Holiday Inspiration: My Friend's Country House Decorated for Christmas

December 18, 2011


As promised,
a few glimpses of my friend's
merrily decorated home where we
enjoyed a festive juletide evening.
Check out the authentic vintage baby santa suit...
are you dying?


Blurry, I know!
Wish I could capture the painted finish
 of this primitive cabinet since
the photos don't
do it justice.

Legos!

A peek at the loveliest 14' tree with ginormous ornaments.


These stars were everywhere
and make me seriously woozy--I love 'em!
My friend's better half did the millwork
himself, including this mantel...

(BTW.
9 out of 10 bloggers will
type mantle when they mean mantel.
No, it doesn't drive me MENTAL or even MENTLE.
We aint perfect in the land of blog.)


and the coziest of bars off of the family room.


The vintage Americana throughout
is authentic and gloriously primitive.


Can you see in spite of my sucky photography
how romantic the lighting is?




Ironstone!



The tree!

My sis and me.
(She paired a very Kate Spade-ish retro number with gogo boots,
and I found this Banana Republic sequin shift dress I topped with
a Jarbo ballet wrap.
The name of the game here is: COVER UP THOSE FLABBY ARMS
AT LEAST 'TIL SPRING.)

Clearly, dogs were barkin'.


I swear these antique stockings are the sweetest ever.


Yes, that cabinetry on the left
was designed and built by the homeowners...
I told you they were amazing.
And it did not happen overnight!
Years of saving and planning and sacrificing
and executing and working went into the dream.


Here you can view the scale of the tree
and fireplace with a human in the photo.

Obviously we were in party mode,
not photography-for-the-blog mode,
yet the beauty of the night and our friends'
hospitality was so blogworthy I had to share.

Can you feel the love for Christmas
and friends in this stunning atmosphere?

Peace to you right where you are.

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19 comments

  1. Mary Ann PickettDecember 18, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    What a magnificent tree and you and your sister are lovely. I had some photography trouble last night, too. Frustrating but yours is fine!

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  2. beachcomberDecember 18, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    that is a seriously tall tree! love the masses of fairy lights.
    x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Decor de ProvenceDecember 18, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    Looks like a wonderful Christmas party!!! Don't you just love this time of year?! It reminds me of the importance of families and friends - what would we do without them!
    It's such a beautiful home and you look so gorgeous as well!!

    lol,
    Desiree

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousDecember 18, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    ...and from the moment you board the plane until you leave, I will be with you in spirit. Promise! Sending wonderful love and light your way!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SLRDecember 18, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    very cool! i cannot believe how HUGE that tree is...
    great pic of you and your sis!
    oh and the bar at your friend's house looks like an actual bar...like a public one...LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Acquired ObjectsDecember 18, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Your friends did a wonderful job on their very tall tree. Funny it didn't seem that big until the picture with your sister. You two look wonderful too! Don't you just love a Christmas party?

    ReplyDelete
  7. CindyDecember 18, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Oh lord, all i can think of now is if i would have spelled it mantel or mantle.. except for the part where i'm enchanted by their "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care" sign over the fireplace. I can't believe how big the tree is, and the built in thingy is insane it's so crazy cool.
    It looks like ya'll were having a wonderful time, and i'm still in love with your hands...

    Cindy

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  8. My Beautiful WorldDecember 19, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Another beautiful post my friend so nice to catch up with again, Oh yes feeling the love over here can't wait for christmas. Sending you and your lovely family special wishes for a very Merry Christmas Day and look forward to keeping in touch in 2012.

    Always Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Splendid WillowDecember 19, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    I can!!!

    Your friend should send that Santa outfit ME way when she gets tired of it. So I can hang it by my MANTEL (:! And enjoy it for years to come.

    What a wonderful home! You captured the mood & atmosphere brilliantly!

    You and sis look stunning in black! I went to a party this weekend and wore brown! (What was I thinking...).

    Hugs

    Mon

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  10. Meera @ firstsenseDecember 19, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    The tree is HUGE! The biggest I've seen inside a home, how wonderful!! Your photos totally convey the lovely warm festive mood and as always, you look stunning my friend!

    Have a great trip to NY!! Lots of festive cheer to soak up, yes?

    Meera xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownDecember 19, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    I can not get over the SIZE of that tree! Oh my goodness!! I think my perspective has changed living here in the UK with our tiny houses, I forget just how big some homes in the US really are! You've really captured the magical atmosphere in the home through your pics - also, that pic of you and your sis is fabulous. Gorgeous and sassy - I reckon you'd be giving your son's girlfriends a run for their money! *wolf whistles*

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownDecember 19, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    PS. I'm not a religious person so instead I'm sending lots of positive thoughts for your flight my dear! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. designchicDecember 19, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    What a gorgeous tree and you and your Sister look fabulous!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Oh Michele! You look absolutely stunning. You have a very sweet smile, did I tell you that?

    And that candy stripe red and white baby dress- seriously. So warm, so simple and so so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownDecember 20, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Love that cute wooden sign on the mantle. And I didn't realize how big that tree was until you were standing by it! So lovely!

    OH and I thought youd be interested in my "cashmere-soft" throw giveaway!!!

    http://colorissue.blogspot.com/2011/12/five-days-before-christmas-giveaway.html

    xoxo
    Aarean

    colorissue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Luciane at HomeBunch.comDecember 20, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    Hello sweetie,

    I'll pray for you... for sure!

    Did you get my email? I hope you did... missing all of your posts.... wish i had more time to continue visiting you and other blogs, but as you know, my life is a bit busier now and w/a bit harder w/ a c-section (hate that!).

    Just want to thank you for everything you did for me this year. It's wonderful to know you... I feel blessed.

    Have a very Merry Christmas, my beautiful Michele.

    Love to you,


    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. MarianneDecember 20, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    I cannot get over the size of that tree!!! The sign above the stockings is just darling!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Alison @ The PolohouseDecember 20, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    First off, yes! I will pray for your safe travels!
    This home is amazing! I am atounded by the size if their entertainment piece. It is gorgeous and completely deceiving as t its size. Until I saw your sister next to it, I did not realize it was so large! Amazing!
    So many pretty things to look at and I love it all too.
    Yes! Let's make a promise to get together in the first two months of the coming year. THAT would be great!
    xoxox
    Alison

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousDecember 24, 2011 at 4:11 AM

    Joyeux Noël à toutes et à tous ! Ta maison est splendide et les photos respirent pur bonheur ! Au plaisir !

    ReplyDelete

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