Textural Christmas

Natural textures, weathered ornaments and shells… It's all part of this little Christmas display. Here, it's all about layers, fresh greenery and atmosphere.

Fill a weathered pot with ornaments in muted colors, stack a few ornately carved frames and place candle holders, additional ornaments and votives in the empty spaces...

Faceted glass votives - by TineK Home -  makes the candlelight flicker ever so softly, and the 3D star ornament, well that's there for it's good looks ;) I think it's super pretty, and will do well on a tray as a display piece, but would probably get lost hanging on the tree - well, on my tree at least!

Happy decorating,
Natasha

Images via Tusenfrojd

Colorful (Scandinavian) Christmas!

It's not often you find a Scandinavian home, decorated in jewel tones for the holidays, but... here you go! Refreshing with a little purple, plum and coral. Add a few pinecones, special ornaments & an anemone, so pretty this little colorful tray is, don't you think?

Super interesting mix of textures and styles. Notice the branch in the background, what a great way to show off those pretty glass ornaments, adding a pop of color away from the traditional Christmas tree.

I am such a fan of "thinking-the-color-scheme-through" it's almost embarrassing... hahaha! 

Soooooo, I can appreciate the choice of purple gift wrap, the small touches of purple throughout the decorated house (notice the purple Tine K tea light glass on the tray, and the purple in the round pillows). It's little pops of cohesive color that keeps the eye moving from room to room, it's interesting! 

It's quite obvious - in my opinion - that you do not need to go overboard, like so many homes I see in the magazines here in The States! 

With all these small touches of Christmas spirit throughout the house, you can really appreciate each item, the colors and not be completely overwhelmed by "Stuff", my kind of decorating by far!!!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Natasha

All images via Bloomingville

Opening the Box...

I am sure many of you already have the tree trimmed, baked the cookies and have the gifts wrapped and ready to go, right? Right...? 

Well, around here I have just started to open the boxes with the Christmas decor!

We have decided NOT to do a tree this year, as we are both pretty busy and feel we don't really have the time to truly enjoy it... That being said, don't for a minute think there will be no Christmas decor in the house, I can't wait to decorate!!

There are so many ways to spruce up the house & to show off all those pretty ornaments!!

I like to pile them on a platter, perhaps a few different shapes and muted colors together, as above, but you can also try filling a beautiful glass bowl. Why not incorporate a few tea lights to make the ornaments glisten? I am all about live candles, especially when it gets dark outside early.

What colors will you be decorating with this year? Or are you "one of those" ;) people who pile it all on the tree; new and old, theme-y or not, heirlooms & gifts?? Do tell!

So much fun to see & hear how people decorate their Christmas trees!!

Natasha

All images via Tusenfrojd

Is it too early??

Really, I have tried to stay true to my belief, that Christmas decor and images would not appear in my home - or here on the blog - till December 1st.... BUT as you can see, I have already been looking for great wrapping ideas, and just wanted to share these with you.

While I blogged about these really great Acorn ornaments last year, I find these small, silver ones to be a great "little something" to add to a gift, a little added sparkle. I think it is just as important how you wrap a present, as what is inside. Why go through the trouble of finding the perfect gift, if you are not going to take the time to properly wrap it? Presentation, my friends :)

This year, I have also fallen in love with these creamy white, matte, porcelain Nutcracker ornaments! The fact that they are so understated totally won me over :)

So... I broke my own rule and wrote a little holiday post early... it will be the only early one, I think...

Enjoy your weekend!
Natasha

Images via West Elm

The First Tree....

In keeping with the theme of all my Christmas posts this year, I am sharing my very first Christmas tree with you today! Keeping the decorations to a single color, and the eye moving by varying the size of the ornaments, as well as the shapes and textures, keeps this tree high on my list :)

Ohhh... and how about that huge wreath?

Two more days to go people! The excitement is building, can you feel it?? 

Natasha

PS. Did you check out my Christmas Guest post over here? 

Image via Northern Light on Pinterest

A Christmas Story!

Hi all...

Please follow me to Sweden!

I am guest posting for Charlotta of Space For Inspiration today.

The series has been named "Talk to me about Christmas", and it has been a trip down memory lane, getting this post together.

I hope you have a few minutes to read through this post, can't wait to hear what you have to say???! ... also a little scared, but then again, this is my first guest post, and I might have given a little too much personal info... Oh, well, Christmas is all about sharing, right?

Enjoy!

Natasha

Image via Pottery Barn 

Tropical Flavor

I know, I know... Enough with the holiday ornaments already, is what I am guessing you are saying right about now? 

... Notice the big clam shell :) I think I will try this; In fact I will try this, I'm going to fill it with all silver balls!!

Just wanted to share these pretty and easy to customize Christmas ornaments with you, courtesy of Anna Spiro. I find that the pink ribbon gives these hand blown glass pieces a little punch, and super easy to change to your color scheme!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Natasha

Image via ABT

Why not an Acorn?

Not only do I think the muted colors are to die for, but the patina'ed finish is equally as great, don't you think?

Pile 'em high!! 

Natasha

Images via Cox & Cox

Setting the table.

...continuing where I left off yesterday, here is a pretty table setting incorporating hydrangeas and Christmas ornaments :) I wish I could find an image of the mantle as well, looks icy and pretty from afar!

Natasha

Image unknown, sorry.

Green Christmas!

I had to do a double take, when I first spotted these Christmas images (over here, and subsequently here), as I am a big fan of Hydrangeas, and what a perfect way to incorporate them into the Christmas decor????

Don't you just love how the colors are kept cool, modern and monochromatic? The Parrot Tulips mixed with the white Hydrangeas and all the greenery on the mantle, makes for a wonderful Green Christmas! I am inspired by the use of ornaments, and will probably take the advice of the Holiday Guide, and stock up AFTER the Holidays for next years decorations! (Read; BIG savings on Christmas ornaments)!!

Design Editor Emily Ruddo is responsible for the festive styling, and she gets my vote for preppy & green!!

Look!!! PERFECT buffet table.... I am totally digging the use of muted colors, and love how a little blue has been added to the mix! I say start using what you have around the house for props, I am guessing those props already are in your favorite colors, so it will probably mix well with your Christmas decor, as we never stray very far, do we?? Well, I don't anyway :) Keeping the bigger serving pieces white, makes the food you serve pop, and let's the Christmas decorations be the highlight!

What colors are you using this year??

Natasha

Images via Toujoursmag, Holiday Guide

Why don't you...

... use one of these glass domes to showcase your Christmas ornaments? So pretty!!

All you have to do is make your selection, or color story if you will, flip the dome upside down, place the ornaments inside, ad the plate and flip the whole thing upside down ever so gently!! (This is where I get impatient, and a little irritated, as they always shift a little...)  Voila!

And for those of you who have access to large pine cones, this is a fun version, perhaps on a mantle or in a window sill?

If you are not doing a tree this year, these are some of the ideas I would use to showcase all the beautiful Christmas ornaments you probably have stacked away anyway...

Bring 'em out and ad a little sparkle to your house!!! 

Natasha

Images via Northern Light Blog on Pinterest

Just a pretty picture...

Speaking of White Christmas Ornaments (see post below),

I found this image on my travels today...

Spreading a little holiday cheer :) 

Natasha

Image via Real Simple

White Christmas Ornaments

Have you ever noticed how difficult pure white Christmas ornaments are to find??

When I spotted these, I just had to share! Last December I had a lot of color in my Holiday Posts, but for some reason I am seeking out the monochromatic scheme this year.... for now at least!

With so many, many choices in Christmas decor, and when pretty much anything is OK, what do you do then? Stick with tradition, create your own tradition, shake things up, or?? Have you picked a color scheme?

I have, for a few years now, been picking up vintage mercury glass ornaments (all silver), in the hopes of creating an icy look. Last year I added a purple (a couple different shades for depth) and the year before that I mixed in turquoise... I like to change it up a little, what about you??

Natasha

Images via Bo Bedre