Throwback 2008 Christmas at KSWL's, lots to look at

Oakley

last year

Lucky me saved this link from years ago and was so happy K didn't delete it.

K has since moved and changed color schemes. This is the ultimate in classic

Christmas decorating.

2008 Christmas tour at KSWL's house Is this house in GA or TN? So beautiful!

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Comments (23)

Oakley
Original Author
last year
After drooling over the furniture, did you take all of it with you, like the Hepplewhite demilune? Isn't that a Hepplewhite sideboard behind the sofa? I would've gladly taken a hand out but you never called.

The pink and green upholstered arm chair helped me decide what to do with the two I have in the LR.
arcy_gw
last year
I just finished five evenings of after word decorating. This makes me feel good--I'm not the only one that hits every corner!! Beautiful/FUN/ FESTIVE--thanks for sharing.
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Christmas House Tours 2008
Q
Comments (10)
Somehow my review of the Astors Beechwood Mansion Victorian Christmas tour (Newport RI) we went on a few weeks ago wasn't posted here. I'll try again (I do remember writing it!): See link below for details of the tour. No advanced tickets are required just show up 15 mins before the time to buy your tickets. The tour consisted of 20 minutes that you can tour the various rooms on your own. In each room was a costumed guide that recounted information about the people, furniture, history, etc. Each person kept in character as they answered questions. The various guides in each room had fascinating stories but we felt rushed to see all the rooms as it had been quite a long time since we visited the mansion. Each room was decorated with Christmas related decorations. Next all were invited to the ballroom where the costumed guides put on a show for 40 minutes. The show consisted of piano playing, singing Christmas carols, dancing, playing popular parlor games of the time, etc. (all keeping with the time period of the house). Various audience members participated in all the events except the initial Christmas carols. So if you are shy avoid sitting in the front rows and you won't be asked to participate! Some comments: The Christmas decorations were much simplier than the Newport Mansions decorated for XMas. We did feel rushed touring the rooms in the initial 20 minutes portion. I think if we had more time for this it would have been better. The Xmas songs and performances by the guides were very good (voices/music etc.) The price of an adult ticket was $20 for this hour long event (so kind of steep for a for-profit enterprise!). I would say if you are more interested in decorations touring the 3 Newport Mansions for $25 total (Breakers, Marble House and Elms) would be the thing to do. So while the tour wasn't totally bad, it wasn't the best either (average). Here is a link that might be useful: Astors Beecwood Christmas Tour - Newport RI
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Slideshow Christmas 2008
Q
Comments (6)
Beautiful decorations and home. You have put alot of work into this and it shows. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful slide show. Wish I had more time to comment on everyones pictures but I don't. Everything I see on here is so wonderful.
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Does this Ballard light look right? lots of PICS
Q
Comments (13)
The fixture is gorgeous.. love the metal leaves and the crystals! It's a great combination. Are you sure it is supposed to have a globe or cover? I am having a hard time imagining how it would work with the crystals in there too. I could be wayyyyy off base (it's happened before heh) but I think the openness is part of the design. I would not want my bulbs and wires etc to show-- but is it possible that you are looking at it too closely when you see the bulbs and works? We all do that--look at stuff way more closely than others would. I'd do a test.. stay away from it for awhile then walk back in the door-- do you see it right away? Is it the first thing you notice? What about others? Is it still as obvious now that the sun has set? It is a lovely light-- a great combo of materials-- but if you aren't happy with it, it's going to nag you everytime you walk in that door. Send end it back.
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Are you inspired by KSWL, but need some holiday help? Me too.
Q
Comments (65)
those silver mantles look wonderful. I saw a thing on the rustoleum website about using their spray on silvering and I think vinegar for a diy Mercury glass look. What at about some pine cones for the niches? If the have time I may gather a few and see how they look sprayed silver to go with my white depression glass. I have a few of the putz houses. (At least 50 years old). They were my favorites as a child. I used to buy those plaster white houses to paint yourself. I have a crazy number now and should put some out too. But maybe next year since I am still working on the house
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maddie260
last year
This is BEYOND the BEYOND? It's simply gorgeous. What more is there to say? I joined gardenweb in 2011, so I've never seen these pictures. My only question is this-did you have help?I can't imagine pulling this off-lol?
eld6161
last year
Classic KSWl.❤️
Kswl
last year
last modified: last year
That was a massive effort to get ready for the Rotary Club Christmas tour of homes in 2008. They had a volunteer staff of people here on tour day including golf carts to bring people in from our meadow where they had to park, but the decorating was all me, my mother, our housekeeper and her daughter and granddaughters, my youngest son, and our decorator and his helper. I think it was open for four or five hours on the day and more than 400 people came through.

This was just several years after we mo moved in, we had not yet built the new front entrance, rebuilt the screened porch (with its dark pecky cypress), rebuilt the wine cellar or remodeled the basement. Or expanded the patios and rebuilt the decks and gates. We did enjoy living there but thinking about how much work it was makes me tired even now!
gsciencechick
last year
This is incredible!
porkandham
last year
Beautiful!!
teeda
last year
I remember seeing Kswl's Christmas photos years ago. I've always been in love with her style!
Jilly
last year
last modified: last year
Oh my goodness. Absolutely stunning, kswl. So gorgeous, elegant, and inviting.

I was more of a lurker here then, but remember seeing these beautiful pictures.

Thanks for sharing, Oak. What a nice treat down memory lane.
Kswl
last year
Oak, the pair of demilunes is in our sitting room. They were a gift from my MIL and I love them as much as one can love inanimate objects 🙂 The sofa table is in storage, it was a gift from my mother and my kids don’t have room or want it 🙁

Our home is in Georgia and we actually just moved from one end of town to the other with our last move. We were so lucky to be able to downsize to a completely different environment and keep our town, friends, doctors, church, clubs and other civic affiliations.
Jilly
last year
last modified: last year
Do you still have these pom pom pillows? What was the green wall color?
Kswl
last year
last modified: last year
No we don’t have those pillows any longer. We brought the sofa with us but it just did not work in the new house so I donated it to our local women’s shelter with all the pillows, including the crewel fabric, pom pom pillows I had made for it. (That was a Chelsea House sofa that was more comfortable than a bed.)

The wall color was a custom color; at one time I had 14 samples of paint on those walls and our decorator and I finally mixed our own in a quart can and had Sherwin Williams color match it.
Bluebell66
last year
Loved it all, especially the library and precious Lucy.
bpath
last year
I think I’m just going to keep the link open and when I need a touch of cozy, elegant Christmas spirit, or inspiration, I will just visit it.
denali2007
last year
Gogorgeous!
deegw
last year
Just as much of a treat the second time. I can not believe that was 14 years ago.
LynnNM
last year
last modified: last year
Oh my gosh, K, it was gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing, Oakley. It's inspiring as well as humbling as we just start our Christmas decorating this afternoon (LOL)!
Lyban zone 4
last year
KSWL ….that was so beautiful, i remember your place always done up so well. then i remember your beautiful renovation in the downstairs level with the brick floors. then uour great outdoor changes in back with the musuem banners. nobody does it as well as you.

the white reindeers in that bedroom corner shelf would be so nice for Andrews room when he visits now.
nini804
last year
So lovely!!
Irish2
last year
KSWL, I still can’t believe it was back in 2008.

It was beautiful then and still is in 2022.
lizbeth-gardener
last year
Gorgeous! I always enjoy seeing pic's of your home, and even better decorated for the holidays.
Arapaho-Rd
last year
Love it all and an amazing amount of work! Are those Bing & Grondahl plates above the bed in the blue bedroom 💙
Kswl
last year
Yes they are! My full collection is now displayed in a scrubbed Dutch pine secretary in our new house.

Throwback 2008 Christmas at KSWL's, lots to look at

Comments (23)

Oakley
Original Author

arcy_gw

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Throwback 2008 Christmas at KSWL's, lots to look at

Comments (23)

OakleyOriginal Author

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COMPANY

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Oakley
Original Author