In The Style Of Christmas Decorating Ideas

Home at the Holidays beauty reigns supreme with in the style of Christmas decorating ideas gifting guided inspiration.

House & Garden – Photography by Michael Sinclair

Imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery, especially at this most wonderful time of the year.

Stavith Crystal and Metal 8-light Chandelier

Sourcing furnishings and decor items in the style of consists of searching sites for antiques as well as new pieces that complement the primary style, and then utilizing those finds to create visual harmony, balance, and beauty.

SAFAVIEH Kashan Velitchka Oriental Rug with Fringe

King George III Settee

La Rosa Velvet 2-Seater Chesterfield Loveseat

Pair Country French Paint Decorated Candelabra Sconces

Antique Gold Leaf Classic Mirror

Vintage 1940’s Mahogany 5 Drawer Hand Painted French Commode

Victoria Magazine – Photography by Stephanie W. Steele

Greenery, gold, and the glow of candlelight mingle to set the quintessential Christmas scene.

Italian Florentine Vintage Gilt Painted Chest of Drawers

Artist Signed Framed European Meadow Scene Oil Painting On Canvas

Vintage Italian Florentine Wooden Wall Plaque Italy

Antique Brass Tassel Footed Tray

Antique Jardiniere

Single Mid 20th Century Italian Giltwood Wall Shelf Bracket

Elle Decor – John Derian

I don’t believe I’d go as far as to associate this unique Christmas tree with a designer version of a Charlie Brown tree for beauty is in the eye and the urn table vase of the beholder.

Traditional Aluminum Bucket Wine Cooler

Unique reinterpretations of traditional ways have the ability to result in a visually glorious outcome.

Handmade Ceramic Table Vase

Robin’s Song – Fine Art Print

In the style of serves more as a guideline. More often than not sourcing the exact items hits a wall in terms of locating the source of purchase.

Redpoll Birds Illustration

Borrowing from (not outwardly copying which is a design no-no) an impressive look seems to gain speed at the holiday season.

Barry Dixon welcomes Christmas to the spaces and places of Elway Hall.

Large Vintage Brass Chandelier with Glass Prisms

Halls decked with thoughtful holiday hospitality the goal, touches and traditions depict an air of holiday finery in grand casual form.

Paris Market 6 Light Antique White Chandelier

Marble Bust Drawing

Bust Sketch Drawing

Elegant Victoria Floral Engraved with Handle Serving Tray

Flower Magazine – Photography by Erik Kvalsvik

Collected accents blending with the presence of natural accents and lighting achieve the cabin-like overtone in the breakfast room.

Antique 19th Century Four-Door Corner Cabinet Cupboard

Staffordshire Figure on Horse

Johnson Brothers “Friendly Village” Oval Serving Bowl

Set of 6 Cups and Saucers – EIT

Flower Magazine – Photography by Mary Craven Dawkins

Genius and gorgeous Christmas decorating ideas are well worth repeating and reproducing.

Southern Living Magazine – Photography by Hector Manuel Sanchez

Whole or dried oranges, bay leaves and cinnamon sticks grouped together and placed in a decorative bowl or atop a serving platter become a festive and fragrant Christmas decoration.

Sullivans Urns – Set of 2, Silver

Embellishing further with perhaps a decorative tassel draped across the top or to the side produces a simple yet elegant accent.

Southern Lady Magazine

Conversing with a fellow decorista brought up the subject of when do you begin decorating home and hearth for Christmas/the Holidays.

Believe it or not, I know someone who keeps the Christmas tree up all year long- loves it and it brings joy to the home.

Midwest Living

You’d be surprised the number of folk who for various reasons do not wish to decorate for the holidays, and believe me I get it.

My mother-in-law was one who fell into the latter category, and for many years I didn’t get it.

Crescent Silver Plated Metal Footed Bowl with Grapevine Pattern

Older and with many life miles on me, I understand, but as I did with my mother-in-law I still suggest at least one little something placed here or there to reflect the season.

One lovely bowl filled with fresh clippings, buds, and blooms sitting atop a book becomes a festive focal point.

Vintage Books Mixed Lot of 8 Decorative Customizable by Colors

Following my own suggestion I filled a cut crystal bowl with an array of Christmas tree balls, and, voilà, a holiday decoration comes forth.

Waiting to decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve is a fascinating prospect, one that crescendos to the main event in oh, what fun seasonal splendor.

Adorning a chandelier with vintage or in the style of vintage ornaments is a home for the holidays Christmas decorating ideas classic that is delightfully elegant in presence and simple to achieve.

Better Homes & Gardens

Oh come, let us adorn thee.

Country Living Magazine

Introduce a sense of simple elegance into your holiday decor by decorating a chandelier(s) with garland and glass ornaments looped in ribbon in your choice of colors and material.

Charlotte Moss

Classic colors of blue and white befit winter’s color palette.

Spode Blue Italian Hexagonal Vase

Visits to the grocery store this time of year go with the it’s the holidays territory.

Keep it seasonal simple by picking up a fresh holiday bouquet from the floral department for centerpieces and spot arrangements.

French Country Fireside Lounge Chair

Blue and White Christmas Tree Plate

Seasonal fruits become stunning decorations.

Charlotte Moss

Small touches take the ordinary to holiday extraordinary.

Ballard Designs

Well-appointed home for the holidays decorating ideas do not have to be costly to be remarkable.

White Cast Stone Fiberglass Ornate Low Urn

Balsam Mixed Greens Fresh Wreath

Pears paired with fresh greenery and placed in a decorative urn housing bottles of your favorite holiday beverage on ice becomes a festive beverage holder focal point.

Photo by Jodie Morgan

Absolutely gorgeous describes the details found in these French Lyre back chairs.

House & Garden

Pair of Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Style Painted Opera Chairs
Pair of French Giltwood and Cane Lyre Back Chairs, Second Empire Period

Midwest Living

Neutral-toned antiques and quality antique reproductions layers a space in softness.

HENREDON French Louis XV Style 2 Door Armoire

Loden Green 1½” Swiss Velvet Ribbon

Farmhouse Style Distress Painted Graduated Open Bookcase

Antique Hand Carved Painted Royal Rocking Horse

Hanging a wreath(s) or greenery bunches from the top of a door (armoire, cabinet, exterior) with ribbon adds a custom touch to your holiday decorating presentation.

Finding wider ribbon works best, I like to use a ribbon that is at least 2½” wide.

House & Home

This look is winter woodland wonderful straight through to the first sign of spring.

Park Designs Wintertime White Platter

Green House 24″ Plastic Greenery Swag with Needle Pine

Vintage 9.5 Tall Decorative Woodland

Vintage Bread Boards Extra Large

Some are just beginning to deck where others halls have long been decked and ready to impress.

Whenever the time is right for you consider one of these in the style of Christmas decorating ideas.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas To You!

Merry Christmas to you, my treasured friends.

Country Living Magazine – Photography by Rikki Snyder

This Christmas collection of pretty pictures, delightful treats, and Christmas at home is a visual to you, from me gift that hopefully fills the eye and the heart with the most wonderful time of the year sights of the season.

Enjoy!

At Home in Arkansas – Photography by Rett Peek

Divinity with Cherries and Pecans

Country Home Magazine

House Beautiful – Photography by Peter Frank Edwards

Forest Beauty

Flower Magazine

Curly Girl Kitchen

All is calm, all is bright.

Unsplash

Raspberry Almond Cake

The light in a child’s eyes is all it takes to make
Christmas a magical time of the year.

May the beauty of the season be bountiful in the spaces and places of your holiday home.

With much love to one and all,

Christmas Season 2021

The pace for Christmas season 2021 is set to slow in order to savor the season, embrace the true meaning of it all, and cherish the memories old and new that rush my mind and heart.

Christmas season 2021 Pretty At The Holidays highlights a collection of gorgeous images featuring scenes of the season guaranteed to inspire and impress.

John Loecke & Jason Oliver Nixon – Photo Hector Manuel Sanchez
Styling by Kendra Surface – Southern Living Magazine

“Freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin—
inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night.”
—John J. Geddes

House & Garden – Photo by Mark Fox

“The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious
faces with a Christmas greeting.”
—Louisa May Alcott

“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it
by giving the light of love to those who need it most.”
—Ruth Carter Stapleton

Flickr

“We count down the days, just to experience it nearly
exactly as we always have.
It is so comfortable, familiar and perfectly nostalgic
that, frankly, we have no desire to improve upon it at all.”
— Joanna Gaines

Kitchen Ghosts

“Christmas magic is silent.
You don’t hear it—you feel it.
You know it. You believe it.”
— Kevin Alan Milne

House Beautiful – Photo by Gordon Beall

“Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago.”
—Tom Baker

“Christmas is a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.”
— Freya Stark

Victoria Magazine

“As long as we know in our hearts
what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.”
– Eric Sevareid

Victoria Magazine

“Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.”
— Helen Steiner Rice

House & Garden

“Let us keep Christmas beautiful without a thought of greed.”
—Ann Garnett Schultz

Summer Adams

“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.”
— Richelle E. Goodrich

Retro Christmas Tree Cake

“May your hearth be warm, your holidays grand, and your heart
held gently in the good Lord’s hand.”
— Unknown

Carolyne Roehm

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,
everything is softer and more beautiful.”
— Norman Vincent Peale

Festive anticipation is super setting in as Christmas week draws closer, and I fa la la la love it!

Flights carrying loved ones begin to arrive, Dave the Builder is patiently awaiting a pan of Fantasy Fudge brimming with chopped walnuts, and as much as I would love a visiting elf to grant me the pleasure of wrapping all the gifts for me, that’s one Christmas miracle I’m pretty sure is not going to happen.

Holiday happenings, tasks, and undertakings can bring immense joy, however, the holiday hustle an bustle can be quite overwhelming at times.

Balance is a key component of design and decorating, life, and essential at this the most wonderful time of the year.

I’ve adopted a slow the pace, win the race attitude towards Christmas season 2021, seeing the beauty and the meaning of the season through a different lens.

Years of holiday decorating, open houses, and professional retail antiques and design business services brought joy, but I noticed by the second week of December I lost all interest in the holidays. Can you say oversaturation?

For this reason, I keep my holiday social media postings light as well as my blogging in order to experience the joy rather than looking up and it being all over.

Remember this, my dear friends; the Christmas season is short at best. Treat yourself while treating others to the joy, the beauty, the goodies, and the glory of this beautiful season.

Merry Christmas, dear ones.

Festive Photos of the Christmas Season

Festive photos of the Christmas season reminds and reinforces the notion it’s magically beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Christmas at Forde Abbey

“…freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin – inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night…”

– John Geddes

Victoria Magazine

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”

– Norman Vincent Peale

House & Garden

“Christmas isn’t a parade or concert but a piece of home you keep in your heart wherever you go.”

– Donna VanLiere

Pinterest

“At Christmas, all roads lead home.”

– Marjorie Holmes

Bless’er House as featured by Better Homes & Gardens

“Christmas… is not an external event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.”

– Freya Stark

“Kindness is like snow- It beautifies everything it covers.”

– Kahlil Gibran

Martha Stewart

“The Christmas tree is a symbol of love, not money. There’s a kind of glory to them when they’re all lit up that exceeds anything all the money in the world could buy.”

– Andy Rooney

House & Garden – Photo by Paul Massey

“Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.”

– Pindar

Market Street – Corning, NY

“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.”

– Richelle E. Goodrich

Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Jason Donnelly

“The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.”

– Louisa May Alcott

South Tirol, Italy

“Thank you, Dear Creator, for Life. Thank you for Dreams. Thank you for Ideas and Thoughts and Feelings. Most of all, thank you for choosing me to grow – just for today – and to know the Wonder of Your World and its many Possibilities.”

― Janie Jasin

Victoria Magazine – Photography Marcy Black Simpson
Styling by Melissa Sturdivant Smith

“Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago.”

― Tom Baker

Christmas Songs and Sights

Christmas songs and sights rule the festive fun around Places In The Home this time of year.

Why certain things come to mind when we hear Christmas songs is anyone’s guess, but I believe traditions old and new, coupled with cherished memories near and dear to heart and mind, work together to awaken the spirit of the season that beautifully dwells within all of us.

As I was listening to classic Christmas songs late Saturday night, an imagined slideshow broke out in my thoughts- some obvious, some silly, but all telling.

So here you go, my wonderful friends, a Christmas songs and sights ’tis the season pictorial.

Flickr

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring tingle tingling too
Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling “yoo hoo!”
Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

I met a man who lives in Tennessee, and he was headin’ for
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie
From Pennsylvania, folks are travelin’ down to Dixie’s sunny shore

From Atlantic to Pacific

– I know it means from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean(s), but the line always brings to mind thoughts of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, better known to some of us as A&P

Gee, the traffic is terrific

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas

Chasing Daisies

Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you hear
Silver bells (silver bells) silver bells (silver bells)

Flickr

It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling (ring-a-ling)
Hear them ring (hear them ring)
Soon it will be Christmas day

Santa and Friends

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song, as we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland

Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel

Frosted window panes
Candles gleaming inside
Painted candy canes on the tree
Santa’s on his way
He’s filled his sleigh with things
Things for you and for me
It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true

And this song of mine
In three-quarter time
Wishes you and yours
The same thing too

Fine Art America

the snow’s comin’ down
(Christmas) I’m watchin’ it fall
(Christmas) lots of people around
(Christmas) baby, please come home

Elle Decor – Photo by Douglas Friedman

Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Skonahem

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It’s the best time of the year
I don’t know if there’ll be snow
But have a cup of cheer
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Oh, ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And in case you didn’t hear
Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

In The Fields

For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet

Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Hasn’t snowed a single flurry, but Santa dear we’re in a hurry

There’ll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting

And caroling out in the snow

There’ll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

Country Living Magazine

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Sharing the Christmas Cheer

Time is short on this Friday before Christmas, but there’s always time for sharing the Christmas cheer.

Christmas on sale emails get my attention at this time of year.

I sourced, shopped, and scored these Simplicity vintage gift bags at Joann Fabrics and Crafts, and they are so super vintage style cute.

Apples, lemons, cinnamon sticks, whole coves, and bay leaves brought to boil and set to simmer fills the house with the scents of Christmas.

Brothers bearing gifts of poinsettia in winter white and Christmas red kick off the week before Christmas gift exchange.

This year’s Christmas decorating is less extravagance and more emphasis on special touches rooted in memories, provenance, and simple I love that beauty.

Oranges and cloves remind me of my great grandmother’s house at the holidays.

Her uncomplicated approach to Christmas decorating translated into a unique style all her own and adorned in understated grace.

I conducted a Christmas tasting trial run while the kids were home.

Hands down, this cranberry fig cheese ball took top honors in the holiday appetizer category.

Cranberry Fig Cheese Ball

Ingredients

8 ounce block cream cheese softened

8 ounces shredded mild cheddar cheese

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

½ cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup fig preserves

1 Tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

1 Tablespoon Creole seasoning, optional

½ cup chopped walnuts

Directions

In a mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese to soften. Add shredded mild cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, Worcestershire sauce, fig preserves and chopped parsley. Mix all ingredients together to blend.

Form cheese mixture into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4 hours or even better, overnight allowing cheese ball to firm up.

Once firm, unwrap cheese ball from plastic wrap. Roll the cheese ball in Creole seasoning and chopped walnuts to cover. Serve with snack crackers of choice.

Sharing the Christmas cheer is the best part of the holiday season.

I’m spending this weekend in the Places In The Home test kitchen churning out cakes and cookies for family, friends, and neighbors.

After all, it is the most wonderful and tasty time of the year, the present is in the process, and the gift is in the giving.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and love from me to you at this holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Treasures On The Tree: Christmas Ornaments

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Let’s take a look at the history of Christmas ornaments, shall we?

History shows the decorations used to trim and bedeck Christmas trees included white candy canes, fresh apples and pastries shaped in the likeness of flowers, hearts and stars.

Garlands of glass beads, tin figures and the famous glass bauble made in Lauscha, Germany by Hans Greiner captured the eyes and the hearts of admirers. Artisans crafted the original ornaments in the shape of fruits and nuts.

William DeMuth created the first American-made glass ornaments in 1870. American businessman F. W. Woolworth discovered glass bauble ornaments on his travels to Laucscha, Germany in the 1880s subsequently importing the Lauscha ornaments to the United States.

32° North

The F. W. Woolworth Company went national in 1910 with 1000+ stores introducing glass Christmas ornaments into its inventory.

Over the 20th century, Woolworth’s would import 200,000 Christmas ornaments and top $25 million in sales from Christmas decorations.

Over the last decade, decorating the Christmas tree has become more than strictly a holiday ritual and more of a trip down memory lane starring Christmas ornaments notably in what Christmas means to me magnificence.

Small in size, but oh-so-large in representation of our individual style, personal interests, defining milestones, landmark events, choice destinations, memories of yesteryear; Christmas ornaments become delicate, shiny, glittery and wonderful winter wonderland pieces to add to or start a these are a few of my favorite things collection.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park ~ Photo by Nick Yarnell

East Tennessee is our second home, and even though we will spend Christmas at home in Louisiana, the GSMNP ornament will allow us to be home for Christmas if only in our Great Smoky Mountains National Park dreams.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Load ’em up and let’s hit the slopes memories.

Ski Gondola

Winnipeg Jets

Our Canadian snowbird eats, sleeps and drinks all things hockey, namely, the Winnipeg Jets.

Food truck popularity serves as an appropriate token of let’s eat fun.

Christmas ornaments somehow become more than objects of beauty, they become ornamental objects of ourselves and treasures from our lives and the lives of those we love.

Houmas House

Now for an array of Christmas ornaments celebrating the food, music, landmarks and culture of Louisiana and ones that capture the essence of the there’s no place like home for the holidays sentiment.

Dagmara Landscape Printed Glass Ball Ornament

I fell in love with the Dagmara landscape printed glass ball ornament at first sight.

Monochrome topography fittingly depicts a scene reminiscent of the homes, buildings and churches along the parish roads and bayous of Louisiana.

Brown Pelicans

Kitty Keller Designs Cloisonne State of Louisiana

The announcement of Ultra Violet as Pantone Color of the Year for 2018 coordinates with the holiday color fest.

A splash of non-traditional color livens the look, and complements the colors featured in the all I want for Christmas Limoges oyster plate and oyster ornament.

Hand Painted Limoges Plate With Sea Oyster Shell Decoration

Old World Christmas Oyster with Pearl Glass Blown Ornament

Beignets and Café au Lait at Café du Monde

Beignets and Café au Lait at Café du Monde is a delicious New Orleans tradition.

Coffee and Beignets New Orleans Christmas Ornament

Our pets are members of our family.

Sadie the black Labrador Retriever and Beau the white German shepherd keep our nephews company on the hunt.

Creativity and color make up a large part of my day, every day.

French Artist Oil Paint Palette

It’s a color your world Christmas.

Old World Christmas Artist’s Palette Glass Blown Ornament

The piney woods are well-represented through adorned packages in shades of blush, gray, and gold wrapped to impress.

Decorate your Christmas tree as you would your home- with a sense of you.

Places In The Home: In The Spirit of The Twelve Days of Christmas

In the spirit of The Twelve Days of Christmas, true Christmas traditions and because twelve is the exact number of photos that turned out to be share worthy, I present to you the Places In The Home Twelve Days of Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas my idea of true Christmas traditions sent to me

vintage inspired aluminum Christmas wreaths and shiny and bright ornaments kinda sorta just like the aluminum Christmas tree, color wheel and Shiny Brite ornaments my maternal grandmother had. It’s all in the accents and accessories details.

On the second day of Christmas my idea of true Christmas traditions sent to me

the patience prayed for and the grace granted to find the beauty in everything and everyone.

On the third day of Christmas my idea of true Christmas traditions sent to me

an old world Santa figurine ornament in shades of yellow, cream, brown and glitter gold that cost next to nothing, and one I would not take a million dollars for. Well.

On the fourth day of Christmas my idea of true Christmas traditions sent to me

a Christmas centerpiece rich in throwback tradition and vibrant colors compliments of nature’s beauty and the neighbor’s grown with love grove.

On the fifth day of Christmas my idea of true Christmas traditions sent to me

the aromatic trio of one orange, one bay leaf and a generous sprinkling of ground cloves soon set to simmer and scent.

On the sixth day of Christmas my idea of true Christmas traditions sent to me

a craving for a family must make and bake at the holidays family tradition, Mama Two sugar cookies. The story of how her name came to be is almost as iconic as her family famous Christmas cookie recipe.

The name I assigned to my great-grandmother was born out of a childlike understanding. Our holiday destination point was set for the great state of Texas to spread holiday cheer and to introduce my great-grandparents to the newest addition to the family (me). My mother and grandmother took advantage of the over the bayous and through the piney woods, to great-grandmother’s house we go travel time to coach me into calling my great-grandmother “mama”- the term of endearment she had always gone by.