Hello, lovely people in the bloggersphere and beyond! It's the most wonderful time of the year again, and I wanted to pop in and share the happenings here at the Parsimonious House. Thank you for stopping in!
Where do you glean inspiration? I am a lover of many things, and my interests vary. Sometimes, inspiration comes to me from a fabric I might fancy, or a pattern on a beautiful dish...a flower I might notice by mere happenstance. The world is a fabulous place, and I love the hunt!
This year, I combined inspiration from two designers that over the years have offered some of my favorite textiles: April Cornell and Ralph Lauren.
Initial inspiration:
A few years back, I acquired a gorgeous tablecloth through April Cornell from her Merry Black Collection. Here is a look at the pattern. I was immediately drawn to this dramatic motif. The vibrant florals. The flourish of Christmas-y foliage here and there. The dark background. So. Gorgeous!
Earlier this season, I came upon an apron with the same pattern and nabbed it immediately. It reminded me that I had the beautiful table topper at home, and thus, I began contemplating how I wanted to decorate the house for Christmas this year.
Bringing it all together:
If you have read my blog before, you know that I am
This year I wanted to emulate the classic Ralph Lauren style with the use of tartan, different patterns, textures, and bold florals.
Combining these two inspirational elements this year led to the house being a little bit country, a little bit whimsy, a little upscale...100 percent traditional, which is 100 percent me. :) I do hope you enjoy!
The First Impression: Out-of-Doors
Curbside:
The top of the hill next to my driveway has been decorated with extra-large Christmas ornaments.
There is a black ornament stating ‘Merry Christmas’
that I’ve paired with a red ornament and a gold bell.
On the other side of my planter, I’ve paired a green ornament for with a gold bell and another black ornament indicating ‘Peace.’
Front of Home:
When I decorate, I typically begin at the front doors. The door décor is usually the first to go up, almost always right after Thanksgiving. This year, I kept it simple. Wreaths adorned with bells and beautiful tartan offer a hint to what is inside. I also added lighted mini trees at either side of the door, each outfitted in green, red, and gold ornaments.
A spiffy new Christmas rug featuring a monogrammed ornament adds a pop of color and elegance.
Here's a look at the right
and left door wreaths.
Detail. Simple tartan ribbon, gold bells, and berry sprays.
Detail. I used a much wider ribbon here, and of course, larger bells to fit the scale of this larger wreath.
Won't you come in?
Entryway elements
The Foyer:
The foyer table just under the chandelier has been draped with the wonderful Merry Black pattern, and the florals have been changed to emulate the theme.
Adding dramatic red flowers, conifer stems, and red berries to all of the florals in the house makes for a dramatic yet cohesive element.
At the double doors, I've added a rectangular runner in red, and a cute rug over it featuring Jolly Old Saint Nick.
All of the throw pillows on the little bench in the entryway have been slipcovered and changed to black, red, and green. I have also added two red cable-knit throw pillows and an accent pillow.
The wall-mounted fireplace has been adorned with festive pine and berries along with gold-trimmed red ribbon,
while the sconces have been decorated with simple pine sprays and tartan ribbon.
Detail.
The large bookshelf on the left is adorned with pine garlands with red berry picks tucked here and there.
Further into the foyer on the side table,
I have changed out the lampshade that is usually blue for a black one, and added a sparkly tartan ribbon.
Detail.
A nativity scene all lit up dances merrily.
Near the side table, I've placed two more enormous ornaments, one indicating 'Joy,' and the other stating ‘Let it Snow.’
At the piano, a garland of pine and berries has been added,
and the florals have been changed as well.
The music selection.
An adorable little plaid lamp (Ralph Lauren) has been placed for an additional element of tartan.
To your left, you will find the door leading to the laundry and garage.
Here I have placed an adorable rug just next to my ballerina table. I love the berry and conifer motif!
On the ballerina table, another arrangement in coordinating colors sits, right next to the navy chair now draped in lovely tartan, with one slipcovered and one throw pillow used to match the theme.
Floral detail.
Kitchen and Dining
The kitchen welcomes you with the aforementioned apron hanging prominently as you enter.
Matching hand towels are displayed on the upper oven,
which compliments the coordinating runner that I’ve placed down the center of the island.
The kitchen island is ready for guests with lots of goodies like fresh baked cookies in a large cookie jar decorated with tartan and holly ribbon,
Detail.
a tartan trifle of fresh fruit,
and a gold plateful of treats.
The preserved boxwood tree trio has also been decorated with tartan and berry ribbon.
Detail.
Featured cookbook.
More fruit.
The plateholder has been filled with lovely china featuring cozy cottages. Just right for the season!
The pattern.
The kitchen window has been outfitted with red curtains, and the windowsill is decorated with a garland of pine with berry sprays here and there.
On the floors, I have added tartan comfort mats.
One is placed just below the stove,
and the other rests below the sink near the dishwasher.
As you move from the kitchen toward the dining area, you will note that the pantry door and each barstool has been decorated.
Pantry door
Pantry door
Barstools
On the back of each barstool, I have draped a chiffon cover in black, and adorned each stool with mini wreaths of featuring berries and a double ribbon of tartan and winter holly.
Detail.
Dining Area
As you make your way into the dining area, to your left, you will note that my hutches have both been decorated with more pine garlands with berries.
Smaller hutch top detail.
The larger hutch has been adorned with gold-trimmed red and green ribbon as well.
Detail.
The table is set for guests.
You can read about the complete details of the tablescape by visiting the post in the archives of my blog here.
Living Room
I began decorating the dining and living areas by first changing out all the existing window dressings for dramatic red curtains.
They make for the perfect backdrop of the entire area, but especially the seating area here where two chairs rest.
Each has been draped with a pretty tartan throw, and a coordinating pillow.
Left chair.
Right chair.
There are two more floral arrangements in this area.
One is on the table behind the sofa which looks into the dining area,
and the other is on the sofa side tale looking on to the seating area.
Next to the arrangement looking from the living area into the dining area rests my desk lamp. This lampshade has also been changed to black and I have added a large bow in tartan, of course!
A closer look.
In the living room, I have replicated the garland that I have featured in the dining area.
Detail.
The sofa has been outfitted as well with slipcovered throw pillows in black and green, alongside additional throw pillows with a coordinating theme,
and a blanket with a whimsical design.
O Tannenbaum
The Christmas Tree blends right in with the décor of the house where I have featured gold-rimmed varying green and red ribbon, a wide tartan ribbon, and berry sprays.
Such gorgeous detail on this ribbon!
There are many sizes of ornaments in green, red, gold, and black.
The topper was made of a few sparkly berry sprays combined with several plain.
The topper.
In the end, a very traditional tree!
The skirt features Santa against a dark background with stars, keeping in with the theme as well.
As you round the corner of the fireplace leaving the living area into the hall, I have placed another arrangement in antique silver,
again featuring blues, whites, reds, conifers, and berries.
Hall and two of the bedrooms
Hallway
As you make your way down the hall, you will note I have added a festive wreath to each door. The wreaths are decorated with tartan and berries.
Detail.
Master bedroom
In this bedroom, I have changed out the bedding to red and black, and I used green as an accent color shown here in the foundation pillows and sheer curtains. A simple garland with berries adorns the headboard.
I adore this embroidered pillow I found at a local antique. Just perfect!
The fireplace mantle has been hung with care using festive tartan stockings while the top features a lighted conifer garland and berries.
Detail.
The mini tree in the room features a topper made of gold-rimmed red and green ribbons.
Detail.
Tartan cascades down the tree, which has been adorned with berries, red ornaments, gold ornaments, and green ornaments.
The Girls' Room
In my girls' room, the beds have been outfitted with the same throw blanket I featured in the living room. It is such a fun design!
Each bed has a foundation pillow in green, and each has a festive throw pillow.
The mini tree looks so sweet all lit up,
and a large bow of tartan fits perfectly with the theme.
The final elements I added were two wreaths on the backyard garden gates.
Farewell, friends, and Merry Christmas!
If you have made it this far, thank you so very much! I hope you have enjoyed this tour and I wish you and yours a prosperous, Happy New Year full of blessings!
See you in 2024!
--Y
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