A Country Christmas


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Tin Lanterns with the twinkly of real candle light.

Tin Lanterns with the twinkle of real candle light.

For the first time in twelve years, I won’t be decorating my little cottage for Christmas.  So I thought I would dream a little bit and bring you Christmas style from others.  These have a strong Scandinavian influence which is no accident…it’s my favorite Christmas style; simple and restrained.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

 

A simple tree in an old galvanized bucket.  My favorite kind of tree stand.

A simple tree in an old galvanized bucket. My favorite kind of tree stand.

The beauty of the red barn with bright white trim just sings Christmas.

The beauty of the red barn with bright white trim just sings Christmas.

White table with a smattering of red for the Holidays.

White table with a smattering of red for the Holidays.

Save for some candles, a plain tree that looks just lovely.

Save for some candles, a plain tree that looks just lovely.

Lovely tree sculptures seem simple and are pretty as well.

Lovely tree sculptures seem simple and are pretty as well.

Classic Swedish grey with high contrast red for a stunning display.

Classic Swedish grey with high contrast red for a stunning display.

A few berries in  a bucket and simple garland swag across the window.

A few berries in a bucket and simple garland swag across the window.

Unfussy, barely there Christmas style looks effortless.

Unfussy, barely there Christmas style looks effortless.

A simple make-do heart wreath from garland.

A simple make-do heart wreath from garland.

Simple. Simple. Simple.

Simple. Simple. Simple.

Traditional candle chandelier.

Traditional candle chandelier.

Country stairs simply adorned that say "Welcome."

Country stairs simply adorned that say “Welcome.”

A Scandinavian Christmas…

Farmhouse Kitchen at Christmas

Farmhouse Kitchen at Christmas

To those that know me, it’s no secret I am in love with Scandinavian style. In this post, I thought I would take you around the world to show you how the Scandinavians do Christmas.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo

A simple tree and a chandelier of sorts.

A  tree and a chandelier of sorts.

Simple red against white barn board.

Simple red against white barn board.

A Wintery view from the Christmas Scandinavian table.

A Wintery view from the Christmas Scandinavian table.

A Touch of Modern for the Scandinavian Home at Christmas.

A Touch of Modern for the Scandinavian Home at Christmas.

Simple Fresh Holiday Greens agains a light pallete.

Fresh Holiday Greens against a light palette.

 

Scandinavian Christmas Market

Scandinavian Christmas Market

Old textiles in the bedroom and cottage white bathroom - Nordic style.

Old textiles in the bedroom and cottage white bathroom – Nordic style.

Christmas Fireplace in Nordic style

Christmas Fireplace in Nordic style

The Christmas Banister

The Christmas Banister

Holiday Welcome Wreath

Holiday Welcome Wreath

Scandinavian tree with traditional red.

Scandinavian tree with traditional red.

The Scandinavian Kitchen at Christmas

The Scandinavian Kitchen at Christmas

A simple statement of the Holiday.

A simple statement of the Holiday.

Scandinavian Christmas Design Ideas with Minimalist and Cozy Style

Scandinavian Christmas Design Ideas with Minimalist and Cozy Style

Traditional barn colors with bright white trim.

Traditional barn colors with bright white trim.

A hearty Christmas welcome.

A hearty Christmas welcome.

 

Just some greens against the white backdrop.

Just some greens against the white backdrop.

Nordic Bliss - a bed cozily tucked under the eaves.

Nordic Bliss – a bed cozily tucked under the eaves.

Nordic Sweater Stockings over the mantel.

Nordic Sweater Stockings over the mantel.

A simple welcome.

A simple welcome.

 

The Stars Come Out at Christmas

 

Distressed red is right at home for the holidays.

Distressed red is right at home for the holidays.

Stars are apparently my shape this year for Christmas.  I found some furring strip stars at a local antique shop for my holiday kitchen. (see post here).  I found some wood stars on my trip to the Round Top Antique show (see post here) that I will use to decorate.  Lastly, I found some wood star shaped trays in graduated sizes that I thought would be great for a Christmas project.

My project for this week is a tiered, star shaped tray.  I imagine using it for every day display of seasonal fruits in my  holiday kitchen or holding sweet treats and cookies for entertaining or perhaps holding silverware and napkin roll ups for a Christmas buffet.  At any rate, a number of  uses for the holiday and incredibly easy to make.  It took less than fifteen minutes to make and that included the time needed for the epoxy to cure.

What you need:

medium and large star shaped trays from Joann.com

red, wood candle stick from Joann.com

five vintage glass knobs (optional)

epoxy

 

From Joanns.com

From Joanns.com

From Joanns.com

From Joanns.com

The assembly is pretty straight forward.  I attached the candlestick to the smaller tray first and once the epoxy set, I attached the other end of the candlestick to the bottom, (or larger) tray and the vintage knobs for legs.  I found that weighting everything down with a brick helps created a strong seal with the adhesive.

 

A vintage glass container helps top of the display with cheery candy canes.

A vintage glass container helps top of the display with cheery candy canes.

Sweets are a natural choice to fill the Christmas Star Tiered tray.

Sweets are a natural choice to fill the Christmas Star Tiered tray.

Although optional, the vintage glass knobs are a great way to finish and refine the project.

Although optional, the vintage glass knobs are a great way to finish and refine the project.

This easy project can be used a number of ways while entertaining for Christmas.

This easy project can be used a number of ways while entertaining for Christmas.

 

 

 

 

Things as they ought to be…

 

A vintage enamel bucket next to my garden hydrangeas in a milk glass vase.  Classic combo.

A vintage enamel bucket next to my garden hydrangeas in a milk glass vase. Classic combo.

 

I try to make life a little easier these days.  Without time enough in the day to do all the things I want to do requires me to prioritize that which is most important.

As such, I try to find furnishings for my home that need not be changed in order for me to like it.  I want things that I love in their “as found” condition.  I’d be a happy girl if I never picked up a block sander and paintbrush again.  I’d rather spend time admiring something’s prettiness than trying to cajole it into something else.

A couple of months ago, I found a rusty, vintage nine piece wrought iron patio set.  My first order of business was to get it powder coated to pretty up the finish.  But then I thought “no”…let’s not worry about perfection.  Let’s just let it be.

A new outdoor rug, some custom cushions, a few market items from Pottery Barn and we are good to go.

So here you have it.  A summer porch with rusty furniture.  And frankly, I couldn’t be happier.

I hope you find some inspiration.

xoxo.

Always,

Cindy

Rusty and the refined.  Linen pillows, custom cushion make these some very comfortable vintage rocking chairs.

Rusty and the refined. Linen pillows, custom cushion make these some very comfortable vintage rocking chairs.

 

Big blue striped pillows, a lantern filled with sand, shells and citronella and an antique pewter mailbox all feel very coastal.

Big blue striped pillows, a lantern filled with sand, shells and citronella and an antique pewter mailbox all feel very coastal.

 

The stripes in the rug play against the flag stripes, the blue in the pillows play against the blue in the flag.

The stripes in the rug play against the flag stripes, the blue in the pillows play against the blue in the flag.

An vintage camp chair covered with a vintage grain sack that can be used for extra seating and folded up when not in use.

An vintage camp chair covered with a vintage grain sack that can be used for extra seating and folded up when not in use.