Houzz Tour: Inviting Holiday Decor in a Russian Dacha
The white, green and silver Christmas decor in this cozy vacation home echoes the wintry landscape outside
Victoria Malysheva had dreamed of a Christmas-y house for many years. She got her wish with this dacha, or vacation home, in the countryside near St. Petersburg, Russia. “As a child, I went to summer camp in these enchanting places, and I was really drawn here. That is why, when we decided to build a dacha as a family, we chose a spot in this neighborhood specifically,” Malysheva says.
Malysheva and decorator Ekaterina Pozdeeva were able to complete renovation of just the ground floor in time for New Year’s Eve, the main winter holiday in Russia, which is celebrated with Christmas-like decor, including Christmas trees. Pozdeeva helped Malysheva come up with the design scheme for the holiday decorations, which mesh perfectly with the surrounding landscape: peaceful, elegant and festive, with no flashy accents.
The square, 23-by-23-foot house has two levels. The lower one is made of hand-hewn logs and the second level is a wood frame construction. The owners chose this configuration for two reasons: First, wood is a natural material that breathes well, and second, this kind of house can be built in stages, which was convenient for the owners’ budget.
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The Russian Dacha: From Imperial Residence to Country Cottage
Inside, they sanded and varnished the logs to preserve the wood’s natural texture and grain. The flooring is matte hexagonal tile in a neutral gray, placed over an under-floor heating system. The ceiling is finished in untrimmed, dried boards. These natural materials will age beautifully over time.
To add a little color to the wood interior, Malysheva ordered a kitchen with matte blue doors. The cupboards were installed along one wall, with a glass hutch completing the set. The fridge is hidden under the stairs.
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Your Guide to Rustic Style
The pullout sofa makes room for overnight guests. Instead of a traditional coffee table, they went with a wooden chest with a drawer. It stores extra bedding.
Pendant lights emphasize various zones in the home. To create a Christmas-y feel, Malysheva and Pozdeeva decorated the lights with spruce and lingonberry branches.
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14 Easy Last-Minute Holiday Decorating Ideas
They also used spruce branches, which they gathered in a nearby forest, to create wreaths. Twinkle lights were the only component they couldn’t forage. One of the wreaths decorates the wall behind the wood stove, which is finished in an artificial stone veneer.
The central theme of the holiday decor is Scandinavian simplicity. The white, silver and green palette recalls a wintry forest.
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17 Ways to Brighten a Holiday Home, Scandinavian Style
Mandarin oranges in the tablescape are the only splash of bright color in the interior. “I always dreamt of a large table — I wanted to be able to fold pelmeni [a kind of dumpling] here, play board games or gather together for a New Year’s dinner with the whole family,” Malysheva says.
A large spruce tree stands next to the table — the main symbol of the upcoming holiday.
A large spruce tree stands next to the table — the main symbol of the upcoming holiday.
The dinnerware matches the color of the kitchen and is used for both everyday meals and special occasions.
The tablescape also includes a muted runner made of a natural fabric, spruce branches and simple white candles. The glassware is the final touch: “This is neither crystal nor glass — it’s a special crystal glass. These kinds of glasses are usually used in high-end restaurants,” Malysheva says.
Simple Pleasures to Savor This Winter
The tablescape also includes a muted runner made of a natural fabric, spruce branches and simple white candles. The glassware is the final touch: “This is neither crystal nor glass — it’s a special crystal glass. These kinds of glasses are usually used in high-end restaurants,” Malysheva says.
Simple Pleasures to Savor This Winter
Many elements of the decor were handmade using nearby natural materials and easily purchased items. For example, this Advent calendar was made with a frame and mat, craft paper, clothespins and small decorative items.
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20 Festive Christmas Decorating Essentials Made Easy
Vacation House at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Victoria Malysheva and her family
Location: Daimishche village, Leningrad region, Russia
Size: The kitchen-living room is 215 square feet (20 square meters)
Designer: Victoria Malysheva, in collaboration with stylist Ekaterina Pozdeeva