Hi again since last year this time! (Lots of Pics)

14 years ago

Just wanted to say hi and start sharing some of my decorations this year. Haven't been on since last year this time and have just been doing a bit of lurking this year. You all have made a wonderful start this year and I've thoroughly enjoyed looking through everyone's decorations. I got so many wonderful ideas last year!

Since I don't change things up much from year to year, figured this year I would give more of overall rooms instead of just the trees. My entry received the majority of the upgrades/additions this year, so I figured I would just start there.

Here is the entry from the front room:

Looking in from the front door:

This is my family tree tree at the base of the stairs. I started it late last season and added several frames this year. It has photos of my immediate family and of my brothers families along with all the photos I have of my grandparents up through several ggg-grandparents. Any ideas on how to strategically hide those darn cords? Electrical outlets in a 110 year old house is haphazard at best!

This is looking up to the landing on the stairs. I have never done anything there before (always intended to) until this year. I don't like heights...lol.

These twig trees were inspired by this forum last year and I absolutely love them. I had this arranged differently last year and the angels in a different place and was never 100% satisfied with either. This year I think they paired up beautifully!

All the ribbon and bows got replaced this year....after 12 years of use the previous ribbon was beginning to look a little ratty with kids constantly running their hands over the railing going up and down the stairs. Here's a close up of the garland on the stairs. Only thing new this year are the large gold stars under the bows.

This little table also got a new display this year. I've had these 3 wise men for a few years now and they just have never found a good home. I just sat them down by these candle holders this year and I think they now have a home.

Looking from the front room - another view:

Closer shot of landing on stairs. Forgive all the imperfections....this house is a major work in progress!

Looking down from the landing:

I'll try to get another couple rooms posted and hopefully get some good shots at night with the candles lit and no gray skies glaring in from the windows :).

Hope you all enjoy and it's so nice to see so many of you that I remember from last year!

Alex

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Comments (11)

shasta_2008
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Alex your decorations are beautiful and a job well done! I love the family tree, maybe I'll start on one this year and let the grankids help, what a great idea.
plainjane425
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi Alex.
I remmeber you from last year.
I can see you've been very busy.
Your decorations are beautiful...and also from what I see, your home is too.
I love your idea of the 'Family Tree'.

Look forward to seeing more.

jane
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phonegirl
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Alex,
Well you are a beautful decorator. How many days do you work on putting up decorations? I enjoyed all of it and your colorful walls make things really pop. I too will be looking forward to seeing more.

You must have alot of storage with all your decorations. TFS, Punk
Purplemoon
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi and welcome back, Bourbonlady. My jaw hit the floor at all your decorations! WOW. That is just awesome! I can't even imagine work involved in your home. (love your accent wall, LOL. Think its about same color as one in my livingroom). I keep scrolling back up to look, so much to see it might take me a few days of looking!

Cords are such a pain! And something I just hate myself.
Maybe you could wrap them with some electrical tape and then paint over it to match the wall where they are. They would blend right in that way and not be noticable. I am always trying to tuck my mine out of sight or something.

Back to looking at all your beautiful goodies. I especially love that wonderful family tree!
hugs, Karen
gardener1908
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You have been very busy. I know what you mean about living in an old house. I have been restoring an 109 yr. old Greek Revival for 10 yrs. now and I'm almost done (that is until I get tired of a room and change the decor!). Your home looks very festive.
bourbonlady
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you all so much! It's nice to get to share with others even though it would get done the same way even if it were only the 5 sets of eyes living in this house who saw it.

The family tree tree has been really fun to put together and can't wait until the nieces and nephews get to see it.

As far as how long it takes, I would estimate probably a good 4 weeks (not constantly, still have to work and then have 3 kids at home) depending on what needs reworked, re-lit or just added to. I love all of it (with the exception of pulling lights that don't work off pre-lit trees), so I just take my time, tweak and add to until it's time to start taking it all down. It all gets stored next door in the little house we bought a few years ago to control the "rental situations". We also have our office over there so it works out great for me while waiting on customers to fluff and re-light garlands and trees.

Electrical tape and paint is a good idea on those cords....that may be my project next year. I've also thought about whipping up some of those fabric cord covers in a solid color to match the walls. It gets ridiculous with the strategic planning of the extension cords and then not really being 100% sure of what is on what breaker.

We've been at this house for about 10 yrs now also, and we are now starting "Phase II." It was so bad when we first bought it that are goal was to make it livable and then to go back and really start adding the features we want. By the time we get this darn thing done, we may very well be dead! LOL

Again, thank you all so much for your kind comments and I'm so glad you all enjoyed!

Alex
bonniee818
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Great job! Love your Chrismtas decorating style!
oldalgebra
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm crazy about your Three Wise Men. Where might I look to try and find ones like them?
Richard Dollard
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
HI, Looks great! I have a very similar front hall and stairway that I am in the process of fixing the cracks in the plaster, repainting, and redecorating. Very nice.
dreamgoddess
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Alex, your home is simply breathtaking! I don't even know where to start! I can't even imagine how much hard work you've put into decorating it. I ache all over just thinking about it...what a fabulous job you've done. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
bourbonlady
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oldalgebra, one of my DSs got those for me about 5-6 years ago, but DH said they got them at the Bombay Company in one of our malls.

javaandjazz, just the mention of the word plaster makes me physically shake!

dreamgoddess, thank you so much! I think it's more a labor of love and I guess my hobby. Always so busy throughout the rest of the year, don't have any time to really take on things that I enjoy, but this time of year, business slows down and I get to take advantage and do something I like :). It may be my therapy to keep me going throughout the rest of the year!

Again, so glad you all enjoy!

Alex

Hi again since last year this time! (Lots of Pics)

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