Sunday, December 7, 2008

Christmas Designs: My Living Room

When Scott first described his vision for our home here in New York, he said: "Think cabin in the woods." Now, I'm not a country boy - never have been, never will be. I never liked camping, nor did I ever spend time planning out my dream house in tones of green using leather and twig accessories; but once I got here, and heard the house speak - it's what it really wanted, too.

So, this Christmas, I took inspiration from the rooms I had created initially for Scott, that I had really fallen in love with. The soft sage greens, the warm wood tones, the gentle sparkle of a few choice accessories I threw in on the sly ... and I came up with this:

A view of the living room from our dining room. The mantle, a wash of grapevine wreath and grapevine ball covered Christmas lights on garland, with a few "ice" covered branches thrown in. The true feature however, is the cluster of real pheasant feathers resting delicately in the crown of an antler. (Better pictures below.) Oh, and do you like the new basket? $2 at a tag sale!

The tree is a medley of twigs, greens, mercury glass, matte finish glass balls in the most delightful color of moss green, and a few of those Gumps crystal ice shapes. The crown, of course to tie it all together, pheasant feathers and the most interesting silver ornaments I've ever seen.

The better photo of the mantle I promised. Here you get an opportunity to see the feathers resting perfectly upon that antler, and the over-sized scale of the decorations. Using uncommon pieces, and items not generally seen as "Christmas" are a fun way to really spice up your decor, and Color Outside the Lines!

A full picture of the tree, blending well into the antique pub sign hanging in the background.

It would be hard for me to pick a favorite ornament, or element to this tree. When it started, I hated it - thought that it was too unconventional, and would never work. Now - I think it's perfectly proportioned, and a real treat to the decor of our home. There are of course - other decorations in the house - which I will show you in a blog to come. But for now, I hope you enjoy these photos, and that the spirit of Christmas fill your heart and home.
If you have photos of your Christmas decor you'd like to share, please e-mail them to me. I'd love to feature them here!

57 comments:

  1. Artie, your mantle looks very handsome. So warm and inviting. What a great creation. I love how you tied it together with your tree. Your tree is in good proportion for your room. I am loving the mercury glass ornaments that I have been seeing around this year. I have a few that I use on my mantle which you will see in my next post, but I've done my tree in a more natural theme. I'm off to bed - I can't wait to get under my covers it's only 4 degrees here now, but I'm glad I popped in before I shut down for the night. ~ Robyn

    ReplyDelete
  2. TWIN!!! I am absolutely blown away. I'm in LOVE with what you've done. The tree (and the mantle!!) is something right out of a spectacular enchanted forest. My mouth is just hanging open. It's a true work of art. I'm beyond impressed.

    xo Isa

    ReplyDelete
  3. How STUNNING Artie~ it's just beautiful~~~ ethereal, actually! You really know how to "do it right"~ soooo creatively, with it all coming out so naturally~~~ NOT an easy feat, but you do it sooo well!!! I'm a lover of the more natural look, and your home always makes me think of a warm n' welcoming refuge at the end of a long day... just so verrrry "NICE", which is the ultimate compliment IMHO!!! Warmly, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  4. Creative and yet so warm and festive...perfect for your room!

    ReplyDelete
  5. beautiful! Love the mantel, and how you snuggled the spruce wreath into the grapevine wreath for more depth. The feathers and antlers fit in beautifully with your warm abode!

    Merry Christmas to you...

    ReplyDelete
  6. :) I am loving the mantel AND tree!!! You are one VERY creative person Artie! It's all just so beautiful!

    I really want to start collecting mercury glass...it's just so classy. Any tips on getting started and where to look???

    ReplyDelete
  7. Warm and wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Absolute perfection! The sparkle of the tree against the painting is very exciting and I love it. This would make a great Christmas card. The pheasant feathers and twigs/branches are inspiring! Being unconventional and coloring outside the lines is the path to a masterpiece such as your holiday decorations this year! You done good, Artie!
    I once used grapevines as ropes on a tree where the only ornaments were dried plants from the garden, moss, pinecones and white birch branches. Throw in a thousand white lights and it still remains one of my favorite trees.
    I spent yesterday in a swamp with mud half way up my knees gathering various natural materials. I completed the outside of my house yesterday before all this snow. I was hoping to take it easy today but your post won't let me now and I'm making a pot of coffee!

    G in CT

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow Artie how gorgeous is all your sparkle... Beautiful decorations... Loved your mantle and tree... Have a great Sunday...

    (((HUGS)))
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  10. A beautiful mixture of nature and sparkle. Excellent choices.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You've done a marvelous job making "woodsy" look very chic and elegant! Not that we're surprised or anything!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for visiting me and your nice comments on the gold tree! I love your mantle and tree, and the basket for $2 is perfect! I've always loved your spaces on RMS. Thanks again for your visit. Kristen

    ReplyDelete
  13. wonderful!!!! You and scott make a great team. So elegant, yet casal at the same time, my favorite. vickydarnell

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your "cabin in the woods" home is warm, inviting, elegant and comfy! Can't wait to see more.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Stunning, Artie! Absolutely breathtaking!!!!!

    Justine :o )

    ReplyDelete
  16. First of all Artie: Please crate that painting up and send it to me NOW. I love how you pulled the colors out of that painting for your room. The tree is great, and I love that shimmer and sparkle. The beautiful woodwork and the sage green walls are a perfect compliment for each other. What a comfortable home.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Artie,

    Your decorations turned out great, a true complement to the style of your home.

    I posted pictures of some of our decorations today too, but I'm afraid they aren't as clear as I had hoped. When you have time stop by and take a look. I guess I should just invest in a new camera if I'm going to continue to post pictures.

    Thanks for sharing.
    'D'

    ReplyDelete
  18. Artie, This is pure perfection! What a great compromise of natural materials with just a bit of sparkle. You are truly gifted. I'm loving your music. I saw Mercy Me in concert a couple of years ago. Their music really touches me!
    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  19. Just beautiful, Artie! I'm doing a mix of natural with bronze elements & mercury glass as well as some whimsical lime green and reds in different rooms. That's the problem, I love it all! You did a great job with the mantel, I just adore it. It blends just perfectly with your room and that tree is stunning too. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the pheasant feathers and natural decorating, Artie. I had plans to decorate that way this year, too, but ended up changing directions. I'll be posting pics soon.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your mantle and tree are spectacular Artie! Great photography too may I add. (Last year when I posted my tree on RMS, I am sure I cud have grown one for the length of time it took me to get a half decent picture of it...grin.)

    Now I do have a question; what type of lights are on your wreath?
    (I don't see a cord 'n plug outlet.)

    Anxiously waiting to see more of your Christmas decor creations.

    Hugs -Brenda-

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello,

    I am honored you visited my new blog and paid me such a kind compliment. Thank you!

    I have been a HUGE fan of your home on RMS for a very long time. It's just spectacular in every way!

    I hope that you will visit me often. You're always welcome.

    Have a wonderful day! ~Melissa :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Artie, Thanks for registering for the Christmas tree frame. Hope you found my Etsy link. By the way, I love this first song you have playing, it's beautiful! Kristen

    ReplyDelete
  24. Just exquisite! I would love marshmallows atop my hot chocolate as I sit and enjoy! I am quite looking forward to seeing the rest of your handiwork. This is a beautiful introduction to your Christmas! Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  25. OOOO, ART....this is absolutely STUNNING...like something featured in a high decorating magazine. I am in awe of how it all just flows.You asked for OUR decorating photos...I would NEVER enter MINE in with YOURS...oh, my...NO!! My house is decorated for Christmas with 10 grandkids in mind..lots of Santas, fairies, gum balls and candy canes!! ;O) NOTHING so elegant as YOURS.....
    Your sage green walls are so pretty...and I have found that ANY color looks fabulous with that color. You were wise to choose it...
    I know Scott loves this room, too...and how sweet that you honored his wishes, too....GREAT JOB!!
    love, bj

    ReplyDelete
  26. Artie!!! I love your tree! I adore the feathers most of all, wow, wow, wow!!! Your mantel is gorgeous as well and yes, I love the $2 basket ;)

    One day I'll have a grown up tree, lol, for now, the beanie babies and toys rule the roost ;)

    Merry Christmas to you, Dear Artie!

    Bella

    ReplyDelete
  27. Beautiful! I love the white lights and the natural colors. I have some of those colors in my living room. The music you have on your blog is really nice as well :-)

    Thanks for the visit! I will be back to see you soon and see some more decorating photos.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love, love, love your Christmas decor, Artie! I am especially drooling over your mantel. You are extremely creative!....I just love your home. Thanks for coming to Laurie's blog and leaving a nice comment about my dining room. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!....Christine

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love, love, love your Christmas decor, Artie! I am especially drooling over your mantel. You are extremely creative!....I just love your home. Thanks for coming to Laurie's blog and leaving a nice comment about my dining room. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!....Christine

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Artie! I love your mantle - to me this is one of the most difficult areas to decorate, not just at Christmas time. I really like the mercury glass and you've pulled it all together. Your home is so beautiful! You're the bestest!
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. The mantle is a masterpiece - adore what you have done. Thank you so much for visiting French Essence and I am so pleased Isa sent you my way, xv.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just beautiful Artie...love the silver and its really seems to be the in thing this year...that and Lime green..Now you need to show Vicky home its really pretty ask her to send you pics..thanks for coming by my blog...hope you have a great day...hugs and smiles Gloria

    ReplyDelete
  33. I appreciate your blog visit at A Diva's Hammer...
    And Bo is so kind... glad you found me through there :)
    I work in NY quite a bit, wow...how delightful!

    I see some leanings (in the pics)towards art and crafts period, I daresay that fits right in with coziness of the request for "cabin in the woods".

    Share more about your coffee table, please :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Artie, so glad I found this again!!1 Now have it in my favorites so will never lose it again! Your sparkly home is magical, I just love it and am so anxious to see MORE!!! Happy holidays! IF you go to RMS and view my spaces please let me know if you would like to feature any of it and I can e-mail you.... Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  35. Absolutely gorgeous! I am so glad you visited me so that I now have a great new blog to look at! I'll have fun looking at your past posts.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for stopping by my blog. The carolers I got at a thrift sho last year. I just had them set out last year. I wanted something diffrent this year.Love the mantle you did. It looks like you like Christmas as much as I do. We aren't having a lot of people this year so I am not putting out a lot. Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi......
    Your blog is really interesting... Keep posting....Good Luck...Welcome to my blog...

    Merry Christmas and happy New year.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Artie!! Your Christmas decor is scrumptious! I love that it isn't conventional. I wish I could see a real closeup of the mantle. I love the use of the pheasant feathers! Beautiful beautiful job! And thanks for stopping by my little blog. It was a treat to see you there!*winks* Vanna

    ReplyDelete
  39. The mantle is beautiful! I also am in love with the pub sign!! Gorgeous. :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thanks for visiting my blog today. You have a beautiful home. Very unique.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks for coming by and visiting me today:) Love your blog. What a beautiful home you have. Great inspiration photos too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Artie, I hope you are having a lovely holiday season! I've been busy working on my tree and wrapping packages. I did a little shopping today.
    Your decorations are just gorgeous (of course!) You did a great job of incorporating Scott's more natural style with your own flair for decor.
    I have my little down home style that I have been doing for years but it is so tempting to do something more dramatic. I still have to decorate my mantle and then I'll post my REAL holiday decor. lol
    In regards to "original Bridgets" lol so far only two bloggers have them. I didn't think that would be your style. I am not a real prolific painter but if you want to drop a hint with the type of painting you're interested in, I will keep it i mind for a future work.
    Hugs, b.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Your mantle should be in Veranda! I love it! Love your tree, also!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi there...Thank you for your sweet comments on my mantel...and all I can say is wow, wow & wow about yours! Everything looks so professionally decorated...the tree in front of the pub painting blends perfectly...and the mantel is absolutely stunning...certainly magazine worthy! I hope you'll come by to see me often. I'm adding you to my favorites so I won't miss any of your great ideas.
    ;-) Bo

    ReplyDelete
  45. Fabulous Tree and Mantle! I really think your pictures are not doing them justice! I'm sure it's more fab in person!

    thank you for stopping by, Love your blog....

    Ho, Ho,
    Cathleen

    ReplyDelete
  46. Ok, I love the tree next to that painting!! Perfection! And everything else too, fits the house. Thanks for visting my blog and now I had to come see yours also, to fun!
    Thanks for sharing and going to keep you in my favs and come back often.
    Blessings, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  47. I've strolled over to your blog from another. Your decor is far from any camping scene I've seen. The mix of textures creates a warm and inviting air for your holiday guests. I'm glad I stopped in for a visit. I will come again.

    Sweet Wishes,
    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi, love your home all dressed in Christmas finery! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my decorations. Are you ARTIEBEN???? I am so amazed at how many rmsers have blogs!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thanks for visiting me - I have "blog-stalked" you before, just never left a comment!! Your home is gorg and I love all your Christmas decorations. I remember several of your RMS posts and have been very entertained with your blog posts and how you and several others go in and "swipe" other items!!
    Visit whenever you get a chance!!
    Lynette

    ReplyDelete
  50. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing these awesome photos with us.
    I found you on the Muse's blog and hope you will visit mine too.
    Now I'm off to make my home festive. Thanks for the inpiration!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Artie, Your desins are totally awesome!! I may have to keep your ideas in a scrapbook.
    Terriedj/doxieluvr

    ReplyDelete
  52. I missed this post, and I have to say that mantel is gorgeous! laurie

    ReplyDelete
  53. Beautiful Artie! Love all the details...you have an amazing eye! Your tree and mantle are positively stunning! Hope you are having a HUGE Christmas party so you can share all this with your friends! Susan

    ReplyDelete
  54. I LOVE the mantel! So gorgeous! And that last picture with the tree and the picture - I never saw that picture before!!!!

    It looks so beautiful Artie - I love the tree! Just perfect.

    Joni

    ReplyDelete
  55. Okay, I am LOVING the swag/garland on the mantle!!! I need you to fly on over to my house and do that same exact thing on my mantle....puuleezze. I'll leave the door open. thanks, Cindy
    p.s. I have LOTs of feathers...(pheasant hunter in family)

    ReplyDelete
  56. I just love pheasant feathers on a tree! I have the same grape vine ball lights that you have on your mantle I think! The larger ones, I have completely covered in silver glitter and shoved a strand of white lights inside each of them. Your home looks very cozy!

    ReplyDelete