I’m moving ahead slowly. My old Charlie Brown Christmas tree is up. I’ve had it for years and it’s seen better days, but I can’t seem to get rid of it. Once all the BLING is on, it takes on new life. We’ll enjoy it for a few more years because it’s like a dear old friend that comes to visit once a year (at least it doesn’t make a mess and eat all your food in the fridge).
(click on pictures to enlarge)
I’ve decorated my tree with mostly red/coral, white, and glass ornaments. I’ve also added a few dozen shells on red cord, some faux coral stems, and a big shell on top of the tree (my decorations have a coastel theme this year). No garland or ribbon. I just like to see all the pretty baubles by themselves reflecting the lights. I set the tree on a box for more height and treeskirt is a round cream tablecloth with a black border. I cut a slit up to the center, hemmed it and it works great.
The rest of the room is decorated simply. Besides the tree, the 
mantel is a focal point in the room (see CCC 2). Lots of shells, coral, garland and lights. On the coffee table is a tall vase filled with shells and tall crystalized branches, and a large shell on a book. A white ceramic crane on the sofa table sports a berry wreath and sideboard has a forest of crystal trees. Most are things I’ve had forever.
To carry the coral theme out a bit more, I painted some pillows with a coral branch that I copied off the computer. I then traced the outline of the coral with a red colored pencil, turned it over, face down on the pillow fabric and ironed over it to transfer the design. Then I painted it in with craft paint and stitched up the pillows. No pricey pillows for me!
One other “coral” element. In my bookcase, I have 2 large Chinese 
black lacquered boxes with subtle painted goldfish on them. I found some large plastic green coral at a floral supply store, and spray painted them a coral color, and displayed them in two matching Waterford crystal rose vases. Many times when you use cheap stuff (which I do often) like the plastic coral, you can elevate their beauty and stature by displaying them with much nicer things. It seemed to work in this case. They look sculptural and expensive (shhhh, don’t tell).
On to the rest of the house, at this rate Christmas will be here before me. I hope you’re all ready. If not…17 days and counting. Hang in there, you’re not alone…I feel your pain!!!
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1. Ooooh, I double clicked on the pictures and they are absolutely gorgeous. I enjoyed your post!
by Stacey — 12/8/08 at 9:08 pm #
2. Thank you so much Stacy,
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, the pictures are much better when you click on them…see the details.
Thanks for stopping by!
by Cathy — 12/9/08 at 6:45 pm #
3. You can sure carry a theme all the way…
So pretty….love it
Why did you remind me of just how few days are left…we had a blizzard today so very little Christmassingis getting done here…it was a major job just getting home from work. Major!!!!
Enjoy your sun….
OK I’m jealous! And freezing!
Merry Christmas!!!
by Julie — 12/9/08 at 10:27 pm #
4. Hi Julie,
Thank you, Sorry to remind you of “days Left”. It’s sneaking up on all of us quickly. I hope the blizzard wasn’t too bad. Just think of it as a beautiful wintery background for the Christmas season. I know what you’re saying…”Bah Humbug on the snow, you don’t have live in it”. It would be fun for Christmas, but then I’d want it all to go away. Hope your winters not too bad. Hang in there.
Merry Christmas to you too!
LYC
by Cathy — 12/10/08 at 2:00 pm #
5. Your home is just beautiful!! I especially liked your black and white checked or plaid chairs. Is that material silk or wool? I am in the process having my couch recovered and I want to have it done it black and white check or plaid. Did you buy your chairs like that or did you have them recovered?
by alice — 12/12/08 at 8:11 pm #
6. Hi Alice,
Thank you so much.
I’m glad you like my chairs. The black and white check are slipcovers I made for my chairs. They cover up old green velour that was showing it’s age. The fabric is a heavy cotton/linen blend and was purchased for $6. a yard in a closeout upholstery store. It has held up well for a few years now and I still like them now, as much as when I first made them.
I think your sofa will look sharp in a check like this. The wool may hold up better than the silk, but you can get a blend of both if you look around. My cotton/linen has held up very well. Keep it out of sunlight so it doesn’t fade.
Good luck with your project. It’s a fun pattern to work with!
Please write again soon.
by Cathy — 12/14/08 at 2:32 am #
7. Hi Cathy,
I love this room – it looks like you’ve painted the back wall, inside your bookcase, black. I have built in bookcases (with cabinets on the lower half of each) on either side of my fireplace in my FR; the cabinets are painted white & the room is decorated casual. I’m wondering if I should paint the inside of my bookcases & if so, should I go with my wall color (a sage/taupe color) or do you suggest black to make the decor on the shelves stand out? Also, I love the ocean & also collect shells & I love that you filled your vase with them; I’m curious what you would suggest replacing your cyrstallized branches with once winter is over.
by Beth — 1/30/09 at 1:47 am #
8. Hello Beth,
I’m glad you like the room. Yes, the back of the bookcase is painted black to contrast the white and accessories in the shelf. It is an accent color in the room, so I went with it inside the bookcases. Your bookcases sound nice. Instead of painting the backs, your wall color (then they would just look like open back shelves on the wall), paint them the accent color in the room. If you have black as an accent, that’s fine, but if not pick up another color…red, gold, lavendar…it looks sharp and repeats that accent in the room again.
I display my vase full of shells year round. After Christmas the crystal branches go, and I put in the some tall birch branches or a bunch of the faux coral branches that are on the mantel in the picture above. Many times I’ll cut a large leaf stem or some Bougainvillea from my yard, add water in with the shells, for the live greenery.
Aren’t shells wonderful, I’m glad you’re a collector as well. Something about them always makes you smile.
Good luck with your bookcases, you’ll love them painted inside!
Write back soon!
by Cathy — 1/31/09 at 12:36 pm #