Today is the HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS CHRISTMAS TOUR. I'm excited to share our holiday inspirations, decorations and all things lovely to make your holiday home someplace you love to be.
This Christmas Home Tour Post is my favorite post of the year! Today I'm sharing my living room, and other areas of FrenchGardenHouse will follow. I love decorating for the holidays, there is something magical about trimming the whole house in the spirit of Christmas, isn't there?
When I was a little girl, nothing excited me as much as decorating the tree. My grandmother taught me to add little touches of the holidays all through the house, even if it was only a little bundle of fresh greens. She decorated all her mirrors and paintings with fresh greens, just adding them to the top of every one. Her house smelled wonderful!
We lived with my grandparents in their large European home until Mom and I moved to the states when I was 8. I have such beautiful and sweet memories of being in my grandmother's home, being in her home made me happy and I've always strived to bring that happiness to our own home. Once we moved to the US, it was actually up to me to decorate. My Mom had many talents, and I loved her so much, but decorating wasn't something she put all that much thought into. So I became our no. 1 decorator at home!
So let's start! I hope you feel inspired to add Christmas magic to your own home. If you can decorate only one room, or add a little touch in every room like my Grandmama did {and I usually do}, I hope the magic of Christmas fills your home this beautiful season!
I placed an antique French horse in front of the fireplace mantel this year. First she was turned around, but I finally got her to face the right way, now she looks beautiful! Until she flies to her new home, she looks so great there, doesn't she?
This year, I wanted to create a more neutral holiday home in the living area. I chose white, gold and silver as the main colors. The mantel is dressed with evergreens and gilt antique candlesticks. I designed a simple floral arrangement in an antique tea box with white cabbage roses, and green fir clippings. Our roses are still blooming in the front and back gardens, it's been unseasonably warm here until this week. The berries are a fun different texture and size, I wish they were real but who can find those? Mine are faux.
Our tree is always in front of the large picture windows in the living room. It looks beautiful there, and leaves us the most space for friends and family to gather in this room. {It is a devil to photograph there, though!}
This is one of my favorite little areas in our living room. A little antique tea trolley that I bought on a whim many years ago. Again, inspired by my grandmama, who had a beautiful tea table in her home with her silver tea set on it, ready to serve tea every day at precisely 3:30.
Later in the month I'll place planted white amaryllis in an antique urn on this little table, but for now I arranged some gold and silver faux "pick" in a large white urn. They really sparkle at night!
Just on the other side of the tea table is my grandfather's chair. You might remember, if you've read me for awhile, that when I left Europe when I was 8, I tucked a little piece of paper underneath this chair that said "belongs to Lidy", and when my grandfather died, my sweet grandmother gave it to me. She thought it was so funny that I already had a favorite piece of furniture that I wanted to inherit one day.
Our latest Les Belles Fleurs Holiday Collection will launch this week, and that's where the faux white amaryllis pot is from...it looks sweet on my nesting tables next to the sofa, bringing just a touch of holiday cheer.
Just opposite of the tree, I've decked out my antique French commode with my santos, dressed very simply in greens and her ex voto heart. A fresh boxwood wreath dresses the gilt French mirror to perfection.
I was fortunate enough to find some exceptional antique santos and madonnas to offer to our clients at FrenchGardenHouse. Honestly, they are all my favorites...but this gorgeous crowned head captures my very heart. Displayed inside a gilt edged glass case I set the glass case on an antique silver tray and added some silver and gold balls for sparkle.
I hope you feel inspired to add some Christmas to your home. Thank you so much for your love, encouragement and comments, and for being the sweetest readers who turn into friends!
We're right in the midst of such a busy, but beautiful season! If you’d like to purchase a gift for someone special {or yourself!} just pop over HERE to order.
45 comments
Lidy, your home is amazingly beautiful! The gorgeous antiques and neutral palette make your details just sing! Thanks so much for inviting us in, it is always a pleasure to visit with you!
Anja, I love gold, silver and white for the holidays! {although on the kitchen side of our home- it’s all about red!} thank you for always taking the time to comment, friend! xo
What an amazing Christmas home have you created this year. Love the neutral palette,like a lot of people
I am not into the greens and reds for Christmas.
So lovely, Lidy, and a perfect mix of old and new. I too have my grandfather’s chair, which both my children claim some day. (They may have to work out a “custody agreement”!) But I must ask about the beautiful angel on your tea table. A recent acquisition or an heirloom? Just beautiful!
Lidy, I adore your neutral palette and all its details. If I didn’t have such a draw and collection of Christmas reds & greens, I would be so tempted to go in that direction. The antique horse is so handsome.
I enjoy seeing your decor with all the added antiques – it makes my heart sing!
Dear Lidy,
Your home tour was lovely and everything just having the right touch, loved all that you have and the head in the glass case is a delight. How lucky you are to live amoung all that beauty everyday. I am getting ready myself and so enjoy it. Happy Holiday’s~~~~~~~~~Jean~~~~~~~~
Lidy,
I just love visiting your blog, especially at Christmastime.
Your creative French Country style is just absolute perfection.
Everything from the rocking horse to your incredibly decorated Christmas tree. I love your talented ideas.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Kelly! Thanks for the visit, it’s always so fun to have you visit here. And right back at you. xo
Stunning!! Of course you started decorating at 8!! You had to start early to be THIS GREAT! xx
Very pretty! Everything is beautiful Lidy! Your home is amazing!