WELCOME to CAROLINA PANACHE! I believe our homes should be a haven, a place of beauty and peace that reflect who we are and what's important to us. I'm on a journey to add personality and panache to every corner of my house. For me, good design evolves, grows and changes with the needs of one's lifestyle. I want my home to be creative, to be stylish, to be entertaining, to be real. I hope you will join me on my journey. It's always more fun to travel together.
This blog is all about bringing style and elegance to the home. The art of dressing your home goes beyond hanging a few items on the wall and arranging furniture. Much like a fabulous set of earrings or a new stylish handbag may take your little black dress from fine to fabulous, home accesories and key furnishings can take your rooms from ho-hum to singing the Halleluiah Chorus! Join with me as we discover new ways to add panache to every room of the house.

Christmas Around Our House

Hello! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I can't believe that Christmas 2009 has come and gone! All the preparation, decoration, cooking and gift wrapping is now just a wonderful memory. Most of you know that I haven't posted a new blog entry since Thanksgiving Day. So much has happened in the past month that it's hard to know where to begin! To make a long, long story short, I had 7 house quests during Thanksgiving week, spent a week in Chicago, took on two new consulting projects and took a whirlwind trip to Florida to stay by the side of my best friend Bella-Mella during the initial loss of her dear Andrew, then scrambled back to Charlotte to wrap up preparations for a Christmas Eve gathering with family and good friends, gift wrapping, and finally Christmas Day celebrations! Whew!
Please somebody stop this ride so I can get off!
I know the Christmas season is drawing to a close but I wanted to take you around the house for a peek. I've visited so many of you who have taken my breath away with your creativity and beautiful decor that I'm already inspired for 2010! So come on in, be my guest and browse to your heart's content. Thank you for reading my blog and thank you for the kind comments and wonderful words of encouragement that I receive in so many of my emails! May God bless and favor each one of you in the upcoming year! Happy Holidays!
Welcome! This is my front door. I made the wreath last year and decided to use the same one again this year. My motto was "use what you have". I didn't buy any new decorations except some new twinkle lights. The ribbion is velvet edged in gold thread. The wreath form is artifical but the magnolia leaves and other greenery is fresh. The red poinsettia and magnolia are also velvet.
Here is the dining room all set for Christmas Dinner. The salad plates feature an ornament motiff. I purchased these plates at Burdines in Florida many years ago. Burdines eventually sold out to Macy's

I fell in love with the Red Glitter trees. I bought two sets last year. I used them down the center of my table and filled in at the base with pinecones, roses and evergreen.

Just another view... loved using the fluffy red rose napkin rings. I think I'll carry those over through Valentine's Day.

The Nativity scene is featured on a side table in the formal dining room.
Now, moving into our Sunroom.
We use citrus colors of orange, lime, and lemon as well as pear green in this room year round. At Christmas the colors get deeper and richer. Below is a simple centerpiece arrangement made for the coffee table. I collect reindeer so I've featured a couple of bronze statues along side.

Gold, bronze, orange and silver come together to form a festive holiday tabletop.

Another view...this one features a Autumn Burst mosaic hurricane. This was part of my interior accessories line last year.

I used the same color scheme and decor on our tree this year. The tree topper bow was tied for me by a wonderful floral designer in Matthews, NC. I saw the striped ribbon and knew it would be the perfect touch in the sun room.

Last year I redecorated our Master Bedroom in rich shades of blue, gold and taupe. To add Christmas cheer, I draped an evergreen garland between the posters and hung miniture stockings made from animal print material.

Each year I collect a new SANTA. This was last year's version. He is dressed in brown fur and a blue velvet coat. He looked right at home in the new color scheme.

A simple pine wreath hangs on the wall by the bedroom door. It's only ornamentation is the natural pinecones and a sheer blue and gold ribbon.
I had never displayed a full size tree in my bedroom until last year. I was reading in Paula Deen's Christmas magazine and read where Brandon (her decorator) featured a gorgeous tree in Paula's bedroom. I was instantly inspired to do the same. I kept the colors light and decorations subdued. I covered the tree with clear glass ornaments, gold balls and more miniture stockings made from animal print fabric. The final crowing touch was a fluffy ribbon of sheer blue ribbon and silver floral picks tucked in among each branch.
Back down stairs - the kitchen and breakfast room is where we've been spending an awful lot of time lately. I picked up these adorable snowman plates at Marshalls for $2 each.
A holly berry topiary in a red ceramic pot adds a little festive color to this corner of the kitchen counter.I always decorate with fresh fruit in the kitchen at Christmas. This triple layer stand makes the perfect centerpiece to display apples and oranges. I just tucked in snipppets of evergreen to add color and a little seasonal flavor.

I found the velvet runner on the island at Steinmart last year. It looks like a string of pretty wrapped presents. I wish I would have bought two!
Another view...

I keep peppermint and cinnamon candies around in clear jars during the holidays. They not only make great decorations in the pretty glass containers but they come in handy after dinner too!

The Christmas Tree in the formal living room is a collection of red and brown glass ornaments, red poinsettia and hydrangea blooms and red birds.

Oops, we're back in the dining room...
A simple garland, a grapevine wreath with a red velvet bow and two small evergreen wreaths complete the decor around the dining room mirror.
Now, we've made it to our family room. This was probably my favorite room this year.
Soft green, ivory, brown and gold make up the colors of Christmas in this room.
The entertainment hutch and bookcases provided the perfect place to feature my collection of white Nativity statues. Garland, ribbon and old, glass ornaments are laid at the base of each figure.
Decorating the mantel is usualy my first stop on the quest to add holiday cheer to each room. This year's version features both fresh and artifical greenery, clear twinkle lights, glass ball ornaments, gold and green magnolia sprays.

The Christmas Tree in the family room is a 9 1/2 foot, downward swept, Fraiser Fir.
It is covered with 1000 clear lights and four various ribbons - sheer green, green velvet edged in gold, ivory satin ribbon with a gold glitter overlay and green and ivory plaid. A collection of gold cheribum and holy family ornaments grace the branches.
Two 36" tall Angels herald the birth of JESUS!
That completes our holiday house tour. Thank you for stopping by. May you and your family always cherish the wonderful season of Christ's birth. Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!
Until I see you again,
Live Life Beautifully,
Alisa






























33 comments:

Melissa Miller said...

Alisa everything is simply stunning at your gorgeous home!
Love your amazing trees. ~WOW!!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! May you and yours be blessed in 2010.

~Warmly, ~Melissa :)

ChaChaneen said...

So sorry to hear about Andrew. .. Words can't express.

Your home is just lovely, I lurve everything! God bless you as your home with your precious family as we wine down the year. Blessings!

Blondie's Journal said...

Your trees and pretty decor are wonderful!! Your dining room and bedroom are stunning!

Have a wonderful New Year!

xoxo
Jane

Gone said...

I was sooooooooo glad to finally see a post from you again...but saddened to hear about Andrew! But, Praise God...we know he's with JESUS!

Your home looks delightful...I love the colors in your bedroom especially.

Lynn said...

Oh my gosh I am awed at the beauty you create in your home. All of it is stunning. I especially love the dinning room table with thos trees and the family room, tree, the beautiful while Nativity figures, the mantel with the gold stockings. I truly love how you have the large angels proclaiming the birth of Jesus. He is the reason for the season. Blessings and wishes for a happy, healthy New Year.

Connie said...

Your house is absolutely beautiful!

Nancy said...

Hello Friend, I check on you almost daily... glad to see a post from you! Your Christmas house is breathtaking!

I pray for Melanie's Family and was so sad to see that Andrew passed away. My heart goes out to them.

Hopefully things will settle down just a bit for you. May the Good Lord be with you and yours. Enjoy the rest of your Holiday Season. Happy New Year to you!
Nancy from OHIO

Elaine said...

Beautiful home! Glad you were with you friend at the time of her son's death. I am always inspired by your creativity.

Kathleen Ellis said...

Hi Alisa~
Your home looks beautiful for the holidays! I trust you had a wonderful Christmas...wishing you a New Year full of blessings!
Kathleen

GwendolynKay said...

So many gorgeous things to behold. Everything is devine. I especially love the bedroom. Blessings!
Gwen

Linda Hibner said...

Thank you for such a lovely blog. I miss when you don't post;however,I've come to realize that when you do post, it is well worth the wait. I am most grateful for your introducing me to Bella-Mella. In spite of the overwhelming sadness that accompanied the loss of Andrew, her blog has been an uplifting blessing. That can only come from a walk of faith. You two make a great pair--God bless you for being an ongoing source of inspiration for other Christian women.
Linda
www.gracefullives.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.ile-maurice.com/forum/members/wetter-vorhersage.html][b]aktuelles wetter[/b][/url]

[url=http://www.ile-maurice.com/forum/members/wetter-vorhersage.html][b]wetter zentrale[b][/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.ile-maurice.com/forum/members/wetter-vorhersage.html]wetter teneriffa[/url]

[url=http://www.ile-maurice.com/forum/members/wetter-vorhersage.html]5 tage wetter[/url]

kanishk said...

Your home looks beautiful for the holidays!
car loan modification software

prashant said...

So sorry to hear about Andrew.
Contextual Ad Network India

網頁設計 said...

hooray, your writings on theater and writing much missed!

抓姦 said...

hooray, your writings on theater and writing much missed!

偵探社 said...

hooray, your writings on theater and writing much missed!

尋人 said...

hooray, your writings on theater and writing much missed!

討債 said...

Thank you, that was extremely valuable.

討債 said...

hooray, your writings on theater and writing much missed!

法律諮詢 said...

hooray, your writings on theater and writing much missed!

網站設計 said...

Keep the faith, my Internet friend. You are a first-class writer and deserve to be heard.

網站設計 said...

Whats up ! Love your blog thanks for sharing it with everyone

網站設計 said...

hooray, your writings on theater and writing much missed!

抓姦 said...

Keep the faith, my Internet friend. You are a first-class writer and deserve to be heard.

偵探社 said...

Keep the faith, my Internet friend. You are a first-class writer and deserve to be heard.

尋人 said...

Keep the faith, my Internet friend. You are a first-class writer and deserve to be heard.

討債 said...

Keep the faith, my Internet friend. You are a first-class writer and deserve to be heard.

討債 said...

Keep the faith, my Internet friend.

法律諮詢 said...

Keep the faith, my Internet friend. You are a first-class writer and deserve to be heard.

網頁設計 said...

Keep the faith, my Internet friend.

Research Paper said...

Thanks for linking this up..Even this is first time I am visiting your blogs.. I am proud to say that I am the great fan of you..

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin