If you have had a chance to see our home dressed up for Christmas you will see over and over that I love vintage.
I love beautiful things that tell a story.
No matter where we travel I am always drawn to the art and the history of the culture.
If I have the choice to buy something new or go searching for something that may be a bit tarnished…I usually choose the tarnished.
Even when decorating I search for ways to incorporate my love of vintage, art, textures and layers.
I think that sometimes the holidays can feel overwhelming if you think your home, your tree or your gifts need to look like others.
We all have a style and have beautiful things that we surround ourselves with.
You don’t need to look far to find the inspiration you need for your whole home this holiday.
This year when I was offered the opportunity to try a Balsam Hill tree I jumped at the chance.
I decided to put the tree in my art studio and to make the theme of the tree the vintage items that I have around my studio.
My son and I were dumping out vintage hardware, crystals and vintage treasures from my trips in Europe, Mexico and even local flea markets.
Before long I had vintage French pocket watches, French laundry labels, French convent chore name sticks and vintage buttons ready to decorate the tree.
I found some of my favorite ornaments, some red ticking ribbon, star garland and starting playing with the tree.
It seemed perfect to make the final touch to the tree some pine cones I had collected in our neighborhood, simple cream candles, “chalkboard” ornaments created from Pickmonkey and of course the star made of twigs.
Under the tree was my beautiful vintage grain sack tree skirt and packages wrapped with our hand stamped wrapping paper.
I want to fill our home with beautiful items that we can use.
Look around your home.
What are you drawn to and what do you collect?
Have you ever thought to decorate with your vintage china, your grandma’s lace or your favorite art supplies?
Did you notice that I snuck three vintage paintbrushes in my tree?
It is in my art studio…why not!
Do you crochet or knit? Your tree would look stunning with crocheted garland and ornaments.
Your tree would look amazing with white lights, berries and a pine cone garland.
How about decorating your tree with white lights and black and white photos of your family tree?
Your decor should reflect you, your passions and your family.
**********
When I was asked to go to the main page of Balsam Hill and pick out a tree I felt completely spoiled.
I sat with my children looking at all of the trees and to be honest…it was hard to choose.
We finally decided on the Nantucket Blue Spruce Christmas Tree because of the color, how real the branches looked and it was a smaller tree.
We chose the 6 1/2 foot and prelit with white lights.
I thought it looked beautiful in the photo without one ornament.
I am a live tree girl so I didn’t know what to expect.
When the box arrived I asked Kelly to open the box and help me put it together because…
1) I don’t like to read directions
2) I don’t like to read directions
Kelly called me to the garage 5 minutes later.
He started to laugh and told me to look at the tree.
I was worried.
Then I saw what he was talking about.
It was perfectly put together in minutes.
I think it took him longer to open the box than put the tree together.
He told me I could have done it without reading directions:-)
The tree was gorgeous. Serious! So pretty and came in three sections that snap into each other and it is all prelit.
When we put it into my studio to decorate it my son touched it and still asked if it was real.
I think THAT is impressive.
I think we should also go back to the fact that you won’t have to read any instructions:-)
Thank you Balsam Hill for the beautiful tree!
Here is a sneak peek at the gorgeous (and I mean gorgeous) tree of Courtney of French Country Cottage.
I am honored to be sharing my Vintage Christmas Tree as part of
Balsam Hill’s 12 Bloggers of Christmas Series!
Here are the links to all of the Christmas tree posts.
Monday December 2nd:
Tuesday December 3rd:
Candace (Vintage News Junkie)
Wednesday December 4th:
Kristin (My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia)
Thursday December 5th:
Friday December 6th:
Courtney (French Country Cottage)
Saturday December 7th:
You will love all of the inspiration!
my christmas tree has a crush on your christmas tree
and for the record i’m SO in love with your woodland cutiepie ornament!
WOW that looks like a LIVE tree! I am all about live trees myself and I am amazed that the look of this. And I have to say that I am so in love with your vintage ornaments as well. Such a pretty tree to look at and find things on. 🙂 Thanks for sharing today, have a blessed day.
1) I don’t like to read directions 2) I don’t like to read directions. Hahaha 🙂 Your home is always beautiful, and even more so at Christmas!
Stunning! Your design with all the vintage elements is sure to help Balsam Hill sell LOTS of trees! Werent they smart to choose you. You put such special touches on everything you do. Love it!!!
Your tree is beautiful! Those candles are just adorable… I’ve never seen those in stores. You really have captured the vintage look!
Beautiful and such sweet touches. I love the chalkboard ornaments.
Can you share how you made them?
Hahaha!! I didn’t read the instructions either! 😉 Jeanne this looks absolutely amazing! It’s like we are getting a glimpse at your heart and your passions just by looking at it and it’s all lovely. The chalkboard ornaments are my absolute favorite and I LOVE the candles. Truly beautiful!
Oh my goodness – it is absolutely beautiful!! I adore vintage too~ so this is perfect in my mind!! Love your tree and love partying with you today!! Sharing!!
It’s so perfectly, wonderfully YOU Jeanne! It’s so beautiful and the sentiment behind how you decorated is the best part of all! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous tree and your lovely heart with us!
Your tree is perfection! Love the idea of using unique objects you already have and love! stumbled on your blog from french country cottage- what a delight!
I love the tree! I love the vintage and handmade unexpected things. When they are your things it makes the tree so personal.
Merry Christmas!
Your tree (and home) is beautiful and is a complete reflection of your style. I love that you put the names of Christ on your tree…I have too and continue to add more Christ centered embellishments every year which is a reflection of the heart of our home. The tree is a lot more glitzy than the rest of my decor, but I love that because I think it makes it special. :0).
Your tree is absolutly stunning! Love all the details!
XO
Kristin
This is an absolutely gorgeous tree! The tree itself as well as how you have decorated.
If I had not already entered the contest this is the tree I would have chosen! (I did pick a similar one)
I remember many decades ago an older relative decorated her tree in old jewelry. That was the first time I knew we could decorate with anything we chose. Whatever pleased us.
I absolutely adore your tree! I love vintage items too, and there’s nothing so wonderful than items that you love, collected over time, that show a history. Yours is the only tree in this series that looks like a “real” family tree – ornaments that are treasures collected over time. Beautifully done!
looking for vintage style Christmas tree for next Christmas and I know this could be harder than expected. Need your help before I buy Vintage lights and ornaments
I’ve had the same tree for a few years now and LOVE it! Bringing it out of storage for “Christmas in July” soon 😉
CUTE! I love this.
What a beautiful tree. love the way you decorated it!