CHRISTMAS DECOR: DECK THE HOUSE

I have my favorites...

Like this amazing tree with snow laying on the branches, and icicles and snowflakes sparkling. 

Or this mantle with white amaryllis and crystal garland

and a silvery banner of 'seasons greetings ' that perfectly compliments the silver leaf mirror.

Silver is always a favorite of mine, but it seems to shine all the more brightly during the holidays.

It's the gate that gets me here

I used to live where everyone had a gate to enter their yard

and this chippy antique

adorned with a full green wreath

looks completely charming to me

Christmas is all about the 'green' to me.

The garland, the tree, the wreaths

fresh - with the scent of pine or cedar

This sideboard is a favorite because of the abundance of green

well balanced and elegant with white candles and pottery

gold ribbon and sugared pears

I don't know if I could live here

but I am drawn to this all-white palette

for its serenity

and its Christmas frostiness

and the contrast of the cold frosty feel with the warmth of the bedding

and I love the neutrality of this frosty arrangement

for the same reason

A flocked white tree

with warm white lites

and white and frosted ornaments

is a vision of textures

Simplicity graces this mantle

white candles

green boughs

and magical lighted crystal garland

White and neutrals mix in this room with

Christmas greens and touches of gold

for a calm and restful look

Once again, a simple neutral palette looks beautiful to me

the tree is amazing and I especially like the oversized ornaments

Silver is my metal of choice

for jewelry as well as a decorating accent

and silver with a fresh green tree creates magic

for me at Christmas

Coming in at a close second at Christmas time

are crystal, glitter and frosted glass

a perfect little tree

Textures are key in a neutral monchromatic palette to create interest

and probably why I like this wood curl wreath

and I like everything about this

Peace on Earth wall vignette below

with the mix of the simple letters and a more elaborate frame and fancy lettering.

hmmmm - Tam?  Vinyl?

Decorating the bedroom for the holidays

is a definite favorite of mine . . .

   And why not?  Just a few simple touches can

add magical holiday charm to your haven

I'm a little addicted to paper this year

I've taught classes on making paper cones embellished with paper medallions

I've tried my hand at creating paper roses

I buy scrapbook paper just because its beautiful even before I have a use for it

So these paper doves naturally caught my fancy

followed closely by the mother of pearl button garland 

oh my!

and you can ditto all I said above about paper

and apply it to vintage buttons

I made this frosty wreath last year

and it is one of my favorites

I found a snow-tipped wreath

and added luscious fat picks of ice encrusted greens

red, green and white berries

pinecones

and olive-y green ribbon

for an 'almost' monochromatic look

I'm thinking of pumping it up a little more this year

adding more greens, pinecones and twigs

what do you think?

I love the idea of advent calendars

but until I saw this example I never really liked the look of them

Having this near a small tabletop tree and adding the ornaments each day

is a charming countdown to Christmas



and this tag version is also very cute
the countdown on one side
'Christmas' on the other
9 days instead of 24
with ornaments dangling on the bottom



In my world, mercury glass is just a little bit of heaven

it incorporates the silver I love

the antique and timeworn feel I love

and sparkle

What more do you need?

this combination of greens, whites, and silver

makes me smile

very wide

Another decorating idea for bedrooms:

In my case, however, the twin antique iron bed

is in my office and acts as extra seating

and occasional guest quarters

this will look

perfect

Have you noticed, I wonder, the 2010 holiday trends?

we are going back to nature - big time!

pinecones are everywhere

and birds

lots of birds

and bird related objects, like

nests, birdcages, wings

and theres lots of silver (big happy smile here)

and white

Love this - little silver containers to hold pinecone 'trees'

Pottery barn had something similar:

Paperwhites (narcissus) are everywhere this year

mostly faux versions (Pottery Barn)

which is a shame as they are heavily fragrant

and like Amaryllis, available in 'grow your own' gift packs

If you prefer the already blooming variety,

Trader Joe's carried them last year,

most nurseries will probably 

carry the 'take me home now' variety

I have a live tree each year, but the garlands and mantle decorations

are all faux.  I do this because I have to decorate early and leave up long

(at least I can get water to the tree)

Despite this, I love the natural look

 Irregardless of the fact that my greens aren't fresh

I want them to look that way

So - much like the wreath I created last year,

I stuff my mantle garland with long branches of faux pine, cedar and fir -

sometimes deepening the mantle ledge with a length of wood

to accomodate the abundance of greenery

and create a look something like the one above

love the white, silver and green palette

the velvet ribbon

the simplicity

I feel like I'm stuck in this green, white and silver palette

but the white china, green pears, and hurricanes with moss and silver ball ornaments

look so fresh

its irresistible

(and you can eat the pears later)

Back to my love of  paper crafts, again . .

while my color scheme may differ

I love the creative possibilities of this big paper three dimensional star

and the paper holly leaf wreath below

Another favorite of mine

vintage

vintage balls glued onto a styrofoam wreath

(even the tattered and tarnished look wonderful when

clustered together)

who can resist the color red at Christmas?

and I love that this was accomplished

without out looking like a big fat candy cane!

One of my favorite crafts is making nearly anything out of wool felt

and you already know about me and buttons

so this is super cute -

and would be fun to make with vintage buttons - maybe mother of pearl

along with pinecones, birds, and little sisal brush critters

cranberries add a nice accent

use them in hurricanes with candles

or in the water in floral arrangements

or frozen into an ice ring for a punch bowl

nearly all of the ornaments on this tree are handmade

from paper and ribbon

such an inexpensive way to fill a tree

(I also think that line of little sisal Christmas trees in the window is adorable!)

Since we are talking about favorites

I love clear glass lamps

which look great completely empty

but give you this option as well -

adding a little of the season at your bedside

How cute and simple are these little 'cakes' ?

made from paper mache boxes

covered with tinsel, peppermint candies, or silk petals

and wrapped with playful ribbon

They would be a perfect addition to a holiday party buffet

Among the top items on my Holiday checklist

is to make the entry to my home

as warm and inviting as the interior

When your guests arrive

let them see Christmas at your front door!

Wreaths are not just for doors, my friends...

why not bannisters?

When I was a little girl, we had a row of  little cardboard houses

covered in glitter, on a bed of snow, with a string of lights making them glow

I collect the little glittered cardboard houses

they look adorable scattered about on shelves, or in cupboards -

and vintage is best

Domes are perfect for creating a sense of 'importance'

Items that normally get lost in the decor

stand out when placed under glass

this nativity may be small, but its importance is evident to all

Vintage postcard images are high on my list of holiday favorites

and although this is a photographic one

and not the colorful Christmas images I usually choose

I love the look on her face

the wildness of her hair

the jeweled crown

the look so pure and dreamlike

you believe there are wings - angel or fairy - emerging behind that mass of red curls

she is my favorite vintage find this year

I will sprinkle fairy glitter, encase her in glass and frame her with silver -

an ornament for my tree

Santa

I love that guy

and I love collections of him

rows of red suits

white beards

and sacks full of toys

make room for a collection in your home

tucked in the middle of pine boughs

or clustered on a shelf

Santas, Snowmen, Angels

what do you collect?

I hope you enjoyed some of my favorites - and that you shared some of them with me.

I am working on my holiday decor this week.

Watch for 'how-to's coming soon to help you decorate your house for the holidays

Best wishes,

Claudine