Coffee Table Christmas Book

Merry & Chic by Kathryn O'Shea-Evans

 

I always loved pouring over the December issues of my favorite magazines filled with Christmas decorating ideas. Alas, the magazines are either shuttered or have reduced their Christmas ideas to almost nothing.

The Blue & White Chinese Vase

CCC

There is literally not a single flower color that does not look good in a blue and white Chinese vase. There is a reason for this - blue and white mimics the sky, so our brains are hard wired to view them as a backdrop. Blue and white are nature mimicking neutrals, providing the perfect timeless and organic canvas.

• When you place warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) into the vase, you create a striking complementary or near-complementary color contrast. The warmth of the flowers sings against the cool porcelain.

• When you place cool colors (purples, pinks, whites) into the vase, you create a soothing, analogous color palette that feels monochromatic, elegant, and serene.

In addition, blue and white Chinese porcelain most often depicts organic scenes of nature like clouds, waves, trees, vines, flowers, birds, and such.

J. Crew Holiday Collection

Billie Dress in Tweed with Faux Fir Trim

 

J.Crew's holiday collection has some very elegant pieces with an Audrey Hepburn vibe I really love. This elegant tweed sheath with faux fur trim is one of my favorites.

The Hexagonal Blue & White Garden Stool

Legend Accents Hexagonal Silvie Floral Bird Garden Stool

 

I have always favored hexagonal Chinese garden stools. Hexagonal stools are often seen as more elegant than traditional drum or barrel shapes due to their geometric precision, rarer historical production, and intricate architectural detail.