Thursday, December 9, 2010

Christmas Around the House

Hi Bloggerettes!  Welcome to my home....Sissie's Shabby Cottage. Today is open house day, so come on in and wonder around.  Just don't look too close because I didn't dust all that well.  I usually just walk by something that looks a little dusty and give it a quick wipe with my pajamas or tshirt or whatever I happen to be wearing at the moment.  Works for me!! 

Keep in mind that my home is a never ending project and there is still much work to be done.  You bloggers keep me on my toes by inspiring me to keep looking for my decorating mojo. 

This year I put up the Christmas tree in the family room and kept the livingroom simple.  A small white feather tree, a decorated mantel and bottle brush trees and ornaments in bowls.
As you can see the livingroom is wide open to the rest of the house.
This poses some very difficult furniture placement problems.  In fact when the house was finished I felt like beating my head against the walls, but there weren't any!!! 

Please excuse kitty toys and kitty cardboard house.

Another problem is the built-ins.  They are very hard to decorate. I cannot get the right balance at all.  I have redone them so many times that I cannot count.  Any ideas out there from all of you talented decorators????

A corner where my kitties love to sit....

The tree is very traditional with greens, whites and reds.
There are many Christopher Radko ornaments on it that have been collected over the years.
I put it up in the family room this year so we could enjoy it more.

The dining room table is where you will find my pinks.
My collection of vintage ornaments mixed in with some new.
A tall glass vase full of vintage ornamanets in pink of course.
You didn't think I could decorate for the holidays without some "Sissie Pink!"
Gabby is anxiously waiting for Santa to arrive.
She says she's been a good girl.  um?

Be sure and stop by there and look at all the pretty Christmas decor.

~~hugs~~


71 comments:

The Vintage Farmhouse said...

Looks amazing! I wish I had built ins in my living room!!!! Have you thought about painting or wallpapering the backs of them? I think it would make all of your pretties "pop" just nicely!

One Cheap B*tch said...

Wow! It's like an Xmas wonderland! I wish my house looked this good - well it could but then I'd have to invest in some velvet ropes! =)

Jeanine

Denise said...

Gorgeous! I like the little lady sitting on the sea shells.I also like the idea from vintage farm house for putting a wall paper or paint on the back of the built-ins, Pink.You are truely blessed.what a wonderful home,enjoy.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sissie everything looks so pretty! My house is truly a wreck this year. Too much 'stuff' here and there and while I'm working on some organization, it's coming along slowly. I have to finish my big tree because I want to put out all my fun ornaments from over the years. Love you big tree and your pink ornaments...beautiful!!

Claudia said...

Your home looks beautiful, Sissie. A winter wonderland come to life!

xo
Claudia

shabbyfufu said...

Beaoooootiful Sissie. Wishing you and yours the warmest of holiday blessings! xo, Janet

Deb said...

I think I would want to be wearing my best while touring your beautiful home. Maybe with my favorite glass of wine in hand. I could spend most of the day just looking at all your beautiful Christmas decor and lovin' up those gorgeous kitties. Your home should be on a Christmas house tour for your area. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Good morning Sissie,
Your home is lovely and decked out perfectly for the Holidays. I love all the white in the room and the fairy lights on your tree. I'm not allowed to use those on mine; I have to use coloured lights! But I think that's how I get away with using all the girly colours on my tree, so I indulge my men by using coloured lights. Thank you for the tour and have a delightful day.

Christmas blessings,
Sandi

the old white house said...

Good Morning Sissie! Your home looks so beautiful! Everything, including your built ins looks perfect! I want to personally say thank you for sharing your dusting technique... that is how I usually do it too, and I am so glad you came out and said it! Thank you for the inspiration, I will be dragging the Christmas boxes up this weekend and hope mine comes out 1/2 as pretty as yours!Theresa xoxo

Amy Chalmers said...

Well I don't know which room I like best,Sissie! I love them all. I have the bookcase scenario too! I think the best way to do is to step back and see that both sides are balanced as far as size and amount of objects. I plan to put beadboard wallpaper in mine and paint it a seashell pink. I can't wait to do it, but think it will be after the holidays at this point. I love the dining room with the platter of ornaments, so chic with the champagne bucket. Love the white feather tree too of course, and your big tree is just perfect!

Jane said...

Hi Sissie,
Your house looks gorgeous! I knew I would see some of your trademark Sissie's Shabby Cottage pink....the ornaments in the bowl are beautiful.
I think you've achieved a wonderful balance in your built-ins. Everything is lovely.
Jane

trash talk said...

I always thought your built-ins looked fantastic. Your home is just as beautiful as you...with or without Christmas lighting!
Debbie

Unknown said...

Stunning, Sissie! It may be difficult behind the scenes, but you make everything look so well put together and always lovely.

Cheers!
Tina

Low Tide High Style said...

Sissie, your living room is gorgeous!! And the tree in your family room is beautiful too. I also love all of your pink and vintage ornaments. Everything looks so festive and wonderful!

Kat :)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I love your house, and I love the open floorplan. Your white living room is just stunning and your tradition tree is fabulous. Always such a pleasure to visit. Everything looks fabulous. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

GORGEOUS..and i mean GORGEOUS post! J'adore to ALL but especially love your dreamy, creamy whites....sigh. would soooo love to come and sit for a spell.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Sissie, Everything is just gorgeous!! The little white tree is adorable and I love your mantel and the family room tree. Beautiful!
Happy Holidays,
Sherry

Alaina said...

Oh Sissie it is all just beautiful. My favorite is the livingroom and after seeing your cute little white tree I know I am going to be adding #12 to next year's trees. You do such a wonderful job decorating your home and I just love how you clean, you are my kind of woman. As for the bookcases try to remember to either work in twos or in odd #'s 3's 5's and so on. You don't have to have each shelf match each other you just want balance and the two separate shelf units do not have to match either just balance. Use what you love and it will look just as beautiful as the rest of your house, and I don't think your shelves look bad as they are. Have a wonderful week.

The Feathered Nest said...

Hi sweet Sissie!!!! Your home is absolutely magical to me!!!! I love the open format though ~ you've decorated it perfectly girl ~ you are incredibly talented dear friend....I hope you are doing wonderfully, hugs and love, Dawn

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Sissie....What can I say? Everything looks so pretty it is actually breathtaking! You have a lovely room...so spacious and just enough decorating to make it just sparkle! Your traditional tree is equally gorgeous! You are so inspiring...thanks for the tour of the holidays at your home!~Hugs, Patti

Anonymous said...

Oh, Sissieness! I'm giggling at your comment about using your sleeve or whatever you're wearing is you see dust. I do too!!
Now your home is gorgeously dressed for Christmas. Your living room is so dreaming. I think you've done a wonderful job on decorating your builtins.
Christmas is just a sparklin' at your beautiful home.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

stefanie said...

oh, its all so gorgeous...I love your built ins!!!!! you are inspiring me!!!!
ok, Gabby looks a little guilty in that picture..hahaha

Polly said...

GORGEOUS!!!

The Tablescaper said...

So beautiful and so inspiring! Love the gathering on the dining room table. Your tree in the family room is so warm and inviting while your living room looks like the epitomy of a peaceful retreat. Just beautiful.

- The Tablescaper

Deserae said...

Your home is stunning....love,love,love your white living room with little tree! It really does look like a winter wonderland :o) Beautiful.......
~Des

Ann said...

Your house looks so lovely and holiday ready...

You did such a good job decorating:)

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Sissie, I just love all the whites in your Living room, it's just beautiful, and so is everything else, love both trees, and the vintage ornaments with those beautiful pink flowers are just stunning!!!
hugs~~ Daphne

Curtains In My Tree said...

I say also your house is beautiful, love all the white and your book cases would be so much fun to move things in and out of. Just put stuff on them that your love and it will be wonderful.

Love your kitty cat I have a pug named Sissy



Janice

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

It looks like a winter wonderland! So beautiful! Love the bottle brush wreaths and mercury glass candle holders. I think your built-ins are decorated well! Ours are loaded with books because I ran out of ideas. Thought it looked too busy. Yours are perfect!

Happy Holidays!
Michelle

Gail said...

Your home is Beautiful! You decorate it with an eye for beauty and perfection. No need to change anything about the way you design. Have a wonderful holiday.

Blondie's Journal said...

Everything looks beautiful, Sissie! I love your open floor plan and the built in's and of course, your white color palette. I could easily move right in!

I love your little feather tree and the big tree in the family room is gorgeous! Love Christopher Radko, too. SO nicely done!

XO,
Jane

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Everything looks so gorgeous!! I love your mantel so much I think I may propose marriage to it! ;)

LemonyRenee' said...

You must have much better-civilized relatives than I do, Sis . . . I would surely have some crusty old uncle come and sit right down on a wing chair and crush that beautiful wreath as he asked for a beer! LOL

Very beautiful, as always.

LuLu Kellogg said...

Sissie, your house need to be in Southern Living Magazine....it's GORGEOUS!

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

Wolfe's den said...

Your home looks beautiful!! Love your christmas decorating and I especially love the pink ornaments!!!!
Jenn~

Sonya Badgley said...

Hi Sissie,
You have done a fantastic job! It is really beautiful. I agree with Denise. Wallpaper in the back of the shelves would make everything pop. Beautiful built-ins. I love all you decorations and placement of your furniture. Your vignette on you dining room table is gorgeous. I just love pink. I don't have the right kind of house for it. But I ALWAYS admirable it.
Merry Christmas,
Sonya

Lynn said...

Everything is so pretty Sissie! Love your tree, and the diningroom table is beautiful! As for the "kids" it is always hard to get them to pick up their toys:@)

Anonymous said...

Hi Sissie!

Your home is just lovely....all those bright, fresh and beautiful whites!
Your candid honesty about dusting with your clothes, made me laugh I've done that too before but I would never, ever ever admit that! ooops..I guess I just kinda' sorta' just did! heheeee...

I would stick with bigger pieces for your built ins....leave all of the smaller stuff for a glass enclosed cupboard ..all those pretty collections are nasty to keep clean..and they 'keep' better behind glass...

but your shelves are wide..so put big items in there....sculpture...paper covered books, big bowls...and remember, less is more! there is no need to feel that you have to 'fill' it to the brim!

hope that helps!
ciao bella
Creative Carmelina

Unknown said...

It's all magical, sissie...just beautiful
xojana

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Your tree is gorgeous, Sissie! I love the silver and mercury glass candlesticks on your living room mantel, too!

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hi Sissie, Your house looks so pretty and your tree is just perfect. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Hugz,
Kim

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Sissie,

your home looks so lovely. The little bathing beauty perched on the bowl is a sweet touch. Your pink ornaments in the dining room is so pretty. I think you did a fantastic job with the furniture arrangement.
Enjoy!
Mimi

Lululiz said...

Whatever time of the year, your home is always so beautiful! Your tree is just gorgeous.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Hi Sissie...thanks for the tour...you have done a magical job!

Dorthe said...

Sissie, a wonderfull, and beautifull home--your tree is gorgeus, and the little white one so cute.
Ofcourse I also love the pink bobbles, they looks fantastic on your table, with the pink flowers.
Happy evening, and week-end sweetie.
Hugs,Dorthe

Victoria said...

Everything is absolutely gorgeous, I love the lady you have sitting on the bowl...such a unique piece! Your tree is beautiful:)

Shellbelle said...

Oh Sissie, everything looks so lovely. When I saw your living room one of my favorite Christmas tunes came to mind, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" and in this case, I'm talking decor, NOT snow!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Gorgeous!!!I am hoping I see it in a magazine very soon:)
~Debra XXX
capers of the vintage vixens

GwendolynKay said...

Sissie,
You know I love everything you do! While I was looking at Country Living decor , I kept thinking of your's and how it is always so beautiful!
Blessings~
Gwenny

Passionate for White said...

Oh so very pretty - I can only imagine how beautiful it is in person! sigh....

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

Hi Sissie, Your living room is striking.... I remember the very first time you had it up on your header with a tree in it... I couldn't get here fast enough to check you out. I'm so glad to have met you through blogging.... you are the most up beat women there is.

Hugs*

Unknown said...

Hi Sissie!
Your decorations are so sweet! Love it all; you are very talented with decorating. And your built-ins look just fine!

Hugs,
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Sissie your home is just beautiful! You have done a fantastic job decking it all out for the holidays!! I also think the built in looks great. You could add just a sprig or two of greenery to make them pop for the season-

bee blessed
mary

Leo said...

My living room is open to the rest of the house too. I love that...and your built in's are fantastic. I would love to have those built ins. I have an extensive collection of Radko ornaments...and they are all in a big box in my garage. I forgot about them till I read your post.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

So beautiful and cheery at your place! Thanks for taking time for me! Hugs, Jacqueline

CHERI said...

I think your home is what Heaven is going to look like...such beautiful whiteness! Surely one speck of dust wouldn't dare float into your lovely shabby cottage!!! (I dust the same way:) Your built-ins look great to me. I always hear designers say not to overdo them and give the eye places to rest (guess that means no clutter). Keep the gorgeous pics coming.

Miss Gracie's House said...

THANKS Sissie!!! I am so excited!

Your christmas decorations are beautiful...I am like you...going to just add in some decorations to existing vignettes...I feel your pain on the built-ins...they are definitely harder than they look...yours look great to me:)
have a wonderful season of celebration!
Rene

Allison said...

Perfection, Sissie! Your white living room is heavenly. Your pinks and red and greens are gorgeous. It is all so beautifully done. Gabby has the best seat in the house sitting on your buffet there. She is a doll!

The French Bear said...

Sissie, your home is gorgeous!!!! Wow, can I come and live there?!!!! I love it!!!!! I will just hide in a corner, ha ha....with the cardboard mouse......
Really, everything is just stunning, very beautiful!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Rust: Vintage Inspired Design said...

Stunning Sissie...thanks so much for the wonderful tour!
Happy day!
xojanis

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Sissie, everything look so pretty in white and pink. I love the display of pink ornaments on your dining table.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Wow, nothing shabby about your chic house! The only thing that does not match is the cat!!! I have no idea what you could do with the shelve, I think they look great!

Carol

Mari said...

HELLO SWEETIE,

YOUR HOME LOOKS OUT OF THIS WORLD BEAUTIFUL :)
LOVE YOUR PINK ORNIES IN YOUR DINNING ROOM :)

XO~MARI

Lisa said...

Oh Sissie,
It is absolutly perfect. Just as I knew it would be. So classy & put together, just like YOU! Love your pinks, love the wreath on the chair. I think the built in's are just right & you have them fluffed to perfection. You rock! Lisa

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Sissie,
Everything looks absolutely stunning!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Charlene said...

I LOVE the bathing beauty perched on the crystal bowl. And your tree is stunning! The pinks 2die4. Beautiful tour. Thank you.
Charlene

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Oh em gee, Sissie! You know it's gorgeous! Your
Christmas tree too. Wow!

I'm no decorator, but you could cover some books with white fabric or paper and use them on your bookcases. Or, you could simply turn books with their spines to the wall so that the pages (white) are what you see. I've seen this done in some very chic places.

How do you keep your cat from playing with your lovely ornaments or jumping up and knocking something breakable over??

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Just beautiful Sissie, I've missed your last two posts and I don't know how:)
I love the pink ornaments on your diningroom table...so pretty!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Stunning, Sissie! I adore all your Christmas decor! Keeping it simple and white is sooo sophisticated in your living room!! Gabby is adorable, too!

Happy Holidays!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Aubrey said...

Absolutely stunning, I adore the bottle brush trees and wreaths along with all of the shades of white. Every piece is perfectly placed. This is gorgeous Sissy.
Cheers,
Aubrey

My favorite stuff

  • Donuts
  • Iced Vanilla Coffee
  • Finding Junk and making it beautiful
  • Spending Time with my Sister
  • Holidays with my family
  • Poirot movies
  • reading murder mysteries
  • searching shabby chic stuff on ebay
  • writing stories and blogging
  • snuggling with my husband and my kitty kats
  • comfortable pajamas
  • slot machines
  • yard sales
  • hunting through estate sales and thrift shops
  • going to antique shops
  • eating out with my sister
  • having lunch with my husband
  • having lunch with my son
  • vanilla wafer cookies
  • pedicures and pink toenail polish
  • Lavender scented soaps and body wash
  • Good makeup