Christmas Decor Inspiration from a Vintage Painting

I found this painting at a thrift store this past summer as was instantly drawn to its muted blue and green colors and the winter scene.

It is an oil painting, done by an amateur, that pictures a cozy and idyllic Dutch village. It is the "loose" inspiration for my Christmas decorating this year--snow, soft blues and mossy greens, and nature. 

Last week, I shared the small, vintage, European, wood sled I recently thrifted. I styled it as a centerpiece with traditional red and green elements. I was wondering if I should keep the sled or sell it. You all convinced me to keep it, which meant I had to restyle it to fit my new Christmas theme for the year.

I started with a new runner. I am not typically much of a plaid lover for home decor, but the colors and nubby texture of this thrift store find just seemed right. It has light blue , browns, and brownish-red that are perfect.

I utilized the same faux tree that I shared in my earlier centerpiece, but put it in a small, cement urn style planter instead of the red berry basket. The green books stayed, but I tied them with a brown velvet ribbon rather than a red one.

I picked up these books from a FREE bin at the thrift store. I got a dozen of them. I used the 2 and 5, 25, ones for Christmas.  A brown dripware candlestick holder with a white candle replaced the red candle.

A heavy metal deer adds more natural color. Lotus seed pods that came in a thrift store bag of sugar pinecones introduce organic textures in warm brown tones.

A frosty, faux pine garland draped along the table runner and around the sled runners adds a touch more of the bluish green color to the table.

I am glad I chose to keep the sled and I love the updated styling of it!

Creating a Warm & Nature Inspired Entryway

Christmas is on it's way and although we still have Thanksgiving to celebrate tomorrow, I started decorating for Christmas. My front entryway was the first area in my home that I worked on. 

I decided to change up my decor or theme a bit from last year--I am sty0ling with more natural and organic textures, incorporating a touch of a greenish blue and using fewer gold and red touches.

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I treat this pallet wood shelf in my entryway like a mantel. I made this shelf, and show you how in my second book, Wood Pallet Wonders, that you can get  HERE. It is so fun to decorate and style through the seasons. The shelf also adds so much function with the hooks for hanging coats and purses and bags.

There are some elements that stay here throughout the year--the round, flat basic and mirror, the leather, camera and binocular cases, the foot massager, wood bead garland. And, then, other objects that are added and removed seasonally. I started with adding the faux garland.

When using a garland on a mantel or across a table, don't simply just place it in front in a straight line. Give the garland sone movement, place objects behind it and in front of it, and in it--think layers!

The basket and mirror and the Swedish star or snowflake sit behind the garland while the thrifted, white, pinecone candleholders are in front. I used a brown, dripware, strawberry jug to hold pine branches and curly willow branches rather than the gold jug that typically sits here.

I placed pinecones throughout the garland. The smaller ones I foraged and the large, sugar, pinecones are thrifted.

I chose to incorporate more white and snow in my decor this year as well, so I found these crystal, snowy branches at the thrift store to include in the garland. I cut apart the branches into smaller pieces (boy, was that messy!) and tucked them in here and there.

I made sure that some of the snowy branches were in this part of the garland that hangs down off of the shelf or mantel. I replaced the gold bells that have been here with these thrifted, rattan ones, tied with jute and velvet ribbon. Think about different textures when decorating. 

On the other end of the shelf or "mantel" sits a painting of a snowy pine branch that I painted (see it above). In front of it sits on of my leather cases and a thrift store, green blue creamer with a candle and a bit of greenery and a velvet ribbon. Another tip to great a cohesive display--repeat elements. There is a floral foam block i the creamer to hold the candle in place. A pet peave of mine is displaying candles that look like they are never used, Burn the wick for a few minutes and remember to NEVER leave burning candles unattended.

On the wall opposite of the front doors sits a small bamboo stool with a brown basket holding a tree with lights and snowflake ornaments.

The ornaments were on the snowy, crystal branches from the thrift store. I love a twofer find,

Chalkboard art was all the rage five years ago, and while it is no longer hot, I do still enjoy changing out this chalkboard scene seasonally.

Next to the chalkboard art on the small angled wall by the door that leads into the main room, hangs a mercury glass candle sconce (that is always here) and I added a thrifted, vintage watercolor of a snowy cabin scene.

Make sure your entry space is functional as well. A bench or chair for people to sit on to remove shoes or boots, a place to set things, and something that coats can be hung on all add purpose to the space. 

I headed to the thrift store to find a new pillow and blanket for the space. The pillow has elk on the other side, nit my style. But, the plaid side is perfect, it introduces pattern and some of the soft greenish-blue color I am using. I typically don't use linen blankets in the winter, but this one was the perfect color, thick with lots of texture. It washed up beautifully. I looked up the brand, POM POM at Home and these linen blankets sell for hundreds. I paid $5.

You can also see in the photo above the open binocular case. I change out the books in this seasonally. I also tucked a little greenery in there. I may still open a few of the other cases and add items. I strung the rosehips four years ago and while they are typically included in more primitive decor, I liked the reddish brown color and their organic nature.

Tips to remember when styling a mantel and/or an entryway space:

1. Layers create interest and coziness

2. Natural elements connect the indoors to the outdoors

3. Textures and Patterns--mix them up and use a variety

4. Repeat elements--colors, objects, textures

5. Function matters too!

6. Use what you love, what speaks to you, what makes you feel warm and joyful. For me, the woods restore me and always feel right.

Antique European Sled Centerpiece

I didn't spy this sweet, antique, European sled on my first trip around the thrift store. But, thankfully I saw it the second time around and snapped it up. 

But, it proposes a dilemma for me--to keep or to sell.  As one friend said, price it high enough that if it does sell, I'll be happy with the profit rather than sad that it is gone. The jury is still out. If I do keep it, I will probably use it as a centerpiece and this might be how I would style it on my dining table.

I created this simple, festive centerpiece using only thrifted finds (except the peppermint sticks and green velvet ribbon). I started with a thrifted, 100% lambswool scarf made in Scotland.  It makes a fantastic runner.

Most of my centerpieces follow a common recipe: tablecloth or runner, a tray or something to set the elements on (in this case, the sled), a trio of objects of varying height that includes something organic or natural.

A couple of thrifted, dark green books, tied together with thrift store, red ribbon, adds a little height to two of the elements, a vintage Santa mug and a battery operated candle. The candle sits on a peppermint wheel coaster. 

A small, faux tree (the "natural" element) with lights sits in a thrifted, red, ceramic, berry dish. Bells tied to the sled complete the centerpiece.

I like centerpieces that are practical, where you can easily move them when you are serving up a large, family style meal. This one certainly meets all of that criteria. Hmm...I will let you know what I decide about keeping or selling.

Christmas Window Box

Window boxes are always popular and lovely at Christmas time. So when I found one with the box already on it, painted white, with a mirror in it at the thrift store, I knew it was a definite buy.

I added foam blocks to the box and then lots of faux greenery from a thrifted weath.

It is important to add plenty of greenery to the box to make it look really full. I add the real touch greenery near the front, and the more faux greenery as filler and in the back.

I added pinecones from the same wreath and faux branches that were also on the wreath.

The final touch was a jute and velvet "bow" or tie in the middle. I thought about adding gold balls or berries or fairy lights, but I tend to like a more simple, less is more look. 

The simple pine branches make this a piece that will look great all winter long. It will be for sale at my next pop-up shop.

Antique Ice Skate Wreath

If you have followed me for awhile, you know that one of my thrifting tips is to make a second trip around the thrift store. And, I sure am glad I did just that yesterday because on my second trip I spied these antique ice skate blades that I missed the first time.

I knew I wanted to use them in an old frame wreath and decided an oval wreath would be perfect for the skate blades. I happened to have one that was already painted red--perfect for the holidays.

You can see in the photo above that the original owner had marked the blades in pencil with his name and an L and an R. I love remnants of the past like that. 

I set the blades on the frame and hot glued them in place. I used hot glue because it isn't permanent and can be removed. I would hate to ruin an antique with glue. It however, does not hold well in freezing temps. I did wrap jute around the top of the blades and secured the jute to the back of the frame with a staple gun. 

I added some real touch, faux greenery to the side. 

It got a spot of hot glue too, and then was tied on with jute. I like taking strands of jute and other ribbon and tying it tightly to make an organic "bow" I tied three, gold, jingle bells onto the jute strands too.

This antique skate wreath looks fantastic on a door, but would also work great in a seasonal gallery wall. I am so happy I made that second trip around my local thrift store!

Antique Pedestal Table Makeover

Meeting new people and making connections has always been one of my favorite parts of selling my curated goods. A recent, new customer reached out after shopping the POP-UP SHOP and asked if I would ever be interested in furniture or items that are leftover after her moving organization business is finished with a client. I said if the price is right, "Yes please!!"

I picked up the first batch of items this week, including this antique, regency style, drum, pedestal table.

The top was loose and spun around, but thankfully that was a simple fix that included tightening a couple bolts. Unfortunately, the top veneer was chipped and damaged beyond restoration, so I chose to paint it after sanding it.

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I removed the hardware (keep hardware in a baggie) and painted the tabletop with Fusion Mineral Paint using the color of Bayberry. You can buy it HERE.

After the paint dried, I lightly sanded the edges and stained over the paint and the pedestal base. A clear coat and reattaching the hardware finished this sweet, antique table.

This table has two drawers and then the ring hardware on the two sides that don't have drawers. This style table is beautiful in a foyer or makes a great side table with a sitting chair nearby. O styled it with recently curated Christmas finds that will be for sale in my Holiday Home POP-UP SHOP.

Traditional reds and greens are always a classic. This needlepoint, tasseled pillow was a fun find. Faux poinsettias in a brass pot add a great color burst.

Here's a tip--draping a beaded garland across the artwork and down onto the table visually ties the seating area together.  It helps to draw the eye from the wall down to the table vignette. 

While I don't love painting over wood, sometimes it is necessary. Leaving the beautiful wood pedestal helps the piece show-off it's age and pedigree.

Boo, Easy & Fun Spooky Kitchen Decor

I fully believe that we should have fun with our decor, be playful and not take it too seriously. So, a couple wood, drawing figures from the thrift store have made their way into my kitchen decor this past year.

This smaller one is magnetic and hangs out on my kitchen cupboard hardware.

And this larger one hangs out on the counter by my vintage spice rack. I decide to give these two figures a makeover for Halloween. I started with very simple supplies that I had on hand.

I simply put the white muslin over each figure to make sure I was cutting the fabric long enough and then I rounded the corners, drew on a face with a sharpie, and tied the necks with black and white kitchen twine.

Ten minutes later I had a couple cute ghosts in my kitchen!

Now let's take bets to see how long until the hubby notices!

Remember to find the kid inside and have a little fun with your home styling!