Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas Decorating Simply Using What We Have!

Decorating for Christmas can be filled with new and sparkly, but I love to take on the challenge of using what I have to decorate. I have found just adding a touch of holiday to the decor already in my cottage home, brings a look that is cozy and charming.

This year my decorating took on that style as you can see in the pics that follow. It was so much fun to Christmas up with treasures I already had and displayed in a new way.

Like this bowl of sugared fruit with a few blue ornaments and pine cones added to my vintage blue willow bowl. I use blue willow in my old world kitchen and this display on the island works right into that style.


For the table, I layered a large round Christmas platter with another in rubbed oil bronze in the center. Added to the two tiers I added vintage and new ornaments, magnolia cones, berries, sugared fruit and more. In the top I added a faux candle with timer and each evening it comes aglow and gives a cozy warm feel to the kitchen.


Here's an idea, to glass angels candle holders, I simply place a vintage gold ornament to the top of two angels. Candle holders don't always have to hold a candle.

One of my favorite and most cherished treasures is this red glass plate made by my great grandfather in the glass factory in W. Virgina in the 40's. To the plate which is displayed on a vintage dresser, I have added red and pink vintage ornaments. It's simple, easy and so pretty.

In this same room I have added a beaded red angel to the top of a vintage armoire displayed with a vintage hat on an old stand, with books, small dress form and a pair of wooden shoes brought back from France by my father in WWII. I cherish these shoes and remember them being in my entire life.

For the coffee table, once again I have added traditional ornaments to my mother's vintage glass bowl displayed with Christmas books and beaded pear coasters. But this time I place the bowl atop a candle ring of pine and berries which gives it some elevation and extra accent.

To this decorator's gallery ledge, I simply add an old world angel.

To my recently new guest bathroom, I added small ornaments to the glass bottles and jars with a glitter tree and large bottle brush tree.


To the top of the iron display tower I placed a beautiful crocheted angel with feather fur trim. She looks perfect overlooking the pink roses in this bath.

And since I seem to be on a roll with bowls this season, I had to once again this year, display my bowl of books in our library. It is always ready to read a few pages filled with Christmas inspiration.

How about a little treat?~~~ red, green and silver kisses filling a vintage canning jar and tied with red ribbon. I have to be careful not to eat too many for the decoration will go away. It's for looks right?!?! LOL and looks right at home among the little cookie jars of Santa and his Winter Cottage.

For my beloved Deacon's bench, made by my father, I place our family bible accented with holly leaves and berries and a pair of vintage glasses open to the story of the Christ Child's birth.

And have you seen these darling little set of 4 stencils from Dollar General for one dollar? They are for decorating cookies, cupcakes and such with sprinkles, sugars or powdered sugar. I can't wait to try these little sweeties.

Lastly, in case Santa loses his hat on the way down the chimney, I hang this sweet Santa hat on an old cane standing in a vintage crock by the fireplace.
This hat is very special to me. You see, it was worn by my mother when she was in the nursing home before she passed away. During the one Christmas she spent there, she wore it and wheeled around to the other rooms to wish those very sick a Merry Christmas. I can still see her, wheeling up into a neighboring room with a big smile full of cheer and greetings. It makes me cry with joy to remember her praying with other sick elders, singing Christmas carols and doing the Lords work, right to the end.

Love to you this Christmas!

11 comments:

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Dear Celestina,
I am finally getting around to my visiting in Blog Land!!

What beautiful decorations you have and so many hold precious memories for you which truly is the most important thing during the Holidays!!

Love the Santa hat!!

So cute!!

And the white bottle brush tree is to die for!!

Thanks so much for your visits and your sweet comments!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Email List Broker said...
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Julie Marie said...

Oh Celeste, what a beautiful post of precious memories held tightly in each item you have shown... I love the glass plate your great~grandfather made, and the shoes your daddy brought back from the War... but my favorite is the Santa hat your mama wore as she spread Christmas love and cheer to her friends at the nursing home... that to me is the true meaning of Christmas... xoxo Julie Marie

Unknown said...

Celestina, how lovely are your decorations and your precious memories. I love the story about your mom. I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful new year!

Mari said...

Hi Celeste~it all looks sooo warm and cozy :) Just beautiful and inviting :)

xo~Mari

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the books in a bowl and lots of Christmas balls in bowls and containers. I'm using what I have and buying a few vintage things at the thrift store...nothing new this year unless it's hand made or vintage! Happy holidays! ♥

Tina said...

What a beautiful decoration. God bless you. Love,Tina

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I am moved to tears by the story of your mother's last Christmas. What a beautiful memory. Your vignettes are all so pretty, and I especially love that you have so many wonderful hand-made treasures handed down from family members. Love the open book to the Christmas Story too. laurie

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Such a sweet special post, especially about your dear mother's last Christmas. I certainly know why YOU are so precious, too, now! I love how you decorated with bowls this year. I do that also and love using large candle rings around many things other than just candles. Better hide that cute Santa cookie jar if I come visit!!

Kerri said...

I love to stop in for a visit, enjoy seeing all of your creative ideas! ... and you have alot!

I like the glass angel with the ornament. I am going to try that because I have several candle sticks and such, it will be a niuce change!

Thanks for passing on your creative tips to us :)


xoxo
Kerri

LuzO said...

So cute!!

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..