I spent most of the day yesterday working on the decorations in my living room and it was so fun how it all came together. I’m using mostly things I bought last year, found in my yard and craft room or had leftover from my retail space. There’s something in the process of repurposing items that I find enjoyable. It’s that ah-ha moment…”Oh, I can use this ribbon I’ve had for years and put it over this sheet music and tuck in a feather from my friend’s farm and a piece of greenery snipped from my yard! That will look great!” I had a lot of those moments as I pulled out sheet music banners Mini and I had made to use at Lucketts and when I ripped apart an old artificial wreath to give it a new look with fresh greens, rolled sheet music, feathers and glittered leaves. It’s all a part of that glorious creative process. Anyway, here’s how it looks…
(Am I the only one who finds photographing Christmas trees to be a nightmare? Here’s a picture without the lights…)
I even tucked some pine cones and greenery in my ironstone collection. It’s so simple and beautiful. Ironstone doesn’t need a lot of help to look good. Neither does nature for that matter.
I’ll share more details on all of the decor in another post, but feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
I still have lots more to do, but tomorrow I’m going to take a decorating break and watch my son play Joseph in his school play, then pick up my parents from the airport. Oh, that’s the good stuff…
Christmas is always a time of great mail…cards, packages, gifts, fruitcake. No, I didn’t really get any fruitcake, but I got my secret Santa gift a few days ago. Here it is…
It’s a yummy smelling candle and my “Santa” says it’s her favorite. Any guesses who it might be? I have no idea. It could be any one of these ladies…
And lastly, the winners of the pair of wax brushes from Lady Butterbug are…
Catherine from Freddy & Petunia
Jessica from Non-working Mother
Lane from The Urban Orchard
Patti from Blue Bird Art
Annette (from nntc.net)
Wendy from The Lazy Peacock
Congratulations to all of the winners!
66 Responses
Oh my heavens – everything looks gorgeous! I just stumbled upon your blog via Pinterest and have been reading it throughout the day between loads of laundry and scraping wallpaper off my walls.
Jenni – Prepare to be hooked. I stumbled upon Marian about a year ago and I am so impressed all the time. She is so real and honest and creative. She is growing by leaps and bounds right now. You’re gonna love visiting here. Welcome to the club!
Beautiful, as always!!!
Thanks for the wonderful inspiration.
Merry Christmas!
Tam
Hi Marian! Your home looks absolutely gorgeous for the holiday season! I love the way you have decorated your Christmas tree!
Merry Christmas!
hugs, Cheryl
Omgosh! I can’t believe I won those fabulous brushes!
Thank you so VERY much!
Your Christmas decor looks absolutely beautiful! Sure doesn’t LOOK like you’ve been under the weather!
Catherine
This is a wonderful room…I really like the Pheasant Feathers. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wow to the winners!
your christmas decorating looks great! i wish you and yours a very merry Christmas!
erin (in tennessee)
xxoo
Your home is gorgeous..
I am loving your color story as they say! I think this is my favorite season in your house. Love the blues and whites with the cones and greens! So very pretty!
Always so breath-taking!!! So you ad real greens to artificial? Hmm, that’s how to get that nice full look? What kind of real greens do you use that don’t shed real bad. I brought some greens in and now the needles are SHEDDING all over the place. Maybe I should have used some arborvitae or leyland cypress? It looks like your greens may be that? Love the addition of the woodsy-type throw-blanket on the couch, too. So nice!!
So pretty, Marian, love how you’ve used that wonderful plaid blanket on your white sofa, really “snuggles” it up in there! Have a Happy, Happy Christmas! xo
Une ambiance de Noël qui me plaît beaucoup… J’aime aussi la manière que vous avez enveloppé vos présents… Très délicat.
Gros bisous et joyeuses fêtes à vous et à tous ceux que vous aimez.
Really really beautiful… love the tart green color in the room!!
Your living room is beautiful and how you put together those gorgeous arrrangements from bits and pieces– amazing. Happy Holidays.
Thanks MMS for bringing the best out in all things and in us. Looking forward to more inspiration from your musings and ideas in the new year. Blessings to you and yours.
These decorations are so enchanting and inviting! I really love the sheet music banner on the tree. Where exactly do you find old sheet music?
Nicely done – I love your simple and elegant ideas – looks like I’ll have to prepare for something different myself next year!
OK you are going to love the candle. They smell wonderful.
Beautiful. Love your wrapping and your tree. It all looks so beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful holiday decor. And yes…photographing the Christmas tree is a nightmare.
Wow!~ You are absolutely amazing! Your blog always inspires me! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
These photos are a feast for the eyes! I may be pinning one or two as inspiration for next year. 🙂
Wow that is gorgeous! I love your living room and the decorations. amazing.
your room is gorgeous!!! I love that old camping blanket on the settee. So pretty!
Meg
Marion ~ Love the Christmas decorating you have done in your home. May I ask where you get your seemingly endless supply of sheet music to use for crafting? Thanks and Merry Christmas!
GORGEOUS as always! Love your style!
looks sooo lovely!!
It looks beautiful! Which is really no shock. I started following you a few months ago and I love reading your blog. Can’t wait for your book!
I agree with Janel above – where do you get so much of the sheet music??
Happy Holidays!!
~Vonda
Hi~ Love your blog and your home looks fantastic!! In addition to my blog (FreshVanillaforC), I have an Etsy store with a couple of friends. We have gotten so much inspiration this year from your blog. Thank you so much. You have really had some fantastic words of wisdom.
Have a wonderful holiday season!!
Many Thanks, Cheryl at FreshVanillaForC and MySoulfulHome (Etsy Shop)
Everything looks BEAUTIFUL!!!
If you try taking pictures of the Christmas tree at night using a tripod and long exposure you might get what you’re looking for.
Merry Christmas!
Oh forgot…turn off all the other lights in the room 🙂
Your decorating is gorgeous! Very inspiring..as always. Thank you for this blog, I check it out on a daily basis and it is a highlight of my mornings. 🙂 Can’t wait for the book! Have a wonderful holiday season!
Your neighbor in Harrisburg,
Nicole 🙂
Your Christmas wrappings are gifts in themselves!
Absolutely fabulous-I just love your style!
Good Heavenly Lord Almighty, it looks beautiful in there! How do you do that !!!???
Cindy
I love the feathers!!!! Great idea. The last one pictured is so cute… it looks like polka dots! Too cute! What a cute bird that must have fallen off of! 🙂
I love the ornaments on your table…so pretty.
Oh its just beautiful! I have tons of old sheet music around but have not whipped it out for Christmas this year. I have a few projects I had intended to make this year but just have not had the time. Its such a busy time of year!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Your house looks gorgeous. And, since I follow your blog, I know you made most if not all of your decorations. I did make your tree skirt (don’t even want to tell you how long it took?! lol) But, it looks lovely under the tree, my husband says it looks like snow.
May you and your family have a Blessed Christmas.
Blessings, Paula Lusk
Your home looks beautiful, just like YOU! Linda
It looks absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE that wreath and the sheet music garland! T
I really need to start keeping the feathers I find in my yard all the time. I had one of those little black and white polka dotted ones. I just wish I could remember where I put that one. All the feathers look so awesome with the greenery!
Marian,
I love your living room decorations. I especially love the natural beauty of the cedar, pine cones and mercury glass silver balls. The brown plaid throw really brings it all together. Beautiful!
Karen
Just perfect! I love the touches of burlap–and you can rock some vintage sheet music!
My question has nothing to do with this post. I’m wondering if you can give us some insight into glittering. I went to the Meyers Import website to try to order gold glitter like you used on the Wuslu ornaments. I was overwhelmed. Too many choices. GIve us some tips, please!
I don’t know what I’m more jealous of, your curtains, ironstone, or Christmas decorations. I want to curl up in your living room with a huge hot chocolate!
Love your Christmas decor. I love everything you do. You’ve given me fresh ideas for my home next year!! Thank you and I wish you and your family a joyous and Merry Christmas.
I agree, photographing the tree is a nightmare! Your living room, however, is NOT. Lovely.
I really do enjoy your decorating style and touch of perspective in everything you love and have on hand! Where on earth do you stash all your goodies that you use? You must have one heck of a studio or workroom! I’m envious!
Everything is so pretty. Love the natural elements with the white dishes….you are very creative.
Beautiful! I really love the paper flag garlands on the Christmas tree. Wishing you a lovely, Merry Christmas. xo Lidy
Very pretty! Merry Christmas and Besy Wishes in the New Year!
Wow you don’t mess around when you decoraye! Everything looks lovely!
Hello!
I just wanted to let you know that your space is being featured as part of the “Creating Nests” Series over at Houzz! Congrats!!
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/943825/list/Creating-Nests-in-Unexpected-Places
~Amy
Hello. this is my first time stopping by to visit! I found your from another blog, The primitive Skate. I don’t know if you know Sandie but she was my pal in the Christmas swap on Bumble Bee Lane blog! OMG, she spoilt me rotten. She is an amazing primitive style artist! Please stop by to visit.
Just wanted to say I love your white on white decor! It is very beautiful. Thank you for sharing your home with me. Can you please tell me how to make the little folds of paper from pages of old books? I have seen this style on your blog , other blogs, and in crafting magazines this season. But, I can’t seem to get mine to look decent. Any tips would be appreciated.
Merry Christmas
I know that you are soooo busy…everything is beautful but can you tell me just how you hang a wreath on your mirror??? Safely?? adamsca@me.com… Thanks so much and sending best wishes and a wonderful Christmas!!
I wanted to thank you for the inspiration that I have had once I finally found your blog this year. you and your hosting of the furniture feature friday has been an endless source of inspiration for me. I admire you and wanted to thank you for your time doing all that you do and sharing with others. Have a very Merry Christmas with your family and a wonderful 2012. Thanks again. Sherry
Marian – your home looks beautiful as always! I have to agree, photographing Christmas trees is really tricky. I found your blog almost a year ago & you really have been an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas. Looking forward to more inspiration in 2012. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you & your family!!
I love the pennant garland on the tree. Wonderful idea! And the common thread of the music paper is lovely all around the room.
Gorgeous, but I’d expect no less on anything you do. Thank you for a year inspiration and entertainment! Merry Christmas!
I was hoping you could tell me how to photograph Christmas trees! lol My answer to Carol A.’s question is to hang the wreath on the nail on the wall and loop it up and over to the front of the mirror or put a second nail just hidden by the top of the mirror and hang it from there.
Love everything about it. . . . especially the wreath!! Merry Christmas!
Your Christmas Decor is just beautiful. Love your giftwrap and coffee table scape. You are so creative.
Beautiful decor! I love the colors. Enjoy your holiday!