Welcome TLB friends--
As Christmas is approaching, I decided to share some of my old archived photos from Christmases past to get your creative juices flowing! ENJOY!
SIMPLE FRONT PORCH IDEAS--
Add a festive blanket and pillow to your porch bench.
PRINCETON NEW JERSEY PORCH
I love creating this porch! I used 3 live boxwood wreaths that I
picked up at HOME DEPOT. All you have to do is add simple
red berries and your favorite Christmas ribbon. I used a Chevron
pattern here.
It's all about intertwining the lights for the nighttime ambiance.
My urns held fresh greens and twigs painted white, with red
and green ornaments, candy canes and lights.
I loved our Georgian colonial in New Jersey. Candles in the window are a must for me!
Christmas Wreath Idea from my first year in Princeton.
KITCHEN IDEAS--
I love incorporating things I already have on my counter tops.
Adding greens and a couple of festive touches makes
an easy vignette.
I've accumulated Christmas cookbooks over the years
and always stack them on the counter top for more decor.
The little truck I found at Wal-Mart a couple of years ago!
TEXAS CHRISTMAS TREE AND MANTEL
I tried a little something different with my tree decor.
I stuck tall glittery red twigs in the top (treating it almost like a headdress)
then cut small pieces of red plaid ribbon and attached it sporadically throughout
the tree using a small piece of wire on each end and created a loop with the ribbon.
TEXAS STAIRCASE
Using a black and white houndstooth ribbon on the staircase
ribbon is something I've done for a few years now. I LOVE
the black/white look...then add some red berries and
small icicle twigs and WOW!
I took a ceramics glass when I was in my early 20's and
painted this nativity set never thinking it would be with
my family for so many years to come, and it is! It's a
family favorite!
You can add a festive touch to a chair by simply
adding an afghan or throw in Christmas colors.
They are cozy for snugging with around the fire
too! Pick them up at Home Goods quite
inexpensively.
There's nothing like a nice warm fire at holiday time.
Hand knit stockings are now an heirloom for our
children.
Creating cheery vignettes around the house is so much fun.
Adding simple ornaments and artificial snow in a crystal
vase with some silvery pinecones, is so easy.
The foyer in the Texas house was a bit narrow so
I used my sofa table top and created a narrower
vignette so that it didn't impede on the space when
guests came through the door. I always have
at least 2 fresh poinsettias. I love white too!
How do you decorate a dining room. Very simply....
use what you have in your china cabinet and add small
festive touches of color for a contrast. Also I love white and
silver branches mixed in a vase. It remind me of the glistening
snow we had up North.
Princeton, NJ house
One year I used simple lanterns filled with lights to anchor
each side of the mantel. I ALWAYS have a wreath (which I
vary in decor each year) above the fireplace. And well lit
garland is a must. I buy mine from Grandin Road. I love
their quality.
Another Princeton house mantel
Fresh Poinsettia's add such a beautiful festive touch.
My reindeer that I found in Home Goods. A
crystal bowl that was a gift filled with crystal
garland and ornaments. Kind of a high and low
cost way to implement items together.
Hedgehog ornament from Princeton has become
a family favorite. He's so cute!
Princeton Christmas Dinner--Nikko Christmastime china tablesetting.
I've had this china for years. It's part of our family dining tradition.
Red ruby wine glasses from Homegoods added a nice red touch. I
made a simple low centerpiece this year so it was easy for
table conversation....no peering over large centerpiece's! I found the
ornament place card holders at a Princeton gift shop.
Wall, mantel and tree photos. Simply add ornaments and greens
and a touch of twigs along with strings of simple white or golden
lights.
was from Carolyn Roehm's collection.
chalkboard paint. I ordered a stencil online and
applied it the wall. The oval frame is from the
Dollar Store and I used chalkboard chalk to
monogram a "B" on the wall. It was a fun project.
The round tiered cake stands make a fun
arrangement with crystal, silver ornaments,
and garland to jazz them up! Adding tiny lights is
perfect for evening.
When the holidays were over I erased the "B" and
took the frame down leaving just the stenciled
wall for the remainder of the year.
I hope some of my ideas have inspired you to search for that simple creativity
to decorate during the upcoming holiday season. HAVE FUN!!
Kathleen
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