Sunday, December 21, 2014

How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- Far Above Rubies

How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

I was so excited when Pamela asked me to be part of the Christmas edition of this series because I love Christmas and Christmas decorating. 

Vintage Christmas Ornament- Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

Since I was a child I have looked forward each year to the Christmas season with such anticipation, and I think that is what drives my style. My style -- is pure vintage Americana with little sprinkles of European thrown in here and there. I'm very passionate about supporting American made products -- old and new -- and prefer an old rusty original to a cheap foreign-made copy. 

Vintage starts in our home with a 1958 Currier and Ives calendar, which rings in the month of December. When I realized old calendars would still work for the appropriate year, I started collecting them to use. 2014 is a match for 1958, so when I found this pristine complete calendar, I couldn't resist. 

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

After I graduated from college and moved away, I had a pretty neutral decorating palate and that carried over into my Christmas decor. I used clear lights, white poinsettias and lots of greenery. But, it never felt like Christmas to me, so I couldn't wait to get home where familiar childhood colors, smells and festivity awaited. In the late 1990s, when I started using more color, I toyed with the idea of colored lights, but I didn't like the mini lights at the time. I then found mini lights with colored covers that looked like the old C7s, but were a little smaller and didn't burn so hot. I was so noncommittal, though, I also put clear lights on the tree so if  I didn't like it I could only use clear. I loved them, though, and have used colored lights on the main tree ever since -- even the past couple years when I accented with pink. 

This year, I brought back my Turkish rugs and knew I would bring back the red for Christmas to go with them. I also wanted to bring back tartan into my decor and that jump started the design. 

I prefer to use vintage American-made or post-war Japanese-made along with collected European items in my Christmas home. My love of vintage is really focused around the 1950s and the romantic dream I have in my head about what America must have been like after World War II. I love listening to my parents tell me about their childhood Christmases and I enjoy incorporating their memories into our home. 

Vintage Americana Christmas- Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

The yule log my dad made for my mother takes center stage on the dining table surrounded by nandina berries, juniper and pine cones.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

Several years ago, my husband and children made snowflakes from white paper and those have become really special to me. They hang above the buffet and on the tree. 

Christmas Dining Room- Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

I made my own "Putz" version of the house my dad grew up in here on the property, complete with lights for night time. That house has influenced my style and love of vintage more than anything. 

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

I bring out vintage Currier and Ives dinnerware for the entire winter because it is a favorite of mine. These platters hang on a door from the old house.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

My 8-year-old son and I dug up the Balsam tree on the property after hiking through the snow and failing to find a Hemlock tree.  I like a quirky tree with personality. 

I bought new color LED "C-7" lights this year, and as much as I love the low-energy consumption aspect, they just don't have the "glow" the old ones had. 

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

I have used crocheted and paper snowflakes, vintage Shiny Brites, and glass ornaments I bought in Germany. 

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

We don't have a lot of space for a tree, so this one is snuggled in a galvanized wash tub between my great grandmother's chaise and an antique chair from a relative.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

Along with vintage, I love to use natural elements from the property. Fresh cypress, juniper, balsam and boxwood, mingle with nandina berries.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

I was surprised on my birthday this year with this antique Harden mission-style settle that had belonged to my great grandfather. It was given away out of the old house, and gifted back to me from a sweet neighbor. It is just perfect here in the music room/entry draped with my grandmother's leopard coat:-)

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

The antique Chinese ancestors and the 1886 Smith American organ were passed down by a relative. What is better than a Christmas carol played on a pump organ? 

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

My mother brought the candelabra back from Lebanon on a trip at Christmas time in 1974.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

I love having a tree in this spot, and this hemlock is another one my 8 year old helped me dig up. It is decorated with snowflakes I cut from sheet music, popcorn, cinnamon ornaments the children made, vintage Shiny Brite ornaments and Russian Santa wood ornaments I bought in Germany. 

Vintage Americana Christmas Tree- Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

The kitchen is truly the gathering place for us and it is very festive in reds, greens and blues this year.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

My grandmother's apron hangs by the sink alongside a French tea towel from a blogger in France, and a feedsack towel. The blue color on the walls is a color from the old house here.

Christmas Kitchen- Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

My most cherished Christmas decoration is definitely the vintage Commodore candy cane and Holt Howard "spaghetti" angel candle holders that belonged to my grandmother. They always sat on her dining room window sill, and I remember standing there at the cold, snowy window admiring them.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

This year I tried my hand at making gingerbread, and luckily for me, my niece, a very talented cake decorator, was here at Thanksgiving to decorate it for me. 

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

We also decorated some cookies with the children.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

My mother recently gave me my grandmother's little Santa salt and pepper shakers.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

The sleigh, missing its reindeer, is from my childhood and is grouped with a plastic Santa belonging to my grandmother, bottle brush trees and a blue Mason jar filled with Shiny Brites and "snow." This little vignette really symbolizes vintage American Christmas for me.

Vintage Christmas Decorations- Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

No Christmas would be complete without the amazing fruitcakes my mother makes. If you don't like fruitcake, it's only because you haven't had hers. They truly are amazing and a serious tradition in our home. 

 Fruit Cake-Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

I am all about the quirky tree, and here, a hemlock branch sitting in a vintage vinegar bottle is trimmed with Shiny Brites.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

Another of my grandmother's Christmas aprons hangs on the old screen door.

Vintage Screen Door Pantry Door- Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

I found this little deer in the smokehouse on the property here and fell in love. I assumed it was used at my grandfather's store for some kind of display, but found out after posting the photos that my mom actually made it in Bible School about 60 years ago! I accessorized it with another vintage Santa, a wooden ornament and vintage Prince Albert cans. Granddaddy's basket holds Balsam cuttings and pine cones.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

The vintage Americana theme continues throughout the house and into the master bedroom.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

The mantel, attached to an old door, is dressed with juniper, nandina berries and pine cones and accessorized with my grandmother's vintage Shiny Brite nativity and aqua mirror, as well as an antique Kerosene heater, yule log my grandfather made and my great grandmother's chair.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours


 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

The antique iron bed I restored is dressed in chenille, tartan and ticking for winter.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

My dad's vintage Ansco camera is ready for Christmas morning.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

Vintage Christmas cards, some from my childhood, hang in vintage metal frames a neighbor gave me.

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

Outside I try to reflect my love of vintage and my love for the beautiful mountains here in North Carolina. My grandmother always tied red ribbons on bunches of Balsam and white pine, so I do the same and use them in various spots. 

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

Faux wreathes are a great base for fresh greens, and when the season is over, I will just pull out the dead stems and pack the wreathes away. 

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

 Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

Christmas Porch- Far Above Rubies-How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours

After all that, I have to say I'm probably not the person to offer tips for a stress-free holiday season! Seriously, though, planning is the key. I plan all year long and think about what might work and what direction I want to go. I get inspired by different things I find throughout the year then put them all together in my head. I try to get everything done, or mostly done the weekend after Thanksgiving so we can all relax and enjoy a festive holiday home throughout the season. Our home is definitely a refuge from all the hustle and bustle, and we enjoy spending family time watching old Christmas DVDs or playing music. 

I have to offer a huge thanks to Pamela for letting me share my vintage American Christmas with you all! 
My best wishes for a beautiful and blessed Christmas season.

Anita

How I Found My Style Sundays- Christmas Edition- From My Front Porch To Yours
Anita your home is truly magical! I could stop by and visit for hours. I did not even think about old calendars lining p with today. I LOVE the idea of using them. Everything is is just amazingly beautiful! Thank you so very much for taking the time out of this busy time of year to stop by and share your Christmas style with us. Merry Christmas my friend!

13 comments:

  1. So pretty. Incorporating family items gives all of your treasures and home a rich provenance. Sheila@mykrntuckyliving.

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  2. Anita's home is so beautiful all the time, but seeing it dressed up for Christmas it just looks so homey and welcoming. I love all the trees found on her property and dug up, even the little branch in the kitchen. I love that everything has a history in Anita's house. I think it is wonderful to still have that in this day and age when new seems to be taking over.

    Merry Christmas to you both! : )

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  3. Oh Pamela great choice. Anita's home is gorgeous. Love all her sweet decor and her Christmas touches. Very comfy, cozy and welcoming for the holidays.
    Kris

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  4. Pamela, thank you SO much for letting me share!!

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  5. I just love how Anita has used so many items that once belonged to family members. Even though she decorates with so many vintage items, it is all so light-hearted, fun, and oh, so interesting!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely home ... I truly enjoyed seeing it all and I love how Anita keeps her Grandmother alive using her vintage decorations and keeping her traditions ... very beautiful !!!

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  7. Anita's home is just so beautifully decorated for Christmas....I am always in awe of her beautiful creations and talent!...a great Christmas home feature Pamela!!!

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  8. Since I grew up in the 50's this is all so wonderful to see. I wish we had more of our family treasures. I love your home and I adore you trees. I wish you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

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  9. What a beautiful, beautiful home! So warm and welcoming and filled with so many wonderful vintage treasures. Thanks for sharing Anita's home with us Pamela. I must go pay her a visit!
    Blessings to you and Merry Christmas!
    Patti

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  10. Anita's Christmas decorations are enchanting!

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  11. Anita, you have a very warm and lovely style. How did you hang the silver tray over your stove? I love this idea and have an old and heavy tray to use. I suppose I could gorilla glue eyelet hangers on the back, but wonder if you have a more temporary solution? Thanks! C Kelly

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  12. Hello Anita, sorry if this is a duplicate but do not see that my comment posted, so a redux is in order! Your style is lovely and warm and I love the silver tray hanging above your stove-what a wonderful idea! Do you have a temporary method of hanging the tray? I could apply eyelet hangers with gorilla glue, but that is permanent. any clever ideas?

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  13. So original and nostalgic!! I love it!

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