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
Dear Lidy, Everything is so breathtaking I’ll just say well-done my friend. Love the tea table display and all the stories. Have a wonderful holiday season. Hugs, Pat
Tres magnifique!!!
I loved the story about your Grandmother. Family is so precious and there are so many memories there. The way you have decorated has brought your Grandmother into our presence. Your display is beautiful and heart felt. May I be one of many to wish you a glorious Christmas.
Thanks so much Sheila. We can be smitten about each other’s homes together, yours always captures my heart, you have such a talent for adding charm to your rooms. Merry Christmas, friend! xo
Lidy your home is absolute French Country Christmas perfection! I love it all, but I have to say that your mantel is my favorite part! Between the gorgeous mirror and that HORSE!! I am so smitten!! Your home is so warm and inviting!
Merry Christmas to you!
Sheila
xo
Thank you Connie! You don’t need help decorating, at all….everything you do is beautiful. I hope that you are enjoying getting your new Arizona home ready for your family too!
Shirley, isn’t it true that the things we love best, no matter what they look like, are the things that have memories attached to them? Thank you for your visit and your sweet words, friend. xo
Beautiful as ever Lidy! Can you come to Arizona to help me decorate? Enjoy this season with your cherished family.
Penny, thank you so much. It’s always a joy to have you visit me. I hope your holiday season is a beautiful and very special one.
Thank you so much, Cynthia! I wish you and everyone you love {including horses, dogs and other animals you have!} a lovely holiday season too. xo