Monday, December 13, 2010

Back this train up!

First of all, let me say THANK YOU to all of you who participated in the parties this weekend! They were so much fun and you are definitely some wildly creative, clever, and crafty folks.
I am honored just to be in your company!


And, secondly, I realized that I never properly welcomed you into my home all decorated for Christmas.
Let's start back at the beginning!

Welcome!
I took my basic Costco wreath and added this lovely sign that I found at TJ Maxx for only $12. I love how even during the day it looks like the door is glowy and shining!


Come on in!


I splurged on pre-lit garland this year and let me just tell you that it made this mama very happy. I also decided to add red ribbon to the bows for the first time and I really love how it just feels so quentissentially Christmas.


The red velvet ribbon was found at Michael's early in the season where they had already marked it down 50%. I also found these beautiful baubles there.


I just nestled them in so that this would feel a bit more grand when it first greets you. Soft gold ribbon, small white poinsettias and beaded fruit add just a little bit more visual interest.

In the niche at the top of the stairs, I did a grouping of faux poinsettias surrounding a very special chair.


This darling chair was mine when I was a little girl and it has been in our attic because it needs to be made more sturdy.
I'm thinking that might be a project for the New Year!
I thought it would be the perfect way to achieve some height in the space.



With these nesting boxes sitting on the chair and done up with a buttery yellow bow, it provides just that little extra 'something' the niche was calling for.

These topiaries stand on either side of my front door year round. I was going to put in battery powered white lights but...do you know how much those cost? It was something like, $5 for a box of 10. Ummmm. that would only cover, like, 3 leaves on that topiary.



So, instead, I trimmed them with the same buttery yellow ribbon and I think they look festive even without the lights!

On my antique drum table in the entry I placed a simple creamy toned poinsettia and have this book opened to the appropriate page. As with the topiaries, I think having some spaces that are simplified, really helps to give the eye a chance to rest from the explosion of color that is everywhere else.


And, here is how it looks all lit up at night!


Thanks for letting me show you our entry all dressed up for the party. I look forward to continuing on with the Christmas tour this week! From this Southern Girl at Heart,
Vanessa

Linking to these parties
Coastal Charm Christmas Open House
Metamorphosis Monday
The Nester
Tabletop Tuesday

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, just beautiful!! I love the buttery ribbons instead of lights. Your entry is warm and welcoming and it's perfect.

DIYbyDesign said...

Your entire home looks gorgeous. I love the pre-lit garland on the staircase. If you haven't already you should join Nester's home tour party at http://www.thenester.com/. Your home is too amazing not to share with the world.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Everything looks absolutely beautiful Vanessa~ Love the sign on your front door and your stairway is gorgeous. I know about those battery operated lights... outrageous price! We got 2 pretty decent sized strands at Ben Franklin for the little tree on our island- old house, no modern outlet on the island... I balked at even getting them, but my husband pointed out they would work for power outages anytime of the year as well... got a couple. Love your topiaries by the door just as they are- perfect.

Modern Country Lady said...

Vanessa, it's just GORGEOUS!!What a beautiful Christmas feel.Love the idea of the litle red chair....

Christmas-etc... said...

I so enjoyed this invite into your home, Vanessa! Everything is just lovely!! You have a very elegant and tasteful way of decorating that is welcoming and calming at the same time.
Blessings for a perfect week,
Ann
PS Be sure to enter my GIVEAWAY!

Karen said...

Vanessa, thanks for inviting us in (the proper way):)). Your foyer and staircase is beautiful. The lighted garland looks fabulous. Thanks for being such a great host.
~Karen

Traci said...

Everything is gorgeous!! I just love your staircase. All the poinsettia's grouped together is beautiful & I love the topiaries!!

Beverly@Beverly's Back Porch said...

Your home is very warm and welcoming. I love your little chair from your childhood.

Petie@inspirednesting.com said...

Your entry looks great. Love the pre-lit garland! You did a great job on those bows. And, you gotta love TJ Maxx, your sign on the front door is the perfect touch :)

Unknown said...

Wow, you have really gone to town! You have such a beautiful hall and sweeping staircase, they look magical all dressed for Christmas! xx

Janine Claire Robinson said...

It looks gorgeous!!! So warm and elegant. A truly beautiful home.

Abby M. Interiors said...

Your wreath is perfection. I love it! Great work on the stairway as well. We are hoping to move in March and it's funny how one of my new house requirements is a decent entryway. Funny what you come to value when you don't have one!

Merry decorating! ;-)
abby

Ashley said...

Oh my, your entry way is beautiful! I love the garland on the staircase. It makes me wish I had a staircase!

Kelly said...

Everything is gorgeous and elegant and very welcoming! The topiaries are beautiful, and that pre-lit garland is perfect! Thanks for the tour!

Kelly

Anonymous said...

Vanessa your home is beautiful! I love how your stairway arches around and the garland is fabulous!

Gotta love those Michael's 50% ribbon sales early in the season. I have a tub of ribbons I dug through to finish the living room. I've collected lots of spools over the years at those 50% sales and keep them stored in the basement until needed.

On Crooked Creek said...

Vannessa,
Your entry is breathtakingly beautiful. . .elegantly exquisite when illuminated! But, being the creative person that I am, I must say I adore that little red chair surrounded by poinsettas and holding stacked packages! Your home has captured my heart for Christmas. Please invite me back again soon, dear!
Fondly,
Pat

Debbiedoos said...

That looks gorgeous Vanessa! I really do not know how you do it all with such little ones still, and to keep it all so nice. I also noticed your rug in the foyer, I love how it is scalloped along the edges, very different and so pretty.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Wonderful. I love your entry and staircase. So pretty and the garland is just gorgeous. Your little chair is such a treasure and how nice to have it on the niche. So pretty with the boxes and the flowers. Your table is perfect. I so agree, the book and flower is all that's needed. Beautiful home and beautifully decorated. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Beautiful Vanessa!I love your new lighted garland! Your foyer looks fantastic!

victorian parlor II said...

Beautiful!!!

Blessings,

Kim

Betsy B. said...

Your home is so lovely. I have always wanted a stairway to dress up. Maybe in my next house.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I love these yummy, yummy colors so much!!!

Becca Bertotti said...

Vanessa ... now "that's" what I'm talking about !! Your entry is one where people step in and just want to stand there and take it all in! Fabulous. I'm sooo envious of your banisters ... the prelit garland was such a great investment. And, the chair from when you were little is precious! The poinsettias (in both white and red) are all things traditional. And, I love the ribbon you added to your unlit topiaries ... they are the perfect compliment! I really do LURVE it all! Hugs, Becca

Lynn said...

Vanessa, your home is just beautiful, and so festive! Happy Holidays:@)

NanaDiana said...

Vanessa- Okay...I guess this is the one time I could say you had me at Hello (like at the front door). I LOVE IT! I WANT that sign~~~I was at TJMAXX today and I didn't see anything like that there! And...I wish we had a Costco here...drat and darn!

The stairway is beautiful..and I love the lighted garland...it is just lovely. Everything looks great! Hugs- Diana

Town and Country House said...

So pretty and verrrrrry Southern!

Debbie said...

Everything is just plain beautiful! I had a cookie post all written and everything, and my work at the soup kitchen Saturday took so much longer than usual that I never got back in time to post it.

Shucks. Now it sits worthless in the Twilight Zone with other blog posts I never published.

Sue said...

Vanessa, How do you get things done?! I have tons of stuff that never made it out of the boxes because of lack of time. LOL The foyer looks lovely- that garland looks lush w/its extras and those topiaries didn't need lights- the bows dressed them up just right. So what is it with battery operated lights, anyway? I bought 2 little strands and there are only enough to light my little conservatory. sheesh~
Like that you have your special "olden" chair, as the girls would say. It is adorable. Enjoy the season with your kids! ♥ Sue

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

Just beautiful, Vanessa! You home is so warm and inviting! I promise, I plan a tour sometime but I have been SO busy it just hasn't happened yet!
Merry Christmas!

Southwest Cottage Designs said...

Everything looks so festive and beautiful! Happy Holidays!

Becca Bertotti said...

And, PS(!), thanks for coming over and checking out my Christmas bedroom! Yes, you definitely MUST take advantage of some after Christmas sales and grab a tree for your room for next year! Can you believe Christmas is in a week and half? I'm not ready yet !! Hugs, Becca

Val said...

Thanks for letting us in your beautiful home. The staircase is GORGEOUS!

Carrie @ Dittle Dattle said...

Your foyer is so lovely all decorated for the holidays! You "AMAZE ME"! Thank you for linking up to the Monday blog party!!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Vanessa...

Girlfriend, your home is gorgeous! I love, love, LOVE the lit garland on your stairs and the red bows are gorgeous...along with all the pretty Christmas baubles that you added! Simply breathtaking!!! Love how you decorated the niche on the stairs...so pretty! How awesome that you were able to use your little chair...sweet memories I bet! Anyway, I think that the red poinsettias look fabulous around the pretty packages!

Love, love, LOVE your wreath! I think the pretty sign you added really gave that wreath some beautiful "bling"!

Thank you so much for sharing all of your Christmas pretties with us...such a treat!!!

Warmest Christmas Wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Melanie said...

This is my favorite so far! LOVE the staircase. Just beautiful!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Vanessa,
Your home looks lovely, very elegant.
Love that staircase, it would be beautiful normally but all doody up it looks marvelous.
Thanks for taking the time to share it with us. Oh.....and love your wreath. Gorgeous!!
Blessings for a Joyous Christmas,
Nellie

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Vanessa,

You are SO lucky to have such an incredibly beutiful entrance to your house. It's incredibly gorgeous, and all the more so decorated like this. I LOVE the lit-up garland.

It all looks so Christmassy and festive. I hope you have time to sit and relax and enjoy it all too.

Sarahx

Christie said...

I had to come visit your home! It is just lovely! I love all the touches and color! I need a tutorial in adding color!! You do such a great job with color and making everything look so classy and elegant while still being comfortable and welcoming! Love it all!

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

I absolutely love your wreath!! Beautiful!