Chinoiserie Ornaments

Frontgate Festive Topiary Ornaments

I am starting my Christmas decorating in about 4 weeks and I am so excited. Since I am not hosting for Thanksgiving, I plan to spend that week getting CCC all decorated. I am putting up three large trees this year. That calls for lots of ornaments and I am always on the lookout for chinoiserie ones!

Oh Dear/Deer

Martha Stewart Deer Stag Decor

 

These Martha Stewart deer nutcrackers are quite fabulous. They are selling out and being resold for huge markups. A pair would be wonderful on a sideboard or fireplace mantel. They are 2 feet tall. 

Have you noticed that nutcrackers are often seen in pairs? 

Nutcrackers are usually shown in pairs mainly for visual symmetry and decorative balance, as well as their traditional role as guardians. Traditionally, German folklore viewed nutcrackers as household protectors and sentinels meant to guard a home and ward off evil spirits. Stationing two soldiers or guards—one on each side—creates the realistic impression of a double-guard or sentry post flanking a threshold.

Christmas Planning

Carolyne Roehm

 

I decorate for Christmas the week of Thanksgiving which is just a couple of months away, so I am in full planning mode. One project is a tabletop tree that I will put in a large blue and white Chinese ginger jar. I have been collecting some very special ornaments for months that I am having handmade. I am still debating whether I will use a real tree like this one or an upscale pre-lit faux one.

Needlepoint

Barbara Bush 1991 White House Christmas Tree

During her tenure as first lady, Barbara Bush, a longtime needle-pointer, made the White House home to a colorful variety of needlepoint decorations. The 1991 White House holiday decorations featured 1,200 needlepoint ornaments and 82 needlepoint houses that formed a village. This was my favorite White House Christmas tree.

Volunteers also made ninety-two needlepoint figurines for a miniature Noah’s Ark, carved by members of the White House staff. The New York Times reported that volunteers contributed 150,000 hours of crafting to complete these decorations. The first lady contributed to the theme as well, making some of the ornaments herself.

A CCC Christmas Tour

CCC

 

During football commercials yesterday, I took some Christmas pictures at CCC. Hope you enjoy -

The CCC Entryway @ Christmas

CCC

 

My chinoiserie entryway chest is adorned for the holidays. Meri Meri Santa hats on my blue and white calligraphic ginger jars, vintage Eric Cortina chinoiserie ornaments, and Chefanie poinsettia cocktail napkins add Christmas cheer.

Gold @ CCC for Christmas

CCC

 

This is my gilded tree in the foyer - decorated with gold fronds, gold coral, a gold ship topper, a gold silk chinoiserie stocking, and metallic wicker Amanda Lindroth Birkin baskets.

Bauble Stockings on Shark Tank

Bauble Stockings

I have posted several times on Bauble Stockings. A Bauble Stocking is an ornament-sized, hand-stitched needlepoint stocking which is meant to contain, or hold a clue to, each person's final gift of Christmas. It doesn't have to be the most expensive, but the most thoughtful. The one that makes the recipient feel warm, fuzzy, and thought-of. Every year is different: jewelry, concert tickets, art lessons, scavenger hunts, love notes, riddles, trips, heirlooms, even puppies!

Seashell Nutcrackers

Seashell Nutcrackers - Casa Branca

 

These quite fabulous seashell nutcrackers are called shellcrackers by Alessandra Branca. The 27-inch-tall shellcracker is handcrafted with sea urchins, sea fans, coral, Swarovski crystals, and various seashells. Some of the finer details include Venetian paper and stick bug wings for the cracker’s eyebrows.

Christmas Decorating Favorites

Charlotte Moss

 

This stunning photo from Charlotte Moss' Manhattan East 70s townhouse decorated for the Christmas holidays remains a favorite. The banister is decorated with a garland with coral and gold ribbons and large pinecones. I love the white floral arrangement on the entryway table. The two column pedestals have grapevine trees in blue and white planters. It looks like they are "decorated" with Spanish moss.

Holiday Decorating

And George

How have you been spending your long holiday weekend? Christmas decorating, Black Friday sales, eating Thanksgiving leftovers? I am all finished with decorating CCC for the holidays, I finished my Christmas shopping, and I even found myself some things on Black Friday sales.

A CCC Christmas

CCC

 

I was going to put up one of my Christmas trees over the weekend, but it was such beautiful weather, I did my outdoor decorating instead. I'll put up the trees this week since I am not hosting for Thanksgiving. The inside of CCC is all done except for the trees. Here are some pics of a favorite blue and white spot.

A Lilly Pulitzer Christmas

Lilly Pulitzer Christmas Tree Skirt

 

I have been looking for new Christmas tree collars or skirts for my two large trees I will be putting up. I found a wicker one recently that I love.

Blue and White Chinoiserie Nutcrackers

Southern Living Blue and White Chinoiserie Nutcrackers

 

From the wonderful Southern Living Collection, these ceramic blue and white nutcrackers are hand painted with a chinoiserie pattern and silver details. These are beautiful pieces you will enjoy for many years to come.

Wicker Sleigh High/Low & Autumn Recipe

Rattan Sleigh

 

This darling wicker sleigh could be filled with ornaments, small wrapped gifts, Christmas greens, Christmas cards, or left as is. Speaking of Christmas cards, I received my first Christmas party invitation in the mail yesterday.

A Blue and White Chinoiserie Christmas

Biltmore Chinoiserie Nutcracker

Some fabulous blue and white chinoiserie Christmas finds I think you will love. And they are all on sale for $20!

The Nutcracker

Kate Spade Nutcracker Handbag

 

I am on a bit of a nutcracker theme this Christmas. I will share more after I decorate CCC. Nutcrackers date back many hundreds of years. But it was the Tchaikovsky ballet The Nutcracker, introduced in 1892,  that established a connection between the nutcracker and Christmas.

Halloween My Style

CCC

 

I think this is the most fabulous Halloween decoration ever. As you can see, it is a large black faux boxwood Jack-O'-Lantern topiary. I have mentioned before how much I love topiaries.

Christmas Decorating Finds

Velvet Christmas Wreaths

I have always loved holly wreaths for Christmas. I got a pair of these velvet holly wreaths and they are beautiful. I plan to use them indoors on a pair of double French doors that lead to my study. Here are more Christmas decorating finds to get you in the holiday mood.

Boxwood for Christmas Decorating

Boxwood Present with Ribbon

 

I love boxwood topiaries and my garden has many topiaries. I am too far south for boxwood, but Eugenia topiaries do great in South Florida and look almost identical. For Christmas, I decorate the topiaries in blue and white Chinese fishbowls at my entrance with white lights.