A Candlelit Mantle in House Beautiful
There’s more, much more, to Christmas
Than candlelight and cheer;
It’s the spirit of sweet friendship
That brightens all year.
It’s thoughtfulness and kindness,
It’s hope reborn again,
For peace, for understanding,
And for goodwill to men!
Wishing you many joys and blessings in 2010!
Years ago, Bergdorf Goodman asked us to design botanically inspired Christmas ornaments using our beautiful flowers for a garden tree. We found colorful beaded balls and attached coordinating blossoms and pretty silk ribbon as decoration. The ornaments were a hit and we are often asked if we would ever bring them back.
Diane James Designs - Jeweled Ball with Flowers
These days, flowers of all kinds (not just pointsettias and paperwhites) are popular in holiday decor so we thought we showcase some of our favorites from this year’s collections. Now you can deck the halls with balls of flowers, fa la la la!
Fragonard - Paper Mache Ornaments
The Metropolitan Museum - Goldenrod Ornaments
Jay Stongwater - Magnolia Ornament
Crate & Barrel - Beaded Botanical Ball
Sullivans - Grape Leaf Egg Ornament
Photos from Diane James, Cote Maison, Saks Fifth Avenue, The Metropolitan Museum, Sullivans, and Crate and Barrel
When it comes to entertaining, a table isn’t properly dressed unless it is wearing Kim Seybert’s often fanciful, always fashionable accessories. Kim’s background in fashion and love of rich color and texture are evident in the intricate patterns and jeweled touches that make her creations so unique.
Kim Seybert with Sophie
From beautiful place mats and napkins, to colorful beaded napkin rings and gilded wine glasses, her designs are supremely stylish yet surprisingly functional. Whether serving dinner on the terrace, or outfitting your favorite picnic basket, Kim’s accessories turn the everyday into a special occasion.
Holiday Tabletop
Holly Bow Runner
Holiday Spray Napkin Ring
Gold Vertical Stemware
With the holidays just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to subject one of our favorite tabletop designers (and a very good friend!) to our Q & A.
1. What did you want to be when you were a child?
I always wanted to be a Fashion Designer.
2. What is your necessary luxury?
A relaxing lavender bubble bath before I go to bed.
3. What is your favorite decorating accessory?
Diane James flowers, of course!
4. Where do you window shop?
At the Tibet market in New Delhi. I am always inspired when I spend time there.
5. What makes a house a home?
Pets and children.
6. What is the most enjoyable part of your day?
A yoga class whenever I can fit it into my day… morning, lunchtime or after work.
7. What is your favorite flower?
Peonies. Best colors… sunset, coral or plum.
8. If you were a cocktail, what would you be?
A brandy milk punch. They remind me of a sultry Sunday brunch in New Orleans.
9. If your life were made into a movie, what would be the title and who would play your part?
“To Kill a Mockingbird” and I would be Scout.
10. Name one thing from your “Bucket List”.
I would visit the houseboats in Kashmir.
As Kim loves to say, “Life is a banquet” and we so agree! To see Kim’s tabletop collections and shop online, please visit her website, KimSeybert.com.
Many years ago, Diane had the pleasure of decorating a 13-foot fresh balsam Christmas tree for Guy Trebay of The New York Times, about which he wrote in a wonderful Sunday Styles cover story. Guy described her talent for decking the halls as “lavish yet somehow restrained.” Using Guy’s “oddball ornaments” (which he has gathered over a lifetime of exotic travel), 20 strands of white electric lights, 12 dozen ornamental fruits and many yards of orange silk taffeta, Diane turned the tree into a Yuletide work of art.
Diane James Trims a Tree for The New York Times
The tradition of decorating evergreen trees and using boughs or evergreen shrubs is rooted in pagan ritual – holly, mistletoe, laurel and boxwood were often brought inside to promote good cheer and hope. But as natural as it seems today, tree decorating to celebrate Christmas has been a controversial custom throughout history.
Carolyne Roehm's Colorful Tree
The association between decorating with evergreens and the pagan celebration of Saturnalia (celebrated at the same time of year) led to the Church banning such practices in the third century. John Calvin, in the sixteenth century, sought to remove Christmas from the Christian calendar altogether as he thought such celebrations promoted “irreligious frivolity.”
Mary McDonald Tree in Veranda
The Puritans in England followed suit and it wasn’t until the mid-nineteenth century, thanks to Prince Albert, that Christmas tree decorating achieved its present status in England. Now it seems that Christmas trees are an integral part of Holiday decorating, even in cultures that don’t celebrate the Christian faith.
Red and Gold Tree in Southern Accents
As for us, we love thematic trees and each year we try something different – ribbons and bows one year, floral pins and branches the next. This year, we want to highlight a single color with balls, ornaments and garlands but with all this beautiful inspiration, which one to choose?
Pretty Pink Tree in Country Living
Photos from The New York Times, Veranda, Southern Accents, and Country Living
Finding the perfect present for those who have everything can be difficult so this year, we’re using a bit of the Midas touch… gifts that glitter with gold. From tabletop to jewelry, paper goods to holiday decor, we think these gilded gifts will be treasured!
Cambria Cove - Bronze Foil Journals
Anthropologie - Twinkling Boughs Tea Set
Kim Seybert - Neoclassical Leaf Runner
Gracious Home - Judy Ross Pillow
Elva Fields - Corsage Necklace
Kate's Paperie - Flocked Gold Gift Wrap
Photos from Cambria Cove, Elle Decor, Kim Seybert, Gracious Home, Elva Fields and Kate’s Paperie
Black and White Decor
Endless Black and White Rug - Madeline Weinrib
Black and White Bedroom Decor
We have wanted to translate the essence of the black and white design craze (like Madeline Weinrib’s Endless Black & White rug) into bouquets for some time now but felt that an entire collection of white flowers in black vases would be too literal.
Green, White and Black - Diane James Home
Then we realized that it wasn’t the color that attracted us as much as the contrast – geometric yet feminine, rustic yet luxurious, youthful yet traditional. In our Unexpected Elegance collection, bright green snowball and white peonies spill over a black glass vase and a lush magnolia blossom is showcased in a silver ceramic cube with cross hatch motif.
Magnificent Magnolia - Diane James Home
The unusual combinations found in our winter selection are sure to surprise and delight!
Photos from Room Decorating Ideas, Madeline Weinrib and Diane James Home
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