Comments : 59


I start again to ask that we all keep the town of Newtown, the families grieving an unbearable loss and our great country that is in mourning in our prayers. It is so unimaginable and to have seen the interfaith service and hear those names being read off, made it so “real”. I know like all of you , we are all busy with the holiday hustle and bustle and that does not stop but I do hope we can take just a minute out of our day to pray for those left grieving, that God will light the dark path they are walking right now. God has called all of those that died home…….and we must hold them as well as their families in our hearts.

 Good morning…..OK you must sit back, relax, grab another cup of coffee and take this all in with your full concentration. This has turned out to be a long post, chock full of magnificent pictures. I am just going to come right out and say it……..my readers simply have the most superb taste. I was not totally shocked about this revelation but was still stunned at the beauty and talent that abounds amongst my very talented reader pool.

 I was excited at the prospect of putting this post together featuring my readers homes. I am simply in awe over how beautiful everything is……..this could make a beautiful coffee table book! I hope you all enjoy this, and thank you so very very much to each and every one of you who took the time to send me your pictures…….what I can say you helped to make this an absolutely breathtaking post! I originally was going to put all the pictures in one long post but it started getting so long that it was simply not possible, so this is part I and part II will post on Friday. (if your pictures are not here, they will be on Friday, I added them in the order they were sent)  Here we go…….

There was only one picture that really warranted text ( you will see why further down), a beautiful explanation and story behind the image.
Forewarning…..this post is known to induce heart palpitations, new found inspiration to go and decorate your home like a Christmas elf on steroids, and a sudden burst of energy might  potentially be a “side effect” after viewing:)

 

Hi Tina,
It seems especially appropriate to share this special family heirloom brought out for Christmas, with the sad and devastating news from Newtown CT that is all around us.  This Christmas we turn to God with heavy hearts but still want to celebrate the joy of the birth of the Messiah.  We all are searching for the true meaning of Christmas, maybe this year more than ever! .  This piece, which decorates a table in our dining room, was given to my husband’s great Aunt (Tante Louise) who was one of the first women Doctors.  She became the Director of the American Hospital in Reims, France during World War I.  Treating victims of the gas attacks was especially gruesome, and the people of Reims showed their gratitude at the end of the war by bestowing on her the medals of the French Legion of Honor. ( The Ordre nationale de la Legion d’honneur was created in 1802 by Napolean Bonaparte and continues to this day. ) Along with that, the city presented her with this incredible work, a miniature facsimile of one of the windows of the great Cathedral of Reims.   This year it is a reminder that in the face of cruelty and evil, good people continue on, to rebuild and restore.  Just as the French rebuilt this great Cathedral which was partially destroyed in the War, our country will embrace Newtown and the families facing the unbearable task of moving on with their lives.  It will take a lot of work, maybe much more than rebuilding a Cathedral, but our country has to do more to keep guns out of the hands of sick and evil people.

Blessings and good tidings,  Jayne

 
Noooooo, you are not looking at some new hot online magazine devoted to Christmas decor…these were all pictures sent in by my readers, really and truly!  Amazing, huh? I am flattered beyond words that these are my readers!! More to come on Friday…….you can still submit yours but the deadline to do is Tuesday, Dec.18th, email me at [email protected]

 Thank you sooo much for sharing and allowing us a peek into your fabulous homes. And to everyone else, thank you for stopping by to have a look………quite inspirational don’t you think? I think next year we will do a contest…make it really fun and get everyone in the mix! Wishing everyone a wonderful day and all the joys of the season. Stay tuned for part II on Friday and a giveaway announement tomorrow.
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Tina…what great images. You are right, your readers have great taste. I love the paper wrapping stand, and the two images of entries with black doors. Love how they “pop” with all of the holiday decor. Excited to see what Fridays edition brings. – Tonya

Wow, wow, wow, now that’s a two cup of coffee post. So many ideas and great inspiration from you reader’s homes. I just loved studying every image and seeing how so many of our blog friends prepare for Christmas. I am dying to know who lives in the shingled house with the oval windows…charm personified!! Happy Monday ~

My darling Tina,

I am welling up with tears here to see how you have brought many of us together to celebrate our various styles and homes. WHEW……I am not only emotional right now, taken by your loving spirit, but I AM SEEKING A SPOT IN MY HOME WHERE I can recreate some of these vignettes! YIKES! Where do I begin? Where do I even start to point out my favorites? That one mantle with the three silver wreathes hanging over it….mother of pearl…..where can I do that?????? teeeheee

Thank you so much for this invite. I see my holiday harp and tiny feathered tree is proudly amongst these fabulous homes. GOOD HEAVENS these ladies have magnificent abodes!

Many hugs and thanks for the IDEAS, and for the friendship. You have always found some way to feature me in the last two years, and I appreciate that so much.

May you and the family enjoy peace and much JOY as you celebrate the love of GOD come to us! Anita

Tina, you aren’t kidding, your readers homes are spectactular. I cannot even begin to name a favorite but I leave this post realzing I have a lot of catching up to do but I got some great ideas too! I love that wrapping station and could really use that instead of my dining room that has become Santa’s workroom haha!

Hi Tina, I can’t get over how many beautiful images there are. I got so many amazing ideas, and will be a very busy lady today! Lots of inspiration here, who needs a magazine when you have this? I am sending you a picture of my tree now.

Wow!! And I really had every intention of participating but didn’t get to this year! Now I know what to expect! This was incredible and lots of fun to see so many different styles of beautiful decorating! Great way to start of our week! Thanks, Tina!

Be still my heart!!!! Wow – what beautiful images. Just sent your link to my non-blogging sista with the words “eat your heart out!” Got to go because I want to go through them again!

Tina, What a lovely way to bring so many styles of the way we celebrate Christmas together. Such inspiration and so much creative talent in one blog post. This is such a great idea. I am delighted to have my photos among such beautiful decorations. Thank you Tina, maybe you’ve just started a new tradition!
Blessings to you and your family as we all hold our loved ones a little closer and as we pray for all Connecticut and those touched by this tragedy.

Have a Blessed holiday.
~Emily
The French Hutch

Wow! This does make you re-think your decor and consider changing things up a bit;) Great idea Tina and I agree.. so many talented readers out there!

Whoa! You aren’t kidding, so many talents out there. This could make one amazing book on Christmas decor 101! I got some good ideas, love all the stockings, the beautiful mantles, the wrap station which is so clever and how that range hood was even decorated. Many beautiful pictures that I am so happy I got to see!

talented indeed! WOW!
would it be terrible of me to have a favorite? the exterior with the spider web windows really touched my soul. all in all a truly amazing selection from your devoted readers
can’t sign off without acknowledging the lovely story of tante louise, so glad you included the text, beyond lovely and heartwarming
xo
debra

Tina, what an amazing post!! You do have some talented readers! I absolutely LOVED the foyer with the sisal and the huge urns. Just gorgeous!
Stacy

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So much talent, wow! I loved so many, the creamy white living room, that neat wrapping station, all the stocking pictures and of course all the beautifully decorated trees, fun to see so many different takes on Christmas decor.

We are leaving for Colorado on Wed. for two weeks so will wish you now a happy and blessed Christmas and New Year, Tina!

Everything is just beautiful! So many ideas and all different. I love seeing all of them.

I personally feel that it is good to see positive “pretty” things in a world so full of evil so we are reminded that there is still good in the world. I do think these times call for simpler posts with an acknowledgement of what is going on in Connecticut by sharing our sorrow. When we continue on immediately after without a thought about the tragedy on our blogs, it seems kind of shallow. In a way, I feel we have a responsibility as “public” spokespersons.

With that said, I so appreciate your words of prayer as well as the beautiful Christmas home decorations!

Tina – Thank you for letting us share our Christmas decorations with you and your readers. Wow, there is some serious gorgeousness (don’t think that’s really a word) out there! Also some very talented people. What a great post!

Hoping that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. Take care.

Oh my gracious sake’s alive, this was amazing! I had to read (translated: drool over) it twice. What a a gorgeous bunch of goodness, the elegance and style are just mind-warping. I think my favorite thing to borrow would be the wrapping station, although the giant gingerbread doll (pillow?) is pretty high on the list as well.

Thank you for enhancing the morning immeasurably!
tp

Hi I don’t know if I have ever seen so many beautiful Christmas pictures in one place. I will definitely come back to this for inspiraiton as we are putting the finishing touches on our holiday decorations this week in preparation for our annual party on the 23rd! This was fantastic!

What an amazing display of talent and creativity – and festive fun for everyone. We trimmed the tree as a family together this weekend thinking of the poor families and devastated community just an hour away. They are in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season.
xxoo
C + C

Beautiful post Tina, thank you for sharing all of these wonderful homes at this time of year,
Merry Merry Christmas,
xo Kathysue♥*

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WOW is all I can say! Beautiful and not one was similar…each and every one unique in its way to celebrate Christmas. Enjoyed it all and yes, let us pray for the Newtown families! May God embrace them with his infinite love. They will need him more now than ever.

Tina I thought the fabulous images would never end, So much beauty. I can see there are some touches I must add! (& I thought Joni’s post are long!) πŸ™‚

Love & Hugs,
Karena
Art by Karena
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Thanks for sharing my photos, Tina. It was a treat getting to see all the wonderful creativity out there, and am so looking forward to Friday’s post! I was beginning to lose my enthusiasm for Christmas decorating, but find that the juices are definitely flowing again!

HI Tina!

What an incredibly talented bunch of readers you have! What came through loud and clear from all was a pride in and love of home. To me, these photos represent all of the families that will be celebrating together, bathed in the warmth of someone who cares enough to go all out and make things truly special!

Especially loved that wreath with ice skates by Tartan Terrace and that cute hot chocolate bar! Such great ideas!!
Merry merry!
xoxo Elizabeth

Amazing!! I loved looking at your readers beautiful and inspirational homes… As a fellow blogger it is such a treat to see what others are creating… lots of ideas ticking over here now…:)
Thank you… xv

If people weren’t in the Christmas spirit yet they will be after seeing all the amazing displays! This was so much fun to see how much people truly do love this season and I can’t wait to see more on Friday!

XXX
Debra~

Tina, I feel like I have been on a Christmas Parade of HOmes! What beauty and inspiration in one post!!! I’m bookmarking this (actually I could do that with all of your posts) to peruse all year… so next Christmas don’t be surprised to see a lot of copying going on at StoneGable! Thank you for all the time and love you put into each post!

Wow, what phenomenal pictures! Every single one belongs in a home magazine or on a home tour. πŸ˜‰

Love the message and reminder of good continuing to triumph with the stained glass window replica.

Hi Tina, and now you know what you are really good at…getting people to share. This must be a book! The ideas and images are great. What about getting them to share their summer holiday homes? Gardens? Potagers? The ideas are endless, and you get to be the editor. Something else I cannot help but notice is that the folk who follow your blog all have similar taste interpreted in their own circumstances. Maybe there is now an “Enchanted home style”??
All the best to you and your family for a safe and happy holiday.

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