Christmas is coming

 Aside from tree ornaments, there are very few things we pulled out of storage to create a warm, seasonal home.  Instead we opted to use everyday and season-less items with just a hint of Christmas ambiance in a relatively traditional color palette.

Organic Christmas 2014-Circa Dee

Our decor this year is very organic with the exception of the vintage chippy mirror and salvaged pillars.  The blooming paperwhites whimsically frame a live succulent wreath.  Why go for evergreens when you can have succulents?  You must ask yourself.

live succulent wreath

Preserved boxwood topiaries add a bit of formality as they anchor the ends of the mantel plus they will last for  years.

Christmas mantelscape with cotton & candles

I continue to obsess over cotton stems.  I simply laid them on their side to create a nice, full garland across the mantel.

cotton garland

Fresh holly from the yard nestles amongst the cotton.

cotton & holly Christmas garland

Firewood is accompanied by a nearly blooming Christmas cactus.

Christmas firewood

The firewood tea light candle holder adds just a bit of warmth to the holiday display.

firewood log candle holder

How are you decorating your mantel this holiday season?

Natural Christmas 2014-Circa Dee

Many of these items and similar ones are available at The West End Garage.

Bonus:  they can easily transition into the new year with the omission of the holly and ornaments!

holiday door decor

We’ve been decking the halls for weeks already yet somehow we’ve barely scratched the surface at our own home.  That is about to change though.  Over the weekend we rolled out the welcome mat and pulled the vintage sled out of storage.

holiday door decor - vintage sled, mistletoe wreath, lantern, retro chair

There is a simple formula for holiday door decor that I like to follow every December: vintage sled (always), seasonal wreath and fresh greenery.

holiday door decor - vintage green sled, mistletoe wreath, mixed greens tree

We’re going bold this season with blue, yellow and layers of green.  Sort of nautical, sort of traditional.  I painted the sled in boxwood milk paint this time around and framed it with a joint ruler star and holly.  The felt mistletoe wreath, from Uncommon Goods, fits right in as it is traditional yet unexpected.

felt mistletoe wreath, brass anchor door knocker

The folks at Uncommon Goods contacted me last month to check out their Christmas gifts.  I love the texture of the mistletoe wreath and the adorable white berries.  I’ve been a fan of Uncommon Goods since I learned about the company a few years ago.  They provide a platform for uncommon artists and designers to sell their handmade wares while also highlighting their work spaces and studios so you can see where the products you’re about to purchase are made.

felt mistletoe wreath

Uncommon Goods is a B Corporation which means they use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.  Ryan and I have consciously sourced inventory for our shop from other B Corporations since earning the B seal means the company meets a rigorous standard on a range of issues, including wage levels, environmental impact, and giving back to the local community.  We can certainly get behind that especially in the season of giving.

Later this week, I’ll share details about that little statement tree by the door.  You’ll never believe how easy it is to make!

mixed greens Christmas tree

autumn transitions

Being that we’ve reached mid-November, Christmas decorating is at full blast in the retail sector and even in some homes.  Remember when Thanksgiving was strictly a fall decor holiday?  Now it seems like it can go either way – burnt orange and crunchy leaves on the last Thursday in November OR a red and green feast.  Me personally, I am ready for Christmas decor and have been decking our retail halls.  The selling season is really short after all.  However, I don’t switch our own home decor until after Thanksgiving.  The best of both worlds!

Here are two fresh and fantastic wreath ideas that lend themselves to either holiday.  Better yet, they can don your door for both – more bang for your buck!

Southern magnolia wreaths are pretty much season-less.  Their rich green leaves dry out and get better looking with age.

Southern magnolia wreaths

The green leaves contrast against the coppery underside in such a beautiful way.

coppery magnolia leaves

The silver dollar eucalyptus wreath is an oldie but goodie in terms of style.  This silvery-blue-green wreath can take you from Thanksgiving all the way through the winter months.  It can easily be dressed up with burlap or velvet ribbon.

silver dollar eucalyptus wreath

What holiday spirit are you in?