Interior Design students from FVTC, part of the NKBA Student Chapter, played a key role in transforming the Hearthstone Historic House Museum into a Victorian Christmas wonderland, bringing festive and historical charm to the dining room and servant’s kitchen.

The dining room featured a whimsical sugarplum theme, inspired by the candied fruit aesthetic. “We really played into that candied fruit look for the dining room; it was our main inspiration,” Leah Kocher, NKBA co-president explains.

The servant’s kitchen, on the other hand, embraced a more traditional Victorian Christmas with muted colors and a handmade feel.

Doily ornaments were a standout feature on the trees, lending a timeless and understated charm to the space. “Finding the doily ornaments was like finding a hidden gem. They perfectly fit the theme of a more traditional Victorian Christmas,” Leah explains.

The students approached the project with a blank slate, diving into the decorations provided by Hearthstone to spark ideas. This hands-on approach allowed the club members to discover unique elements like the doily ornaments, which became a defining feature of the kitchen’s design.

Collaboration and creativity were at the heart of the project. In the dining room, club member Kelly Gruber introduced the idea of folding Christmas tree-shaped napkins, which quickly became a focal point of the table settings.

“Kelly taught us how to make these beautiful napkins, and even the Hearthstone staff asked her for instructions,” Leah says. “It’s fun to learn new techniques as volunteers while also teaching the Hearthstone decorators something new.”

This holiday project has been a successful collaboration between Interior Design students and Hearthstone for several years. The planning cycle for the 2025 holiday theme will begin in the spring.

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