Merry Christmas

 Happy Holidays!

&

 Best Wishes for 2014

Courtesy of Southern Accents, photography by Fran Brennan

Happy Holidays

I would like to extend my very best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy and peaceful 2013. A special appreciation is expressed, and a heartfelt thank you to all my dear readers for your continual support.

  Photography by Rupert Tenison

A Holiday Mantel

The always sought after fireplace and its mantel can be the heart of any room. In addition to being an added source of our basic needs of heat and light, it can create a wonderful holiday focal point.

So how to accent the mantel for Christmas?

With a touch of nature

 With a garland of flowers

                                                   With a garland of berries

With personal mementos

With elegant stockings

With candles and holiday gifts

They are all certainly heartwarming…

Photo 1 courtesy of Veranda, designer Lisa Luby Ryan, photography by Erica George Dines
Photo 2 courtesy of Southern Accents, designer Pamela Pierce, photography by Tria Giovan
Photo 3 courtesy of Veranda , designer Renny Reynolds, photography by Thibault Jeanson
Photo 4 The White House 2009, photography by Chuck Kennedy
Photo 5 courtesy of Victoria,photography Jim Bastardo
Photo 6 Christmas with Southern Living2009
Photo 7 designer Carolyne Roehm, photography by Sylvie Becquet

Season’s Greenings in D.C.

I would like to share with you photos of the National Botanic Gardens, which is a living plant museum in Washington D.C. In celebrating the holiday season, the garden is displaying one of the largest indoor Christmas trees; in addition, you can see many of the landmarks were recreated from plants.

Pine cones, willow acorns caps, and grapevine tendrils were used to create these amazing buildings by designer and landscape architect Paul Busse.The frame was created from acrylic based foam, the walls were finished with sand grout, and plants were used to make the architectural details.

The U.S. Capitol took about 600 hours to build

Have a wonderful holiday. Wishing you a world of joy and happiness

Photography by Amal for Picture of Elegance Blog

The Gingerbread White House

While I was shopping for Christmas gifts this year, a new book titled Christmas with the First Ladies caught my attention, written by Coleen Christian Burke and forwarded by Deborah Norville.

This book includes the First Ladies’ Christmas stories from Jacqueline Kennedy to Michelle Obama, as well as sweet recipes for the holidays.

I enjoyed reading about the creation of the gingerbread house, which is usually the most eagerly awaited part of the traditional Christmas experience at the White House. This tradition was started by Pat Nixon in 1971, and it continues today.

My personal favorite is the gingerbread White House replica made by pastry chef Bill Yosses in 2009. It was covered with white chocolate, and included Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden.

As you can see, the room was filled with dark chocolate furniture, and lit with a dollhouse chandelier

Photography by Samantha Appleton

Happy Holidays

From my home to yours,
Happy Holidays
 Wishing you all the best, and thank you for your support and friendship

Photography by Amal for Picture of Elegance Blog

Holiday Inspirations

I call December the month of preparations. Between the shopping for gifts, sending Christmas greeting cards, decorating the Christmas tree and home, attending parties… it can really feel like a marathon. Still, the best part of the season is the sweet and warm feeling you get when people come together for celebrations, not forgetting the importance of charity.

Perhaps best of all is seeing the joy of the season in the twinkling eyes of the children while they are untying ribbons and unwrapping gifts with smiles on their faces. Come to think of it-I think we all have this feeling; we’re all kids on Christmas morning!

Here are some inspirational images of the season. Enjoy!

Simple yet grand at the same time...designer Mary McDonald, photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna, courtesy of Veranda

Golden pears, and Hyacinth topiary in a breakfast room, designer Peggy Sewell, photography by Tria Giovan, courtesy of Southern Accents

The fireplace is covered with cedar garland and green roses, designers Peter Vitale & Harry Greiner, photography by Peter Vitale, courtesy of Veranda

Beautiful Boxwood topiary tree decorated with lemons and roses, Washington D.C. floral designer Allan Woods, courtesy of Southern Accents

A warm Christmas by designer Carolyne Roehm

Photo 1 designer Stephen Shubel, courtesy of Victoria