Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Christmas Designs: G in CT

G in CT, a reader, friend, and amazingly gifted decorator has welcomed me to give you all a tour of his beautiful home and grounds in Connecticut today. Now, everyone form an orderly line, and please listen to this announcement from the ATGS (Artie's Tour Guide Service):

"Welcome to the Tour of GinCT's beautiful Connecticut Estate. Please, keep all hands and feet inside of tour ropes at all times, and refrain from powering on any electronic devices, cell phones, or pagers during the tour. We know you have a choice when touring, and we thank you for choosing ATGS."

First stop, a beautiful planter on the lawn. This gorgeous greens creation was fashioned by G himself. A mix of fallen branches, dried leaves, hydrangeas, and pine cones make for a welcoming and beautiful centerpiece to this beautiful home.


Note the graceful shape of the planter, and the careful attention to detail by G. The draping of the fresh greens, the heavy layering done to add depth, interest, and texture. Beautiful job!


Here we are at the front door. The columns providing the perfect symmetry needed for these beautiful urns filled with fresh greens and thin evergreens wrapped in berries and mini lights. The wreath, garland, and welcome mat are just begging for people to come in, stay a while, and enjoy yourself. So, lets take a peek!

G forces bulbs during the winter season for his beautiful spring and summer gardens. Each of them are masterfully displayed on beds of soft moss, or in antique forcing vases, and even in the paper bark of a birch tree. Above you'll notice the gorgeous topiary, designed and created by G in an effort to spread a little holiday cheer throughout this gorgeous home!


My favorite part? The beautiful reindeer nesting in the moss, aptly called "reindeer" moss within the topiary. It's the small details that change what would have otherwise been called a houseplant, into a work of art.

Moving along into the dining room, we're greeted by a guest! Here our iron farmer, carrying a basket of slightly opened bulbs (French tulips - I believe) smiles hello, and seems to sing: "Enjoy the rest of your tour!" Oh, and you will! Let's take a quick look at this vignette though. Notice the beautiful candle sconce behind the farmer? The beautiful fresh cut stems in the vase aside? This proves that light, height, and might can build a beautiful vignette - perfect for the pages of traditional home! Oh, to have a portion of G's talent for scale and interest.

G informed me before the tour, that due to a new addition to the family, a beautiful kitty, the tree will remain lit, but free of ornaments. Kitty needs a year of getting used to the tree before it can be festooned with 1000's of antique ornaments. Above, however, G has left us a little peek into his Christmas collection: antique lights. Some of you, on this tour, may have a few of these, or remember seeing them in your childhood trees. Look at the Santa's resting softly in the beautiful iron plate on a cutting of fir branches. They look right at home!

This beautiful Spanish iron piece holds a candle nestled in moss and fresh winter berries. This delightful seasonal table centerpiece adds light and natural cheer to any room.

Oh, and look what we have? The left over center piece from last nights sausage, sweet potato, and blue cheese casserole. A soft and elegant display, perfect for a dinner.

Oh, and look what we have here, a dinner with our tour?

I'm not sure what's on the menu ... this wasn't a part of the scheduled tour. Everyone have a seat and enjoy the Christmas music, and beautiful centerpiece of dried florals, moss, and glass ... I'll be right back!

Yooooo Hoooo, G! What's for Dinner?

31 comments:

  1. Wonderful post! Thanks to G, for opening this absolutely beautiful home!

    Artie, please do join Tablescape Tuesday. It's so much fun, figuring out tablescapes and visiting everyone for inspiration.

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  2. Thanks for the tour...I'm ready to eat

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  3. Hi Artie...wow, thanks to Mr. G for letting you take us on this wonderful tour...and btw, what is for dinner??? I wish Scott was fixing us one of his gourmet meals! Oh, and to echo Pat...do join in on Tablescape Tuesdays..
    ;-) Bo

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  4. Artie,

    What great ideas from 'G', a true artist, with a great imagination. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

    'D'

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  5. Well, Mr. Artie .... aren't you the perfect tour guide. And the material you had to work with? Perfection!

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  6. So Pretty! Your Dining Room post looks as if it should be in a magazine! Beautiful and all my favorite colors....

    xoxo,
    Cathleen

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  7. Oh what gorgeous scenes and scapes!! Love em. Outdoors looks just as gorgeous!

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  8. Oh wow that was fun, thanks!
    Love the outside topiary in the big urn and the crown topiary in side, front door area pretty as well!

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  9. Loved this post artie ! Thanks g vickydarnell

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  10. Afternoon, Artie! Oh, you're a wonderful tour guide and your friend G has a very lovely home! Those florals are breathtakingly beautiful! Those dinner plates are gorgeous! I told you, I'm hungry! We'll all be right over - tell G to surprise us with the menu! Oh, please joing us with Tablescape Tuesdays! It's so much fun and you are so talented, it will be great so see what you do. You can even go over the top and just play. I always play! Yay!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  11. G has a fabulous home! I loved the topiary in the urn. Everything was just beautiful! Kristen

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  12. Wonderful!! G has a beautiful home. the live greenery is the special touch. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Well done Artie except my house is nothing like a guided tour with ropes! lol. It's the complete opposite! It's a "kick your shoes off" and "make yourself comfortable" while a house full of rescued dogs play together, a mess in the kitchen with something cooking, a fireplacing burning with a wood trail from the side door and throw in a new wild stray cat that showed up at my doorstep. Cellphones allowed! Red or white wine? Will someone please get the cat off the top of tree!

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  14. P.S.
    I forgot to sign my name with the above comment! lol

    G in CT

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  15. Oh my God.... what a beautiful blog you have! Thanks for visiting my blog and introducing me to yours..... How cool a decorator you are! I am so impressed...... a male in everyday decorating is impressive, a little off-beat and that's what makes you unique and special! Keep up the good work and I'll sure visit you often!
    Wish

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  16. Hi Artie, Wonderful tour; everything is beautiful.

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  17. Good evening Artie.... What a great tour of Mr. G's house... Just lovely and Thank you G for letting us in to take a peek of your beautiful home...

    Artie did you change your page layout??? Doesn't take much to confuse me...LOL LOL

    Have a great night
    (((HUGS)))
    Donna

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  18. Very nice of G letting us in. I promise I wiped my feet. That planter is exquisite!! The rest is pretty darn snappy too!!!

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  19. Such creative and beautiful Christmas decor. Thank you Artie and "G" for sharing all of this beauty. laurie

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  20. wow ! so great about you . your creativity is very beautiful and different. I love your arts and of course your blog too much.

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  21. OooooOo! G's house!! I'm so happy to see it - his comments here are always so insightful and elegant, and not surprisingly his home is fabulous! I love all the natural elements that he uses from his property. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Everything is just beautiful and warm -- That Spanish iron piece is especially beautiful to me with all the moss and berries. Yum.

    Artie, another talent to add to your repertoire - tour guide! And a great one! Is there nothing you can't do? LOL I like the changes you've made to your work of art ala blog! While you're at it, adjust your Jack of all trades to say: Jack of All Trades and Master of *each and every one!* (not none!)
    xo Isa

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  22. This was fun and gorgeous from start to finish. I'm so glad they let us in. Sure given me a few ideas..hugs ~lynne~

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  23. Thanks for the tour of G in Ct's warm and inviting home. What I liked the best was the greenery in every picture. Nature at it's best.

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  24. This is a beautiful home. I love the first photo. It is just perfect to welcome anyone. Kathy

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  25. G's home is beautiful. I just love all the natural touches. If only I could keep a plant alive in the house!!

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  26. Oh my gosh! I need to meet G!! We love all the same things! I have an almost identical ewer to the one shown on G's fireplace, which is odd because it's a very old piece..... And......I also have the same little bulb farmer of G's that you have shown!...... But wait there's more! (Don't I sound like a Ron popeil commercial?)*winks* I ALSO have the crown topiary also found on G's fireplace!! That's two things in a row!! What are the chances??!! Crowns and moss are my two latest obsessions!! We need to meet!!....He needs to invite me to his house! (Hopefully during the dinner hour *winks*) Lol!! I keep saying'Oh that's sooo me" to everything! Artie thank you so much for sharing your friends wonderful home. It was a fab tour! I want to use ATGS for all my touring needs! *winks* Vanna

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  27. What a wonderful tour. Once again the pairing of organic materials I wouldn't have thought to put together. Your friend Mr.G is someone that truly inspires. I hope you'll gather and show more of his designs.

    Sweet Holiday Wishes,
    Sara

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  28. Thank you for sharing this wonderful home. I'm making note of some of your ideas. Just fabulous! ~ Sarah

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  29. Lovely home, I really enjoyed the tour, I am a tablescaping fan myself, so it is always fun to see someone else doing it so well.

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  30. Looks like you mastered your new camera. Beautiful pictures and his entry is beautiful but I already voted, sorry it was between his and the one above it. I loved them both and had a difficult time choosing.
    I hadn't been by in a while so I thought I would say hi.
    Lee
    You might like my post before last "Grey on Gray" it is masculine.

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