Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Our Living Room Christmas Tree

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I couldn't figure out why I wasn't as excited to decorate for Christmas as I've been in past years. I didn't know if it was the depressing news on the economy, the rumors of layoffs at my company, or something else. It finally hit me...I just got my apartment in a state of summery bliss and the thought of adding red to it was disturbing me! Yes that was it!!! So this year, there is NO RED in my Christmas decorating and it still looks very festive! It's not that I don't like red, two of my favorite blogs have lots of red in their homes and I love their decorating. I just don't like red in my home! It clashes with my blues, whites, and yellows!

So last weekend I went through my numerous boxes of ornaments and picked out all the ornaments that didn't have red in them. I was left with about 1/4 of my collection which worked out perfectly because for some reason once we cut down our tree on Saturday it was A LOT shorter than I expected it to be. Note to self...don't stand down-hill from the tree you are about to cut down...it will appear larger than it actually is!

Thank you so much for ALL those wonderful comments about my dining room tree. I think I'm going to be brave and put those photos on Rate my Space today...and hope that the mean people that like to leave rude comments over there don't find me!
Update: I put my dining room tree on Rate my Space (click here).

70 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your trees look lovely. As always, I love your style.

Don't worry about the rude comments. They hit everyone. Even videos of adorable cats on You Tube.

Have a great day!

Valerie

Anonymous said...

Your trees are stunning. Good for you for recognizing what was bothering you. I think your trees are amazing. The dining room tree theme was a stroke of genius. You should be one of those people who decorate and set up photo shoots for magazine covers!!!
-sheri

Glenda said...

The tree looks beautiful. Funny how things change with were you stand.

The haters are just jealous that they can't be creative.

Ciao

Lady of the Mote said...

I know exactly what you mean,I want no red either!
I did let some pinks in,
but wanted to stick with whites,blues,yellows,
I LOVE your trees great job

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy...

I agree with you about the red. You don't have to have red for Christmas. The past few years I decorated in pinks, blues, whites and creams and it was like a winter wonderland. This is the first year I have used red in a long time. Your place looks stunning....the red would definitely take away from the magic that it is. Don't worry about the rude comments....they are just people who are jealous of your talent!!

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Risa said...

Super cute as always! So chic :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy,

I came over via Gollum's! Your tree is stunning! I love it! I will have to go check you out on RMS!

Donna Marie

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy,

I came over via Gollum's! Your tree is stunning! I love it! I will have to go check you out on RMS!

Donna Marie

Judy Beeksma said...

Just love how you have decorated your entire place...Just stunning!!!

debi said...

Cindy,
Both of your trees are absolutely stunning! I love the dishes on your dining room tree...so creative!!!
Have a beautiful week,
Debi

Anonymous said...

Looks great Cindy. My poor tree is bare. I'm going to decorate tonight!

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

It is BEAUTIFUL!!
I will go over to Rate My Space and give your lovely dining room a *5* too.
:)
~Becca~

Ginger said...

Ahh your tree looks so pretty decorated with the blues. Nice shaped tree too.
I just went over to RMS and signed up and left a comment. I didn't see a place to leave a rating though, does the comment count?
Ginger

Cathrine Aksnes said...

oh my good!!! wonderfult.... <3

Unknown said...

Iour space on Rate My Space and had to come check out your blog! What a lovely space! Thanks for sharing. Stop by The Chair sometime and say hi!

Ginger said...

Hi Cindy:
It's me again...I went back to RMS and finally figured it out, if I highlight the stars I can click on on. Sorry...takes me awhile. lol.
You sure are getting a lot of hits on it, and all of them are kind comments.
Ginger

Tara said...

But the blue and white tree is ---so you! Can't see red here at all! Perfect as is!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

This is just gorgeous. You do such a wonderful job with your home. Your DR tree is the cutest thing I've ever seen. Love, love it. Marty

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Yeah, who says we have to have Red in our Christmas decor???? Not me. I like burgundy, but now Christmas red myself.

Your trees, both of them, look fantastic!!

Blessings,

Sher

Anonymous said...

Your trees are just so beautiful!!
I just figured out why I dislike red so much myself ~ My mother accidentally instilled a "Santa Phobia" in me by hiring a Santa when I was about 3 or 4 yrs. old. She had invited some neighbors, and when he began asking me questions I hid under the table and can remember everyone laughing ~ talk about traumatic!

Karin

Millie said...

That living room tree is stunning! It's the colors I would expect that you do. I love it! Can't wait to see it on Rate My Space. I wish I could do to my house what you do to yours. Fantastic!

Mary said...

Oh Cindy, I LOVE trees that are not traditional Christmas colors. Yours looks fabulous!!!
xoxo,
Mary

Four Paws and Co said...

This is beautiful, Cindy!!! 5 STARS!!! If the height bothers you, the tree can be elevated by putting it on top of boxes or a table.

Andrea Eames said...

I am de-lurking to say this looks gorgeous! Such lovely colours. I love your dining room tree as well, it's such a brilliant idea and you pull it off so well.

Don't worry about negative commenters - as others have said, they are usually jealous or have some problem in their own life which means they have to bring others down to feel better. Whatever - they're not worth your time. :)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE BOTH YOUR TREES.I HAVE TO TELL YOU.I'M AFRAID I'M GOING TO HURT SOME FEELINGS,BUT.....IN ONE DAY BOTH THE QUEENS OF BLOGLAND CAME TO SEE ME.YOU AND NIKKI CRUMPET,BLAH,BLAH,BLAH.I WAS SO ELATED.THANK YOU.DEAR CINDY.....ANN

Joanne Kennedy said...

You don't have to have to have for your place to say Christmas. You just proved that. I love blue, white and silver for Christmas.

Do you use a sheet for the tree skirt? Or is that fabric? I like how it is all fluffy.

Hugs,
Joanne

Stacey said...

Go with what you love - that's what matters. :)

FrenchGardenHouse said...

It all looks so sweet. Don't worry about mean people. They are just mean. Your tree looks beautiful, and everything you do makes your home a sweet haven.
xo Lidy

Jojo said...

Your tree is beautiful! Guess you are having a blue Christmas - Elvis would be proud of you! I love having trees that are nontraditional colors and some years it's fun just to pick a new color scheme and change everything out. I still say your tree with the plates on it is wonderful.

Gone said...

I love BOTH of your trees! They are absolutely gorgeous!

I, too, have no more RED in my Christmas decorating. However, that started 2 years ago!!! Go figure.

~Blessings,
Jan

Anonymous said...

Wanted to comment earlier on how beautiful your children are but I've been ill. Your children ARE beautiful!!! your trees are, too.
Ivy

A Southern Rose said...

Cindy,
Your living room tree is beautiful too. I love the soft colors. I really love your tree in the dining room. I'm going over to check it out on RMS.
Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Anonymous said...

Your tree looks beautiful, Cindy! I love the blues & silvers but they don't work in my home so it's red & gold for my decorating!
~ Lynda

Angela said...

I don't have any red in my tree either! I spent all day yesterday (it takes all day when you have a 18 month old) putting up my tree and decorating. When I was sick of it all, I got online and checked your blog. I was so inspired when I saw your china plate tree. I LOVE IT! What a fab idea. I like your real tree also, it matches you apartment wonderfully!

Terri Steffes said...

Love this tree and going to check out your dining room tree on rate your space!

Alice said...

I love your trees, for the living room tree if you're not happy with the height, I usually buy a more inexpensive tree and put it on a large plastic bin and cover the whole thing with fabric not a skirt because it would be too small. Adding another 2 feet of height make the trees look majestic, I'm actually out of floor space so I put my 5 footer on my side table and drape fabric and make it look really luxurious. I did red and gold and beige for many years but last year for the first time I did silver, gray and light blue, my home has a beach cottage style. All your rooms are gorgeous I love your style its like mine but since I'm in Florida I have added beachy to it. Merry Christmas

Karen Deborah said...

Lovely just lovely! Come see what I did you will get a laugh out of it!
Judging the size of trees outside can be very difficult I think one year we cut one that must have been about 20 feet tall. Once the tree farm men got it onto my car and it hung off the back another 6 feet, and we got it home we had to cut more off and it still went to the ceiling. Did I mention we had a vaulted ceiling? Yep that was one enormous tree.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Your tree is incredible. I love the blue.. Sometimes we just have to do what's right for us instead of the norm.. Good for you..
hugs ~lynne~

Anonymous said...

Cindy, I do belive not matter what color you put on your tree - it would beautiful! You're too good!!
lol
Be a sweetie and thanks for visiting me,
Shelia ;)

Neabear said...

I loved how your trees turned out. So pretty. I am amazed that people can be so rude which is sad. I agree with some of the others, that those people are not worth our time. I am so glad that in the Land of Blog we are all nice to each other and encouraging too.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I almost stopped blogging recently due to mean comments. Sheesh.

Although red is my favorite color and I decorate in deep jewel tones, I love your look.

My daughter is posting pictures of her decorations on her blog (she used to be an interior designer before four kids in five years!).

She uses similar colors as you do. She switched to these colors years ago after realizing how much the colors on an inherited quilt made her happy.

Gumbo Lily said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous! Your style is very festive and wintry.

Jody

Anonymous said...

Both of your trees are beautiful. The dining room one is so unique. I'm with you. For years I decorated with red for Christmas but when we moved here 19 years ago red just didn't seem to go with anything in our house so that was the last of the red. I don't miss it at all.
Hugs,
Charlotte

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Your tree is beautiful, and photographs so pretty. I have taken many pictures of mine to show on my blog, and most are to dark or blurred - doing something wrong. Don't worry about the negative comments.

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Beautfiul tree & lovely size, just perfect for a little magic in that corner of your lovely home!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Anonymous said...

im not surprised by how beautiful and romantic your tree is. i love it!!!

where did you find that adorable little cupcake ornament thats on it?

Jadehollow said...

Beautiful! Gave me new ideas for mine!
Have a Wonderful day.
You've been tagged .. visit my page for rules.
~Debbie

Susan said...

Beautiful- I also loved the spot lite on rate my space! You have such elegant taste!

LillyB said...

Cindy your tree is Beautiful!!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

I like RED and so does Rudolph.

Bo said...

Let me jump on the band wagon with all of the other commenters who LOVE your beautiful home...You have such a signature style...I absolutely adore your dining room tree...I've gone over to RMS several times to click on it & will go again, because it should be on the front page...I'm a nut for dishes...but I can't figure out how you got the plates to stay on the tree...just propped in maybe? Great decorating! ;-) Bo

Decor To Adore said...

The tree is just gorgeous. I hope to get a few decorations up today.

Monica said...

This is GORGEOUS, too! I have much red in my home, love it especially at Christmas- but in my previous home it clashed with my colour palette and couldn't buy even red flowers!! So sad...
Maybe it's why I use so much red in my home, now :):).
I'm going to share my tree and decorations soon!

Best wishes,

Monica.

Unknown said...

Hi Cindy! I went back and looked at last years Christmas pics and I have to say either way is beautiful. I love the blue and white theme though. My family room is blue and white so I'm right there with you about not wanting to add red. It looks lovely.

~Liz~

Steph said...

Your trees are gorgeous! They are so not the colors in my home, but i love them none the less!

sandra/tx said...

I love all the blue and white Christmas decor this year, Cindy. Gorgeous!

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Such a pretty tree! Love it :)

Anonymous said...

hi- someone always has to be a critic.. seemed like most of the comments were positive.

I like both trees- wish I could do the china decorations -but with all tile floors, two cats & a two year old grandson it would be risky.

A Southern Sanctuary said...

You have such a knack for decorating! No wonder they put your home in a magazine! I absolutely love that dining room tree. We went on a tour of homes in our area last year and we saw a tree decorated all in a coffee theme because the peoples last names were coffee. They had coffee cups, saucers, coffee cans, even an old percolator on their tree, small pkgs. of coffee, etc. I loved it! There was also a George Bush tree at one house. The people were friends of the Presidents and they had private pics of themselves with the Bush's and even their invitation to his inauguration on their tree! It was special!

I love your blog and all the pics of your home. Its always a delight to come here and get so much inspiration.

I've started a new blog myself. come take a look if you'd like.

Lela Faye
http://southernsanctuary.blogspot.com

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Hi Cindy,
Everything looks so beautiful!! I LOL when I read your "note to self"that was so funny! All of your ornaments are so pretty, I especially like the x-mas tree ornament with the little roses.
Hugs & Merry Christmas~Kelly

Lady Katherine said...

j Your tree is just lovely as your home!

Lady Katherine said...

How did I miss your dish tree, its wonderful!

KarenB said...

Cindy, I had the same dilemma in my last house. Red just looked awful in my blue and yellow rooms. So, I used different blues, even aqua, gold, green and silver and it was gorgeous. Yours is too!

Anonymous said...

Now that's a tree to dish about.

Jack Frost

Anonymous said...

I know exactly what you mean with NO RED. I'm going through the same thing. Problem is I have hordes & hordes of Xmas Red's & Greens and I'm not sure what to do with them. It was fun when the kids were young but now that they are 20, 18, 16, my taste has changed. I'm a pink girl now. It's hard to find pink in my neck of the woods, so very little ornaments up this year. We also live in a small space. We went from 3,000 sq. feet to 1,000... but I love it.
Your blog is beautiful and your decorations are lovely to look at.
Great job as always.
Claudie from Canada

Suzann said...

Stunning!

Caroline said...

Hi Cindy, what did you use for the skirt?? The tree looks great by the way. I would like to keep my traditional red for downstairs in the recroom next year and add more white, pink and silver to my upstairs. Gotta start working on a new collection!

Shabbee Chick said...

I love red, but there is zero red in my house too! You are not the only one! I always think someday I'm going to go all red cherries and black and white tile, but we all know that I'm too Shabbee for that! :)

P.S. Rude comments=unhappy people. Ignore it. :)

Elizabeth said...

Wow - I LOVE it! You did a great job...and no red!!

Blessings,
Elizabeth

~Nancy~ said...

So creative, so beautiful and if sad little creatures like bellablue have nothing better to do than post jealous, snippy comments, just remind yourself that YOU live in a lovely romantic home and trolls live under bridges! :)