CHRISTMAS DECOR: With Kids in Mind

Welcome to Rachel's home and a short tour of  the holiday decor I installed there.  Her home marks the last client home I will be decorating this season.  I'm cutting off early due to a wedding I will be travelling to the Dallas area for after Christmas.

 Starting at the front door - I placed a frosty pine garland with red berries over the door.  I actually doubled this up to make it thicker and more substantial looking.  Since she has a tall narrow door, I place it only over the door area to crown it.  Rachel had an old wreath lying around covered in red apples and plaid ribbon.  I pulled the apples and ribbon off and remade it to complement the pinecones and frosty berries of the garland.  The bright red poinsettias create a warm welcome!

Rachel has a pre-lighted artificial tree.  Her Christmas colors are red, white and silver.   I used a sparkling silver ribbon garland and added her silver and red glass ball ornaments, distributing them evenly. 

Next came the family ornaments.  Silver frames, ornaments from family travels, initials . . .

Rachel actually called her tree the 'mish mash' tree - but I found the ornaments charming and full of family memories.  After placing the ornaments, I added wired silver ball garland and topped the tree with red berries.  

Red has certainly been the color of Christmas this year. 

The dining room centerpiece was created in a metal basket.  I lined it with a garbage bag because I couldn't be certain it was waterproof and added two small poinsettias surrounded with green garland.  Next,  I added four picks with mixed greens and red berries.


visit CSI project tour http://thecsiproject.com/2010/12/21/holiday-home-tour/

 Red velvet ribbon with a silver tinsel edge, red beaded garland and some berries completed the arrangement.  Glass nutcracker candlesticks with red candles were placed on either side and it was given a soft dusting of snowflakes and scattered pinecones for a natural looking tablescape.  

I used the same ribbon in creating swags for the sconces.   

In the hallway, luscious thick garland is draped at the entry to the kitchen.  I made paper cones and filled then with greens and berries to hang here.

It is especially fun to decorate a home with young children. Christmas is so magical for children. When I decorated Rachel's home it was evident the kids play a big part here.

The kitchen is where things really started to get fun! 

Rachel wanted to create Candy Land in the kitchen, and had set out candy, jars, candles and gingerbread houses. 

 I created a vignette on the kitchen island, complete with these great candy cane ornaments from Pier 1. 

 Greens were added to the lantern, and fresh greens and pinecones were scattered at the base.  The result is adorable!

The adorable gingerbread and candy garland was created by Rachel, complete with pepermint candy lights.  I added bows and ribbon to finish the look.

The family room was snowman land, and so I brought lots of snowflakes.  We added them to the garland on the mantle, along with a berry and gingle bell garland.  

 Adjacent to the fireplace is Rachel's collection of Department 56 Dickens houses, arranged charmingly into a village scene.

I really enjoyed decorating these homes for Christmas!  I hope you enjoyed touring them and that you were able to use some of the ideas in your own home.    One more Christmas post - I hope - my own home which I had better get busy finishing!  We are entertaining next week!

Enjoy a blog hop - Christmas Decor at