Winter Decor

by Heather

It's time to strike the Christmas set and I'm glad. Christmas decor is usually packed away by the first weekend in January but this year Ann, Sheila, and I were in Las Vegas for Blog Expo so it all had to wait another week (or two or three...). At least it comes down faster than it goes up.

Taking the decorations down would go faster if I didn't get sidetracked by starting to redecorate before Christmas is packed away. I just don't like to see empty tabletops -- and designing vignettes is a lot more fun than carting boxes and cartons to the garage. For a few minutes after the Christmas decor gets put away, the house looks empty and bare. The hubby enjoys the minimalist look, but to me it appears sterile and unloved. Accessories that have been stored during the Christmas season come out once again and I keep moving items around until I find something that clicks. Love it when I put accessories in a spot just to hold them and it turns out to be a better look than something I had planned.

The living room is the starting point and I like to add green plants and candles to the winter decor. Anything vintage looks better by candlelight (me included) and candles during the winter months (or as my niece says, "winter week" in Phoenix) add a warm glow to the room.

Creating vignettes on the shelves of the baker's rack takes time, but it's something I enjoy. I keep tinkering until I run out of time or energy; then I'm done until the next change of season. 

The top shelf of the baker's rack has two vintage (maybe antique?) brass candlesticks with crystal prisms that belonged to my English grandmother. I love seeing them up there; reminds me of visiting her for teatime. She taught me to sing "God Save the Queen" before I learned "My Country, 'Tis of Thee." 

The middle shelf is my favorite. It's outfitted for the winter with gold mercury glass candle holders and small lanterns.Tucked behind the plant and candle is a new tray with a mirrored surface and rubbed gold leaf sides.

If you look closely, you can see the decorative design that's etched onto the mirrored surface of the tray.

The lower shelf has the pair of wings that have been floating around the house during the Christmas season. I think they've found their final resting place -- at least until winter is over.

Yay! Another surface to decorate. I like to layer home accessories but this narrow chest presents a challenge

The bust of the woman is holding court on the small chest. I'm liking her too much to relegate her to the dressing room upstairs. The little vase is filled with holly branches from the tree in our yard.

The round mirror-topped table holds books, birds, and candles. With a couple of golden pears and moss balls, I think it's complete.

I'll continue the tour of the winter decor next Thursday when I'll show you what I've done in some of the other rooms. Maybe by then I'll have the wreath off the rocking horse that's perched high on a plant shelf. Or should I just add a red heart to it and call it Valentine's decor?

Love,

H