The Christmas Haus 2013

 

Fresh Greens in an Enamel Pitcher

Fresh Greens in an Enamel Pitcher

I make a promise to myself every year:  I pick a weekend to do my decorating, inside and out and what doesn’t get done on that weekend, doesn’t get done.  This was the first year I kept that promise and it is largely because I kept things simple: fresh greens tucked here and there, a smattering of twinkly lights, my favorite Trapp Holiday candles and a few groupings of my favorite vintage ornaments.  I found it refreshingly stress free…and that really was the point of the plan.  Now I can coast and focus on baking!

When the weather improves, I’ll share photos of the exterior.  For now, here are some vignettes from inside my home.

I hope your find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

Winter quilts on the linen press are yummy!

Winter quilts on the linen press are yummy!

The Christmas Mantle

The Christmas Mantle

Samantha's toy Lamb Chop

Samantha’s toy Lamb Chop

Quilts with pillow covers from Ikea wrapped like presents with green velvet ribbon.

Quilts with pillow covers from Ikea wrapped like presents with green velvet ribbon.

Plain cedar wreath with candle light.

Plain cedar wreath with candle light.

Lovely Samantha

Lovely Samantha

Guest room washstand ready for guests and ready for Christmas.

Guest room washstand ready for guests and ready for Christmas.

The Christmas Kitchen

The Christmas Kitchen

Christmas Centerpiece

Christmas Centerpiece

Antiques, ironstone, vintage glass and fresh greens

Antiques, ironstone, vintage glass and fresh greens

 

Lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle flicker

Lab beaker with thick glass that diffuses the candle flicker

A well used antique candle snuffer.

A well used antique candle snuffer.

Evergreens in old urns.

Evergreens in old urns.

 

Fireplace Envy

The light palette.

For a girl who has always loved the crackling sound of a real fire place, one could argue I made a bit of an error buying a house with no fireplace.  And if one did argue that, they’d be right.  My only defense is that I fell in love with this little jewel so quickly, I dismissed the issue.  The next best thing, though, is a faux fireplace.

It also seems a little unusual to be talking about fireplaces, faux or otherwise, when the weather is so warm here today.  As you can see in the picture above, the weather was temperate enough to open the windows and doors.  No complaints, we’ll just enjoy the weather while we can.

The one I am featuring in this article is one I build myself using bricks, pavers, wood, molding and wood decorative elements were all off the shelf products from the home store.  The design came from my head and the rest came together as it usually does with me…on an ad hoc basis.  I just always have faith these little projects will pull together in the end.  Turns out I am right about that around 50% of the time:)

The mantle itself is pretty straightforward.  The only suggestion I would offer is to make sure you notch the bottom of each side to fit over the molding at the bottom of the wall so that your mantle sits flush against it.  As with many things…it is the small details that count and that one is an important one in order to create a fireplace that reads as close to the real thing as possible.

The insert is just a series of bricks staggered and angled, secured with generic construction adhesive, with a plywood backing for stability.  A fair warning would be that once this fireplace is assembled in the place where it stands…it is difficult to move because the brick insert is extremely heavy.  If I did another one, I would work a little harder at finding the brick tiles that are about 3/4 of an inch thick…so if you tackle this kind of project, give that option some serious thought.

When creating the insert with bricks (real or tiles) you will have to cut some of the bricks where the edge of the insert meets the mantle.  This is actually very easy.  For a few dollars your can find a chisel and using a rubber mallet, cut the brick pretty quick.

As far as the “fire” goes…you have many options.  For safety, I would suggest a small string of twinkly Christmas lights.  The twinkle mimics the crackling of the fire and is quite cozy.  Or you can get electric inserts that use real logs and a well placed light bulb to mimic the flame.  The home store carries and inexpensive model at a cost of around $45.

I have spent the bulk of this article talking about the fireplace itself, but the styling is really what brings it home and makes it fit in my little cottage.  I have strived for a more edited look and lighter pallete.  If I can accomplish that, then it will fit right in with everything esle.

The pictures that follow show how I built the faux fireplace and the styling of it.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Apron. Fluting. Medallian. Molding.

Nothing fancy. Stock fluted molding and medallian from the homestore.

 

Simple pavers create the hearth of the faux fireplace.

Brick insert built with angled walls.

Brick platform for the candlesticks.

 

The ornate detail of the candle mirrors the detail of the vintage gas fireplace insert.

Tarnish patina only serves to showcase the design of the candle sticks.

 

What you can’t see.

An old gas heater provides the feel; candles provide the dancing light.

Beauty in the details.

Straightforward mantle design sprang from my head.

Simple styling is the order of the day.

Unusually and delightfully warm winter day; open door juxtaposed with the faux fireplace.

A collection of architectural objects.

Elements in found condition, respecting their journey.

A light along Winter’s path…

The Midnight Rider.

With a twinkle in our eye, we set out to make lanterns to light the way to welcome one and all this holiday season.

Using vintage mason jars as a starting point, we created these maintenance free lanterns for Christmas.  Using inexpensive battery operated candles with timers, we fashioned a holder out of polymer clay to keep the candle in place and up right and tossed in mica at the bottom as snow.  These cozy lanterns become a beacon on a cold winter’s night for friends and family.

Lighting the way home.

It’s really very simple.  Here is what you need:

  1. Large, half gallon Mason Jar (best prices are online)
  2. Battery operated candles, with timer from at Lowe’s (click here)
  3. Mica Flakes
  4. Polymer Clay
  5. Hobby Store Glue Dots

Polymer Clay shaped, baked as a holder to stabalize the candle and hold it upright. Then secured with glue dots to the bottom of the mason jar:

Polymer Clay fashioned into a stabalizer/holder for the candle.

Remove the factory holder from the candle (candle is too tall for jar, otherwise):

Factory candle holder easily removes.

Insert the candle into the polymer clay that you just secured to the bottom of the mason jar:

Secure polymer clay to bottom of jar with glue dots.

Add mica flakes as snow:

Add mica flakes for snow.

 

Light a walkway, or as we did…place in multiples on the porch rail.

These projects were made possible with the support of my sponsors.  Please give them a visit.

GOOD LOOK, Inc.

Fallready

 

Black urn and white pumpkin dressed with gauze for an ethereal look.

My last fall post for the year…I’ll be starting on Christmas posts next week.  Can’t wait!  I took down the Halloween decorations on my mantle and simplified with a fall theme to bring me into the Thanksgiving Holidays.

I tend to fill the visual space in a plentiful way; showing restraint is not always easy for me with regard to design.  But I started with more and played and edited the props until I got to the final, simplifed version.  It was kind of liberating to keep it as simple as it ended up.

I also included some other pictures of my outdoor decor, but I am “fallready” and ready to coast for a few weeks and then start Christmas decorating.

I hope you find some inspiration!

xoxo.

Cindy

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