Delightful Decor, Right Next Door

Some of the best Christmas designs are right next door.  Whether planning for a Christmas soiree, preparing for in-bound guests, or just decorating for those who live in the space -- adorning your home for the holidays is a gift in itself.  The best part is that it doesn't haven't to be perfect, permanent or polished.  It can be YOU, in the form of decor.

Raleigh is full of talented and design-savvy women who add such wonderful touches to their home.  Here are a few views of the delightful decor, right next door.

Enjoy.

Home of Mandy Moore
Wonderful use of simple elements to create the refined.  Note the fresh cranberries in the hurricanes.  Elegance is in the details!

Moore's centerpiece continues in the simple approach.  Roses in champagne glasses - I love it!

Nothing says Christmas like Nandina berries.  The scale of this arrangement set in front of the mirror grabs your attention as soon as you set foot in the Moore home.

 

Home of decorator, Kelly Jones.
Simple, tailored mantle.

I love the neutrals, golds and greens. Very elegant. 

Jones' gifts.  Love packages with a theme!

Jones' nativity sits in dining room between pair of white vases. Love the chic sticks!

I love how she displays her token gifts wrapped in clear bags with green satin bow.

Home of Mrs. Bonnie Cerwin
This elegant antique gains holiday flair with the rich garland draped over top.  Note the gilded angel on top.  Superb!

Again, Cerwin adds glory to her antiques with this similarly themed- garland draped over the gilded mirror.

Perhaps my favorite Christmas tree.  Adore the fact that it spans 2 floors and is the focal point of the foyer.  Note also how the colors and antique pieces are showcased in the neutral pallet of Mrs. Cerwin's home.

Great view of Cerwin's mantle.  She says she changes it every year. 

Home of Christina Allen of Fleur Boutique.
Allen presents design perfection in her own living room.  This space is a perfect example of how a setting can be livable, elegant and warm at the same time.  Love the old-fashioned familiarity of the Christmas tree combined with the sophistication of the furniture.  Also, note the different tones of blue used throughout the room.  

Another view of Allen living room, with added plus of precious child.  

Close up of Allen's minimalist nativity scene.  

Close-up of one Magnificent Mantle.  This is definitely one of my favorite mantles of the season.

Wonderful example of Allen's feminine touch.  

As a footnote:  Christina Allen is the daughter of Mrs. Cerwin.  How interesting to see where the sense of design carries over.  What a legacy!  And to see how both homes are graced with such feminine sophistication is really a treat.

All, thanks for sharing your homes with me.  It was a real delight!

Goodwin Home Makes Good for Christmas

What an amazing perk to my job.  That I get to wander around these fabulous homes, of these fabulous women -- it is just a thrill!  The home of Elizabeth Goodwin is not exception.  In fact, it is simply exceptional.  

Elizabeth Goodwin is an accomplished decorator, a much-followed blogger (you must check it out -  Life of Style) and the mother of THREE.  With a personal style that cannot be copied or bought, she is unique and true to her innate sense of aesthetics.  I was, therefore, privileged and delighted to get a peak inside her home and to see it with all the bells and whistles of the season.  And it was a wonderful thing to behold.

Enjoy...

The designer, Elizabeth Goodwin.

Note the slipcovered wing chairs used at the head of the dining room table.  So chic!

The puddle of the drapes is divine.

Close up of elegant nativity scene.

Close up of dining room centerpiece.  Love repeated use of white and green.

Wonderful addition!  How charming to dress the dear in garland.

Simple, understated mantle.

Full view of living room.

Nothing works like fresh flowers on a kitchen island.

A Raleigh Home at Christmas

To be sure, homes are decorated for this wonderful season all over the United States.  Just flip through the pages of any design magazine's holiday issue and you will see room upon room decorated to the hilt. Open your browser and you will find blog upon blog highlighting designs worth perusing.  But above and beyond all that, I am personally most touched by the homes of those right around me.  

I am even more intrigued when I have worked with the designer and homeowner in the planning stages of the home, and then I come in to see the final product. One such house is that of my friend, Cooper.  With the studied and experienced direction of Molly Painter of MWP Interiors, Cooper's home proves to be a delight to behold.  

With a stacked social calendar, Cooper hosted several holiday events in her home leaving every corner touched with treats of the season.  As such, I was thrilled when she allowed me to meander through her charming home to take a few snap shots of her holiday decor.  And what a treat it was! There was so much to see I could not possibly put it all in one blog. So stay tuned ... there will be more to come.

Enjoy!

A perfectly feminine entrance.



 A chest in the foyer houses a glass bowl filled with festive colored balls.

 

Real garlands and a fluffy silk bow makes an elegant stament.



A spectacular formal dining room of silvers, grays and fuchsia.  

Perfectly sophisticated centerpiece for dining room table.  Note the use of cascading ribbons.



Simple Greenery. Simply Stunning!

The Living Room featured the Christmas tree draped in silk pink ribbon.

 




The all white nativity sits on the Greek key sofa table flanked by greenery and a pair of lamps.





Living room, with precious child.




Another view of the tree.



Even the study got some bows!

And let's not forget THE ELF!

Just In Time For Christmas

Santa came a bit early to Eatman's, and this is good news for you.  With his most recent delivery are wonderful throw pillows in delightful hues.  A dreamy crystal lamp also landed safely from his sleigh.  (The white octagonal design pictured looks like it was made for the North Pole!)  Then, there is the deer-legged stool which is a great addition beside a manly chair.  And for anyone looking for an occasional table to punctuate their living room, these silver and gold gems are just the thing.  They don't take up too much room and yet they pack a punch of va-va-voom into your room.  Lastly, the charming fleur mirror is a can't-go-wrong and promises to polish off the scene in any room.  

There is more in the store, so please come visit.

Merry Merry!

Linen pillows can be ordered in any color.

Octagonal Crystal Lamp

Hoofed Side Table

Fleur Mirror

A Gracious Host

This past week, I had the privilege of attending a dinner party hosted by a friend.  It is always a treat to go into her home, but I was especially excited to see it all dolled up for Christmas. It is such a treat (and an inspiration) to see how people decorate for the holidays.

As I looked around this home, I noticed how similar it is to its owner/designer. Much like the owner, her home is beautiful and elegant, inside and out.  It is worthy of a spread in Veranda, and yet it never feels stuffy or over-the-top.

My favorite room is the living room (below), with its crisp white and neutral palette. I love the tall antique mirrors on either side of the window, as well as the combination of French, Italian, and English pieces.

She was generous enough to let me snap some photos on my way out the door, with no warning and no time to tidy up the lingering evidence of a wonderful dinner party -  chairs askew, place mats amiss.  Indeed, she was a gracious host to the very end!  A big thanks to her for allowing me to photograph her home.

Enjoy the photos and be inspired!



I love the way she decorated the chandelier with glass ornaments and strands of beads.

                                         

The red amaryllis is so elegant on the white marble coffee table.

                               
                               

The contemporary painting over fireplace is perfectly unexpected.

                                 

                      

"Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains..."

"See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise.."

                                       

The breakfast nook decorated by an advent calender, original art by her three children, and the chandelier with home made paper garlands reminds me that this house is indeed a home---one filled with love and joy!

                                         

Gloooooooria, in excelsis Deeoo!

                                             

                                

Holiday Interior Inspiration!

A bit of inspiration for your home's interiors this holiday season....

  

Veranda

The perfect mantle (Veranda)

An elegant arrangement (Veranda)

Aunt Dee Dee would approve of this table (Veranda)

If only my house was this clean and calm! (Veranda)

Holiday Doors....Is One Yours? Part I

I don't know about you, but I love to see how other people decorate for Christmas. One of my fondest memories growing up was when we would all pile in the car (my mother, father, sister, and myself) and drive around town looking at all the beautiful homes.  To inspire all of you, as well as myself, I have taken photo's of some lovely estates in the area. Because there are so many, I am spreading them out over several blogs. 

So, without further delay, I present a few of my favorite Holiday Doors....Is one yours??

            This front door wreath has a mixture of green and red ribbon.

                                              

I love the red bows mixed in with the garland above the door.

Simple and Elegant!

This three wreath design is elegant and sophisticated.

Wreath of magnolia leaves with red and green. Reminds me of D.C.

This door with it's beautiful wreath could easily be in Elle Decor!

We loved the back gate decor of this Raleigh Mt. Vernon Home.

Stay tuned for the next set of Holiday Doors...Is one yours? We will also be revealing the interiors of several homes in the area that have caught my eye. 

Until then, Happy Monday!

Betty