Monday, December 28, 2009

December to Remember Day 28: Finally the Tour

I'm sorry that this has been delayed, things at CdlV have been turned a little upside down with the Christmas chaos, but with things at least tentatively back to normal, I have a couple of rooms camera ready again ... of course, that means I have at least one room that I can barely walk into. Without further ado:

Many of you remember when I talked about the peacock tree the first time I posted it HERE. It started with one ornament, this one in fact:

and became a slow collection. Each year, after Christmas, I would hit the better Christmas decor shops to find any and all of the peacock ornaments that I could to add to the collection. Last year, I felt like the collection was finished, and this year the tree came to life.

I start with a theme, something that might evolve over time. The theme for this tree was actually a peacock in a pear tree when it all started. I found these beautiful German glass dusted pears from Pottery Barn last year and thought they'd be the perfect compliment to the decor.

Of course, with over 700 peacock feathers stealing the show - they hardly appear. The beautiful thing about all of the trees though, is that the longer you look at them, the more you see. Like the small peacocks throughout:

one of my favorites, the mirrored, faceted, peacock colored crystals:

snow covered pear tree branches:

and the beautiful gold mirrored ornaments that help to spread the color from the Moroccan lanterns around:

Now, I didn't want to have garland on the staircase, so I opted for oasis foam covered in the peacock colored ornaments, beads, and glittered poinsettia blossoms in a beautiful lime color.

The whole thing took me days to put together, and will probably only take a few minutes to take apart, but isn't that the way it always goes? I've already started buying the ornaments and sundries for next years staircase ... and I think you're all going to be blown away. It might be my best idea yet!

Moving into the living room, the centerpiece to the decor is definitely the fireplace.

Draped in greens from the ceiling to the floor, it's really probably my favorite part of the Christmas decor at CdlV this year. Here too, you see more as you look:


Of course, this all ties in with the living room Christmas tree:

Now, this was one that I put together last year with this room in mind. Scott always said that this house reminded him of a cabin in the woods, so I rolled with that idea and put together the theme for this tree using twigs, branches, and pheasant feathers - and I threw in some crystal and mercury glass - along with a little glitter to give it a little dazzle.

My favorite ornaments here is the crystal firefly:

birds nest with glass bird:

and this gift from a blog reader, there is another one (s)for Scott:

The whole room is lit up with holiday cheer without being at all traditional, and for me that's the best part! The dining room really went up last minute this year, and wouldn't have gone up at all if it hadn't been for the article that Niagara Gazette featured. But it was a nice addition, and went together relatively quickly. The tree is 9' tall, and lit with Philips decorator series bulbs in a muted amber tone to relate to the amber bulbs we use in the fixtures in this room.

Of course, with all of that amber lighting, comes the extreme challenge of photographing the space - especially in a hurry. I'm sorry that some of these are coming out just a bit more yellow than they actually are.

The ornaments in this room have been collected, but the mass of them came from Hobby Lobby in Texas before we moved here. All of these ornaments are favorites of mine, and this tree is without a doubt the most traditional of the line up.

Perhaps the only thing that isn't traditional about this tree is the topper. This year I added a star burst mirror to the top of the tree. A fun sort of asymmetrical explosion up there, huh?

I love mixing in a bit of the unexpected in every tree. Here, instead of ribbon, I wrapped gold glitter covered branches into the tree to give it a spun gold look, after all of the ornaments and ribbons were put on the tree.

It's hard to believe that it's all gotta come down soon. I hope you enjoyed the full tour of the Holiday decor here at CdlV, wish you all could have seen it in person. Perhaps next year? In other blog news, I got a great new video camera for Christmas, so look for video on the blog real soon!
Updates to follow, please check back in ... and I promise you'll wanna follow along in 2010. Lots of exciting new endeavors for me, CdlV, Color Outside the Lines, and all of you! Stay tuned...

27 comments:

  1. Artie...Your home is spectacular! I hope you had multiple parties to share it all...so beautiful! You are sooo talented and I am always in awe of what you do...the mantle just knocked my socks off! Thank-you to you and Scott for sharing your beautiful home! Happy New Year! 2010 is going to be a great one! :-)
    Susan

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  2. At last! I'm so glad you posted your Christmas decor. I loved the mantle so much. And the peacock tree. It is all so incredibly beautiful. I will definitely follow along with you in 2010 to see what wonderful design creations you come up with. --Delores

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  3. I puffy heart lurve your trees! Especially the peacock one, and the pheasant feathers and mirror at the top of the others. Also, glad you posted after Christmas. I thought of doing the same, but haven't yet. Love your bannister too. Too bad it's already time for it to come down, huh? What's CdlV?

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  4. Artie-- your decorations are absolutely stunning! I savored each and every picture! And your choice of decorations are perfect for CdlV! It is sad when we have to take it down . . . the house always seems so magical with Christmas up doesn't it!

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  5. Artie - your decorations are just beautiful!! No matter how hard I try I just can't get a tree to look that "full" of decorations.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving the nice comment - I'm sure I'll be back her to visit!

    Staci

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  6. What a treat this morning as I opened your blog.

    Your decorations are stunning.

    Do you do after Christmas shopping to add to your collections?

    Happy New Year-
    Laura

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  7. Thanks for stopping by my blog, Artie! Your decor is absolutely fabulous - I especially love the peacock tree! Happy New Year!

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  8. What a copious amount of time you have spent on decorating...but it really is stunning! I can't imagine how many hours you put into adding one detail after another into those dazzling trees and staircase. There is no way I could ever choose a favorite...thank you, Artie, so very much for sharing these beyond beautiful decorations with us. I can't wait to see how you will be topping this next year!
    A very Happy New Year to you and Scott!

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  9. Artie:

    You have done an amazing job. I'm so glad that you shared it with us after Christmas.

    I took a lot more pictures than I have had the chance to use. I put together a mosaic to use some of them. Time is scarce at Christmas so blog land takes a back seat. I'm not sure if I'll put up more or not.

    I'm working on New Year's Eve!!!

    - The Tablescaper

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  10. Your Christmas decor is out this world!!! Every minute detail was not spared!!! TFS!!!

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  11. Absolutely beautiful!! I esp. liked the more natural greens and browns with feathers... gorgeous!

    :D Lynda
    http://nyclq-focalpoint.blogspot.com/

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  12. Artie, you did a FABULOUS job with your decor! Where do I start??? I love it ALL! I am crazy about what you did on the banister. What a GREAT idea! And I also love your tree with the pheasant feathers. Everything is just so beautiful. You outdid yourself, precious! Just stunning! Hope you had a marvelous holiday. I'm still recupeating. It was a fun, but very hectic week for us! Next year, I'm starting BEFORE Thanksgiving! ;-)

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  13. "A feast for the eyes", Artie my friend. So sad that it must all have to come down. :(

    In case I don't log on til after the 1st.....wishing 'you and Scott'
    A HEALTHY, HAPPY
    &
    PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
    Many hugs -Brenda-

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  14. Artie - You have definitely created a feast for the eyes! Thank you so much for sharing your home and your secrets. With all the glitz and glitter, I have to say that I LOVE the copper tray on your coffee table.

    Driving through an old Tampa neighborhood last week, I spied tens of peacocks were strutting their stuff with their feathers fanned out. I thought of you and your Christmas decor.
    Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
    Jane (artfully graced)

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  15. Oh I just love peacocks...and your tree is probably the most beautiful tree I've ever seen. I only wish I could sit under it and gaze at it a spell...

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  16. Mind blowing beauty! Thanks for sharing Artie! I love it all but my heart races every time I see your mantle. GREAT job!
    G in CT

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  17. Thanks for coming by my blog! Your trees are just beautiful and so striking. I love the peacock tree. I like that you say you are already planning for next year ~ I've been planning out what I want to do for next Christmas, too!

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  18. How wonderful to have so many trees and decorations in your home - truly a celebration for the season.
    I love your earthy pheasant feather tree - I still have a pheasant feather my grandfather and I picked up on one of our Sunday afternoon walks (maybe 40 years ago ...!) and that tree brings back the memories of him and the time we spent outside. I may have to come up with a similar tree next year as an homage to him. I fear mine won't look like much... but I may try it anyway. Thanks for the fabulous idea and the great photos. Can't wait to see what you come up with in 2010!

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  19. Artie, I can only think of two things to say (as I gaze with my mouth open)

    1.Your decorations and the trees are outstanding.

    2.Where do you find the time?

    Hugs
    'D'

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  20. Just lovely! But I do wonder...how do you store all of your ornaments and are they labeled? Where do you store them? Happy New Year!

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  21. Twin, everything looks spectacular!!! So magical, beautiful, warm and truly stunning. I love the big sparkly A! A for awesome ARTIE!
    Merry everything, Artikins.
    xo Isa

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  22. Artie~I could go on this tour over and over and still find something new to love. I adore all things sparkly, shinning and glittery!
    So, on that note...mirrored, faceted, peacock colored crystals to gorgeous for words! What amazes me (out of many possibles) is the unique quality each decoration has. You must have a secret source to draw from. Every detail looks like it was created as the perfect compliment for the next ornament.
    We've come a long way from the traditional red and green, haven't we?
    I hope you can stop by to see my "Petite Sweets".

    Sweet Wishes,
    Sara

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  23. You think that last tree is traditional? LOL! Artie, I don't think you could DO traditional, which is part of the reason I love coming here!

    Now, can you at least give me a hint on what color you're doing the railing next year? I hate it when you tease!

    Justine :o )

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  24. You have an absolutely stunning collection of Christmas decor. It is so beautiful! Your living room looks somewhat like mine, basically the same fireplace. Have fun designing a new kitchen, ours has been rather stressful because I have changed my mind about almost everything so far. Except for the countertops, my husband has picked those. I hope I like it is all. Thanks for coming by and visiting my blog and leaving a fun message. Hugs, Cindy S.

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  25. Absolutely stunning! You are amazing!

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  26. Lovely as always! And you were so right my new found friend. I received the BEST Christmas gift of all! Can you guess? ;-) Let's just say 2010 is going to be AMAZING and life is grand at the moment. Another hint? Well I'm all giddy and acting like a teenager. ;-)
    Hope to catch up soon!

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  27. Brilliant, Just Brilliant! The staricase garland and the trees and the mantle. I would love to stop over and have a glass of bubbly and examine closer all the sweet little ornaments and hear your story about each one. I'm sure there are lots of stories.
    Wishing you and Scott the best for the new year!
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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