Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Our Home Tour: Christmas Decor Room by Room

I'm back; refreshed, relaxed, and ready to finish a few projects that have been in the works for longer than I'd like to admit. Given that I'll be working on those for the next few weeks, and since by the number of people logging on to view these "LOVE" posts each day, you clearly LOVE them too ... I'll give you some eye candy while I whistle and work. (Figuratively of course, since I can't whistle.)

Alright - let's get to it, shall we. You'll remember that the outside of CDLV this Christmas is decked in it's usual natural finery. Christmas greens, fern, hydrangea, pinecones, red dogwood branches.

This urn has a match, on the other side of the door ...

And the same idea extends off the porch, and into the 4' tall planter at the base of the porch column:

Today, actually, was the first day that I caught the mailman (on purpose to give him his gift) and he said: "Every year you add something new - what's in the works for next year?" I smiled and said, ask me in November. After I shut the door, I thought about how the work I did outside hadn't gone unnoticed, and how something I took pride in for me and me alone, caught enough interest to ask what would be in the planter next year. I don't think he knows it, but the mailman made my day.

Going inside, I had decided that I would sparsely (as sparsely as I can manage) decorate CDLV for Christmas this year. So, instead of the usual 3 trees, I decided I'd only decorate one.

Tucked in the corner of the foyer, slightly visible from the living room, my artificial narrow 7' pre-lit tree sports a mix of bronze, opal, and varied shades of green ornaments, along with a few metallic "special" ornaments in a woven mess of branches, feathers, and pinecones. It's a wonderful welcome to CDLV, but an awkward arrangement for photographing. Doing my best ...



Each year, I try to incorporate a little something unexpected in my trees, and this year, I brought in the lanterns from the pergola and zip tied them to the center pole of the tree.


Filled with fake snow, cinnamon wrapped candles, and miniature pinecones, I thought they were the going to be the only touch of Christmas in the house. That was until, I received the flocked Christmas tree I've always wanted from http://www.treetopia.com/. Since colored Christmas trees have become so en vogue, and flocked Christmas trees are more and more prevalent in Christmas decor, I couldn't resist creating space for the flocked tree in the dining room.


Before I even had ornaments on the thing it had me drooling. The tree was beautifully full, bright with its over 600 lights, and for a flocked tree, surprisingly mess free. Keeping with the idea of simplicity, I chose to use icicles, and cream and gold ornaments, and voila:


The "unusual" moment in this tree is of course the branches, and where they are placed. I decided not to fan out the crown of the tree in the usual fashion, but rather to perch a few of the branches out of the side of the tree, the perfect spot for two love birds.

Don't they look cozy? The goal here was really to let the tree do the shining. Rather than packing the tree full of fine ornaments, I went for simple glass balls in shades of champagne, and Lucite icicles. 


Of course, branches and ribbon give it that asymmetric attitude that I love in my Christmas trees, but for the most part, it's a simple collection easily accomplished at home on a budget. I did skip the Christmas Wreaths this year, but I hope you find these trees and outside decorations inspiring for your next Christmas decorating adventure!

27 comments:

  1. I can't believe you strapped lanterns to your tree! That is SO cool! Love the pheasant feathers and the reduced color palette. It's really elegant.

    I didn't know flocked three were "a thing" right now. I've never even seen one. I'm going to have to go look at them. Do they come in colors? I love the simple treatment you've done on this one. And the asymmetrical Patti Labelle thing that you've done wit the twigs is really successful. Daring, but successful.

    Beautiful job!

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  2. Thank you Steve - laughing out loud - I think this tree is going to get quite a few names. Scott calls it a gay frosty the snowman, you call it Patti ... what's next!

    LOL!

    So glad you like them.

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  3. Artie you never disappoint. It's fabulous!

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  4. Thank you Dianne! You're the best! :)

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  5. very beautiful artie. very. not overdone and yet opulent at the same time.

    xo
    janet

    ps - i think i've found an ottoman to replace the big leather one, so excited.

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  6. Lol Artie and Steve!! Pee your pants funny! I LOVE both of your trees, Artie -- you should have put them in Tartanscot's contest! The flocked one glows! What a beautiful look at Christmas in your house. And I was so touched by the mailman! I do most things around my house just for me (kids and husband really don't give a hoot most of the time), and it's nice it was noticed by someone you didn't expect. Glad you are back and going at it...

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  7. Janet you can ship that leather ottoman to me!! :)

    xoxo

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  8. Thank you Carol!! I missed Scot's contest because I was out of town, and didn't actually get these trees together until today.

    Love his contest though - and can't wait to see the winners.

    xoxo

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  9. Am a big fan of your four outdoor arrangements!

    I would like to try my hand at decorating a flocked tree (they are so cool)

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  10. WOW!!!!! Those trees are just beautiful Artie!!!! I am so jelous you have 2 trees...I have zero this year (well a midget one at the beach shack if that counts haha). Happy Holidays :-)
    xoxo

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  11. Everything is gorgeous. I'm still drooling over that flocked tree!

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  12. Artie, love the exuberance of the trees! The branches look great. I'm with the mailman on the urns...lush. Don't think I'll ever have a flocked tree, but love looking at yours.

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  13. GORGEOUS Artie! The tree in your dining room is breathtaking! Merry Christmas! Martina

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  14. Scott or Not... you win 1st prize!!
    Love the love birds and the artistic way the ribbon swirls at the top like a whirl wind... almost musical... are those love birds singing? I have never been a fan of ribbon on a tree... you made yours original. Stunning, Artie!
    Merry Christmas!
    Lee

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  15. Love your trees. both trees are so understated elegant. Oh you shine! Love the love birds and couldn't help notice the bottle of corks in the dining room. My bottle sits in the kitchen. Merry Christmas. xo marlis

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  16. I love your urns and the fact that your mailman notices your decor! It seems like you really have fun with your decorating--it's all so festive!

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  17. Your home is gorgeous! Your holiday decorations are beautiful! Merry Christmas!

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  18. Oh thank you Lee! You're too sweet. Can you beleive these are coming down today??

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  19. Artie,
    I just love your trees! So elegant! I will have to try something different next year! I love the feathers and lanterns tied to your tree, Fabulous! You cease to amaze me...
    Blessings My Friend,

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  20. Artie- I have been too crazy busy to visit. Your trees look gorgeous...but I REALLY REALLY love the flocked tree. I am going to go vist that website. I am drooling just looking at it, too! xo Diana

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  21. I love both trees but the one in your dining room takes my breath away. I love the love birds!! You are so talented you need your own Christmas show. You would put to shame some of the holiday designers on HGTV with your incredible designs. LOVE LOVE LOVE them!

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  22. Gorgeous tree! Is is "real"? And with the two beautiful urns at the front floor, there's no need for a wreath. Bravo!

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  23. Your trees are so unusual and beautiful. I especially like the way you trimmed the flocked tree; the colors, the asymmetry. Fabulous.
    Best...Victoria

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  24. Your flocked tree looks beautiful with all those beautiful white lights. I love your idea of keeping it simple, and the unique addition of the branches along with the lovebirds. Are you finished your decorating now?

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  25. Love the pheasant feathers! Looks like I missed the new display by mere hours. :) Included an old image in my blog story. http://www.adeenidesigngroup.com/blog/2011/12/20/christmas-bloggers/

    Merry Christmas,

    Claudia

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  26. Love, love, love the Christmas tree in the dinning room. I too enjoy the Christmas spirit and think nothing of having more than one tree in the house. I think your idea of putting the lanterns in the tree just wonderful. I love when a person thinks outside the box in decorating. I am loving your house by the way. Alaina

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