Classic, simple Christmas decor shines at Holiday Designer Show House

The Prospect farmhouse known as Chestnut Hall was built in the 1860s. The home – which sits on a 25-acre property – features vintage fireplaces as well as original flooring and crown molding. This holiday season, its historic charm is enhanced with Christmas decor inside and out for the 2023 Holiday Designer Show House.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s sanctuary farm at Chestnut Hall is home to a small group of retired thoroughbred racehorses, but the organization itself cares for a herd of more than 420 thoroughbred retirees. It saves horses who are no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse and slaughter.

The annual Holiday Designer Show House supports these horses, as the event is produced by volunteers – including local designers – and ticket proceeds benefit TRF.

Same place, new designs

“Every room is designed by a different designer,” Nikki Bernstein, farm and events marketing manager at TRF told The Courier Journal, “(and) they do a different design every year.”

This ensures that showgoers have something new to look forward to with each yearly visit. Though some of the designers are repeat participants, all – with the exception of Cherry House Galleries in the living room – worked on a different room this year.

The 2023 designers include Mandeline Hetzel Interiors, KP Designs and Charissa’s Floral Design, to name a few.

Local designer Emily Gilbert was in charge of decorating the primary bedroom, which features white walls, a black fireplace and a black and white damask rug. Gilbert’s accessories include a wreath, several small trees, and other green and gold accents.

“We’re just trying to keep it classic and kind of simple,” she said, adding that the clean and uncomplicated design aesthetic honors the historical home.

Though designers were assigned to most of the rooms, the library was decorated by owner Julia Carstanjen, and there are a few parts

MICHAEL CLEVENGER PHOTOS/COURIER JOURNAL The dining room at Chestnut Hall in Prospect was designed by Libby Helgeson Design.

The library at Chestnut Hall was decorated by Julia Carstanjen.

The living room at Chestnut Hall was designed by Cherry House.