As many of our readers know, my mom and I are in the retail business, which makes November and December basically a non-stop blur of business and rushing about (although, I think it feels that way to everyone, doesn’t it?). Needless to say, I had hoped to post this BEFORE the holidays, but it just wasn’t in the cards. So, hopefully you can muster the strength to look at just a few last images of holiday cheer… and then that’s it! We’re done with all things blinking, evergreen, and sparkly for another 11 months! (Or 9, if you’re in retail.)
In early December, our home was included in this year’s 23rd Annual Candlelight House Tour, put on by the Saratoga Preservation Foundation. The tour basically celebrates Saratoga’s beautiful (largely Victorian) architectural heritage, while giving people a chance to see the old houses in our city all gussied up for the holidays. I have always loved this tour, so this was sort of a “bucket list” type of event for our house to be included. However, once again I overestimated the amount of time I had to actually do non- work/ non- toddler related things. Thankfully our good friend, Cindy (master of all things relating to greenery and floral arrangements), came to help out before the big night. Our house tends to be a bit cluttered, but the old girl cleans up real nice, so poor Mom and Cindy ended up doing quite a bit of de-cluttering/general organization before the actual decorating began. Also, Court helped with the exterior lights (sans deer head and skis- I’m taking all the credit for that guy!). It truly was a group effort and I think the results were well worth the time and energy. The house felt like a winter wonderland all month… and now I can’t ready to clean it all out! I think some of the greenery is becoming a bit of a fire hazard at this point.
Our foyer. Cindy did the stairs. The horse painting is on loan from Mom, but I’m not sure she’s getting it back. And the way we framed the Lake George map was inspired by a friend’s just like it.
Foyer mirror.
Foyer window. Cindy also made this cozy little birdy perch with fresh greens.
Dining Room
Dining Room table. Another whimsical Cindy concoction.
Stockings from Silverwood! Of course Josh pulled all this off the mantel immediately afterward because the greens blocked the lower 1/16th of the TV…
The guy at the nursery sawed off too many of the lower branches, so the Radio Flyer helped beef up the little bald base.
One kitchen window- simple, but pretty in the weak, Winter light.
More kitchen windows. You’ll never guess where that pretty faux wreath is from!
Target!
(I wish I could day it was our store!)
The ginormous pinecones came from Lake Tahoe when Josh lived out there. They are about 12- 15″ long!
My mom gave me this baby scale at my baby shower. She has one as well, so it has sort of become a family thing to decorate it for Christmas. (There are lights in mine, she usually does Clementines.)
I love displaying our friend’s and family’s Christmas cards.
The bar… a most important aspect of the Holiday season.
The playroom. All of Bix’s areas feature owls, his favorite.
Our room. Again, Cindy’s arrangements. These are simple, but so sweet.
Master bath.
Guest Room
This painting was my commissioned by my grandfather, Charley, of the home where my mom grew up.
The print on the wall is actually an old German shooting target that I found at my cousin’s antique store. I love how quirky and odd it is.
My work table, which becomes my ultimate wrapping station during the holidays. I love my huge laundry room.
I think this is staying up all winter… it just makes me happy.
– Chelsea