Sunday, December 4, 2011

Welcome to a Cottage Christmas~

Every year, I have to admit, I enjoy the decorating process for Christmas. Even with my less is more approach this year, I still love preparing to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.

For me and my family, it is not about the material side of the holidays, but rather, giving thanks for where we have been, where we are going and the memories held in the decor that we use to show that thanksgiving.


Many of you have mentioned in comments and emails that you looked forward to seeing my new tree this year. Well, I have a few pics to share, but I realized as I was trying to take these pics. It is just not easy to get good photos of a Christmas tree. None seem to do it justice and none show well with lights off and blur when on, but I tried and maybe you can imagine a little idea of how this Colorado Spruce turned out this year and our little library alpine tree where we spend most of our time in the evenings.

While the traditional Christmas tree takes center stage in most homes, it would not be Christmas if we did not display our nativity scene in all it's glory and handmade by my mother many years ago. And, I could not scale down and leave this out of our display this year or any. That post will be along as we get closer to Christmas Day.
But for now, come walk around with me on a little tour.

Welcome Friends, come in and be at home. Here we enter by the front door on the backside of the rock fireplace which goes around to the living room. We will turn to the dining room facing the front of the house. Our tree is dressed in copper, silver, sage, crocheted snowflakes, red cottage roses with white lights. This 7 1/2' tree is topped with a gold star from Norway given to me by my dear friend Randi and finished at the base with a pretty copper and sequins tree skirt which you can see in the very last pic.






The chandilier has a poinsettia vine trailing around with a bead garland that stays year round. I added velvet and bead shades with small swiss dots. Crystal drops hang from each lamp base, but they are hard to see in this picture.

On the sideboard I display some very special pine cones collected from the grounds where my parents are buried under 3 gorgeous pine trees. These are displayed in a vintage dish with a vintage red and gold glass ornament.

Turning around from this room we pass the kitchen and living room going on to our library where I have a small alpine tree with collectible ornaments new and old from our travels and gifts.


Under the tree are glass block presents I created last year. I will show them and how they are made in another post and with better lighting. They are hard to see in this bright glow.

Thank you for stopping by to take a little tour of Christmas at our Cottage. I'll be back to share more and a little creative project you might enjoy for yourself or gifts.


See you soon.
Merry Christmas!

26 comments:

Julie Marie said...

Hi Celeste, just taking a quick peek and will be back tomorrow hopefully... we are braced for another east canyon wind episode tonight. The National Guard has already been called out, so Jack is making me turn off the computer... I promise I will be back... everything I looked at quickly looks so pretty!... xoxo Julie Marie

Unknown said...

Enchanting. thank you for sharing your pictures and your home.

Susan said...

Celestina, your Christmas tree is beautiful. I am so in love with your beautiful home!
My family and I are not about the material things either. We all have more than we need, so we don't go out an purchase a lot of stuff.
We enjoy just being together, which is what it is all about. Celebrating
Christ birth and rejoicing and praising him.

Jenna said...

Hi Celeste, you have such a beautiful and warm home :o) Your decorations are gorgeous and I love your tree. Have a beautiful week! Hugs Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Hi dear Celestina Marie!
It's all so warm and pretty and so so soooooo Christmas! I love the atmosphere. It's funny you mentioned those crochet snowflakes as I saw those in our local garden centers as well this year and the fun thing is I have a box full of them. I bought them about 20 years ago when I had my own shop and they never sold lol and so I now will put them in the tree for the first time this year, to be solidair with you and because apparantly it's time for snowflakes LOL! I hope the world will feel THE connection this christmas! Many blessings and enjoy all the beauty and warmth!
Hugs,
Ingeborg

lilybets said...

I love your home, so gorgeus decorated,is magnific!

Julie Marie said...

Hello dear Celeste... I was able to get back on the computer this morning, the winds were not as bad as predicted... thank goodness!... your home just looks so gorgeous for the holidays... I know what you mean about trying to photograph a tree, it's very hard!... love the special pinecomes you gathered at your mama and daddy's gravesite... what a beautiful idea to keep them even closer to you... your chandelier looks so pretty too, love the handing garland... and your table setting is just exquisite!...your whole home put out a beautiful holiday glow that says welcome to friends and family and the most beautiful season of all... lots of love to you and Miss Beazy... xoxo Julie Marie and Tessy

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Hi Celeste ~ your home is so beautiful, warm, and so very inviting! Beautiful Christmas decorations, and I look forward to seeing more of your lovely home my friend!

Have a wonderful week, warmest hugs, Brenda

Patti said...

Oh, Celeste, your home is just like you...beautiful, warm, and hospitable! You have created a welcoming haven for your loved ones.

Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos, for by doing so, you have invited us into your home.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Patti

Betty said...

Your tree and home look so enchanted for the season. Just beautiful.

Mariette's Back to Basics said...

Dearest Celestina Marie,

Love the high ceilings you have in your lovely home. That creates room for such a 7½ foot tree. It looks very warm and inviting for the Christmas feeling. You did describe in your post so loving and meaningful your families Christmas feelings!
We're not into decorating at all (yet) as we savour every minute of the special visit of daughter Liz from Rotterdam. Six precious days, she's so busy and even needs to work from here but we're blessed!
Love to you,

Mariette

1CardCreator said...

Thanks for the tour, your home is lovely and I can't wait to see the Nativity your Mother painted, it must be lovely. Love all the new beauty's in your shop too!

Red Rose Alley said...

Celestina,
Your house looks beautiful with all the decorations. The chandelier with the poinsettias looks so festive. I really liked the special meaning behind the pine cones, as I lost my dad over 20 years ago, and my mom almost three years ago. They are in my heart every day. Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us. Oh, I know what you mean about tree pictures. Me and the girls took about 7 last night, but only a couple turned out. Wishing you peace and love during this beautiful season.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Jill said...

Your home is just stunning!! Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures! Have a wonderful week!

Blessings,
Jill

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Celestina everything looks breath-taking! You have a lovely home and your skill at creating a cozy feeling within it's walls just shines through. Just beautiful!
Tina xo

Ruth Welter said...

Celeste, your house looks beautiful as usual. Thank you for the lovely holiday wishes from a couple of weeks ago. I hope you had a lovely turkey day, we did here as well.

Hope you have a great Christmas and happy new year as well. Hugs.

Ruth

Honey at 2805 said...

Your dining room is nice and cozy and the tablescape is lovely. Thanks for a peek into your beautiful home!

Cindy Adkins said...

I'll be right over! LOL It's all gorgeous, Celeste...and has your holiday magic touch!!! xo Cindy

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Wow, what a gorgeous house! I think your tree looks fabulous!!

Carol

romance-of-roses said...

Oh Celestina, I was mesmorized by your lovely home and Christmas trees.
It's absolutely gorgeous. I used to decorate my home beautifully years ago but now since my husband had his stroke, don't really have the time so will have to live with my memories. I will just admire your lovely home and thank you for the tour. Hugs...Lu

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

Celestina,

O MY!! You have a beautiful home!!
The "bones" of your home is stunning in itself and all decked out for the Holidays just makes it magical!!
Beautiful trees!!
It is so hard to take pictures of Christmas trees though, isn't it?

Hugs,
Debbie

Tina said...

what adorable cottage! i love it! what a room and christmas tree!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Celeste, I'm sooo enjoying clicking on each pic to enlarge and drink in all the pretty details. Your home is always so lovely and inviting, but never more so than at this magical time of year! I never realized that you had tile flooring in your dining room ~ I love it!

Unknown said...

Celeste, though you have a very large home, it has the most cozy comforting look and even more so at Christmas! You have such a way of making those who know an visit you feel comforted and at ease. I can only imagine the warm feeling I would have if I were actually there! I love the colors you use and just everything, I cant even say what I am trying to other than that is is beautiful an so perfect!
love you sweetie xo
amy

Kerri said...

Oh your home is sooo cozy and has a Tuscany look to it! Your decorating is stunning! I love the use of different colors. You are so talented my friend. I hope you are feeling better with your back & foot.

I am on a roll, two blog post in a week.lol

xoxo
Kerri

LuzO said...

Congratulations on your 5th anniversary. Please I want to participate in the draw for these beautiful ornaments ... I'm away, but would be very happy to win.

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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..