Have you ever done one of those questionnaires that help you to figure out what your decorating "style" is? I have. The results are always inconclusive. Sometimes I like the rustic woodsy look, sometimes I'm classic traditional, sometimes cozy cottage. There are so many wonderful looks out there.
These days I'm liking simple more. Pared-down, but not austere, clean, with natural elements. I think my mantel reflects that. I layered a sanded door from the china cabinet I painted a few months ago. My husband thought we should just throw the doors away, since they are not going back onto the cabinet. I rescued them, knowing they would come in handy at some point.
Cedar clippings from the yard, which will be replaced once again before Christmas since they dry out in a hurry indoors, big pine cones from Ecuador, a candlewick embroidery projects done years ago, candles, and bits of mercury glass.
You'll notice that to jazz things up a bit, I added borders to the photos with Photoscape. I haven't finished decorating yet, but I'm not in much of a hurry. We like to leave everything out until the 1st of January and enjoy it after the celebration of Christmas Day.
Is your home decorated already? Have you figured out your decorating style?
I like your mantel. My decorating is more home grown classic. It's a mish mosh of stuff gathered mostly at 1/2 off sales or Goodwill. Our tree is homey, too. I'm pretty much done with decorating except for the tree which we'll get this weekend.
ReplyDeleteSince I've just finished decorating a little shelf area, I do believe that I can, with conviction, say that I am in my cheesy bright red silk poinsettia decorating phase. Your mantel is beautiful! Stunning even! (The kids just had their giant cedars cut down and so I have no excuse...I have a lot of cedar to use, but the thought of the mess prevents me.)
ReplyDeleteLovely and very reflective of your style. And hey - if you are ever looking to get rid of some more of those doors from your china cabinet... I would GLADLY take one or two off your hands :) - Katie
ReplyDeleteIt looks super. I love a very simple classic look.
ReplyDeleteI like your style, whatever it is. I think my answers would also be inconclusive. There is so much I like..... Great use of the old window!
ReplyDeleteIt is looking so cute
ReplyDeleteBig hugs xx
Haven't decorated yet but plan to soon......if I can pull myself away from the grand babies!
ReplyDeleteI just took one of those quizzes yesterday! I'm not sure why, because I know what I like without someone else telling me what I like.
ReplyDeleteOh, I answered the second question first. To answer the first...I have finished my indoor decorating (with the exception of adding fresh greens closer to Christmas), but the outside is untouched, which kind of reflects my decorating priorities. ;)
This is my kind of style of Christmas decorating! I love natural elements and hope to collect a lot of pine cones next year in my new community to use with fresh greenery in my home. Your mantel looks so peaceful and lovely, Lorrie!
ReplyDeleteYour mantle is beautiful! I love the simplicity. Simple is not always easy to do... but when it's done right it's beautiful... does that not sound contradictory?
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful, Lorrie. I imagine it took a lot of thought and planning to accomplish something so elegant and seemingly simple.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done a thing aside from hanging a wreath on the door before I left on Sunday. Soon......
Your decorations are lovely and I am intrigued by your Photoscape embellishments. I opened Paint last night to try to learn a little there. There may be hope for me yet. Lorrie, I can't tell you how much your visits and comments and words of encouragment have meant to me, but I'll try. You seem to be a steadfast sort of person, which is so valuable an asset. Even if we never meet, I feel I know a bit about you, because of your generous sharing here on your blog, and your kind words you've left for me on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI know you find blessings in every day, and I pray you will count my words of appreciation among today's...
Loving your mantle. The doors you kept are perfect! I'm eclectic. haha Yes, my mantle tends to change from Christmas to Christmas. Usually I have some silver up there....... but this year it's mostly woodsy. Being in a new house.... I don't know what to do with my Christmas stuff..... but I've definitely pared down. I need to show my mantle soon!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhatever your style...I like it. Simple...and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your style, and it's nice to see so many bloggers going more natural, and simple.
ReplyDeleteI think that the angel in your header looks just like the one my Mom had in her box of our childhood ornaments...isn't that funny.
Jen
Your mantle looks very pretty. I like the way you incorporated the china cabinet door into the grouping and the natural elements are so nice too. This year the natural elements are appealing to me more than ever.
ReplyDeleteLike your style! The addition of the cabinet door and picture frame is brilliant, so simple yet so stylish.
ReplyDeleteI too am going for less is more this year and have only just begun to bring things down from the attic in the past couple of days.
I sure do like your simplistic style! I have pared down considerably over the past 4-5 years. This year, we didn't even put up a big tree. Several small trees are all I want to deal with right now. And instead of dragging out the hundreds of Santas I have, I only put out a couple of dozen.
ReplyDeleteYou do a lovely mantel every year. Unfortunately I do not have one.
ReplyDelete