Happy holidays! Please bear with me, as we are in the midst of moving (thankfully, locally)...We moved a few weeks ago, but had to move our home in two shifts, so part 2 just occurred this weekend. As such, I have been rather lax about posting to my blog during this holiday season! Yet, it has been on my to-do list to sit down and gather some festive inspiration pics to share, as holiday decorating is one of my favorites!
It seems the theme of most of the pictures that have caught my eye this year is SIMPLICITY. I have done various Christmas decorations over the years in terms of lights, wreaths, garlands with bows, ornaments, etc. Yet, this year, I am trying to keep things simple. I have discovered that a simple stand-alone natural garland elegantly draped across a mantle, for example, can be beautiful and stunning without all the fuss of extra elements.
SO, the following pics are pretty much the extent of our holiday decorating this year...nothing fancy, pretty simple, but festive nevertheless...
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| Just stuck a red bow into a $9.99 Boxwood wreath from Trader Joe's |
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| 25-ft cedar garland from Costco draped across our fireplace, smells yummy! |
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| Surprisingly the inspiration for this simple arrangement came from Chic fil A....I bought the gold mercury glass hurricane, green hydrangeas from Michael's and combined with a red velvet bow...so easy and pretty for our kitchen table! |
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| Green curled leaf wreath from Home Goods adorned with a red and gold bow I made from a floral supply store.... |
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I have to say, these little driftwood reindeer are my favs...from Marshall's...and then I added some bows, jingle bells, holly berries and greenery....
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| A fun festive pillow from OKL (could not resist the Cardinals!) |
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| A quirky zebra pillow from OKL |
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| Kids' holiday crafts provide some cheer in our kitchen... |
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| A simple large-scale ornament from Target is combined with red velvet bow and hung from doorknob.... |
And now, for the professional inspiration pics...most of these photos below (and related information) are sourced from Country Living's (magazine) website. Don't let the name of this amazing publication fool you...It is one of my absolute favorites, and is way more fun and sophisticated than the name implies. Give it a try if you have not already!
Additionally, I have shamelessly added some Christmas wish list items (hint, hint) into the mix in case Santa just HAPPENS to be reading this...Of course, I am a very blessed girl and I certainly do not need anything. But, just in case our Elf on the Shelf wants to report about Mommy too ; )
Here it goes...
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This is one of my favorite holiday inspiration tablescapes in all its simplistic glory. Love the organic color scheme of whites, browns and greens...provided by adorable and feminine white slipcovers (Target), burlap runner trimmed with fringe (Pottery Barn), natural wood table (you don't always need a full tablecloth!), and simple greenery...Also, love how the wreath is placed over the mirror, giving it a 'framed' illusion.
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| Love the simplicity of the greenery arranged in sap buckets on this wood dining table, beautiful! |
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| Designers Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kocher added this cute combo of jingle bells and initial ornaments (Target) to their front door "to remind people of a Christmas sleigh when they come and go" |
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| Love the simple gold-dipped pine cone used as place card holder and gold jingle bell tied around for napkin ring.... |
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| Scandinavian style wreath of boxwood and dried wheat hangs above a 19th C painted wood bench... |
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| Floral Designer Carolyn Gregg used dried crimson cockscomb (Celosia) to make this beautiful tone-on-tone red wreath. I love how it pops against the rustic wood shelves and neutral colored accessories... |
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| Simple gold dipped pine cone creates a beautiful ornament... |
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| Interesting entry hall arrangement created from large scale branches gathered into a vase, adorned with chandelier prisms and gold painted walnuts...love how the earthy, organic arrangement juxtaposes with more formal elements (i.e. poinsettias' silver urns) in this room... |
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| How unique and interesting are these wood stockings hung by this cozy fireplace? I love the neutral, monochromatic color scheme in this room..varying shades of white, cream, and linen provide coziness without being too stark... |
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| Interesting placement of these boxwood wreaths! I love how they pop against the white shelving amidst the collection of white ceramics... |
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| Styrofoam balls are wrapped with yarn and glue-gunned (is this a word?) to a Styrofoam wreath....How adorable is this DIY wreath!! LOVE THIS! |
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| At their New England home, designers Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kocher hang a beautiful garland of mixed greens: juniper, spruce, and cedar. I love how festive it looks framing the cheerful red painted door. |
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| Love the cozy cabin/hunting-lodge vibe of this stone surround fireplace with deer head and burlap stockings. Also, note the simple beauty of the green garland with pine cones... |
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| Again, love the simple beauty of this oversized wreath adorned only with pine cones...How cute is the rustic turquoise bench by the way! |
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| Absolutely LOVE this kitchen! How charming is this large chalkboard for holiday messages!? Slip covered white wing chairs make an unexpected yet cozy table setting! These people must not have small children...those white slipcovers would be history in our home! |
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| A unique idea for DIY wreath! Varying diameter paper towel holders provide this honeycomb effect wreath...little jingle bells dress it up! |
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| A variation to the traditional tree skirt...how about this wicker tree stand? Love this unique and cozy idea! |
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| Love the simple wreaths hung throughout the room of this Connecticut home and note the cute little birds placed inside each... |
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| Again, a simple green garland makes for a warm and inviting family room. |
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| A large-yet-simple arrangement of greens and berries are gathered into this trappers basket for a uniquely stunning alternative to a front door wreath. I am always a fan of the large scale (anything)...I also love the cute little sled propped up against the door....Ready for sledding! |
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| Absolutely LOVE the interesting texture and slight color variations in this wreath of moss, ivy, and eucalyptus by blogger Minna Mercke Schmidt |
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| David Stark provides this fun idea of wrapping little greenery arrangements in brown paper and slipping them into galvanized buckets... |
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| Love the simple drapery of this mixed-greens garland. Also, mason jars turned upside down create cute mantle decorations... |
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Love the simplicity of a tree with monochromatic ornaments. I find that a tree decorated with just one element: theme, color, or type of ornament makes a bigger impact than one with all different kinds...BUT, let's face it: how could you pass up all of those adorable DIY ornaments made by the kids over the years? THESE are my absolute favorites!
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| My kids trimming the tree with ornaments they have made over the years... |
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| LOVE so many things about this...the rustic farmhouse table and chairs, taupe painted walls and trim, and again, SIMPLE garland swag draped elegantly around the doorways...so cozy and inviting! Also, note the fruit used to decorate the mantle, so cute! |
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| Stunning SIMPLE centerpieces: greenery gathered into white ceramic pitchers from Crate and Barrel...also love the adorably wrapped presents! |
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| Again, the simple-yet-oversized wreath above the fireplace makes a big statement in this cozy living room. |
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| I am crazy about this (again, loving large-scale anything)....this hefty garland (I suspect multiples are used here) is adorned with large scale pine cones. I love the lushness of this entryway, and the festive red door is icing on the cake here! |
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| Simple rustic table is decorated with a grouping of varying-height rosemary trees with fruit scattered about....simple tall red candles in glass hurricanes provide balance on either side... |
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I am always a fan of the black and white stripe paired with a bold color...in this case, the striped ribbon provides a playful accent to the boxwood wreath and surrounding greenery. Love this kitchen setting!
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| Cute wreath idea spotted at Chic fil A of all places! |
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OK, now for some fun items for a holiday wish list..
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Ever since my parents took me to the Fox and Muny theatres growing up in St. Louis, and after working as an usher during my college summer breaks at the Muny (outdoor theatre) I have the theatre bug... I would LOVE tickets to a show at Playhouse square.
As a side note, Cleveland has the 2nd largest theatre complex in the U.S., second to NYC? Who knew!? I am just as enamored with the beautiful historic venue as the shows themselves! |
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| A friend recently served this at a holiday party...it was yummy and I LOVED the festive green label! So cute with a bright red bow for Christmas! |
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| I adore this barware by Marc Blackwell - Barney's |
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| I recently saw this in a magazine and LOVED the scent... |
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| Love this bold bangle by Julie Vos, Luxor Cuff Bracelet - One Kings Lane |
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| I adore these brass leaf dishes in 17 different foliage designs...from tozaihome.com |
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| Love these Le-Coterie hide pillows from OKL...a bit decadent, but so fun! |
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