New home trend - 'Arctic Decor'

A bold home design style has been sweeping the world, and it’s all because of an exciting (and extremely secretive) trendsetter.

If you’ve decorated your home for Christmas, then you’re already familiar with “Arctic Decor,” or design elements that focus on traditional winter colors, elegant twinkle lights and snow-set art and sculptures.

Candace Cane, an interior designer and real estate agent with Rudy Red Realty, said Arctic Decor covers all sorts of traditional holiday decor and so much more.

“White lights and watercolors of winter landscapes tend to be popular and beautiful choices, but we’ve seen all sorts of colors and decorations,” Cane said. “Tinsel, wreaths, playfully matched red-and-green plaid designs. Some people even keep fully decorated pine trees in their homes.”

Not everyone considers it a new trend. Skeptics say Arctic Decor is simply a new phrase for people who don’t want to take down their Christmas decorations.

“There will always be Scrooges in design,” Cane said. “Sure, Arctic Decor resembles Christmas decorations, but what’s so wrong with that? I see it as a way to be festive and cheery all year long. I don’t have air conditioning in my house, so in the summer, when it’s 105 degrees outside, my home at least looks a little bit cooler than outside.”

Ginger Breadhouse, a manufacturing specialist, also loves Arctic Decor, but for very different reasons.

“My husband refused to get back on the roof to take the lights down,” Breadhouse said. “I kicked him out for a variety of reasons, but long story short, I’m not risking my life to remove 256,000 twinkle lights. I just send him the power bill.”

The origins of Arctic Decor trace back to a true icon, and not just in the design world. Though he wishes to remain anonymous, he offered his thoughts on the trend via an email statement.

He wrote:

“It’s just a holly, jolly, giant red sack full of happiness. I love the Christmas season, but my work prevents me from truly enjoying the festivities throughout December. Christmas Eve is the longest day of the year for me, so much so that I basically sleep through Christmas Day and into New Year’s. So my wife suggested we keep the decorations into January and I so, ho, ho enjoyed them that we just kept extending it. It really warms my heart to see others follow suit.”

The trendsetter said that while he keeps his indoor Arctic Decor up all year long, his impressive outdoor display can only be enjoyed during the Christmas season through Jan. 2.

Luckily, there’s a way for locals to see this incredible example of Arctic Decor. It’s the “Journey to the North Pole” Holiday Light Cruise. The 40-minute cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene gives passengers a close look at the holiday displays along the boardwalk at The Coeur d’Alene Resort before taking a magical journey to an illustrious waterfront toy workshop. There’s a humongous Christmas tree and even a decked-out, technologically-advanced flying sleigh that will inspire a whole new generation of Arctic Decor enthusiasts.

Kids can even find out whether they’ve made the Nice List, which may or may not be related to the creator of Arctic Decor (he wants to remain anonymous, OK?). With more than 1.5 million holiday lights on display, the “Journey to the North Pole” experience has been hailed as one of the country’s best Christmas displays.

Boarding begins 40 minutes prior to the cruise departure time at The Resort Plaza Shops.

Departure times are 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with additional options varying by day. Be sure to make reservations in advance, especially during peak periods and weekends.

Tickets are $22.25 for adults, $21.25 for seniors (55+), $7.50 for children (6-12) and free for children 5 and younger.

Call 208-765-4000 or visit www.CdAResort.com for tickets and more information.