There was no way we could re-create that kind of scene at home. So a drive through that neighborhood became a part of our tradition.

Now, except for the youngest, my children are old enough to drive themselves around town.

So, I’ve found a new way to celebrate.

At night, after work, I take the long way home so I can look at the creative efforts of my neighbors – energetic people who have strung twinkling lights from the eaves and around the shrubbery in the front yard.

Walking downtown for lunch, or just to clear my head, I stop and look at the window displays. I have to remind myself not to act like a child and press my nose to the glass.

Several times a week I stroll over to the Davenport Hotel for a cup of coffee and a little atmosphere therapy. Who wouldn’t feel better surrounded by such beauty? Especially this time of year.

My own house is less ornamented. The tree is up. We’ve strung a little greenery over the windows and hung a wreath on the porch and the stockings on the mantel, but that’s about it. I’m not complaining. It’s all we wanted – or could find the time and energy – to do. And it makes me appreciate even more the over-the-top decorating of others.

A very important part of the beauty of this season is the sharing of time and talent, the generosity of those who want to make the world sparkle and shine for the rest of us.

That’s a real gift.

This week in Home

Decorating our own homes can be a big job, but imagine being the person who decks the halls of one of the most beautiful historic buildings in town.

Diane Hereford took on that kind of challenge when she agreed to decorate the Paulsen Building in downtown Spokane. She took us on a tour of her handiwork for the cover story of this week’s issue.

For do-it-yourselfers who prefer to make their own decorations, Pat Munts walks us through Wreath Making 101 and offers suggestions of one-of-a-kind greenery.

And, in this week’s Treasure Hunt column, I introduce you to a woman who does her holiday baking – using her mother’s cookie cutter – with her favorite basketball team in mind. Her gingerbread men are as unique as they are delicious.

From the cover story about the beautifully appointed Paulsen Building to the tale of a homeowner’s hard work to restore a cottage in Spokane Valley to the personal work spaces of two very talented women, this issue of Home is decorated with the hard work of people in this community. It’s a celebration from cover to cover.

From all of us at Home, here’s hoping your holiday season is filled with beautiful rooms, bright lights and true happiness.