Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

My Christmas Hutch

Like so many of you, I've decided to take a "less is more" approach to my decorating this holiday.  Rather than nearly every nook and cranny getting filled to the brim with Christmas decorations, I've instead focused on a few areas.  And you know what?  Not only was it alot less work, but I enjoyed the process a whole lot more!!!
So today I'd like to share with you my antique hutch, that is all decked out for Christmas!  Normally my hutch is given a prominent place in our living room, back home in Michigan.  This year, at our "home away from home" here in the Pacific Northwest, it really didn't work in the living room, so it's residing in the kitchen.
Isn't this little German glass glitter birdie darling?  He's perched in a vintage silver creamer (a cheap-o thrift store find!), along with some moss and greenery.  Love that patina!


 Ok, I bet you thought that I painted everything in sight white, right?  Well, not this baby!  I really do love the dark tones of this piece, and since it's been in my family for well over 100 years, I could never bare to paint it!
 My theme here is green and creamy white.  Always a favorite color combo of mine.  The three vintage pottery pieces on the top shelf were given to me by mom my years ago, and are some of my favorite things.
 A cute little house and bottle brush tree tucked beneath a glass cloche. (Sorry about the glare on the glass here, it's hard to avoid!)  Why is it that everything looks better under glass?
 Another cream bottle brush tree, a small shabbyliscious mirror, and a lion bank, which is quite heavy.  It belonged to my dad when he was a young boy and is another treasure of mine.
 A sweet little angel made from batting, and a pretty urn filled with sparkly greens and berries.
 Another antique silver creamer (I think I need to start collecting these!!) filled with a vintage shiny brite ornament, as well as some greenery and creamy berries.
 I painted and glittered this fat birdie, and placed him atop a thrift store glass candleholder, along with some greenery.  I used hot glue to adhere the pieces together, so I can easily take them apart if I want.
  A cast iron mini bird bath, filled with more vintage ornaments and greenery.

 On the very top of the hutch is a pretty candle lantern and some faux greenery.
 One of my all time favorite thrift store finds is this pretty cast iron candleholder (for a mere buck!).
 In the center is a pretty cream tray, a thrifty garage sale find.
 I love the look of the beaded grapes in this vintage ceramic urn.  You can never have too much sparkle and shine at the holidays!
And last of all, a pair of heavy crystal Christmas trees, perched on a pair of vintage books.  You can't tell from the photo, but the trees are of an iridescent glass, and look just magical when they are illuminated by candle light!
Hope you all had a great weekend!  Can't wait to see what you've been up to!!

15 comments:

Leo said...

Your holiday decorations...are beautiful!! But then again - no surprise there!! I am loving setting up my stuff!! :) And I agree with you...I think the wreaths are the best...but I love the clear bulbs for the tree too. And of course, the candles. XO

Myric said...

I cant believe your hutch is over 100 years old!!?? Yeah! I wouldnt paint that either! It looks great as holder of your nice piece of cream colored decors! And i just love that vintage creamer, so darling!

P.s
I did save a lot of sheets and i do a lot of laundry batches as our dryers is small!

Have a fab day!

Xoxo
Myric

Blondie's Journal said...

All of your pieces a re so pretty! And they get a lot more attention when they get to stand alone! Simple is sweet! Lovely job!

XO,
Jane

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

How beautiful, Donna! And to have an old family piece like that is wonderfully special!

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Very nice Donna. You have cute vignettes within a big cute vignette. Love it.

Musings from Kim K. said...

I love how you've combined the whites with the pale greens and dusted everything with fabulous glitter. Beautiful vignettes, Donna. I spent most of my weekend decorating and crafting. I'm so ready to get back into the holiday spirit.

john said...

How nice to have such a fabulous "hutch" and so old !! Everything looks gorgeous and I especially like the candle lantern with the greenery. Have a great week...Gail x

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh it all looks gorgeous, Donna!!! You have been sooo busy!!! WOW!!! It is totally beautiful and has your special decorating touch!!!
XO
Cindy

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

I love your hutch all decorated for Christmas! Beautiful displays!!!

Dee

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi Donna, congrats on the feature at Cindy's whimsical musing I just adore her and her energy do you not agree??

It has been way to long since my last visit to you and I so need to catch up on all your beauty over here....How I wish I lived and created amoung your beautiful Canada. :)

You will have to stop by when you can and say hello and see what I have been building these days :)
xoxo
Merry Christmas.
~Dore
Burlap Luxe

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Simple and beautiful! All of your treasures look perfect together. Glad to see you have some sentimental items mixed in. The hutch is amazing!
Happy WW Donna!
- Susan

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Your family hutch is fabulous. I love how you have decorated. But I have to admit that I'm not surprised at all because you are so creative. I agree, this year I am going to go very simple with my decorations too...if I ever get time to do them! Everything you have shown is charming and shows a wonderful Christmas spirit. It truly is a lovely season.

Debbie said...

Isn't it interesting that a lot of people seem to be going with a little less in the way of decorations this year? And some are using more whites, silvers, and the lighter colors, yet still keeping with the Christmas spirit.
Our house used to look like "Bronners" in Frankenmuth! The past two years I've gotten away from the traditional decor, and gone with less. Maybe because my girls are all grown and live farther away???
Whatever the reason...our holidays are a little more romantic now, and I love it!
Your hutch is wonderful, Donna! You've pulled together just the perfect amount of decorations for a truly beautiful look. Very nice!
Enjoy.
I LOVE my dangles!!!!!! Thank you, again.
xxxooo

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh gosh, everything looks so lovely! A simple touch - like the vintage ornament in the silver creamer - perfection! By the way - your blog header is gorgeous!!!
Hugs,
Cindy

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

what a great family piece! I am sure you are very proud of it. I have really enjoyed using my silver pieces this year for vignettes too.