For someone who has is habitually looking at her watch and is generally five minutes or more early to all appointments, I seem to have totally missed all the Christmas Decorating Parties.
But, in my family – Christmas isn’t officially over until “Old Christmas” on Jan 6th…so technically I’m not that late. 🙂
I just wanted to post a few pics showing just some of the decorations around my home.
Compared to last year’s decorations (see the side links to the right), they were understated – to say the least.
While the fresh greens have lost some of their…well,
freshness… hopefully you still get the idea.
First…here is the Dining Room Fireplace Mantel…
For anyone who knows my home, you may remember
that the fireplace brick was red.
(*Was being the operative word here.)
Just before Christmas, on a whim, I added a coat of primer.
I have further plans up my sleeve, but decorating for
Christmas put those plans on hold for a while longer.
Cedar, pine, magnolia, wild holly and camelia stems…plus
dried hydrangea, red berries, green apples and pears and pheasant
feathers. I used a faux-greenery garland as the base.
I used my French-Countryside oil painting and two lamps,
which were added several months ago.
I love the natural feel of the garland, and would love
to create a year-round version.
Most of my home was filled with containers of fresh
greenery…such as the Pink and White Staffordshire
pitcher, seen above on my sideboard.
In the kitchen….
Paperwhites were placed inside a tin ice bucket
and adorned with berries. My favorite Christmas
platter features the North Carolina State bird….the
cardinal. I bought this last year at Cracker Barrel.
A glass cannister is placed on a small cake stand,
resting on a ring of pine, and filled with pine cones.
A homespun-style bow and red berries add color.
A large wreath hangs center stage on a bank of
windows in my breakfast room, surrounded on each
side by Mr. and Mrs. Ginger. I ,also, added garland and
berries to the top curtain rod.
***Don’t forget…you can see my Kitchen and Breakfast
Room decorated for Christmas, as featured in Country Woman Magazine at…
Click on Kitchens!
Next – let’s go into the Family Room…
I placed two black lanterns on each end of the mantle,
and in between…
… I added a container overflowing with soft green and white
hydrangeas, green pears and assorted greenery.
Here is a close-up of the arrangement in the
center of the mantle.
More hydrangeas, pears and greenery is tucked into
the garland…along with white lights.
I love the soft green affect.
The Family Room mantle just glows.
Our tree…white lights and an assortment of red
and white ornaments, berries and grapevine “garland.”
I wanted to create a one-of-a kind tree topper…
so I used my large, grapevine sphere…
…and filled it with various sizes of red and white
ornaments, surrounded by lots of red berries.
I hope you enjoyed my mini-tour of some of the
Christmas cheer that filled my this year. Maybe next year,
I will be on time. 🙂
With Love, Barb
Dining Delight says
Christmas is certainly still going on around here and I really enjoyed seeing your decorations! My very fave are those two black lanterns on your mantel – I just love the shape of them and how well they fit in with the garland!
Happy New Year!…and yes, I believe its still appropriate to say Merry Christmas too!
DD
View CommentLuncheons at the Junction says
Barb, this was certainly worth the wait! I love the arrangements on the mantles; the use of fresh greens is awesome. My favorite would have to be the Familyroom, probably beacuse I love the colors. Wishing you and your a very Happy New year.
View Comment"Just Me - NC Beth" says
Absolutely beautiful decorations!!
Thanks for sharing with us!!
~Beth
View CommentSusan says
Gorgeous, Barb!!! I love your lanterns and the mantle is to die for. You have such a knack for decorating.
View CommentLiz says
Just gorgeous! I really enjoyed your feature in Country Woman. Your home is so pretty! 🙂
Merry Christmas!
~Liz
View CommentMelissa Miller says
WOW! Barb Congrats to you on your big 40 pound weight loss. I’m so thrilled for you. Doesn’t it feel wonderful to eat healthy and exercise? I love it! Show us your before and after photos. Tell us your story! It is so inspiring to read others weight loss stories. I know many of readers would love to see your photos and read about it.
I wish you much continued success with your goals in 2011.
Warmly, ~Melissa 🙂
View CommentSherry @ No Minimalist Here says
Barb, Everything is just beautiful! I especially love the topper you made..how creative! Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.
View CommentHugs,
Sherry
Hollace says
I love the mantle garland with hydrangeas and pears. Beautiful!
My own house only got 1/2 decorated this year because of unexpected guests and a new grandbaby arriving early.
Maybe next year…
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