A Morrocan Inspired Red Living Room Vision Board, for Jennifer

Hello,

I have been itching to do something creative today but I am tired and although I have a million projects in various non-finished states, I decided to do something easy.

My sister Jennifer is inheriting some lovely brick red furniture (a sofa and loveseat) when she eventually moves down South this spring, and she and Joel are going to be house-hunting.  It had me thinking about Jennifer's style.

Now, while Jennifer is a traditionalist, the thing I love about her is that she is VERY far from boring.  She's not a neutral girl, if you know what I mean.  While she would not take as many design risks as I might, and in general, she is attracted to traditional or transitional furniture with a modern spin, she isn't afraid of color.

Jennifer also has a thing for Moroccan inspired prints just like I do (hello, quatrefoil for everyone.  Quatrefoil kicks chevrons behind any day of the week.)  And she also has a thing for Pier 1, so at first I browsed Pier 1 for some throw pillow inspiration.   And this is what I came up with for an inspiration room.

I used some items she already owns (some red, gold and brown mercury glass style tall candleholders, those Marrakech brown metal lanterns in small and large from Partylite, and the type of couch she will be inheriting, a Capiz shell wall clock.)  And then I inserted my own spin.   Those chocolate colored poufs seemed perfect for the children to lounge on, and I hope she would agree, that while this is sophisticated, it could also be family friendly.  That coffee table is from La Z boy, and the top lifts up and toward you to become a tv tray.   Busier patterns and darker colored couches are ideal for a little Micah Kevin and his tendency to spill.  I know, because I live with him.  I thought that rug (also entitled Marrakech) from Target was perfect to hide dog hair and stains while still remaining fun and colorful but mature.   This is definitely an adult space with room for the kids and the pets to snuggle in.

I hope you all enjoy, and Jennifer I hope you like it. 

Source List:  Media Console, Endtables and Coffee Table:  La Z Boy
Poufs, Slipper Chairs, Quatrefoil Mirror Set, Turquoise Throw Blanket, Storage Shelf with Baskets, Rug and Lamps all from Target.
Throw Pillows, Gold Quatrefoil Hurricanes, Capiz Shell Clock, Birches Painting, Tree with Bird Quad Painting, Capiz shell Vase, and Mosaic Red Tall Long Artwork, and Antique Red Bookcase all from Pier 1
Chocolate Brown Trellis Curtains: Christmas Tree Shops
Mosaic Hurricane and Marrakech Brown Lanterns: Partylite

Traditional Trees in my Family's Home

For today's post, I wanted to show you all the trees that were put up in my family home this year.  A big portion of my immediate family lives in my hometown, in a beautiful Craftsman/Victorian hybrid five bedroom home built in I believe 1904.  It happens to be the parsonage for the family church and we are caretakers as you might say, for the property.  Because of it's size, and because there are essentially two branches of one family living in it, my sister Jen and my mother had separate trees.  Jen's family tree is in the dining room, and is very traditional which I love.  A live tree decorated in a variety of ornaments (some sentimental, some new) with multi-colored lights, hearkens back to my childhood.  Also, when I started my new chapter four years ago, I gave Jennifer some of my favorite pieces: that star on the tree was mine in a previous life, as well as the stained glass ornament depicted below.  To me, the giving and re-purposing of those pieces was representative of what this holiday is about.  Pass along the things you love to someone else you love.  That is how an ornament develops a story, becomes a piece of history.   My nephew (who is just over two) was integral to the decorating process of both trees this year!  (Wink, wink.)  Honestly, what's Christmas without the kids?  We do skip the tinsel.  Some traditions from childhood just had to go: but I do "miss" finding tinsel in corners and under couches eight months after the holiday has finished. ;)

Jennifer obtained this glass "gift" in a secret santa at her old job

our cutie getting ready to wish his Dad a happy birthday last night, in front of his family's tree

My mother waited for all of us to grow up before she was finally able to do her blue, white and silver theme tree.  You know how it is!  Growing up we had the very traditional tree, that came complete with every little craft ornament we had ever made her.  I think I was about 24 or 25 before she started gathering the decorations she has now and I'm so glad she did.  Every year, the result is beautiful.  This year and this past year, the tree was placed in our sunroom just off the living room, which of course allows full view of that beautiful blue glow from the street through all those windows.  And the final touch this year?  She had never found a tree skirt that she had loved.  But this year I convinced her to buy the absolute perfect find at none other than...Walmart for $19.99.   It is royal blue velvet with a silver snowflake pattern trim. 

His outfit here is hysterical: I wonder if he picked it out himself!

this is a new ornament I found this year at a NH craft fair

I made this one for her by swirling acrylic paint inside a glass bulb

My mom and I both love teapots (and tea of course)

"put a bird on it"  ;)

another one from me in 2011: I give her at least one new ornament every year

Shannon's Holiday Duplex

Today I wanted to share a little tour of my youngest sister's Christmas living room.  She and her fiance have just moved into a new small space, and as you know, I love sharing the apartment love.  A rental can still be a beautiful home when you work with your space instead of against it.  And, in a time when most people are experimenting with new color schemes and non-traditional holiday decor, I kind of adore the fact that she stuck to the red, gold and green theme, albeit with a very contemporary twist.  Enjoy!  (Oh, and with the black and red decor, I think you can see that she and I are clearly kindred spirits, not just sisters.)

O Christmas Tree

It's December 2nd people.  And I, Marisa, am a Christmas junkie.  I admit it.  I love it.  I can't help it.

Here is a sneak peak of my holiday decorating.  My tree is only tree number one.  Mom's tree isn't done yet.

I threw in some other nephew cute shots.  He just figured out how to pull himself up into the rocking chair and watch TV.  It's wicked cute.  He was very into my Christmas tree.  Although this is his 2nd Christmas, obviously last year he just laid there unaware.