Little Rock homeowners Kennon Bednar and Doug Mitchell love Christmas. Their 3,100-square foot home is less than a decade old; however, with architecture inspired by the 1840s, these holiday fans use traditional dÉcor to bring Christmas to their home. When planning their Holiday scene, Bednar said one thing is certain: “The tree has to go [in the entrance]. We try to make a big splash and emphasize the overall effect.”
The Christmas spirit begins on the front porch where traditional garland, garnished with red and green apples frames the 10-foot doorway.
The common areas, which are anything but, are constructed in a manner customary in 1840s homes; the sitting and dining rooms are open, connected and are the heart of the structure. Thus, the largest Christmas tree, a generous 10 feet, takes center stage here. Bednar loves the atmosphere live trees and poinsettias bring.

“I have to have a live tree. I’ve collected ornaments for many years, and for the last 10 years, we collected Christopher Radkos. Many of the ornaments are antiques and collectibles.”
He said it takes two to three days to decorate the tree. “We buy the tree and put it up right after Thanksgiving,” Mitchell said.
The tree is a veritable menagerie of ornaments, from the formal to the whimsical, including: Muppets Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy; the Twin Towers; The Grinch; stuffed animals; fairies; dragon flies; fruit; dogs; Liz Taylor; and quite a few Santas … Scottish Santas, Irish Santas, Simpsons-style Santas … with a 10-foot tree, you’ve got room for all these delightful treasures. A set of matching Schonbek chandeliers adds a twinkling to the magic of the rooms.
The house was constructed around an 1830s empire buffet, which sits opposite an empire-styled sofa and tables. Christmas is displayed here with an abundance of poinsettias in vases as well as fruit — mainly pears and apples — which sit in various bowls and trays.

A beautiful nativity scene from the Mark Roberts collection acts as a dining table runner. The scene includes Mary, Joseph, ram, sheep and other animals, as well as the Three Wise Men and shepherds. Candlesticks accented with greenery mimic trees; the figurines sit on burlap, adding texture and a rustic feel. Faux sugared fruit continues the traditional theme.
To the left of the entry is what Mitchell calls the “man room”; to the right a formal living room. “The ‘man room’ was designed to feel like a Scottish hunting lodge,” Bednar said. Mounted deer and “antelope” heads along with heavy, dark-toned antique and leather furnishings, including a game table, butler’s desk and chest, achieve this.
The fireplaces in the formal living room and the man room were designed after those in the historic Curran Hall in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. The mantle of the fireplace in the “man room” sports gold and red ribbon and bows as well as faux berries in its lit garland. A large mirror sits at its top and reflects the crystal-drop chandelier adding brilliance to the room. Red ribbon has been added to the lighting (quite a feat as the room boasts 11-foot ceilings) and echoes the beautiful rug centered on the wood flooring.

Of course, the holiday theme carries to this room as well, with lighted garland accented with red ornaments, berries, bows and textured ribbon. Not to be left out of the festivities, Santa hats bedeck the deer and “antelope.”
“To add a bit of whimsy, we added a Mark Roberts Santa to the door knob, and added ribbons to the candlestick chandeliers,” Bednar said, with a smile. In the formal living room, the French lend an influence. The beautiful fireplace, which features white marble, is awash in light; this mantle hosts lighted garland with white and gold decorations. Gold, glitter poinsettias and ribbon along with gold-kist ornaments make the room practically glow. A pair of hand-painted Meissen urns, with red poinsettias, flank a mirror set in the mantle’s center; gold candlesticks and the gorgeous chandelier are reflected in this mirror as well. The Christmas spirit also carries over to this home’s library. A unique raised bowl in the center of a table, situated beneath the chandelier, contains bright, primary-colored beads and small, metallic ornaments. The chandelier, which survived a fire, resembles antlers and is draped in pinecone garland and wide forest-green ribbon that butts against the ceiling.
Bednar and Mitchell have created a home that is at once stylish, yet comfortable, perfect for everyday living and seasonal entertaining. This year’s holiday party guests will “oh” and “ah” as they enter this beautiful Christmas wonderland.