Christmas Design: Vicky Darnell

We are all in for a treat today; my first reader based blog on Christmas/Holiday Design and decor! So many of you are familiar with Vicky Darnell, if not for her wonderful comments left on blogs near and far, but for the guest bathroom concrete countertop I featured on the blog during our tag sale series.

Vicky has been a constant inspiration to everyone who meets her. Her gift for accessorizing is enviable, and her home is a statement of her wonderful taste! It's no different when the Holiday season rolls around - Vicky decorates the entire house with a touch of Christmas, and a magical, well displayed and executed touch - I might add!

It's so kind of Vicky to open her door to me, and to you, so as you take a peak inside of Vicky's Christmas Home, make sure to leave her a comment here on this page.

Vicky decorated her mantle like this every year. The painting of Santa Claus was done by Vicky's mother - certainly we can see where Vicky gets her artistic talent! The porceline, paper, and wood Santa's were gifts from Vicky's daughters; some old, some new - she displays them proudly, and beautifully here with candles and fresh garland strands.

Vicky's dining room is stunning, with it's ladder back chairs painted stone-washed blue, and the gorgeous mural on the walls. This is a wonderful reminder that you don't have to displace the feeling of a room this Holiday. Simply add a few Christmas inspired objects to the table and flat surfaces.

This beautiful holiday spray includes the glazed stone birds. Can you guess where they came from? Horchow, Neimans, Gumps, maybe Smith and Hawkens? Nope. Big Lots! Yes, Big Lots! Just goes to show that with a great eye, you can shop anywhere and find fabulous accessory items.

Vicky was lucky enough to travel to Hong Kong last year, and while there she picked up the painting you see behind this lovely vignette. An old table silver chest, cherubs, bayleaf garland and two magnificent topiaries give this sofa table the perfect Christmas touch.

Here, an iron planter is filled with fresh greens and an oversize ornament. What a great idea for a small space in need of some Christmas cheer?

Vicky, like most of us, is a resourceful lady. She takes joy and pride in creating Christmas Decor in may of the things she already has. This vignette upon the gorgeous blue wash pine buffet is a great example of that. Fresh garland strands provide a fragrant and delicate softness, while candle hurricanes filled with "snow" and more garland stems are a tasteful touch.

These ornaments rest in a wicker basket used throughout the year on the family room coffee table. (Scroll down for a full photo.) I love the way Vicky has mixed her florals here, and added the soft ambience of candle light. It's the perfect centerpiece for her beautiful family room.

Vicky's beautiful Christmas tree. Most of us find that pictures never do our homes justice. The lighting isn't right, the camera just won't cooperate, and we're not professional photographers working with thousand dollar cameras and a crew of people toting flash equipment. Vicky hasn't been able to get a good close-up of the tree, yet. But as she updates me, I'll make sure to add it here.

Take a look at the ornaments on the tree. Isn't that skating santa adorable? Vicky collects hand painted Waterford ornaments, and the santa and lion (middle left) are from that collection.

The infamous concrete counter, with a splash of Christmas. Vicky likes to spread Christmas throughout every room of her beautiful home - and I think that these bronzed reindeer are the perfect touch. Beautiful job, Vicky!

And lastly, the view of the family room. The basket atop the table here is the same as the close up featured above. You can see that the ornaments play nicely with the persimmon and gold colors used in throw pillows and lampshades!

A beautiful home, and beautiful decor for this Holiday/Christmas season. Thank you Vicky for participating! Color Outside the Lines, would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and share with you an ornament, which will hopefully compliment your beautiful Christmas tree. Enjoy!