Christmas Column & Holiday Decor Inspiration

 
This year I decided to decorate my column for Christmas.  It sits in my foyer and I have always loved it.  It's incredibly special to me because my husband made it for me one Christmas.  I still have memories of him carrying it down the hall on Christmas morning with my then 4 and 5 year  old piggy tail girlie's.  They helped him paint it and sand it! 
 
 
He was so clever.  To embellish the column at the top he used drapery hardware and filled in the holes on the sides and it worked perfectly.
 
Our Christmas tree usually goes where the column is each year but I decided to mix it up this year.
 
I made this arrangement about 6 years ago and love the concrete urn it's in.  The antlers were added last year.  Hanging a little "Rejoice" to it has made it have a special touch of Christmas and it is a time to Rejoice!
 
  
 I created and embellished the garland as I went along and unpacked all my Christmas items. 
 
 
 Added this blue bird and some fun feathers that a client gave me.  The red ribbon is so gorgeous in person.
 
 Something sparkly and colorful always makes me happy and mixes it up a little.
 
 
My dining room chandelier was embellished with some garland and a crystal snowflake.
 
 
I have slowly added to my "large ornament" collection.  The blown glass ones are my favorite placed in my large green bowl that I keep out all year.  What I love about this centerpiece is that it doesn't have to be moved when we use the table because guests can still see each other. 
 
 
I find that when decorating for Christmas, it's always better to use LARGE scale items instead of a lot of little items.
 
 
I added this little holly wreath to the top of my armoire.  Hung it on my candelabra.  It seems happy there with the my collection of old stair banisters.
 
 My bust got put on top of my large candlestick this year.   He watches over me while I work in my office.  You can see a peek into it to the right. 
 
 
The tapestry that hangs in my entry is from the Paris Flea Market (they use to hang in a castle).  I bought 2 and one of them is getting made into a bench as we speak.  Will be a collection from my new One by One collection, coming soon!
 
 
I adorned his head with a holly wreath :)  He always wears my wooden necklaces and I think it makes him look really cool.
 
 
HO HO HO
 
 
 I bought a poinsettia and placed the stems in different vases around the house.  I got this idea from Lauren Liess at Pure Style Home  last year.  Filed it away in my "Christmas" file in my brain last year and pulled it out this year.
 
 
I added this garland to my wall sconces in my living room.  Layered different kind of garland to give it a nice fresh "real" look.  Again, a little sparkle and fruit  goes a long way.
 
 
Some more of my large ornaments on my mantel.
 
Decided not to do the traditional garland this year.  Wanted something with less fuss.  I'm trying to "simplify" this year so there isn't such a huge put away day! 
 
The garland on my wall sconces is plenty!
 
  
I did add a little greenery to my bookshelf .
 
 
My front door swag got some extra berries and pointsetta's this year. 
 
I also added this little elf boot to the bottom and it's adorable.
 
 
My entry planters got a large red bow and a red berry wreath.  I have one on each side of my entry so they really look great.  Especially when they are all lit up at night!  I put lights in the fur trees and around the wreaths.
 
 
My pansies are doing well this year even though it's been so warm!
 
 
My large glass vase is filled with driftwood I've collected from all over.  I placed berries on the candlesticks and hung a little pine cone and greenery on the lip of the vase.
 
These metal trees I found at an estate sale and stenciled them to make them look more sophisticated.  They are now on top of my refrigerator with the driftwood my husband found for me on one of our beach trips :)
 
 
Hope this post inspired you to mix it up this year.  I love making each year different and maybe you will do the same!
 
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Gallery!
Follow me on Pinterest and be inspired this Holiday Season!
 
 

Stenciled Mirror Ornaments

I love to find or create unique gifts for Christmas.  We all have those people on our lists that we want to buy for but just don't know what to buy.   I've found that making them something unique is always a special touch and enjoyed by those that you create it for. 
Sorry, not a very good photo.  It's hard to take photo's of mirrors.
I found these mirrored ornaments about 4 months ago at Michaels in different shapes. 
I immediately loved them and decided I could do something fun with them for Christmas gifts.  I bought 20 of them.
I got out my stencil box and started experimenting.  This one was my first choice.
I got out some of my left over spray paints.  I tend to gravitate towards the metallic choices. 
 Copper being my favorite! 
 I placed the stencil on the mirrored ornament randomly (chose my favorite part of the stencil) and took the risk by pressing the spray nozzle. I lightly sprayed and made sure I was about a foot away from the stencil so the paint wouldn't bleed.
I finished one....
and another.... and I decided they would be a success.
They came with a tacky silver bow so I removed it and replaced it with the above translucent copper WIRE ribbon.
You could use any holiday stencil too.  I just happen to  like something a little more random.
Imagine what fun you could have with this mirror. 
Here is a link to a great stencil source - Dresslerstencils
I gave away a set as a gift exchange the other night and they were a hit.
Hope you are inspired and can create a treasure for someone else this Christmas.
Visit  DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfollio.

Stencils

Ruthie's Christmas File

Pinterest.com
I'm having so much fun this Christmas season.  I'm so enjoying seeing all the Christmas decorations going up on all the homes in our neighborhood.  This year I'm especially happy to see more cars that are all decked out too.  I noticed the school buses are all sporting wreaths too!
Lots of rudolph's driving around, too cute!
 I'd love to have a wreath on the front of my car like the one above.  I'm still talking my husband into it  but I haven't won the battle yet.  I'd like the lights too please!
In this post, I thought I'd share some of my favorite rooms/ideas in my Christmas file this year!  I know we are all looking for inspiration and ideas as we decorate and entertain for the holidays!

(Sundayinbed.tumblr.com)

So whimsical, simple and chic.

This is such a great idea.  I LOVE empty frames with something special inside them.

(theinspiredroom.net)
A winter wonderland!
(Southern Living)
A happy place to do dishes!  Layered wreaths add a cool touch.
(theinspiredroom.net)
Glass platters with wreaths add a classy touch to any party!
(Southern Living)

Magnolia wreaths are magnificent.

(mydesignchic.wordpress.com)
Again, simple, fresh and beautiful.
(Pinterest.com)
Enjoying a variety of different colors instead of just red and green.
(Pinterest)
My favorite color combinations this year!
(Pinterest.com)
Collected over time with pops of fun colors.
(Canadianliving.com)

Such a soft color palette.

(Photobucket.com)
So creative.  What kid wouldn't love this?
(bhg.com)
Another great empty frame idea.
Creatively fun and beautiful.  Wouldn't you love to receive this arrangement?
Adding moss to any letter adds a fresh touch to your Christmas decor.
Using grocery store items!  Fresh and simple.  Placed on a platter and you are done!
(Pinterest.com)
No excuses, anyone can do this!!!!  Pine cone Christmas trees.
(bhg.com)
A quick festive addition added to flower pots.
(pinterest.com)
Adore this!!
(Southernaccents.com)

Love how this garland wraps up and over the mirror.  I did this last year on my mantel and it was a fresh change from the traditional garland placed on the mantel.

(bhg.com)
Such festive red and white gift packages placed on top of urns.  perfect for business or home!
(Etsy.com)
Double wreaths mixed with rustic elements equals perfect elegance.  Looks like a postcard.
Red berries wreaths are so classy and elegant!
(HGTV.com)
Great color combinations.
(Houseandhome.com)
The Season's Best.  A black entry is always so attractive!
(Martha Stewart Home)
A little sparkle in this entryway
(Pinterest)
Classic red and green.
(Pinterest)
Great idea for Christmas Card display.

All one color is beautiful too!
Ultimate for fresh wreath! 
(bhg.com)
Classic red and white always goes over well.
(thedailybasics.com)
Simple yet stunning.  A Christmas up on a table always looks festive.
(gardenofsimple.tumblr.com)
I've always wanted a blue door like this! 
(Pinterest)
Love these color combinations.  The peacocks are adorable.
Happy Christmas is what we British say at Christmas Time! 
Hope you enjoyed!

Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.  Great before and after pictures to inspire you!

Deck the Halls

I'm finally totally decorated for Christmas.  It's my favorite time of year!  I purposely planned a Christmas party in our home at the beginning of December to make sure I got decorated early.  I really wanted my family and I to STOP this season to "enjoy" instead of being "rushed & stressed" like we've done in past years.  I know that this season is never "stress free" let's just get real here, but I do know that we can try to prevent the craziness.
My husband and I really love having friends and family in our home all year round but especially this time of year.   Our dining room table is the place where we gather to chat with friends and family.  I keep the above giant green bowl on the table all year.  During different times of the year, I fill it with a variety of interesting items.  It's perfect because it's "functional" and doesn't have to be moved to see one another across the table.  It's always a great conversation piece and the kids love seeing the changes!
 These giant glass ornaments mixed with my antlers and fresh greenery is my favorite assortment this Christmas.
My bust was crowned with a wreath this year.
This frame is now lavishly covered in garland.  I'm a believer that your Christmas decor shouldn't take over your home but should be subtle addition to your existing decor.
  I like special touches in each room but don't want it to be over the top. Christmas shouldn't look like it threw up all over your home. 
I bought this swag several years ago and added a little extra color and sparkle to make it special.
I don't have a real tree but want the smell of Christmas in my home.  I usually incorporate fresh garland wherever I can.  My kitchen table arrangement was fun to make.  I used a rustic container that I usually use for my office supplies, added fruit and pine cones and instantly have a simple addition of Christmas on my kitchen farm table.
I added these decorative balls to my stair garland this year.  Love the copper and green combination.

Placing a "Rejoice" sign in my wrought iron urn added a quick touch of Christmas.

I love using large ornaments. Fresh garland added to my mantel allows me to sit in my favorite chair and smell the live evergreen.  Less clutter and more of a statement.

Our Christmas tree got put in an urn last year and I did the same this year.  It makes it taller and makes a grander statement in my entry.
Again, large ornaments with berry wreaths draped on them adds a special touch.
Bookshelves need garland too.  Can't leave them out!
My favorite tapestry in my entry also graciously welcomes guests with it's new addition of Christmas.
Outdoors is always fun to decorate.  The kids love driving up and seeing the pops of red!  The bows were their idea this year!
We added ornaments in with our pansies too.

Added these bells and berries to this garland and hung it outside our back door.

My candle sconces got a little somthin' somethin' added to them too.

Above my refrigerator makes me smile each morning too!

An elf stocking hung on the corner of a chair adds some whimsy.
Silver leafed ornaments were placed in my vase on my desk, along with my driftwood collection.

REJOICE!  Of course a Nativity scene is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

  Placed on my console table it is the center of attention in our entryway.
I'd love to see what you have done in your home this year for Christmas.

Email me at ruth@decrenew.com if you have done something different this year.  I might even share them with my followers later on this month.

Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfolio.
I linked up to The Lettered Cottage today!

Doilies and Ornaments

Someone shared this idea with me today.  I just had to share it with you because if you are like me,  you are looking for great ideas to make for Christmas gifts or just looking for some pure fun crafts to make to celebrate the season. 
 All they did here was spray paint a crystal or clear ornament.  They overlayed it with a doily and used silver spray paint to get the beautiful design.  Any metallic spray paint would be awesome! 
Adding some glitter after you paint it would add sparkle too!
(Google Images)
What a great gift to give this season.  You could make 6 and put them in a fun decorative box.  Everybody loves something "made with love" . You could even keep them for yourself and display them in a pretty box or large candle lantern like the above!
(Pinterest)
Love these Christmas Trees in their large pots! 
I'm getting all the boxes out of the attic this week.  I'm decorating early this year.  I want my house done before I do everybody else's!  I CAN do it!!
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.