Comments : 33

 A reminder that the last day to place holiday orders for my online shop is this Tuesday, December 17th.

Hi, first things first. I am thrilled to announce the two lucky winners of the HomeGoods gift card giveaways. Congratulations goes to….

 1st winner 

Result: 86  lynnmosher  December 8, 2013 at 12:22 PM

Your decorations and home are lovely! I’m another classic! 😀

2nd winner (from Facebook)            Result: 20 Trudi Rowe
I’m from the Enchanted Home and my style is Socialite with a touch of Classic
Please contact me here to provide your shipping details…….

 All details for a brand new giveaway will be announced on Sunday!

It’s hard to believe we are in the thick of the Christmas chaos now, isn’t it? I am happy to report my gift buying is in full swing as is my holiday decor. This is early for me and I am thrilled to think I could potentially have it done by this week. My original goal was Dec. 10th so I have added a few days.  I will be posting less in the coming weeks as there are only so many hours in the day (about 2 to 3 times a week) but you can be sure I will post when I can, as blogland is indeed my “happy place” and a refuge of sorts for me to escape the big, crazy world!

I have gotten many requests for “how tos” on decorating and bringing  Christmas cheer into the house. I am by no means an expert but I do love decorating for the holidays and enjoy playing and tweaking all throughout the season.

Funny thing is you will see a lot of red here. And I am not a red person. But I am practical and like to use what I have and realize I have accumulated a truckload of red holiday items!!! I make it work and it happens to look quite good next to blue and white. There are a few tips that I have learned through the years that have become staples in my decorating arsenal and I thought it would make a fun post to share with you  by popular demand.

Some things I always have on hand, guaranteed to make your home feel “Christmas-y”

  • Lots of fresh evergreen (sprigs, scraps or garland that you can cut up) You can get them at not only obvious places like a nursery but your local supermarket and Home Depot for rock bottom prices
  • Faux sprigs of greenery and garland (again need not be expensive, places like Michaels have them)
  • A large empty water bottle filled at all times with fresh water
  • Pinecones, pinecones, pinecones…….you can never have too many and they are not only super inexpensive but offer so much for so little (they come in big bags and I have found really big bags of them at Costco and stock up)
  • A few great smelling holiday scented candles (Seda France makes a fabulous and pretty one)
  • A great Christmas CD (Christmas music is a MUST)
  • Pillar candles to put inside hurricanes (battery operated even better)
  • Pretty ribbon for gift buying and adding to vignettes
  • Pick up those little sprays of faux greenery, berries (some have small ornaments or pinecones) They often offer them at 40-50% off, they can be used EVERYWHERE!
  • A holiday scented room spray (I love this for bathroom)
  • Love fresh winter flowers, paperwhites, amaryllis and pointsettas
  • “Investing” in a few faux really good holiday flowering plants like amaryllis, paperwhites and pointsettas more than pays back over the years. They are like the gift that keeps on giving! 
  • Great and inexpensive way to dress up gifts is 1.5″ thick satin ribbon (like what florists use) You can get 100 yards spool for under $12.00 and believe me it wraps A LOT of gifts and really makes a beautiful presentation 

OK so with those things beyond what else you like to use for the holidays, you can indeed create a very festive feeling home. I  always like to burn a candle in my kitchen (where we always are) and keep the principle rooms in my home feeling festive. A wreath on a kitchen window is gorgeous, or a center island with a pretty evergreen and pinceone display. I love adding pretty touches to a powder room like a small wreath hanging over a mirror, burning a holiday candle or adding small sprigs of everygreen to an existing display (like soaps or potpourri).

So lets start at my front door! Notice I am not showing it in its entirety the planters are not yet done, but I do love my wreath.  The day I was going to do the planters, it snowed and its been a frozen ever since, so need a thaw before I can attempt to do them again….hopefully soon. Love the way this came out……

I filled it with all kinds of wonderful greens, pinecones and magnolia leave…rustic elegance:)

 I almost didn’t use this picture…as it shows a half done tree and an undecorated table. Half the lights are on and not nearly all the decorations, no presents yet under there, will be sure to show you a completed shot too!

The side door gets a simple oversized wreath and bow

Wanted to fill my large beautiful antique dough bowl with a festive feeling arrangement but something easy! Start with a few sprigs of greenery and keep a water bottle nearby for weekly “mists”

Fill a container (in this case used my antique dough bowl) with big oversized pinecones

Voila!! So easy…..and so pretty!

 BEFORE  I like adding garlands to tables/consoles, also on top of mirrors. This is a faux garland I bought I believe at Michaels years ago (have many of these). It is pretty but I like to “jazz it up” and it can be done so easily it’s not even funny, all I do is add sprigs of fresh greens to the center and sides, add a few pinecones and the makeover s complete!


AFTER
See….so easy and the result is just beautiful.

2nd after! And then added a few nutcrackers and a some oversized sugar pinecones….

And in my kitchen added this pretty white hydrangea plant and simple wreath with an ivory bow to the middle window….

The dough bowl found a home on my kitchen island…..

I am admittedly not a huge fan of red but somehow I put that grudge aside during the holidays and actually really develop a temporary affection for the color. I buy these pointsetta topiaries every year, think they are so pretty and definitely very festive. I just find a few pretty empty container and drop them in then add pine cones for  festive touch to the base. The pinceones I buy are also scented so it brings in the wonderful Christmas smell to the room, added them to my island.

(REALLY need to figure out how to use this new camera…somehow the lighting appears off)

And we have a very long hallway that runs the width of the house….so it has several chests and consoles, all of which I do something to…….

Love these little evergreen swags with red velvet ribbon, I add them to each sconce throughout the hallway for an extra little touch

And to my main powder room, I add these pretty topiaries every year and added a gold nutcracker as well….

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And to the back powder room….. 

Tweaked the hall chest with a beautiful giant faux amarylllis that I use every year (such a good investment)! I put it in my beautiful urn from  my shop…..

I really wish I had bought more of this amaryllis plants….they are so real looking!

 And in my family room, added some holiday touches…

 A white pointsettta plant with a base of pinecones and a gorgeous pinceone garland on the console behind sofa

 My two deer plant holders hold two pointsettas and my two Santas on either end, this is not done!

 I have many of these little Santa’s so just place them on top of books or wherever I can find a spot:)

 The beautiful pinecone topiaires I found from HomeGoods on the family room coffee table……..(and yes the tags will all get cut:)

Changed out the moss balls to lovely pale pinky pointsettas in my urns in the foyer………(the bottom is a wreath that I placed the urns in the center of)

Have some paperwhites (my favorite holiday flower) here and there……picking up more next week

Other vignettes throughout the house…

 Haven’t really done anything in the dining room but this small chest is a work in progress!

 A hallway console
Another hallway console….proof that blue and white really does work with everything!

Even red Santa’s

In a guest bedroom I like to add a touch or two… in this case put these pretty pointsettas in these gorgeous planters on the console to bring in a little Christmas for our out of town guests….

Added a simple boxwood ball to the guest powder room but will add a Christmas candle when our guests come

And look at this another wrapped gift……progress is being made!

 My favorite combo, a simple pinecone and small cutting of faux or real evergreen

 That makes two! Many more to come…..

Here are a few pics hot off the presses as of last night, tree almost done and it’s starting to shape up…

 This tree at about 11′ looked HUGE in the nursery but now it just looks like an average sized tree…..

 I do love this planter…..and orchids of course!

So folks, that’s whats been keeping me busy so far! I will probably do a round 2 sometime later next week if time allows just to show you the “final final” result…..I am pleased in that everything I used I already had (with the exception of the HomeGoods things) and I realized I do have a lot (way more than my husband wishes I had…his daily mantra is enough, enough)! Hey, when you have the spirit, you go all the way:)
And just one more thing….I promise!!! You will want to know about this…….
 Christmas Magic Contest

 I also want to announce the start of my final contest for 2013, “Christmas magic”. I will be collecting pictures as of today through Jan. 1st. I will hold the contest on Jan. 4-6th and announce the winner(s) on Jan 7th. As the name implies….please send your pictures of anything Christmas related, your decorated front door, a beautifully wrapped gift, a table set with your Christmas finest, your darling kids and pets are always a hit, whatever the name “Christmas magic” means to you! Since my “Hooray for the Holidays” post included some Christmas pictures, if you would like to use the entry you used for that please just email me to let me know and I will be happy to include it. I cannot wait to start getting your entries!! Remember-

  • 2 entries per person (they must be your pictures, not downloaded from internet)
  • Please in subject line when you email me put Christmas Magic (get tons of emails )
Please email your pictures to [email protected]

    Thanks so much for stopping in, wishing you a fabulous day and weekend!! Be sure to check back on Sunday where I will announce the next TWO fabulous giveaways! The countdown is on…..

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    This was absolutely fun, Tina. I am enthralled with what you did to your home!!!!!

    I love that little antique console with the four gold picture frames with light blue flowers (with the two dogs sitting on top) – that is such a sublime vignette! AND that simple green wreath with the ivory bow? YES! YES! YES! Doesn’t the live greenery just perk up the whole house? And what can I say, but that the entire house is MAGIC! I know what you mean about learning a new camera and getting the right lighting, but you have done a beautiful job. I will see what I can turn in for a photo to join your contest; I always enjoying joining in!

    Have a FANTASTIC FRIDAY my friend! Anita

    Tina my mouth is on the floor…you are a decorating dynamo! I am so impressed did you actually do all this yourself? Please tell me you have a bunch of elves otherwise its going to put me to shame thinking I have done a lot by putting up a tree two wreaths and one pointsetta plant! I am in love with every single thing and agree about red except at Christmas time. It always looks beautiful. Going to copy your dough bowl idea and so smart on the garland, I think I need to try that. I am officially inspired. Amazing job.
    Merry Christmas Tina.

    I agree that pinecones are an absolute must at this time of year. We brought back huge ones from a forest in France a couple of years ago. Scented candles too – I’ve just added another two to the collection. The wreath on your main door is fabulous.

    Tina great advice that I am taking to the bank. Love all the vignettes, your wreaths, the dough bowl decorated and your giftwrap makes me jealous. I am horrible at it! That entrance looks like entrance to a royal palace, so beautiful. Thank you for opening up your home and sharing all the beauty and all of your tips. Much appreciated.

    Beautiful, TIna! (You must be exhausted, though.) Your house looks just gorgeous inside and out. Thank you so much for the tour and the tips. I’m really feeling in the holiday spirit now! XOXO

    Every time you do a post of your home I am so happy! When I realized this morning you were featuring your own home I zapped my coffee so it was nice and hot, curled myself up on my cozy kitchen couch by my kitchen christmas tree (notice how I completely set myself up in a wonderful setting?). The rest takes care of itself as I stroll through your most beautiful home. EVERYTHING is stunning. I adore your kitchen curtains and would one day like to stay in your guest bedroom. A girl can dream right?
    Anyway….Tina, your home is lovely any season but there is just something so magical about Christmas time. Thank you so much for inviting us all in.
    Fondly-Lisa

    Talk about eye candy. Wow!!!! This is spectacular and how kind of you to share it with us. I took note of every word and loved your list of things you do, I am going to take it to heart and get busy decorating this weekend. Homegoods..here I come!

    Your home could not be any prettier for the holidays, from the wreath that greets you to the tree and all the beautiful vignettes throughout your home even in the bathrooms and guest rooms, it is a vision of pure elegance. Give yourself big pat on the back, Tina. You have done an amazing job. Love your blog!!

    Tina,Your home is so lovely anyways,but for the holidays….c’est magnifique!!!!
    I have actually developed an aversion to the Xmas reds.Probably because my husband insists on hanging these awful stockings that he bought for everyone.They are all red and none of them match anything!!!LOL.I just decorate around them.
    You do a slendid job. Regards to Teddy…

    Debbie

    Tina I always love seeing your holiday decor. It is amazing how pinecones, greenery, poinsettias, holly and orchids combined turn into the most elegant arrangements!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Hi again, Tina… I have a question that I have been meaning to ask you forever. I want to do all my kitchen counters in marble but I am afraid that they may be too high maintenance. I love the looks of yours. Are you happy you went with marble?

    if you look up ‘magic’ in the dictionary, there’s a picture of your home. the shots of the kitchen especially, that light streaming through the window above the kitchen sink, the simple wreath, the blue and white signature…breathtaking. wishing you the most peaceful and enchanted holiday and wonder filled days pre-holiday. look what your little journal of a blog has become! not a braggy scrapbook but an invitation to lovely, a glimpse of everyday beauty, and a broad spectrum of ideas to savor the season. i am so grateful to have found you on the web.

    love.

    michele

    Tina… my first comment never showed up. Sista and I have a date with a glass of vino and your blog tonight to get our share of oooohs and aaaahs for the day. I already scrolled thru a hundred times but don’t tell her that!! One word for your home… breathtaking!!

    Your home looks beyond festive, Tina. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas.

    Bonnie

    Everything is lovely Tina and I have to tell you that the dough bowl I purchased last year is filled with greens and pinecones;) I like yours in the kitchen! Mine is up on a shelf in my family room.. and I’m thinking of bringing it down for my party today. I’ll be taking a few picks (hopefully for the blog) I’ll try to incorporate the dough bowl into the pics. The pinecones are so pretty everywhere. I need to get a string of them.. love that idea. Your list at the top is a good one! You’ve covered everything.

    I still use the regular pillar candles. When I was at PB yesterday I almost bought the battery operated but I wasn’t sure if they’d give off enough light.

    Last.. those Nut Crackers are darling. I like the tall ones:) Tina, sounds like you are having lots of fun! I think you are similar to me (and many other blog friends) in that you sort of thrive on all the chaos. It’s back to back activities in my neck of the woods and I’m off and running this morning! Have fun today!

    Your decorations are to die for, Tina!!! You must have been working like a mad woman to make every thing so beautiful! Thanks for sharing your lovely home and holiday magic with us!

    Have a fantastic weekend! xoxo

    From your front door to the foyer to the kitchen, so warm, festive and gracious!! I especially love your tabletop vignettes of blue-and-whites with the holiday decor, Tina. Look forward to part 2.
    Cheers,
    Loi

    Tina I am just floored at how beautiful everything is. I just sent the link to your blog to my mom, mother in law and sister who all are fans of your style. You have done a really exceptional job with your holiday decor, it’s right out of a magazine. You must have worked really hard these last few weeks, I haven’t done an eighth of what you have done and I am ready for a long slumber! Thanks so much for sharing all of your valuable tips too. I found it fascinating and educational!

    Angela

    Tina, I never grow tired of seeing your beautiful home and seeing it with all of the Christmas touches in every niche is even more wonderful! I love the fresh greenery and all the pinecones. It looks so elegant. I’d love to spend the night in that guest bedroom, or any room in your house. It’s just beautiful!

    Tina – you must have an army of elves helping you get your lovely home in festive shape! We love the touches of red, especially with all your blue and white. We’re sooo behind in our own decorating and shopping that perhaps we’ll just celebrate Christmas in January. More snow expected tomorrow so stay safe and warm!
    xxoo
    C + C

    You home looks beautiful Tina! I love all of the evergreen you used. I should have kept what they cut off my tree. Now I’m off to do more decorating! Thank you for the lovely inspiration my dear! XOXOXO

    Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!
    Bring you Good wishes of happiness.

    Sorry for greeting you earlier,, just don’t want miss saying this.
    By the way, I’m clotee. It’s my first time visiting your blog. I am blogger too, and now try my best luck to open an e-store. Nice to know you.

    Regards,
    Clotee

    As magnificent as can be. You are truly talented Tina, did you do all this yourself? I am impressed. I know it’s a lot of work but I bet everyone that visits your beautiful home enjoys it so much which I know has to make you happy. Wonderful job!

    It all looks so beautiful, Tina. I love all the pinecones – such a great idea for bowls in my house! Have I seen the guest room? It is stunning – every square inch! Your guests will never want to leave…such a festive, warm and inviting home anytime, but especially at Christmas!

    Tina this post could be a best selling book on how to decorate your home in the most elegant way possible. I am definitely stealing a bunch of your ideas. You are so talented, love they way the dough bowl came out and your tree is so majestic!

    Tina everything is just magnificent. I bet your guests are speechless upon entering your majestic home. Wishing you warm seasons greetings.

    Simply spectacular… i barely bought a tree this morning, at leaf it is beautiful and quite romantic getting the tree on a snowy day. i accomplished bringing the ornaments for the attic, but was so exhausted from a mad week of installing client’s house and store windows that I just collapsed on my chaise and took a nap.
    You just motivated me to get into the spirit of christmas!! thanks you

    This post is really awesome and helpful for all kind of furniture lover .I think every people will get help who finding furniture info through online by this kind of blog.I have found also same source at decorise.com who offering high quality wall art , tosh furniture , home accents , accent pieces, and one of a kind items at affordable prices.But you posted really good post so please keep it up .

    Your home is just beautiful, it looks like a holiday show home!! Amazing!! And thank you so much for these wonderful tips, I will definitely be using them!!

    XOXO,
    The Glam Pad

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