How To Give New Life To Old Holiday Decor And More
Each year I like to give new life to old holiday decor by adding fresh greenery, new ribbons, candles and by moving things around in new ways. It’s especially fun doing this in our new home.
Please join Cindy, Annie and me for our weekly Five Faves!
1. Refreshing Old Christmas Stockings
This year, I am doing a green and white theme (storing all my red ornaments for next year). It’s so simple to attach velvet ribbon (40% off–lots of colors) with a sprig of fresh greenery to your old stockings. The silk stockings are about 15 years old.
2. Fluffing Faux Garland With Real Greenery
What greenery can you forage? In this part of the country, I don’t see a lot of pine trees (Cindy H. is able to forage her yard and surroundings for pine and evergreens) but we do have magnolia trees.
I ordered this magnolia pine faux fir garland (pre-lit and on sale) from West Elm since I knew I could add local fresh magnolia clippings to it.
I attached the leaves where necessary with florist wire but across the mantel, I mostly just tucked in the sprigs.
Then pinecones and fresh candles were added.
It was easy!
3. Soft Sweater Tunic
I mentioned this sweater tunic last Sunday in my outfit of the week. I bought it as it’s 30% off…lots of colors and comes in petite, regular and plus sizes.
Shop the post:
4. What To Read/Listen To
I’ve almost finished A Thousand Moons by Sebastian Barry. Again, I got this on the Libby app from the public library for free. I love this app as you don’t feel guilty about turning a book in if you don’t like (unlike if you paid for it).
“A novel about memory and identity set in Paris, Tennessee in the aftermath of the American civil war from the Booker Prize shortlisted author. Winona Cole, an orphaned child of the Lakota Indians, finds herself growing up in an unconventional household on a farm in West Tennessee.”
5. Displaying Copper Pans And Lids To Add Warmth To A Kitchen
Our kitchen is undergoing a major refresh right now but I wanted to show you the new racks for our copper pots. They are sturdy but inexpensive carbon steel. It’s good to have the copper pots on display again.
They were really dark when I took them out of storage. But with gloves and Barkeeper’s Friend they shined up nicely!
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Cindy Hattersley Design
Most Lovely Things
Love what you did with the velvet ribbon and the stockings – so pretty ! Hope you stay cozy I heard you are getting some cold too. xo
Thanks, Kim…you stay warm too! Merry Chritmas.
Oh….and you know how much I love your copper! The new racks are gorgeous.
Mary Ann, I love your magnolia garland and your touches of green velvet! So fun to be figuring it all out in your beautiful new home soon to be filled with family!
xx
Your house is so beautiful and I love the green theme for your Christmas decor. I’ve used magnolia leaves in arrangements in past years, the large shiny leaves and the velvety rust underside sure make a statement in any arrangement. I’ve even sprayed a dusting of gold on a few leaves which is pretty. We’re going out of town for Christmas so I haven’t done much decorating. I miss it though. Thank you for always inspiring us to change things up.
Hi Mary Ann
I miss having magnolia to forage. It is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter apparently for magnolia here. You made that garland go from ordinary to WOW by adding the fresh magnolia! I am going to join our local library. It is so close to us!
Hi Mary Ann,
Everything looks so pretty at your house! I especially like the garland on your mantle. It’s time for me to get outside and forage some greens, I picked up a beautiful eucalyptus branch on my walk at the beach this morning, now I need to get some redwood and evergreen branches in here!
Your copper collection is lovely! I don’t have any room in my kitchen to hang my pieces, I sure love seeing them on display.
Cute sweater, I can use a few more tunics to wear with leggings.
Hope you are enjoying the holidays!
Xo Heidi
I was just hanging your beautiful tulip in the dining room …mixing it up.
Ooo! Love the velvet ribbon and the creative ways to zhush up old Christmas stockings. My mantel looks a little tired and bedraggled so your inspiration comes at the perfect time. Happy holidays to you in Florida!
Thanks, Holly. Have fun!
Just went right to Libby and checked out the novel!!
Thanks!
The mantel looks lovely!,
All looks fresh & fantastical!! franki
Love the green velvet ribbon that you’ve added to your Christmas decor.
Can you tell us more about the tunic sweater? What size did you order and does the fabric feel like polyester? Also, do you have a link for the pants/leggings you were wearing?
Thanks! I got the petite medium tunic…and it’s soft like a cotton cashmere blend. The leggings are old from Vince Camuto.
I love your posts & am enjoying your new FL home.
I am puzzled by the partially hidden windows in the living room & dining room.
Is it a hallway? Is the internal wall a half wall? Have you added shelving to change the configuration?
One small window looks out on the front of the house. The other French door/windows look out onto our torn-up backyard (pool). We don’t have any half walls just windows above the bookcases.