Decorate in Snow-White Style

A renovated Kansas schoolhouse decked out for the holidays shows how snow-white decor keeps things cozy while feeling fresh and festive.

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White Christmas

A flocked Fraser fir highlights the white-filled, French-cottage interior of a Melvern, Kansas, home. "White goes with everything," says homeowner Deserae Crafts, who styles her rooms for the holidays with fresh greens, silver baubles and vintage accessories from her collections.Click ahead for ideas on how you can decorate with white for the holidays-or year-round.

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Candy jar

White chocolate-covered almonds become instant decor in apothecary jars. Vintage letters written in French and a magnifying glass grouped on a tray make a pretty conversation starter.The accents pair naturally with the home's already-white interior: creamy vanilla walls with crisp white trim, cushy white slipcovered chairs and sofas, and antique French country furnishings.

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Trees glisten

Snow at Christmas is never a sure thing in Kansas, so Deserae and her husband, Derek, create their own white scenes, outfitting their renovated 1870 schoolhouse in serene white, pearl and silver.At left, the couple's first ornament, bought 20 years ago, glimmers gold on the tree.

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Frosted gift

A crafts-store bird's nest covered with spray snow makes a wintry gift "bow."

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Natural focus

To coordinate arrangements, focus on nature-inspired elements: giant pinecones, sparkling reindeer, bird figurines and nests, and frosted evergreen branches. The following slides show details of three decorations in this dining room.

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Touch of glass

For easy elegance, showcase oversize pinecones under cloches. A dusting of faux snow adds wintry sparkle.

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Yard finds

Bring garden urns or pots inside and fill with finds from the yard: evergreen branches, pinecones and twigs. Top with spray snow and ornaments for yuletide shimmer.

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Glass house

Faux trees arranged in a house fashioned from old windows create a centerpiece on the antique table. For a simple alternative, place single trees in tall clear-glass vases and add artificial snow.

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Sitting pretty

White-slipcovered furniture is easy to clean. Silvery accents add sparkle next to the sofa and chair.

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Furniture face-lift

To hide imperfections, use faux finishes. Here, Deserae painted a faux finish on the antique reproduction armoire she snagged on Craigslist for $600. Simple swags give it holiday romance.

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Calm cooking

Use neutral tones in your kitchen for a bright, calm look. Let serving pieces serve double duty. Display tulips in ice buckets, corral candles or oversize ornaments on trays, and serve small gifts or favors on cake stands.

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Snow-white sweets

Even dessert can be color-coordinated!

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Hung with care

No mantel needed; hang stockings from a stair railing.

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Feathery bed

A dove-bedecked wreath adds a peaceful touch above the four-poster.

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Serene feel

Roses, a feathery tree and other elegant accessories on the white table cover contribute to the bedroom's serene vibe.

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Let it glow

Pillar candles twinkle in the window.

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Finishing touch

A holiday message brightens a mirror in the guest bathroom.

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Historical house

The charming stone exterior attracted Deserae and Derek Crafts to this 1870 schoolhouse, which they bought in 2003. In addition to a school, it had served as a home and a bed-and-breakfast, so the structure had gone through multiple renovations. Seasoned do-it-yourselfers, the couple continued with the changes, tearing down a wall to connect the living room to the sitting room, replacing too-brittle wood floors with reclaimed maple from a gymnasium and remodeling the kitchen with $2,500 cabinets found on Craigslist.Deserae records the renovations in her blog (peekingthruthesunflowers.blogspot.com).

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Decorate in Snow-White Style

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White Christmas

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Candy jar

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Trees glisten

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Frosted gift

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Natural focus

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Touch of glass

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Yard finds

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Glass house

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Sitting pretty

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Furniture face-lift

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Calm cooking

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Snow-white sweets

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Hung with care

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Feathery bed

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Serene feel

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Let it glow

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Finishing touch

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Historical house

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