Romantic Homes Christmas

It's out...
Romantic Homes Holiday 2010 issue...

I'm thrilled to be a part of it.
Merci mille fois

to Jacqueline & her Editors
& Photographer Mark Tanner.

My favorite shot~
the big & bold boxwood wreath
I squealed when I opened to this page~

I wanted something unusual for the front door...
and not finding anything suitable
not to mention in budget
I made it myself.

The ribbons done in the style Ruban Croise
Reed & Ribbon to the Anglophiles~

The cart was piled high with vintage toys
I gathered from around the house
including my favorite brunette dollie
given to me by my Grandma....

the presents strewn around
as if Pere Noel has just left....

Jacqueline de Montravel
is the Editor of Romantic Homes;
she is amazing~

the greens around the doors
had the sweet tiny nests
& blown quail eggs;
my family so loved the setting~

on into the living room...
fresh cedar & pine drapes the stairs
as it does each year~

opposite the front door, more cedar,
as there has been every Christmas for decades~

in the center of the room, an enormous basket
filled with fresh flowers from the market
and more fragrant pine from the garden
tied up with a chubby burlap bow~

the highlight of the room is the tree~
the angel topper is wax, from post-war Nuremberg;
this is a special family item;
we gather here around the fire
to celebrate together
& open some presents
all 22 or more of us
in total Christmas madness!

First thing I set out each Christmas
are the three rosaries~
Grandmother, Grandfather,
Great-Grandmother...
so they can be here in spirit with us;

also on the coffee table...
tons of homemade cookies
chocolates & clementines
coffee, tea & hot chocolate services
French cognac
and a gingerbread house~

on to the dining room...
scented candles from the farmers market
wrapped in fresh Eucalpytus leaves & ribbon
made the faces glow~

vintage French, English, German
& Italian postcards
on the table and each place setting
were the subject of much discussion;

the 1920's leaded glass alcove
gets decked out with ferns, citrus,
boxwood & orchids from the patio
and seasonal amaryllis & pink pointsettias~

I made 45 sachets for the table favors...
French lavender & homemade potpourri
with vintage French religious medals attached~

my family LOVED it all

from the oldest to the youngest

there was something for everyone~

loving red for the dining room...
red tapers in Mom's silver sticks;
lovely red tulips;
Red shades, just like Bergdorf's
are carefully stored each year;
the silver kugels rotate around the house for holiday~

this was also the cover image~

YEAH!!
Enough said.

the silver leaf mirror
that Mom & I bought together long ago
is dressed in juniper, rosemary
& other garden greens
& reflects the room

and my treasured Barbizon painting~

in the kitchen, arriving guests
can have something cool....
champagne or a raspberry-infused cosmo;

or hot spiced wine (vin chaud)
and we can pretend we are in Val d'Isere~

gleaming silver & copper & crystal
is out for service~

the sweet little French biscuit putti
hang from the chandelier~

Santa's gloves and glasses were also there,

for the little kids

in from Minnesota;
Grampy convinced them Santa had just left.

Hope you enjoyed our little Christmas home;

this year we will do it all over again
but slightly different...

What fun! I can't wait!

~Andrea

This issue is on some newstands now, as well as in the hands of subscribers and Romantic Homes Stores & Dealers.