Decking the Halls

Dec 13 2011 ·0

“ Yes, we need a little Christmas right this very minute, candles in the window, carols at the spinet, Yes, we need a little Christmas now….”

~Mame

This is one of my favorite times of the year~ and there are so many reasons why.  Tiny white and colored lights everywhere~ remember my motto,  “too much of a good thing is wonderful”.  Every interior is a bit overdressed (which I love). At my house, champagne and Prosecco are the drinks of choice.  Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes (just like all of us) and they are all beautiful (just like all of us).  We are surrounded by family and friends singing Christmas carols with glorious voices and  twinkles in their eyes,  exchanging warm, meaningful embraces.  Oh I just love the Holidays, if only they could last a bit longer!

One of my most enjoyable days of the season is always the one I spend decorating my home for Christmas.  This year I have a new space with a new palette so my creativity was heightened and ready to go with new ideas and designs.  Come and take a peek at what I came up with.  I hope you can glean some inspiration to try something new for your own holiday decorating this year!

 The Foyer sets the tone with a simple balsam wreath at the base of this sculpture

 I love to place the Christmas tree in an area that can be viewed from as many seating areas as possible

This year I treated myself to a new flocked tree (similar tree available from Amazon.com). This is an artificial tree which means I can leave it up as long as I like.  The base color of the branches is green which are then  beautifully layered with a thick covering of velvetesque snow.  It’s quite striking against my poppy-colored  art wall.

Each year I add additional ornaments to my collection this year I added orange (a nod to the Pantone color of the year for 2012, Tangerine Tango) and turquoise for depth.  These bold glass balls really enhanced my extra special ornaments.

 Fireplace mantels offer an unbeatable focal point to hang a festive seasonal swag. This year I used an artificial green base and embellished it with one-of-a-kind treasures from Jacobson’s Floral in Boston.

 Here I used golden leaves, flocked fiddle heads and cascading snow dots.  You can use whatever baubles strike your fancy ~ just don’t forget to wire them all together!

One of my favorite parts of decorating is rediscovering  my treasures that have been hidden away for the year.  Here is a hand made Santa by Maine artist Pat Frost.   I love his plaster face and hands, vintage clothing and his sand dollar collar.

 Every nook and cranny can be “Christmas-ified”.  One of my favorite vignettes is this collection of art by Sandy Welch.     The wall surface of opalescent seashells by Maya Romanoff (sourced at Donghia,  Boston Design Center ) plays perfectly off the sparkle of the antique glitter stars.

 Don’t forget the bedrooms.  You can  trim the headboards with garlands and add wreaths to the windows.  We want everyone to have visions of sugar plums dance in their heads on Christmas Eve!

‘Tis the season to enjoy your holiday home!

xo,

Pamela