What's In A Card

The Christmas Themes continue over here at the Chalet! Today I’m sharing a bit about the special Christmas Cards I’ve incorporated into my decor.

2013

I think you all know what a huge Nutcracker fan I am. This card from my husband for Christmas 2013 reappears as part of the decor every year.

I hope you can see how cute this pop-up card is we have for our Son this year.

These cards are from beloved family members who are no longer with us. I pull them out every year and am so happy to re-read their loving messages.

Helen Flemming

This is an original Water Color Christmas Card by a friend of my grandparents Helen Flemming. It was sent in the 1960’s to my parents. I re-framed last year.

You can see quite a few cards interspersed in the branches of our tree.

2014

This cute Chalet card was a gift from my husband - he gifted it to me with hopes I would frame it and add it to the wall! You know my tag friends #saynotoemptywalls !

Wishing you a Joyous Christmas!

Til next time!

Holiday Decor Round-Up

Christmas as we know is the most wonderful time of the year! This week in keeping with the Season I thought I would share some (OK a lot) images that really resonated with me!

Emily a. Clark

I must start the piece with this image from Emily A. Clark. I shared a link to it in last week’s post - this was the inspiration that led me to the Nutcracker display on my sideboard.

Bev Wilson

What an all out showstopper this amazing garland is! To see more check out Room Sauce!

Gwen Heffner

How brilliant is this dark and dreamy space. Pop over to The Makerista and see her lovely home!

Charlotte Smith

The most wonderful bits of color abound at Charlotte’s house and in her busy life.

Eddie Ross

Keeping with more color - how incredible is this lovely family room in Eddie Ross’s home!

Turner and Moss

Paige Minear

Kimberly Duran

There is so much more to holiday decor than simply a tree or the traditional colors. Here are fun displays by Turner and Moss, Paige Minear and Kimberly Duran.

Hayley

Hayley of Mum Little Loves is a lady who’s design approach I admire so very much. Her blue and white home always leaves me gobsmacked!

Monday Monday Creative

This mantel display is perfection! The simplicity by Monday Monday Creative is stunning!

Nicole

I am a huge fan of Nicole and her Sweet Domicile - her son’s room is so festive. I love carrying the decorations throughout your space and this is exactly what she has done brilliantly!

Jo Galbraith

Jo Galbraith has a delightful home full of comfortable pieces; beautiful colors - soft blues and greens. It oozes charm! This year she went with blue and white for the first time with great success - it marries back to her chinoiserie effortlessly!

Simon & Jen

I will leave you with this stupendous image taken in London by The September Chronicles.

I trust you enjoyed these image of the decor created or found by so many talented friends - maybe you’ve been inspired or maybe you’ve been introduced to someone new! I hope so!

Til next time!

#chaletchristmas2018

Well it’s finally done… It took four days (3 longer than usual) with much huffing and puffing but, the Chalet is finally all turned out for Christmas and I couldn’t be happier. We always decorate Thanksgiving weekend. As I type this I’m listening the Nutcracker my absolute favorite holiday music. I love all Tchaikovsky!

The outside is the boys domain - the trees in the window boxes are a very special touch.

My decor changed a bit this year and this is unusual for me - I am a history, if it ain’t broke don’t change kinda gal… I used the same decorations in the same places year after year. And let me also share I have been front and center for Christmas decorating since childhood; the first time I fully decorated the family tree I was 11. Ok so 1. I have repeated the same stuff for years 2. after restyling a lot of the Livingroom - along with the new couch and coffee table - same old same old was not going to cut it this year. I started looking around on IG and was so Inspired! Inspired to use less to change the placement or maybe not use absolutely everything in my arsenal.

Let me share what I did!

I added simple green ornaments to the bowl I already had out. and viola I love it!

I have four of these felt ice skates, in addition to being on the balcony door the rest are placed around the chalet - repeating a theme really brings it to life!

How delightful is this vintage light up Santa and Sleigh - We found this last year on our trip to the Black Rose Antiques Center.

Here is my custom Merry Christmas Art, I shared with everyone last week. It’s simple and adds a touch of the holiday without an overpowering dose of Red and Green. I love art in the kitchen.

This collection of Nutcrackers on the side board was based on an image belonging to Emily A. Clark. I’ve never placed the collection here nor, have I placed one of my wreaths in this window before but, I was so inspired after seeing Emily’s front hall table. I found additional inspiration from Jesseca Sali, Michael Warm Jr., Ann, Eddie Ross and my friend Nicole…. just to name a few!

My sister and I each have one of these cute trees - our mother bought them in the early 1990’s. For years this one was in our bedroom and twice we’ve used it as our only tree. I love the size and the burlap wrapped base. I love this Nutcracker my son painted for me last year. How sweet is this gingerbread ribbon I bought last year at Michaels!

The decor on the porch console table has been added to and taken away from - but, I think this is how it will stay through the New Year. I am so happy with the placement of the Advent Calendar. My son is able to easily access and everyone can enjoy it.

Having just restyled the top of the television cabinet I added just a few festive touches - a vintage glass bowl filled with vintage ornaments that were my parents and few bits from my childhood - the Santa mug was my parents and very old. There are several bunches of the mixed faux greenery around the chalet.

Even the mantel changed a bit this year. Yes, the train is a staple along with the Railroad lanterns but, it was pared down - less pieces, less greenery and I am so glad I made these changes.

I feel like I need a drum-roll!

Here she is! Completely decked out… we have 3 bins of only ornaments for this little 6ft Decorator tree! In addition I add special Christmas cards, gift tags and paper-chains! In my opinion you can never have too much on a Christmas tree. This year we moved the Chinese table and relocated the tree to this corner. It was a lot of crazy work… I’m sure you saw my trials in my stories … how long it took and the string of bulbs that went out.. and yes, there was some cussing involved - so will she be in this corner next year??? who knows???

I’m so pleased with how the Chalet looks, feels and smells….. you know I am lighting my Thyme Frasier Fir Candle often!

I hope you enjoyed the tour of the Chalet.

Til next time!