Image from Carolyne Roehm
And of course, it all starts with the tree.
Image from Traditional Home
How do you decorate your tree? Do you stick to a theme or color?
Image from Traditional Home
I admire trees that have a well-planned look or theme.
Image from Martha Stewart
Apparently, Jackie Kennedy started the tradition of having a themed tree at the White House in 1961 with a "Nutcraker Suite" tree.
President and Mrs. Kennedy with the 1961 White House tree.
When I first started collecting ornaments for a my own Christmas tree, I had great intentions for a styled tree with the perfectly edited selection of decorations in a uniform color palette.
Image from New York Social Diary
But I'm such a magpie. My collection turned out to be quite eclectic--more like this tree from Benjamin Bradley that I found on New York Social Diary.
Image from Carolyne Roehm
Just like any other aspect of decorating your home, it seems best to just work with what you love. So I start preparing for Christmas by thinking about how to best use things I already have as the center for our holiday decorations.
Image from Traditional Home
Like a collection of blue and white...
Image from Veranda
...or vintage mercury glass.
Image from Traditional Home
Chandeliers...
Image from dear departed Domino
Image from Veranda
...or antique mirrors.
Image from Veranda
My favorite part of decking the halls is bringing the outdoors in. We're indoors so much this time of year that the smell of pine and cedar, or the sight of bowers of greens and other natural elements are very welcome.
Image from Martha Stewart
Image from Traditional Home
And it doesn't have to be over-the top or expensive. This image from Eddie Ross inspired a similar touch for my dining room window last year-- I love the red ribbon against the green leaves.
Image from Eddie Ross
Image from Eddie Ross
Image from Traditional Home
Or white... 
Image from Martha Stewart
I think white narcisus are my favorite holiday flower...
Image from Veranda
Of course, you can't forget the outdoors, either. I love these porch and door ideas....
Image from Martha Stewart
...they are so welcoming and beautiful.
Image from Eddie Ross
I guess it's time to roll up the sleeves and get to work. How are you planning to deck your halls this season?
Posts
Beautiful. I can't wait to see how you decorate your house and tree this year. I'm sure you'll dedicate a post to them!?
ReplyDeleteWhat FABULOUS images. I wish Eddie Ross would come and do my front staircase with a garland like that - mine never looks half as good.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images...Carolyne Roehm can do no wrong!!
ReplyDeleteYes, if only Carolyne and Eddie could come over and decorate -- can you imagine how fabulous that would be?! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog! Fun to see your comments.
ReplyDeleteSo far an empty tree which I like to think of as an empty palate. Just trying to decide which direction to go! We usually do a color theme and I haven't picked one yet!
ReplyDelete