Vintage holiday decor

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If you have been following me for a while you should be familiar with my decorating style. I do like to mix things up. While I have used mostly everything I previously owned to decorate for the holidays this year, apart from the balsam Christmas tree I purchased a couple of unique vintage items from Etsy. I could not resist these three pieces.

This adorable ceramic caroler trio from Milk and Hannah, a glimpse of the stunning ornate brass trivet from Tatter and Fray, something I could use throughout the year....

.. and this gorgeous 1960's brass sleigh and reindeer from The Longacre Flea.

I am enjoying these in my living room so much and so is the rest of the family. I will share some more of the holiday décor tomorrow. I hope you will come back then.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Decorating for the holidays - a glimpse of the mantle

I feel like I am way behind in my decorating for the Christmas season this year. This past weekend we bought the tree and the kids put in the lights after I explained a technique I have used for years - they are in training :). And then they hung most of the ornaments themselves. 
Meanwhile, I tackled the mantle. One could be really creative here, choosing to go bold, colorful, simple, organic or vintage. I try to change things around every year.

I went with a traditional Christmas color scheme using items I have owned for at least a year. It is definitely colorful, festive and whimsical and it was truly organic in that it just evolved. Here is a glimpse of it.

The rest I will share with you on Monday. 
But I would like to remind you of what I did last year.

Another glimpse of this year's mantle.

Please do stop by on Monday, Dec 16th, when I will share what I have done with the mantle this year for Christmas.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often. 

The living room this Christmas

I wanted to share some images of the living room from this Christmas. I had no time to put these up sooner.

 

The crib.

 

 

It sits on an ornate chest and I added some silver berry branches and a few flameless candles.

 

 

 

 

 

The Elf on the Shelf still makes an appearance in our house.

 

 

He moved every night.

 

 

Here is one appearance in the dining room.

 

 

Other glimpses.

 

This crystal dish was a great find at the Salvation Army thrift shop last month. It is perfect for m&ms.

 

To see more pictures of my mantle go here.

We shall enjoy these for a few more days.

I hope you all had a great holiday!

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

 

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.



My Christmas Mantle

This year's Christmas mantle was a quick setup. I did something similar last year and have used almost the same items over the last few years.

 

 

As long as my kids are still home I will always have some kid-related Christmas pieces on display, like the train set. It makes me think of The Polar Express, one of my favorite movies to watch with the kids this time of year. 

 

 I have had the stocking holders since the kids were babies. The drum is a tree ornament but this year it sits next to the cross which never leaves the mantle.

 

 

I have 2 stockings, one for each child. I did not grow up with the idea that stockings were hung in order to to be filled with gifts of some sort. In fact, in a couple of the countries in which I lived when I was a child there was no fireplace or mantle to decorate at Christmas.

None of the items on the mantle are new. The wire trees are from Pottery Barn from years ago; the ornate angel from Treasure Island.

 

I like to incorporate elements of nature - the silver berry garland, the red berry cluster ornaments and the pine cone. Natural elements, in their simplicity and occasionally their fluidity and random shape, balance the ornate nature, structure and colors of other pieces.

 

I have also included a couple of crystal votive holders to add some sparkle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, I do not work with symmetry in decorating the mantle. I like to  mix things up. Although I have incorporated traditional Christmas colors there is less green on the mantle this year but there is plenty of green in the room. A glimpse on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This was last year's mantle below (picture taken during the day). Not a whole lot different but I believe my photography skills have improved with the new camera.

 

 

 Again, this year's mantle (picture taken at night).

 

 

 

 

Most of my holiday decorative items are10 years old; I like that they have a history. They are more meaningul, as a result.

 



For those of you who recognize and celebrate a holiday at this time of year, I hope your preparations are coming together.

 

Starting Friday evening, I have a weekend packed with holiday preparations, performances and events.

 

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you do!

 

 

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

 

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.