image - vicki archer
On the other hand not all change is a winner. This year I swapped all my fairy lights for new ones... obviously I didn't think about the colour of LEDs... Our beautiful Christmas tree, instead of twinkling with a subtle glow is a full on blue/white light show... It's all too late now, I should have tested the lights before I put on all the decorations.... a smart person would do that... Right? The upside is that the tree is very pretty during the day and we will just have to wear shades at night...
This afternoon when I have five seconds to spare I am going to download Sleeping with Paris, by Juliette Sobanet on my new Kindle (early Christmas present... I think we all need a little pre-Christmas spoiling... ) I have just read great things about this delicious and cheeky read... and I think this might be the perfect way to relax for an hour or so... a little Paris and a little girl chat... sounds good to me...
Enjoy your Wednesday... xv
That is coming out AMAZING!!!! What a fabulous idea...cannot wait to see the finished product, I can tell its going to be magnifique!
ReplyDeleteOh dear...I just did the same thing... coming back home last night after a long day in the city, i decided to "deck " my entrance console and mirror with pine branches and my newly purchased LED lights. Mercifully the console was decorated with white roses and white orchids, so the garish cold blue LED light was not too out of context.
ReplyDeleteSo much for progress!
I think the stair oak leaves are going to look really nice and country,can't wait to see it finished. I bet it will be stunning. Merry Christmas. xx jeanetteann
ReplyDeleteI really don't like the new fairy lights they sell - does not seem like Christmas - I only have a few strands of the lovely old soft glowing ones but will search for them. The LED is so harsh and cold.... :(( Your hall decking sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour staircase looks stunning Vicki. I'm not very versed on the language of lights and it sounds confusing for something that you would think would be simple such as Christmas lights.
ReplyDeleteJoyeux Noël to you and your family.
Sam
if anyone can make this messy tree's branches work, it shall be you! and this really made me smile as i had planned the very same thing for my mantel and in the fireplace amongst big candles....now rethinking. ;)
ReplyDeletegladly i did not buy new lights! thanks for sharing a smile today. xx
Same thing happened here with the lights. Top of the tree looks nice and soft but the bottom has new (aka bright!) lights. The stair case will look stunning. I wish I had an ounce of your creativity!
ReplyDeleteJoyeux Noel Vicki - looks like you have everything well organized - I love what's going on with the staircase, very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave heard a lot of people dislike the LED lights, too harsh and blue - unfortunately I've not even put up my old soft hued ones yet - just returned from SE Asia and have had no time to spare.
Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas.
Mary - A Breath of Fresh Air
P.S. I was also in your stunning Australia - Sydney and Brisbane - in November. Loved every minute!
Vicki,
ReplyDeleteI think you're on to something with the oak branches...it already looks wonderful. LOL, yeah, someone needs to tell the folks that manufacture LEDs that they need to create a softer white, not the 'interrogation of sleepless prisoner white' they currently shine with. I think they'll (men who invent these things) figure it out.
I hope you'll have time to take a picture and show us the end result of the bannister.
Happy Christmas!
Karen
Absolutely beautiful Vicki.
ReplyDeleteI have the exact same issue with white lights - we bought new ones last night and ended up with the blue/white kind which I didn't like one bit, they're so harsh and bright! And this year, I had forgotten that we had new ones last year and it was too late to buy more, so I'm stuck with them again this year!! Next year I'll get it right LOL!!
Joyeux Noel! xx
Vicki-
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the photographs! You house always looks beautiful.
Teresa
xoxo
The oak branches are beautiful - so fresh and original. Sorry to hear about the lights, though. At least the will be plenty bright to read your delicious-sounding book by. Enjoy curling up with a good read!
ReplyDeleteWow - you are ambitious!! I think it's fabulous - reminds me somehow of something out of Narnia - very lush woodland wonderland! Perhaps with gold and white? Would be lovely with the mirror!!
ReplyDeleteVicki - this is beautiful. I laughed, I did like you last year, decorated my door in golds and the darned new light had a blue glow, I re-did, as it created a cold atmosphere. I know you will make it work.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you and your family
Thank you for your friendship, support and comments this past year.
Helen xx
Looking very promising! I always love fresh greens, wherever they come from! I use a lot of ivy and holly!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
See you in the new year!
xoxo Victoria
What a wonder and creative idea! Nothing is better than fresh greens - I was cleaning the falling pine needles yesterday! Kinda messy but I love it.
ReplyDeleteThe oak branches definitely work. I also loved the subtle stair rail shadow your photo captured on the back wall.
ReplyDeleteLaura in Santa Fe
Stunning photo, that will look amazing when done.
ReplyDeleteLEDs are available in "warm white" but they are slightly green instead of cold blue color.
Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHad the same problem with the lights. Had to change all ornaments to a cool hue! looks pretty but not warm... Can't wait to see the banister all decked!!! Looks gorgeous as it is!!
Cecile
That looks AMAZING!Keep going and I want a photo of the finished product!
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS!
Very nice! I really dislike the LED lights. If it gets to the point that's all that's available I'll just skip using lights altogether. Even with the old traditional lights I have a dimmer cord I plug them into. I love being able to control the mood I want according to the time of day.
ReplyDeleteKathy
Lucky for me, I still have the old lights on the tree + the new LED's are still in their boxes. Thanks vicki & everyone for the tips! The stairs look wonderous. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteI always love the photos of your stairway! I have not switched to LED for the holidays... not sure it is me. Wishing you a very happy holiday!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Christina
greige
Those oak leaves look lush. You must have a huge tree to be able to trim that much off of it.
ReplyDeleteThat job must have taken you many hours to do. It looks beautiful.
Please let us know what you think of that book after you have read it. I am always looking for good books to read.
Happy Holidays,
Hostess
XO
Love your staircase and merry christmas just in case I don't get to visit again in time xx
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, Vicki. ONLY you could have conceived this...truly. Your family is very fortunate to have you, the creative angel that you are. Sending love to all of you, have the MOST wonderful Christmas ever.
ReplyDeleteWow... so beautiful! Enjoy decking out your halls, your Kindle and the book (I just downloaded it on my iPad). And happy holidays!
ReplyDelete.. have a wonderful holiday ... yes those LED lights are naughty ... I'm hearing talk that people are stocking up quickly with old lights ... hum, not sure ... the stairs look wonderful, whatever you put on them ... the book looks fun, may do same ... thanks for all your great posts ... one of my favorite blogs.
ReplyDeleteBest in 2012 .. Karen in CT
Vicki, as someone from the "''hood" of the Alpilles, I hope that you take to heart my "wow". Because using oak instead of the ever present olive branches is a fun change of pace, not to mention regal as all get out.
ReplyDeleteAs for the LEDs, well we escaped the harshness simply out of laziness. We waited to decorate the tree until this past weekend, realized that all of our lights had bit the dust and then hurried to Casa in Arles where they only had the display lights left! Yes, they have been "on" so much that they glow nicely. So perhaps if you are patient, yours will do the same. :)
Sending my Best from over the hill,
Heather
The staircase looks amazing! I've never seen oak leaves wrapped that way - must be a Parisian thing to do as we only really use evergreens here in my part of Canada. Would love to see a photo of the finished railing when you're done.
ReplyDeleteI love the oak garland! Oak is a very powerful symbol in Celtic mythology - it stands for life, strength, wisdom, loyalty and honor (among other things) and, of course, a bit of magic! What a wonderful addition to your home this season.
ReplyDeleteAnd that book! I don't own a kindle (I'm still using my old cell phone with the battery held in by duct tape, if that gives you an idea of my advanced technological state), but I would read this one in a snap. Will she ever put it out in print?
Vicki!! How beautiful is this!!! Love it! You have such an eye for beauty!!!
ReplyDeleteWish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!!
Hugs,
Greet
Beautiful idea! It will look fantastic. And you are correct. Change is good.. and FUN!
ReplyDeleteWow, looks like a big project. I know what you mean about the ugly colored LED lights. I won't be using them for the tree next year.
ReplyDeleteGood look w/the oak tree.
Bella Vida by Letty
Have a great day.
Thanks for the HUGE laugh: 'A smart person would have done that, right?' Oh, how often I think/say that.
ReplyDeleteLove the oak leaves...King Arthur's Round Table was made of oak...great ancient symbol...marvelous!
(still chuckling)
I think it looks amazing and the end result will be very festive and must smell so authentic? The lights are harsh, we have put similar up in our tree and our balcony that surround the tree - the only problem was the new extra large wreath I purchased this year has the warm yellow lights and now cant sit side by side?
ReplyDeleteI refuse to get flustered and stupid over such things and remember the real side of Christmas along the way.
That is beautiful! I can't wait to see how it turns out. And the 'Daily Click' is gorgeous today, too!
ReplyDeleteKeri
How do you still have fresh oak leaves in December Vicki? But they look do look very beautiful - and I for one am all for change. Why ever not? Life would be dull if not for throwing in some variety.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh about the lights! One year I would like to be game enough to try real candles...but not sure how they used to do it without setting the house on fire. Now that would be worse than your disco lights! Virginia xx
Hi Vicki, wish I could decorate with foliage, as I have a staircase that would look great as you have done but in Australia it would be dry and falling apart by xmas day. Plus where would I get some oak?? I do have olive trees however, now you have got me thinking. xxxCorrina.
ReplyDeleteI *love* the look of the oak branches, so country festive!
ReplyDeleteVicky I got the most BEAUTIFUL mercury glass votives today!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I have put them to use immediately and will take a picture and show you, I LOVE THEM!!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, going to get back and finish the last minute preps for the party!
What a beautiful way to start the day. Your staircase is a picture, Vicki. And the Kindle sounds very handy - I love the feel and smell of printed books, but for ease of portability, the Kindles and so on must be incredibly handy. Looks like a fun and flirty read, Vicki - enjoy!
ReplyDeleteViki, it's going to be amazing. Can you post a photo of your christmas tree? Merry Christmas and hope Santa is good to you. xx
ReplyDeleteViki, love what you are doing, it will be amazing. Can you post a picture of your Christmas Tree? Beautiful Blog. Have a Happy Christmas, and hope Santa is good to you. xx
ReplyDeleteVicki, the oak looks beautiful on the staircase ( looks like it took you hours ! )
ReplyDeleteLED lights sure do have a way of announcing their presence.
Can't wait to see the finishing touches of your staircase decor. Love those oak leaves too. :)
ReplyDeletePhilippine properties
Those oak garlands and decorations are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful... I am so jealous of the delightful Christmas you must be about to have.
ReplyDeleteAndrea x
Original cette décoration en branches de chêne... Chez moi il a perdu ses feuilles...
ReplyDeleteGros bisous à vous,
Je vous souhaite une douce nuit de noël.
"Shades in the evening", LOL!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the holidays!
Oh your stairs are beautiful Vicki! A-M xx
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteOh I can just picture Mr.FF sitting on the Living Room sofa with his arms tightly folded & his Raybans on at 10p.m. giving you & those Griswold family tree lights the evil eye Vicki! Love your stair decoration, where do you get your energy now we're at the pointy end of the Silly Season!
ReplyDeleteMillie xx
That greenery on the staircase looks so beautiful! Happy holidays, Vicki! You are always an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteDitto on the LED Lights! I'm not transitioning well. I've tried hard to find replacements to my old lights, and figure by the time all my old ones burn out...they'll come up with a softer, warmer LED.
ReplyDeleteIt looks stunning!! Love, love, love it.
ReplyDeleteWow! Love the oak wrapped staircase! It's really beautiful! Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWOW, Your home is like a fairy tale!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe stairs and the oak...
Very nice alternative....
I agree, change is wonderful with home decor...
xoxo
m