Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas in Amarillo

Blogger friend, Julia, is hosting a holiday open house at Hooked on Houses. Longtime internet/decorating friend, Rhoda, is also hosting a holiday open house at her blog, Southern Hospitality. Thrifty Decor Chick is also hosting a party. Feel free to join in with your favorite holiday decorating!

Welcome to my Amarillo house. Enjoy some hot chocolate chip cookies, and be sure and take advantage of the coffee bar.

The colors in my Amarillo house were predominantly red, gold, mossy green and a little blue. That color scheme made decorating for Christmas easy and fun.

I've mentioned before that the house had a fairly small footprint, so we had a skinny tree. I always placed most focus on the tree, and if I had time and energy to decorate beyond that, I would.



The next focus would be on the mantel. Interspersed amongst the garland were simple, silver ornaments. At each end were small hurricanes with cranberries and candles.



I used to have a Christmas magazine article that showed Santa plates hung on the kitchen cabinets. I found these Fitz & Floyd plates at Stein Mart. The concept wasn't ultra-practical, but I liked the whimsy they brought into my red kitchen.


I think it was that same article that showed pepperberry wreaths hung on doors throughout the home. This door leads to my former butler's pantry/utility room. Of all the rooms in my Amarillo house, I miss this one and its storage the most.


Finally, atop this old piano, which I painted (what a before and after that project was), were handmade, Simpitch carolers inherited from my husband's mother. Aren't they wonderful?


While you're here, I'll tell you about the coffee bar. I've mentioned before that while our Amarillo house was a bit space-challenged, it didn't keep us from entertaining. When we did entertain, we stuck with appetizers and drinks or desserts and coffee. I'd set up a couple of carafes of coffee on our breakfast bar, which was adjacent to the living room. Along with the coffee were coffee syrups, cinnamon, sugar, cream, etc., all diplayed in vintage pieces. I'd also put out a pretty bowl of whipped topping. The whole set-up made for a lovely display that was always a favorite of our guests. (Try the whipped topping with your coffee, and sprinkle a little cinnamon on top. Yum!)

I hope you've enjoyed the visit. I'll try to post some pics of this year's decor, if I can figure out how to make the silver and white show up against the white, limestone backdrop. It's gorgeous in person, but so far, photos don't seem to capture that. Now, go check out the other holiday open houses and have a great day!

46 comments:

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I never would've thought to hang those Santa plates like that, but they're so cheerful there! I'm already scheming ways to steal your idea next Christmas. :-)

Love the idea of the coffee bar. I have a feeling my friends and relatives would really like that. Got a lot of coffee drinkers who visit around the holidays (well, usually--we're not hosting any of our usual parties this year, which I'm kind of sad about).

Thanks for joining my blog party and inviting us in. Everything looks beautiful! -Julia :-)

Anonymous said...

I love the Santas on the cabinets. How adorable. And your topiaries on the fireplace are the perfecting finishing touch! Everything looks great.

Becca Watson said...

Very pretty! I love the mantel and your tree!

Anonymous said...

For me it's the same, I focus mostly on the (small) tree..., your tree is beautiful, not looking skinny to me! Happy Holidays.

Fifi Flowers said...

Thanks for the tour and letting us know about Rhoda's Christmas event too... I'm off to visit her.
ENJOY your holiday time!
Fifi

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Awwww. Loved your Amarillo house! It was beautiful wrapped up in Christmas cheer!

Free Art Printables said...

Love the plates on the cabinets!

Unknown said...

What great ideas! I am in a space-challenged house, and it does make for some interesting, albeit comfortable, decorating.

Your home is gorgeous!

Unknown said...

I love all your Christmas touches! The tree is amazing and I love the mantle. I absolutely love the santas hanging off the cabinet doors!

Lisa said...

That was a beautiful tree/mantel! Fun to look at again! Hey, I like the new header too. I want to see what you do with the new mantel.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love your mantle. Are those balls from Anthropologie? They're great!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous!

i, too, would love a coffee bar!

:)

Domestic Goddess..Diva sometimes said...

I really like those Santa plates. I would just hang them somewhere where I know no one opens. lol Thanks for the tour!

Anonymous said...

I love your collection of Christmas decorations! I always try to find a narrow tree like yours and am lucky only some years. Fitz & Floyd is my favorite ceramic collectible, and I sure like those Santas hanging in your kitchen. And your collection of carolers is charming. Thank you for inviting me into your home and Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I love all your touches -- and especially fun to see a glimpse of your red toile wallpaper. Looks great with the pepper berry wreath. Lovely!

Bridget said...

Beautiful decorations. Regarding this year's decor, have you tried taking photos without the flash in good lighting???

Robin said...

Thanks for stopping by my house tour! I love the red and green in your house.... and the pics of the silver and white to come. Must be my (dorky!) gemini personality.

Oh, and you are the first prson besides me that I've ever "met" who likes Marc Broussard AND the Liam Neeson verson of Les Miz. Fabulous!

angela | the painted house said...

The carolers are so charming! Beautiful decorations--can I come over for some fudge and peppermint cocoa?

Thank you for stopping by the painted house!

KarenB said...

The picture of your tree turned out so beautiful. I think I've decided it's because your lights are white and the garlands look great. I don't know, but I think it's gorgeous. I work in a store that sell Byers Choice Carolers. I've only heard of the Simpitch Carolers recently. I'm going to have to investigate those. Thanks for the tour. Your home is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Your tree is gorgeous! I don't really have much space in my living room so we always try to get a skinny tree.

I really love the idea of a coffee bar or appetizer party. We are so challenged in entertaining on a big scale that we rarely entertain at all! Now I'm re-thinking that - thanks!

Manuela

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful Sandra. I always loved your Amarillo home!
I hope you can figure out the silver and white photo dilemma. I'd love to see it!

dec0r8or said...

Gee, I'm feeling a little ripped off here, Sandra. I mean, last year's decor was really pretty and all, but I want to see THIS year's stuff! Get those pics!!

Lamp Tramp said...

Oh, I love that you hung the Santa plates on the cabinets! How clever and creative. Your home is beautiful!

Em said...

Beautiful home and unique ideas! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Sandra, your old house looked SO festive. I just love your tree & mantel there. thanks for playing along with my party & I hope you can get some pics of your new house. Would love to see. Merry Christmas to your family!!

Chris said...

So many beautiful decorations! I love them all!

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Hmm....
I don't quite remember all of those pictures. I hope I didn't really see them before. :)

Looking forward to see the new house decorated, too.
Donna

Free Art Printables said...

Your house is lovely!!! I love how you hung the berry wreaths over the door. I am going to have to steal that idea I think!

Robin @ The Rendered Nest said...

I wanted to find a wreath to hang on the cabinet over my range, but I never thought about a plate...what a great idea! Thank you for the tour of your lovely home!

Anonymous said...

I love the Santa plate idea. I am going to look for some after Christmas for next years decorations.

Beca said...

Hello neighbor. Christmas greetings from Spearman Texas. I love the plates on your cabinets. Your home looks lovely!

Velvet and Linen said...

Your home looks beautiful, Sandra!
Have a very Merry Christmas.

xo
Brooke

BTW: Your recipes look delicious. I will definitely be testing them out.

Things That Inspire said...

Wow - I could not believe my eyes when I saw the Simpich carolers! I have the whole set, given to me by my MIL. The company closed a year or two ago...the owners retired.

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