There are so many Christmas decor linky parties going on that I wish I had time to join them all! Today, at least, I'll be joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.
A few days ago, I posted some of my outdoor Christmas decorations that I put together for my front porch; namely some fresh greenery that I made into fancy garlands ( click HERE to view that post). I do have artificial garland that I use inside the house and I had thought of getting more for my outdoor decor, but last year I decided instead that I wanted to use fresh greenery because I thought it really was more "Victorian".
Fortunately for me, I live in Wisconsin and it gets cold here, so the fresh greenery holds up really well. Last year my fresh pine garland didn't start looking brown until almost February. I generally like to use a long needle conifer, like white pine, rather than a short needle, like fir or spruce, because the long needles on the white pine don't seem to "shed" like the short needles.
I knew I'd have some leftover garland after finishing up the front porch, so this is what I did with it.
I made another garland to go over the French doors that open from the parlour to the front hall! I noticed after the picture that it looks slightly lopsided, so I'll have to fix that.
The central part of the garland; like the one on the front porch, I added some Carolina Sapphire Blue, variegated cedar and red huckleberry branches to it and also some faux berries in red and white. Then I added a wired bow in a lovely green paisley pattern.
A few more boughs of white pine and cedar, along with ribbon and red berries, adorn a couple of the large pictures that hang in the parlour.
Martha still looks pretty grim, even decorated for Christmas!
The last of the greenery I put on the entry hall fireplace mantel, with some pine cones. I haven't actually finished decorating this mantel; it's still a work in progress.
Sorry for the blurriness on this picture. I think my camera is starting to get "elderly", even though it's only 5 years old. I've been having difficulties with it lately when I zoom in on things. I literally retook this picture six times and this was the least blurry one. Hmmmmm. Maybe Santa will have to bring me a new camera!
Thanks for stopping by! Later today the big Victorian tree will be going up in the parlour ( I need Erik's help to get that one put up, it's so tall and heavy!)
Oh it is all stunning. Love the garland over the french doors, so pretty. Using some on the pictures is also a great touch. The mantel is stunning. I look forward to seeing more. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteIt's all so beautiful! I would like to use fresh garland but we live in SC and with the warm tempertures it doesn't last long at all. Your Victorian home is looking so festive I can't wait to see the rest!
Blessings,
Kim
Ah, Katie - I think I've told you before that I wish I could be you...even for just a day. The house and all the greenery is just STUNNING - and I think Martha rather likes the green - I think I detect a faint hint of a smile. Have a wonderful weekend...Tanya
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, I love decking the halls with evergreen. Eye candy!
ReplyDeletemachelle
Everything is beautiful! And I love your music! Just love classical, very relaxing.
ReplyDeleteYou have really decked the halls!
Pattie
Dearest Katie,
ReplyDeleteThose garlands are beautiful; don't worry too much about a little bit lopsided...
Have a great weekend!
Mariette's Back to Basics
It's all very pretty. Except for Martha. Maybe she needs a Santa hat photoshopped on her. I bet it smells wonderful in the house.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie, Love your greens!! I have a simple strand of cedar for the front door, now I am going to have to find some better bits to dress it up! ... here in the evergreen state, you only see cedar... Great post!!
ReplyDeleteBella