This year, I decided to create my version of a Victorian Christmas tree. You may remember that last year I posted about the fun of decorating a tree with travel souvenirs,
here. Then, as the holiday season drew to a close, I walked into an antique store comprised of many dealers and noticed — going from stall to stall — that there were lots of antique glass pine cone ornaments. I couldn't resist starting another collection, above!
I decided to complement the antique ornaments with new colored ones, and to alternate those colors from year to year.
If that isn't enough, I'll add colored ribbon to match the complementary color scheme and . . .
. . . strands of pearls or perhaps colored beads.
And here's the finished tree (with room for the glass pine cone collection to grow).
Mark,
ReplyDeleteYou've assembled a tree filled with my favorites. Vintage or antique pine cone ornaments are my favorite kind of ornament--you were lucky to find so many--and turquoise and gold combo is my favorite color combination for the themed tree. I think the result is fantastic! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Hi, Steve,
DeleteI decided that all the pine cones, and future ones, would be antiques, but just for fun I looked for contemporary ones, too. The ones that I see today are almost all larger in scale and covered with glitter or glopped with snow. I'll stick to the antiques! I wish you a Merry Christmas!
A very beautiful and festive tree, Mark. I love and collect antique ornaments - except mine are mostly silvers and whites. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteWarm greetings,
Loi
Hi, Loi,
DeleteI'd love to see your tree and the antique ornaments — I hope you share it. I wish you and Tom a Merry Christmas!
Beautiful Tree Mark. Especially love it reflected in the mirror. The antique ornaments are quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Bren! In that shot with the mirror, I like how the tree also makes the frame glow in reflection.
DeleteHello Mark, I agree, older objects are always better, and there is a danger in mixing them, because of the different look (glitter, etc.) as well as the lack of patina in the newer ones. Best of all, you will have the fun for searching out additions to the collection.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great Holiday,
Jim
Hello, Jim,
DeletePerhaps a few antique pine cones will be my Christmas present to myself in the years ahead, even if I find them in August! Thank you for all your comments — I always look forward to them.
And I wish you a happy holiday and all the best for 2014,
Mark
love your tree and the touches of blue! My favorite ornaments I have are some glass pine cones I got 2 years ago in red and in silver from Neiman Marcus (during their 50% off after-christmas clearance).
ReplyDeleteHi, Stefan,
DeleteI've looked at those Neiman Marcus ornaments and know that they're an investment, even at 50% off! You — who kindly sent me Coats & Clark spools for my antique spool cabinet — might appreciate that I decorated my first tree with what I had on hand — spools of thread!
Dear Mark - your tree looks stunning - the antique cones contrasting so beautifully with the rich blue baubles and ribbons.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your very kind comments on my last post, and for always being so supportive. I always remember that you were my very ‛first follower′.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas holiday, and looking forward to our continued blogging friendship in 2014.
Dear Rosemary,
DeleteAs you said in so many words on your own posting, one of the great pleasures of blogging has been to see friendships develop and unfold week by week, and month by month. I'm especially glad to have an exchange with you, and I've enjoyed learning so much about your beautiful corner of England. I wish you and H a very happy holiday and look forward to all the good things that 2014 might bring!
Great combination of silver, white and turquoise; like Goldilocks said "just right"! Have a very happy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThank you for enjoying my tree, and best wishes for a Merry Christmas, Columnist!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous tree! Boy also has a fondness for vintage glass pine cone ornaments, and has avidly been collecting them for years. They are addicting! I am happy that we live in different parts of the country as I would imagine fisticuffs would ensue between the two of you when simultaneously chancing upon one in a group shoppe! Reggie
ReplyDeleteHello, Reggie,
DeleteYou're right that those old glass pine cones are addicting. I've seen a surprising lot of them in Florida, so decided that I would collect only silver and gold ones. Even so, I've bought a few that have hints of paint from long ago, and they have a wonderful patina.
I wish you and Boy happy holidays!
Mark
Dear Mark,
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely tree, my friend. I like the colours and I do love the mix of old and new ornaments. I wish you a merry Christmas and a wonderful 2014.
Kirk
Hi Kirk,
DeleteSo glad you approve. I think the success in mixing the contemporary bulbs is that they're absolutely plain. But I'm finding that plastic bulbs are taking over — ugh!!
I wish you and AGA a lovely Christmas holiday and a 2014 that's everything you might want.
A gorgeous tree, Mark! So lovingly decorated. You have an excellent eye, my friend. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvette!! :o)
Delete