To have and to hold

Holiday festivities call for beautiful displays...

From one of my Etsy favorites: Janet Hill Studio!

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I found a couple of beauties to show off those cookies and cupcakes, and petit fours!
Patisserie stand from here!


Or sandwiches and gerkhins and olives...


Or a tray for your drinks....



And how about this sleek wine rack?


And there is always space for something like this...for cheese, ham, or pies!


I like a plate display...


And I fell in love with these little numbers!


You might need something to keep your vision clear...


Or you can put a lid on it!!!



Party time - enjoy it!
XX
Victoria

Last four images also from here.

What puts me in a festive mood

Browsing through the second issue of Rue put me in a festive mood! There were so many pretty rooms, from cool chic to cozy comfort, that I had a hard time coming up with clear favorites. There are so many ways to make a home holiday ready.
Here some of my memorable candidates:




Not all rooms are decorated for the holidays and yet they are festive...






Holiday time is all about comfort, relaxing and the joys of giving from the heart!

xx
Victoria



All images via RUE!

Refresher course

I love to change things around a bit. Of course after 10 years of living in our house I feel I have tried almost any possible configuration, but somehow I squeeze in small changes. This time in our family room. The space is not large, a bit of an awkward shape. I have a desk there from where all my work is done and we have a library and our TV too. And a comfortable sofa with a leftover chair from our living room.

Before.

There has never been a great space for a coffee table, since my family is a utterly comfortable one and needs legs up while watching...a red ottoman belongs to that big red chair. What to do?
For a while I had a hand -me - down from a friend, but it is heavy and I am not in love with it... On the other hand I have a collection of smallish tables all over the place, rather homeless.
So I pushed and shuffled pieces around and came up with a solution. The table potpourri!


And since then all seem to be happy, having snack tables at the ready, easy to move out of the way when in need for floor space and cute enough to make a lovely display! The small white tray table is from CB2.


Looking at it from all angles I think I like it... for a while.




The heavy side table found a home under the window, now that the dinosaur of a wall air conditioner is finally removed.
A lamp, moved from the living room, casts a lovely light at night.



I found extra space to have my magazines sorted, without having them clutter the floor....


I sorted out the books...




And btw. this map of the United States has helped my middle schoolers greatly to improve their geography knowledge. No need to always run to the computer, we have little competitions right there!!! We've had it here for three years now. A world map hangs in our dining room...


Feels good now!

Do you move things around? It always satisfies my urge for a fresh look and I realize I can do this without spending extra bucks!!!
Because I will need them for Santa!!!

Happy weekend!
XX
Victoria


Pictures all by V.Zlotkowski

Mantel decorations for the holidays

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Traditionally the mantel is a wonderful place to decorate for the holidays. I found a couple of lovely examples.
All the trimmings of the well loved combinations of green and reds, natural and glamorous.





I love the restraint of green and white...


Or modern and elegant.



But not everyone has a mantel to begin with. That is not a problem and I think instead of a mantel you can use a shelf, picture frame, side board or window ledge to find space to bring some holiday glamour into your room.



If there is simply no space you think you could use, frame the doorway....

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Use your imagination. Small frames, books, sheet music, toys, bears and dolls, candles, lanterns: All this can be used to decorate for the holidays. Let your inner child be your guide....Enjoy it!
And since the holidays are not just for the Christmas set, I'll show you a few wonderful Hannukah decorations:
It does not have yo be green, use white twigs, blue mercury glass, elements of nature, shells, leaves and candles. A menorah can be the centerpiece on a mantel as well.


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And do not forget: It is the spirit of the heart, the sense of wonder and the grateful attitude which makes these days significant!
Happy Holidays to you all!

xx
Victoria



Images from here and here.

Chain link carpet

Finally I scored high and found not only an incredibly affordable, but also stylish carpet solution for my living room.
Looking through eBay I discovered a new PB navy wool chain carpet. For- get this - $299!
It ended my search and all I needed was to order it and put it in place...after convincing my better half that NOW was the perfect time to buy a carpet!!! As you can see, he was ready too.


I love the graphic element it brings to the room, counterbalances all the red from the leather sofa and chairs.
It is super soft and warm.
Please click on images to enlarge.




We were expecting delivery not before Dec 1, but got it a day before Thanksgiving...and I am so happy with it!
It adds so much to the room and right before the holidays it is an early gift!

To see my post at House & Living about it go here.

xx
Victoria