Christmas 2010

 To say that Christmas has come & gone this year just blows my mind. It's the one holiday I look forward to all year long, & POOF...it's gone. It comes & goes so fast doesn't it?

For the first time in my life, I burnt myself out on Christmas music. I started really early, & played in thru out the house, in my earphones, in the car, where ever I could listen-- it was on...

FOR 2 STRAIGHT MONTHS. 

I just absolutely love it! The caroles & jingles make my smile-- on the inside & out.

This year, I also hosted Christmas dinner. We had torrential down pours here all week leading up to the big day, & I had been gone most of the months prior, so when the week of the 20th came...it was crunch time, & oh how I love the chaos! The planning, the baking, the shopping & last but not least, the oven roaring early Christmas morning! 

It's my heaven.

This Christmas was definitely the best one to date. Having family over, with plenty of food & drink, lots of laughter, story telling & family firsts, I'm both happy & sad to leave this holiday season behind in 2010...

Can't wait for next years celebration!

 PREPARATION

 

Cleaning the stemware, pulling out the candles, the vases, etc.

Figuring out what will go where.

 THE SETTING'S

I picked up a "holiday swag" from Trader Joes for $4.99, & cut the wire off to use it's individual stems. I set up the appetizers on the kitchen island, & placed the pine sporaticaly  around the platters, then topped it off with glitter pine cones, mini ornaments, & votive's.  

I went to the local flower mart & picked up white cabbage, hydrangea & carnations. Plus some filler & stargazers for a little punch of color.   

FESTIVE DECOR

Pinecones & feathered birds added to my pre-lit wreaths. I also put together large ivory & gold glitter ribbons with what I had left over from years past, & attached them to the center of each wreath.

 My husband actually spotted these sea creature-like ornaments & I just had to have them. The have so much texture & sparkle. I can never get enough sparkle!

I absolutely love these birds. As you can see, I have them in both white & silver. They add the perfect amount of whimsy to my holiday decor. 

 The silver ornament you see here is actually a foot in length. I also have long mosaic mirrored icicles that I didn't put up this year-- come to think of it, I'm not sure why. I'm sure they'll be out in all their glory next year :)

AFTER 

CHRISTMAS

ARRANGEMENTS

After the party was over, & the kitchen was picked up, I gathered the pine & put it all in this vase. It's so bright & fans out quite large.

 I snagged these carnations, 25 ct. for $5. 

They remind me of peonys when I can't get them in the winter months.

After dismantling my 4 larger arrangements, I divided the carnations up & made 3 small arrangements for the breakfast nook table. Wouldn't these make a great centerpiece for a casual bridal shower?

 

(All photos: theplushpad.blogspot.com)

Castilian: A Love Affair of The Décor Type

"Castilian Trading began as a brassware gift and home accessory importer based in Jackson, Mississippi in 1977. After 12 years as a successful business in brassware items, Castilian Trading was bought by Simon and Lily and relocated to Houston, TX.

Simon had a vision for the direction that his company should take. He set about expanding the designs and materials used in the home decor accents that became the new focus of Castilian Trading. Simon headed up the design team and began introducing porcelain, crystal, glass, wood and silver along with the brassware. The results were beautiful handcrafted pieces that were both innovative and traditional."

Below are a few of my favorite pieces from their expansive collection of home decor, & lighting. I've got my eye on a few of these beauties...

 Gourd Shaped Finial with Vines & Birds

  Leaf Panel Table Lamp

(Above/Below: I would love to see a set of either one of these flanking both sides of our bed, or down in the dining room with our new dining set)

Wood Urn Table Lamp w/Velvet Trim Lamp Shade

Antiqued Oval Mirror 

Black Wood Urn Table Lamp

 

Sea Coral Table Lamp w/Custom Black Silk Shade

Round Mirror with Beveled Sunburst Border

Textured Sand French Style Buffet Lamp

 (Lft: Cubed Crystal Tabletop Box Rt: Square Crystal and Silver Tabletop Box)

Blue & Tan Floral Table Lamp

And last but not least...

Fressco Urn On Pedestal Table Lamp

  Cheryl Collins has this lamp (above) in her store & it caught my eye right off the bat. I-LOVE-THIS-LAMP. The wire mesh overlay on the shade is unlike any ol' lampshade. To me, that additional touch says it's a quality piece, made with attention to detail & innovative craftsmanship. Bravo!

(images via Bellacor & Castilian) 

Oh Happy Day!

Today, my husband & I went out to grab some lunch & check out some antique/furniture stores. As of today, we've never had a formal dining table. Not because we don't like sitting down at a beautiful table to eat dinner, but because I never found the table. I've looked high & low, in between & all around, & could never settle on one I loved. (I refused to buy a cheap set that would "hold us over" in fear that we'd have it forever). So we went out in hopes of seeing something we'd like...

A new store opened in town, by interior designer Cheryl Collins; she carries the most exquisite, unique, & rare pieces of furniture. I just knew I would fall in love with something the second I stepped foot inside. ...and I did.  With about 30 different things! I slowly made my way towards the back of the store, & heard my husband call out "Hey Babe, there's a table over here!". I hurried back & as I rounded the corner, my heart skipped a beat. ...Cheryl came over & gave me the break down. 

She said Baker.  I thought SOLD.

So as of today, my very first dining set is a Regency Style, Baker Split-Pedestal Dining Table + 2 Arm Chairs & 4 Side Chairs in a Black Lacquer finish. Circa 1920-1950 :)

Oh happy day!...

Our new dining chairs. 

I couldn't get a proper of the table as it was in a corner; so those will  have to wait until it gets home :)

(all images: theplushpad.blogspot.com)