Zig Zag Rug

Canadian House & Home

How happy would you be to walk into this entry? (Me: Very.)
This picture reminded me of how much I love this runner:

I love both the Jadeite and Indigo colorways... but maybe the Indigo a little more.

Interiors of "Tron: Legacy"

So I saw a movie with my family this lovely Christmas weekend... and what do you know, my favorite part was the furniture.

photo

An Eames lounge and ottoman, Arco lamp, and some of my most favorite chairs, Mies van der Rohe's "Barcelona." Note the collection of classic books along the back wall.

photo

Though beautiful, the modern look was kind of expected. But the acrylic versions of 18th Century French designs were so inventive and fit perfectly.

The movie was pretty good, too.

24: Tidings of Great Joy

One of my most favorite Christmas traditions is to watch the other Jimmy Stewart Christmas classic, "Mr. Krueger's Christmas." It has such a sweet message. The movie is less than 30 minutes long, and is available in its entirety on YouTube:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

23: Scenes from My Christmas

The Mr. and I are lucky enough to spend Christmas with my family in Utah this year.

Here are some scenes from my Christmas at home:

Close-ups of the tree.

My Mom uses Pashminas as runners for the large coffee table. 

Clever, huh?

My favorite place to lounge + Our stockings and Mom's nutcracker collection

We usually have a themed Christmas tree for every room in the house, bathrooms included! My mom made the Christmas countdown out of a cookie sheet (all the hanging knick-knacks are magnetic).

We've enjoyed several snow days and can't wait for Christmas to come! 

Tomorrow, I'll share one of my favorite Christmas traditions for the final day of my 24 Days of Christmas.

22: Tiny Christmas Surprise

 

I found this teeny, velvet orange in my sister's room. 

My mom bought it from a street vendor in Paris.

 

I never expected to find a nativity inside. How cute!

21: White House Christmas

Back on my side of the pond...

The Obamas have some pretty jazzy things going on.

HGTV

 State Dining Room 

(my favorite)

Obama Foodorama 

 350-Pound+ Gingerbread Whitehouse, including a wildly over-sized (but adorable) Bo!

 HGTV

 Miniature State Dining Room with dark chocolate furniture. Love this.

Obama Foodorama

They've gone for the obvious pallet in the Red Room.

The White House reportedly has 19 Christmas trees this year, including:

 

Holidash 

The "official" tree in the Blue Room

 Obama Foodorama

 and the Military Appreciation Tree

Wonder what the White House has looked like in Christmases past?

2008

2007

20: Castle Christmas

Ever wonder why we decorate Christmas trees?

Credit for popularizing the tree-trimming tradition is given to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. They hung trees from the castle ceilings (?) or put them upon tables... of course, pretty much everyone puts them on the floor these days. Maybe that's where the tree skirt came from? An evolution from tablecloths?

The current Queen, Elizabeth, used to do a broadcast every Christmas morning to give a Holiday message and talk about the state of the kingdom. But what I'm most interested are the little peeks into the castle's Christmas decor! My favorite of these is from 2001--I love the copper and gold ornaments.

 2001

 2004: Yellow Drawing Room

 2007: 1844 Drawing Room

(what the... flat panel TV?)

 2008

 2009: White Drawing Room

BBC

And how about Queen Victoria's dinner service, all done up for the holidays? Wow. I would not like the job of polishing all that intricate silver!

19: Silhouette Tree

Happy Last Weekend Before Christmas!

I'll be traveling all day... I am so excited to be home to see my family and friends!

 Better Homes & Gardens

Speaking of family... isn't this a beautiful way to personalize a tree? Love it.

18: Just a *Little* Christmas

ohdeeoh

Ah, I love subtlety. 

 The holiday decorations in this home are just beautiful.

17: Non-"Christmas" Christmas Colors

I am really into aqua + anything this year.  I suppose that's fitting, considering Pantone's 2010 Color of the Year was a similar shade of turquoise.

 Martha Stewart

 

Martha Stewart

 Color Me Pretty via decor8

 Kath Kidston via Print & Pattern

 Martha Stewart

16: Lanterns

BHG

I love lanterns. I used these at my garden wedding reception, hung from shepherd hooks. I think a big collection like this would look great in an entryway or on a buffet table for a holiday party. I'll be keeping this thought in the back of my mind for sure-- time to start collecting lanterns!

So cozy.

15: Lights Around the World

I love Christmas lights. I'm a little white twinkly lights girl myself... but these displays are pretty spectacular!

 

Salt Lake LDS Temple

I get to see these lights next week! Yay!

  

 

Washington, DC LDS Temple 

  

Columbia: Paul Arbolea/AFP/Getty Images for Life

 

Penang Kek Lok Si Buddhist Temple (China)

Wouldn't this be incredible in person? The lights stay up for 30 days for Chinese New Year.

Seoul City Hall: Choi Won-Suk/AFP/Getty Images for Life

 

Buckingham Palace: AFP/Getty Images for Life

 

St. Peter's Square & Basilica

14: Wrapping

Happy Monday!

With less than two weeks left to Christmas, it's time to start putting all the goodies under the tree! Sometimes the outside of a gift can be just as exciting as what's inside the box. 

Behold:

 

  

Yuzen Handmade Sheet: Moroccan Blend | Kate's Paperie

Lamali Gold Polka Dot Paper on Natural | Kate's Paperie

 Paper Patisserie Gift Wrapping Kit | Modcloth

Lake Dots Wrapping Paper | Paper Source 

 Bakery Twine| Whisker Graphics

I keep it simple-- I wrap everything in plain craft paper wrapping and metallic ribbons.  I also love the look of plain brown paper tied with red or green bakery twine. 

Sometimes you just can't beat brown paper packages tied up with string!

Will & Kate

The engagement pictures have been released!

I love them. 

And the pictures aren't bad, either ;)

I am so excited for their wedding.