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