Hello there.
I decided to pop in with some photos from my home before I lose myself in the season and life happenings.
This is one side of my décor (part 1) and I'll share the other side in a few days.
I love seeing other's holiday magic, don't you?
Especially when I'm on a walk and folks have their trees twinkling in the window.
Just love that.
It's like everyone creates their own little slice of wonderland.
Below are some snippets of my christmas this year.
I had a hard time choosing photos so there might be too many :-)
I decided to create my own winter wonderland.
The lighter I kept things, the more magical it felt to me -
Pinks, golds, creams and whites did just the trick.
(I accidentally took these pics before I put the big pink ribbon topper on my little tree in the background)
There are also pops of red plaid and colorful ornaments here and there.
I used all my favorite figurines and winter pieces I've collected over the years.
I slip covered each dining chair and added little grapevine and green wreaths.
I tied them with an antique ribbon I had been saving for years.
I left some pretty simplicity in some areas, which really spoke to my romantic heart.
Especially since some areas are overstuffed with things, such as this menagerie of antique mirrors.
Oh and, lots and lots of candles.
I like mixing up all colors and styles of candlesticks and candelabras.
Silver, gold, porcelain, all.
Swan figurines have always been a part of my collections and work beautifully with Christmas décor.
The mirror in the backdrop use to be copper and is actually built into the wall.
I decided to paint it distressed white and add wooden filigree around it.
I also added some antique brass candle sconces which illuminate it perfectly.
I'm a fan of pink and red plaid, so I decided to create a really cozy seating area at the head of the table using those colors.
I took away one of the captain chairs and replaced it with this lil' settee.
Whoever gets to sit there will be extra cozy.
Warm super soft blankets and pillows to squish into really hit the spot.
As I was decorating my buffet I decided to fill it with the things that I love.
Extra ornaments on tiered trays, bottle brush trees and all the tinsel and ribbon spools I had left over.
I think they are such pretty little props and fillers.
For some reason my pics don't look as sharp when I load them onto my blog, but if you click on them you can see a sharper version of the image.
I really love the pink, white and gold with pops of fresh green peeking out.
The magic of Christmas is just so beautiful.
I love how everyone jumps in and gets into the spirit of things.
Just enjoying the twinkly lights as the sun goes down fills my heart.
I stacked all my favorite gold mirrors in here and lined my buffet with sheet music.
This music is actually really special because it is composer sheet music, hand done, just amazing!
Each note written in by hand.
On the right side of my dining area I decided to put up my tall skinny tinsel tree.
It just has fluffy feather poofs on it in pinks and whites, with a black and white striped ribbon to top it off.
Next to this little tree is another little credenza filled a few of my very most favorite things.
Tea cups and pretty frilly plates.
I hung baubles from all of the candelbaras.
I wish I could leave them up all year.
I mean of course I could, but that would take the fun out of putting them up next year.
Christmas baubles just elevate everything and make it all better.
My little thrift store Santa I've had a few years is my favorite.
I feel like my mom had him in the 80's, he's so familiar to me.
I picked him up for a song, thrift stores always have great Christmas finds outside of the season.
I just pick things up and store them, then I'm always excited to refind them when the holidays roll around.
I had never purchased white ornaments, but I brought home a few and I love them to pieces.
Perfect for a winter wonderland feel.
Swan is wearing my bauble wreath proudly I think :-)
I bet all of us love the twinkle magic that emerges in the evening?
When things get extra golden and fairy lights twinkle like no other.
I just love to sit still, music playing, fireplace on, sinking into the beauty of the season completely.
Little porcelain ladies dancing in the light with feathers and baubles.
The beauty of still moments, sun going down...
Your own kind of golden hour...
With Santa, in the warmth of the holiday season.
What a beautiful time of year.
Fills my heart with joy.
(I'll share a bunch more in a few days)
I've learned over the years to find my own kind of magic within.
To take part in the things that personally bring me joy, like my very own traditions.
Cutting snowflakes, tossing baubles about, lighting my candles.
Drawing in front of the fire, peppermint, tea, gingerbread, cinnamon.
Things that are yours no matter what is going on in the world around you.
I'm learning that holidays can bring all sorts of feelings and memories.
But I'm on a mission to celebrate the lives of those I love, including my own.
That means taking a moment to embrace the good in everything, even hard things.
Celebrate the good, I guess that is one element of what Christmas means to me.
Gratitude and goodness.
Thank you for peeking in, I'll be back in a few days with part 2.
Love, Vanessa
See ya soon <3 <3 <3
ps: I have a lot of little clay pieces and paintings I wanted to have ready by now, alas life has kept me busy in unexpected ways. I hope I can still bring them in time. If not they might be New Year creatures <3
