The first room in which I usually initiate my Christmas decorating each year,
other than the foyer, is my Sunroom.
This year was no different. I began decorating the room
by putting up my Memory Tree. The tree that is filled with ornaments
that I have collected and have been gifted to me over many, many years.
I was actually decorating this tree Halloween night!
Yes . . . placing ornaments on the tree in-between answering the calls of the
Trick or Treaters for their treats.
Now, it is definitely Christmas in the Sunroom.
This week I am joining some of my special blogging friends of bHome to bring you
the most wonderful Holiday inspiration for all things home and garden.
There is also an awesome GIVEAWAY of a $250.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE
from the exquisite French Garden House shop. See details at the end of the post.
bHome? If you are not familiar with bHome,
it is a very special App in which you can access a wonderful group of bloggers
who bring you great inspiration of all things home and garden right from your phone.
You can see what it is all about by downloading the bHome App here.
There is also a great Newsletter that is delivered right to your email each week.
Now let’s meet the “star” of the room.
It’s Rudy! Rudy has been on the porch these past few years
greeting family and friends with his charm.
He is no longer out in the cold, but still insists on wearing his hat and mittens.
He’s the perfect one to stand next to the Memory Tree
waiting for Santa to pick him up on Christmas Eve.
The tree is also filled with photo ornaments made by others and me.
A sweet remembrance of my Granddaughter’s second Christmas
and a photo of my son in a fabric frame that I made a bazillion years ago.
I was so happy to find a soccer player ornament that had his number on it!
Oh the memories of each ornament always gives me joy and sometimes a little bit
of sadness of those who have passed on and always gave me an ornament each year
as they knew how much I loved collecting those special ornaments.
But Christmas is all about the “joy” and I feel “joy” in having so many beautiful memories.
I thought about a theme for this room,
but decided just to go with the things I love . . .
The things that bring me Joy.
Like these cute little blocks.
And a pillow that I have had for many years . . .
that was gifted to me by someone who knew I loved topiaries.
Makes sense to adorn a basket that I reach into often.
On the other side of the room next to the tree is my indoor potting bench.
I actually use it to place pretties on and for storage of pretties!
I placed a grouping of bottle brush trees from my friend Martha,
on one side of the bench. An ironstone tureen holds a mini forest.
Little lambs nestled under the trees and a Ram stands sentry by the trees.
More little lambs under the trees.
The room would not be complete without a lantern and Santa.
Of course you need more than one tree in a room . . . right?!!
Well, for me that is!
So I placed a simply flocked tree in an ironstone bowl from a special friend.
Did you spy that cute little Santa on the table? It was made in Germany
and was another one of my friend Martha’s treasures she was letting go before her move.
Another package beneath the table with a tree in a car . . .
the packages under the tree have trucks with trees. They are all Hallmark ornaments
as part of a car/truck series. Most of my Hallmark ornaments are packed away.
I decided to place the 7 1/2 foot Snap tree from Tree Classics in the room again,
as it is so easy for me to decorate. Rarely having to use the ladder
and a “snap” to put together. Yes, 5 minutes and it is up and ready to decorate!
As you can see in the above image, I placed an evergreen swag on the top of the mirror.
There is a tea light chandy hanging in front of the mirror and I attached a super cute
chandelier ornament to the bottom of my tea light chandy.
I must say that I have many trees set up this year in my home.
I truly was not planning on this. I thought, I would be a bit more
of a Christmas Minimalist this year. But I guess I could not resist.
Is there a Christmas Trees Anonymous group out there?
I think Rudy approves of this Tree as he has not moved from this spot!
And my thanks to my niece, Melissa, as she gifted me with Rudy
and we truly love him.
Rudy has a very special message for you that hangs on his antlers!
Thanks so much for visiting me today and your patience for this very long post!
And now let’s talk about this amazing GIVEAWAY !!!
Our dear friend Lidy of French Garden House is giving away a $250 gift certificate to her gorgeous shop!!
It is so easy to enter. This is all you need to do:
Visit FrenchGardenHouse.com and tell us what antique has captured your heart in a comment here.You will get extra entries for following @FrenchGardenHouse on Instagram,and FaceBook too. Just let us know you did.I’ll be reading every comment…Good luck!The give-away is open to readers in the USA and Canada. Winner randomly chosen on 12/7 and notified by email
I am touring today with these lovely and talented ladies.
Their sneak peek images and links to their blog posts are below.
Please hop on over and visit them for a wonderful experience of the greatest
inspiration for your Holiday home!
Just in case you missed the other days of the tour your are in luck!
The links to this wonderful Holiday inspiration are below!
I wish you all a most beautiful and joyful day!!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I LOVE your tree! Great photos, too. Looking forward to more of your Christmas home.
Kim’s recent post…Traditional Christmas in the Living Room
Your sunroom tree is lovely and just my style, I have a tree that I use for my special ornaments as well and it brings me a lot of joy. I was wondering if you could tell me how you add the ribbon to your tree? I couldn’t seem to get a close up enough picture to see clearly what you did. Is it one continuous piece or do you position and tuck in individual pieces? Is it wired ribbon? Also, did you include it in the topper? I appreciate your comments and your blog. You have a lovely home and a lovely style
Valerie, I use short stands of ribbon … you can see how I do it by going to this post: http://www.housepitalitydesigns.com/2017/11/13/how-i-decorate-my-christmas-tree-with-ribbon-and-another-tip/
Shirley’s recent post…Christmas in the Sunroom
Absolutely love your sunroom and how beautifully you have made it so Christmasy. I have visited FrenchGardenHouse.com and selected the Cranberry Glass Mary Gregory Enameled Carafe and Tumbler Set
$230.00. I have several Cranberry Glass pieces that I currently am using in one of my guest bedrooms. I also keep a carafe in each of my guest rooms and would love to add this one. I am now following the site on both FB and Instagram.
I love all of those colorful ornaments on your tree and how they just make everything come to life! Happy holidays Shirley!
Janet’s recent post…Surprisingly Easy Steps To Enjoy Christmas Decorating With A Secret
Your sunroom looks wonderful all decked out for Christmas! I love Lidy and could spent hours on her site. I follow her on facebook. I love the vintage French Linens.
Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things’s recent post…The Kitchen, So Far
Oh my just beautiful, love the memories on your tree and the whole room. It is so inspirational! I have just joined FrenchGardenHouse and oh my I was so inspired and now following on FB and Instagram Thank you and I could not pick any specific item all her items are so special
Everything looks wonderful and so festive! I am so glad to know about FrenchGardenHouse.com…so many lovely items. I especially like the majolica plates..So beautiful!!! thanks for a great giveaway!!! I am now folllowing on Instagram.
I SO wish I had saved all the ornaments I collected over the years for the kids etc. I would also have a memory tree! I visited FrenchGardenHouse.com and selected the magnificent Antique 19th Century Faience Bowl Chinoiserie Regout OMGoodness I would LOVE to have that!!! Your sun room looks beautiful. I LOVE the mini forest of bottle brush trees and LOVE the little lambs! I also love how you have wrapped the gifts, that paper gives me JOY!!! Have a beautiful day, Shirley!
Pinky’s recent post…Christmas in the breakfast room
Love, love, love your sunroom decorations! Where did you get the lovely wrapping paper on the presents under the tree? I’m still decorating my small sunroom.
This is such a favorite room of mine in your home. The tree looks exceptional! I love how it’s flooded with such great ornaments and sentiment. The deer is adorable next to it and so are your gift packages. Lovely!
Liz @ Home and Gardening With Liz’s recent post…November sails away!
Love your sunroom….I knew you couldn’t be a minimalist! But, it’s the Christmas season…so go for it! French Garden House has some beautiful cutting boards…I think one would look lovely in my kitchen! Enjoy your Day! 😉
Your sun room is always so pretty no matter what the season. I love your memory tree. How special and pretty in this room. How fun that Rudy is invited inside for the holidays this year. Have a great rest of the week Shirley.
Hugs,
Kris
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage’s recent post…Kitchen Reveal
That is one beautiful tree. I love that you have tons of ornaments on it and that they are of sentimental value to you. I love a tree that is loads with ornaments and memories. I have a tree in my sunroom too however it’s only a 3 season porch so pretty much off limits for sitting these days in Michigan. Only lights, bright red bows and a few ornaments on that one. I’d love to win this gift. The red transferware is my absolute favorite. Also following on instagram and facebook. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your lovely home.
Love your home and the sunroom is gorgeous!!
I love the vintage gold and white jewelry box. I have followed the French Garden On facebook.
I love your memory tree. My tree stands in a doorway between the den and the formal dining room. the den side is my memory tree and the dining room is my elegant tree.
Shirley,
First, that little reindeer is so stinking cute!! Your sunroom is just beautiful in all its Christmas finery. Your tree is stunning with all those special ornaments in memory of very special people and places you have been. I always use ornaments each year on my tree I inherited by my late grandmother and great-aunt. My late great-aunt was a world traveler and educator so you can image I have a large combination of both ornaments from her travels and as well as ornaments from many of her prior students.
Have a joyous Christmas season!
Your tree is gorgeous with your wonderful collection of ornaments. You are probably like me in that the true meaning of the ornament is tied to the person who gave it to you or the triip/location when/where you bought it. I have already been following the French Garden House blog. I love the silverplate dome covers! How elegant are those!!!
Sheila
Sheila’s recent post…Holiday Home Blog Hop
Shirley, your tree looks magnificent! I love that Rudy is inside this year, he looks very happy. You are a genius at creating sweet little holiday vignettes in your home, each one perfect to celebrate the season. I am blessed to be on this lovely tour with you.
The PomPom at Home Bedding Organic Linen Hampton Coverlet is one of my favorites! It would be a great addition to my bedroom.
Loved the French Garden House site and all their holiday gifts. Also Followed on Instagram and Facebook!! Looking forward seeing future posts 🙂
Shirley your sun room is so beautiful! It all sparkles from the beautiful sun coming through and lighting up your tree naturally. It hits your glass ornaments just perfect! I love the white trees in the soup tureens a little winter wonderland. You always have something very unique and special when I visit. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
xoxo Jo
Absolutely DIVINE!! What a festive and fabulous room, Shirley! Love the bottle brush trees in the ironstone tureen – saving this idea.
Merry Merry, my friend.
xo
Loi
What an amazing collection of ornaments on your beautiful tree Shirley! I enjoyed seeing your sunroom decked out for Christmas. The Christmas spirit is alive and well in your home! Xo ~julie
I am absolutely in love with this room because it feels like a home sweet home, full of personality and a beautifully appointed tree full of memories. I call our Christmas tree our memory tree too for the very same reason, nothing better than a family memory tree in my book. Beautiful inviting room, Shirley!
Shirley, this room just sings…it is so merry and bright! I think themed trees are pretty, but there is nothing as pretty as a tree of memories! I see so many Radkos (some that I also have) and their sparkle in your sunroom is so festive! Every detail is perfection…love, love, love!
Pam Richardson’s recent post…Christmas Tartan & Trees
Shirley,
Your tree is wonderful and I know your granddaughter must love it. Did I see the hotel Coronado on one of those beautiful
ornaments?? I love all the religious antiques at the French garden house especially the prayer books.
Shirley !! You have a whole lotta beautiful ‘memories’. Your tree is stunning and so meaningful. I simply adore it and everything else in your sunroom – and you too, of course! xx
Your home is beautiful for the Christmas season. Just getting started with mine! Love the FrenchGardenHome site. The items that touched my heart are the silver baby cups. They are beautiful and hard to find. I’ll be following this site! Merry Christmas 🎄🎄
Pretty, pretty, pretty. Your post and also, the FrenchGardenHome site. I would pick the Reed &Barton silver napkin rings set.
We can ride to Christmas Trees Anonymous together! I’ll pick you up, you bring snacks!!! I’m glad you decided to do a lot of trees this year again. Your home is just made for it! Your sunroom is, as always, a wonder to behold!!! I LOVE that reindeer in there! Glad he’s come in from out of the cold! I also love the way you hung the wreath on the hurricane. I’ll be stealing that idea!
Alycia nichols’s recent post…Better Late Than Never, Pt. 3 – Christmas 2016 in the Family Room
I loved each and every photo of this post Shirley! Your sunroom is a favorite of mine no matter what the season and that corner is perfect for your memory tree. I got a kick out of Rudy with the ornament hanging from his antler~ it blended in with your tree so I assumed it was one of the many hanging on it. 🙂 Love your forest of bottle brush trees in the tureen too! ♥
Mary’s recent post…Christmas Greenery Around the Potting Shed
Shirley! Your sunroom is gorgeous…so festive and colorful and FUN! I love sunrooms and yours looks so warm and inviting and cozy- especially for the holidays! So much fun being on the tour with you this week…wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays!
I love your Christmas-y sunroom! Outfitted is amazing, I love trees with an abundance of ornaments. Brava! My favorite antique is the 19th Century French Benetier Enamel Cloisonne Benetier Holy Water Font, I have been looking for a font and this one is just lovely.
Hi Shirley, your home looks so festive and personal for Christmas. I enjoyed the “private” tour!
My favorite antique is a toss-up between the big demijohn and the round cutting board. So many pretties! I wish you and all the bloggers a happy holiday. Hugs, Pat
Patricia Shipley’s recent post…A Day of Small Things
Your sun room looks beautiful! I so much enjoyed your beautiful tree filled with special ornaments and also the pretty Christmas touches you’ve added to this room. The planter filled with a forest of bottlebrush trees is my favorite. Christmas isn’t an easy time to be an minimalist, is it? 🙂
Paula’s recent post…Stitch Fix Review-December 2017–Fix #52-$300 Giveaway!
I like Rudy’s jingle bell nose
Where to start? I love your memory tree! It’s filled with just the kind of sentimental ornaments I love! And what a darling idea, Shirley to put ornaments on packages!!!! Every year I give my kids and now my grandbabies an ornament and I am now thinking of putting them on a Christmas package too! The urn with the trees is STUNNING! What a creative idea to make a big Christmas WOW statement. LOVE it all, my sweet friend!!!
Someday I would love to visit you and sit in your sunroom! xo Yvonne
Wow! I love all the French breadboards and I would love to add to my small collection of Quimper with either of the plates or the bowl. I want it all!
Your memory tree brought an instant smile Shirley, and I love your decision to not have a theme but just go with what you love! As much as I oh and ah over the carefully staged designer looks, that’s just not Christmas to me…Christmas should be eclectic and a little messy 🙂 Rudy looks adorable guarding the tree!
Jenna’s recent post…Tales of the Traveling Tote, Autumn Adventures
Your sunroom is just beautiful adorned for Christmas! I love your memory tree. We always put up a tree just like that, and our tree is in our sunroom too! I always love unpacking the ornaments that the kid’s made when they were younger. I have been following Lidy for quite sometime. I love her blog, and I don’t think I could choose just one thing from her beautiful shop!
Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors’s recent post…Christmas Living Room Tour
Shirley, that tree is divine. All those amazing memories…. I’d be staring at it all day long. I love the treasured memories from Christmases past and I have to admit to having a large bag of old ornies that no longer fit with our decorating style. You’ve inspired me to create a memory tree.
Merry Christmas!!
Most definitely the best way to decorate is with things you love and that bring you joy, Shirley. Chances are, we’ll also love it as your readers, I know I do! A few of my favorites are that needlepoint pillow topiary and the topiary behind it – so pretty!
Rita C at Panoply’s recent post…Traveling Totes #13: Fall Frolics, A Giveaway
I was thrilled that you have brought us another wonderful site, French Garden House, com! I have so many antiques that I’ve had put away because I couldn’t find inspiration on how to use and display them….now I do, Thank You!! I just ordered a silver meat dome that I have always wanted but felt foolish about using, but she has inspired me to use it with pride as well as dust off those old “treasures” and display them proudly!!!! Shirley, you have been my #1 go to gal for ideas, and I’m stuck to you like glue….Thanks so much for all you do to make my house look pretty awesome!
Gosh, Shirley, your Christmas decorations, the tree, the sunroom, the detail to every little thing is not only magnificent, but really impressive. I just love the way your mind puts things together. Merry Christmas!
I love the vintage blue wool plaid blanket throw and the hat stands.
Shirley, I love how festive everything is- and I love hearing that you were starting on Halloween! That is too funny and cute. And your memory tree is the cutest idea (I might have to even steal that idea;))
I’m so glad to be joining the “Hive” and to be able to tour with such an amazing group of women! Thanks for your help in organizing, and for always answering my questions and just being generally sweet and supportive. You don’t know how much it means to me!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Sheila
xo
Hi, Shirley! Love this opportunity to get a second look at all your beautiful decorations. At present, I have enough decorations to do nine different Christmas themes throughout our home, but the one that is dearest to my heart involves all the decor from my children’s growing up years–such wonderful memories! I am madly in love with your precious little kitchen tree. Do you know who manufactured the Santa foodie ornaments? I would love to make up a tree like that for my sweet DILs. Hugs!