Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Christmas 2013

It seems that a week was lost somewhere... did anyone find it?  I sure didn't, and I haven't had any time to blog or, well anything, really, except get ready for the next day.  From Thanksgiving to December 26th, it has been a whirlwind of activity.  I sorta like that, but it is rather tiring.  I had both my children home, and for that I feel very blessed.  We had a Christmas party--started out as just a small gathering to celebrate the homecoming of my son and daughter--and it grew.  And grew.  So without further ado, I will share with you what I was able to capture.
Again, I used silver for my serving pieces.  A battenburg lace tablecloth is the base, and I used rectangular mirrors down the middle.  This year I used an epergne with greens and a giant ornament as the center.  Mercury glass orbs and vases are added, as well as additional greenery and silver.
I used my candelabras with silver candles.
I added white lillies around the ornament, which sits on top of magnolia and artificial greens
.
Little mercury glass vases hold red roses, berries, and white lillies as well as Christmas greenery.
This year I used my silver reindeer on the server with the desserts.
I used my silver and gold glitzy fruit arrangement on the buffet with mercury glass trees.  I again decorated a small tree, which I placed in a fish bowl in the corner of the room.
This tree was decorated with silver birds, silverplate ornaments I have collected, and various mercury glass ornaments.
In the kitchen, I used feathers, antlers, and magnolia.  The runner and antler candlelabra were purchased at Pottery barn.  I used my vintage serving pieces which are trimmed in gold.
We were still setting up when these pictures were taken, so all the food hadn't been put out at this point.
Sushi and various other snacks were available on the island, along with the wine.  A cranberry martini punch was in the corner in my silver punch bowl.

 I decorated the mantle over the stovetop with garland.
I changed the mantle over the fireplace up a bit, adding bronze and gold-colored poinsettias, gold balls, and gold-colored leaves.  The green garland was a long-needle pine with another garland and white lights added.  I will explain how I did this in a later post.
The girls pose for a picture in front of the mantle.
The wreath above the mantle with my gold reindeer.
Our Christmas tree, ready for Christmas morning.
This is a closeup of the garland on the fireplace.
 I added a new arrangement on the pedestals in the corner, and for fun, a garland around the bust's neck!
I used silhouette angels holding votives on top of the bookcase with a garland, greenery, and feathers.
 Pottery Barn pillows went well in my family room this year.
On top of the wine cabinet, I used mercury glass vases, greenery, a decorated garland, and feathers.
I had my chair upholstered in brown and ivory zebra!
Moving on to the living room, the cocktail table was simply decorated with artificial greenery.
A large sleigh accompanies my angels on the console.
Decorations on the end table include a cherub and a mercury glass candle surrounded by a silver wreath.
Guess I should have started with the foyer, anyway, this is the tree in the foyer and the garland I use on the stairs.
Tree in foyer with the lights on...
A glitzy arrangement sits on the foyer table in a silver wine cooler.  This arrangement can be taken out and stored.  Silver candleholders hold glitzy gold candles (which I don't burn because they are too expensive lol)

Guess that's all for now.  I have lots more Christmas photos to share with you, so stay tuned!!

Thanks for visiting!  Happy New Year!!

10 comments:

  1. Ooh I'm eating it all up! Everything looks so festive! Your home looks gorgeous. I always enjoy seeing it at the holidays. I miss the days when my kids would congregate here with their friends like that. Love your stairwell and entryway area.
    Looking forward to more pictures- you are missed- wish you could post more often!
    Happy New Year!!

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    1. Thanks, Liz! I know, I love it when they come home, but I have to say, I get a bit down when they have to leave. But I know they have their own lives to live.

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  2. You all had an amazing C'mas and everyone looks so happy and beautiful, as is your stunning table and great, yummy food, wow, wish I was there!!!
    Happy new year 2014 and many blessings.
    FABBY

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    1. Well, you just come on anytime!! Thanks for your kind comments!

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  3. Oh my!! I am sure that your guests were so impressed with your beautiful decorations and delicious looking food. I, especially, love your centerpiece decoration on the dining room table with the addition of all of the silver pieces! How very grand! Happy New Year!!

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    1. Hi Diane, I polished so much silver my hands were awful! But there's nothing prettier, I think, than a shiny piece of silver. Thanks for visiting, and your kind comments!

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  4. I love it all, but especially the zebra fabric you chose for the reupholstery! Happy New Year...

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    1. Hi Deb, thanks, I was worried I wouldn't get the chair in time for the holidays! I, too, love that fabric! Thanks for visiting, happy new year!

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  5. Better late than never!!! I know what you mean, though. I didn't get a post done on the decor in our home until Christmas Eve. It was just kind of thrown together quickly...almost as an afterthought. There just didn't seem to be enough time allotted to get things properly done this year!!!

    Your home looked SO pretty for Christmas!!! SO PRETTY!!! I am just flabbergasted by all the decor everywhere! I know I do a lot for Christmas, but you REALLY did a lot and I LOVE it!!! What a super nice homecoming party for your son and daughter! My Mom never welcomes me home like that...although I just live 20 minutes away, so that might explain it. ;-)

    All the food looks fantastic, although I've never been able to wrap my head...or more specifically, my lips...around sushi. It still looks beautiful on display there. I also really love the silver reindeer over on the dessert buffet. It's almost as if he's standing guard!

    The garland over the kitchen stove is just the right touch, and I LOVE the silhouette angel display over the bookcase!!! I also really, really like the arrangement of mercury glass and greenery over the wine cabinet. It's really pretty. I saw some similar mercury glass piece while out shopping earlier at Tuesday Morning today before rushing home for this pitiful Chiefs game. Don't get me started on them right now!!!

    Your tree is FABULOUS! Perfectly put together and very swanky! I'm so glad you, your family & friends were able to celebrate in such a joyous and beautiful setting! Happy New Year!

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    1. Hey Alycia, thanks so much! I had fun this year with my decorations, not so much fun taking them down, they are still sitting in boxes in the middle of the floor. It took a long time before I would even try sushi--now there's several kinds I like, and I try to get those when I order a tray. Yes, I bought those mercury glass pieces on the wine cabinet at Tuesday Morning, but several years ago. I liked using them on the wine cabinet this year. Always a challenge, though, trying to find a place to store these things, especially when they are big pieces. Take care, and thanks again for your kind comments! Hugs!

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