The Alternative Christmas

I love a bit of tradition but sometimes I just want to do Christmas with a bit of a slant to it. So here are some ideas and little things I have done to make Christmas a bit alternative.

A leopard skin Christmas cake seems a good alternative to me. Courtesy of Eric Kayser in Paris.

I made a centrepiece of items I have collected this year for Ghost Furniture and not used as yet.

Why have a spruce when any tree will do the job. Found at Campagne Decoration

Hang your Fairy upside down and why not? Image via Pavlova and Fox at Etsy

Make use of those old cake tins. OK so I have shown these on a previous Christmas post but they still look amazing.

I bought all the girls in the family a quirky bag that rolled up brilliantly so I could make them into Christmas Crackers. Trimmed with those bits and pieces I never throw away.

Have the ultimate Christmas dinner - a Golden Goose. Edible gold spray from The Deli Garage

Make a wreath of nuts instead of throwing them in a bowl. Mind you no one would be allowed to eat them. Image via Pinterest

But you can't beat a good old traditional FESTIVE greeting. Have a ball each and everyone of you.

Sneak Peek at IKEA's Take On Christmas Flowers

I have access to IKEA's ideas for Christmas before they go public. Amaryllis, parrot tulips and a lone crowfoot. Love the look. Go and find more ideas here.

Take Some Sandwich Bags and a Wire Coat Hanger

My daughter's sister-in-law, Rachel, posted this on Facebook the other day and it just blew me away. A fabulous Xmas Wreath made with just sandwich bags and a wire coat hanger. I asked how it was done and she kindly sent me the instructions:
"Di, the bags are sandwich bags, size 17cm x 20cm they cost anything from £1 for 500. I have no idea how many bags I used but must me roughly 200 to 300 max! I used the frosted bags, as in not clear/see through and it's a bit more effective. Yes it was a white wire coat hanger shaped into a rough circle and literally tie each individual bag on tight and push them on tightly. I have seen it done with strips of black bin bags for halloween or can use green garden bags too. Then you can decorate with baubles or bows, ribbons etc."
I'm off to the shop now for some opaque sandwich bags.

Home Room Studio

Some inspiring pieces I found at Home Room Studio on Etsy. Who would have thought to make Christmas trees from old fabric?

Pale and Interesting Ribbons

I don't always want to wrap Christmas presents in red, white and green so these gorgeous ribbons from Pale and Interesting are right up my street.

A Very Merry Christmas From Here

Thanks to every person around the globe who hangs around Designers Block, it's been fun. Merry Christmas to you all xx

And Then There Was Light - Painting My Floor White

This is usually the time of year when I have to apply a new coat of oil to the floor in the dining/kitchen area of our cottage. I knew it would get darker, as it does each time I do it. Living in a cottage has the drawback of deep set windows and low ceilings which if you are not careful can feel oppressive. SO I PAINTED THE FLOOR WHITE and what a difference. I LOVE IT!

It's bright and everything twinkles, not just the tree lights that I wrapped around the tree that holds up our breakfast bar. This instead of a Christmas Tree which means

the presents have to go somewhere else. Each year I try to wrap the presents in a new way. This year it was brown kraft paper with stencilled initials, a luggage tag with a stencilled initial, all piled up and tied up with ribbon, curls, party poppers, Mexican paper flowers and crackers. Took an age but saves rooting around looking for the recipients name on each individual gift.

The cottage is dressed and ready for Christmas but whether anyone gets here is still not known. The snow is still falling but it's warm, cosy and BRIGHT in my home right now.

There Are Yule Logs Then There Are These

I don't think I can add anything to this post other than to tell you that they are by Christophe Michalak in France

The Guardian's Christmas Gift Guide

The Guardian has excelled themselves this year with a beautiful Victorian themed Christmas Gift Guide. A pleasure and utterly gorgeous. Much better than going to the shops.

The Essence of Christmas

This image says Christmas to me. Rich, dark, warm colours, food, candles and a fireplace. Set against that dark grey wall makes even more perfect.
Image from Living etc.

Clever Christmas

I love to see new and innovative ideas for Christmas decorations and the following do not disappoint.

Tree made from vintage cake tins found at Realjunk at Etsy,

a totally new take on the Advent Calendar found at Florizel and

the most beautiful tree lights I have ever seen from Riviera Maison

Little Future Heirlooms from Concrete Ghost

Every Christmas I bring out the decorations and find little pieces with memories. I think every family has at least one Christmas decoration with a story.

Ghost Furniture have come together with Kathy Dalwood to create these Little Future Heirlooms, cast from vintage originals and decorated with vintage passementerie from the brocantes of France. All for sale on the Ghost Furniture website.
Plaster Tree Decorations all £15 with free UK delivery and

little Concrete Christmas Wall Hangings £40 each with free UK delivery. Each and every one is totally unique.

Christmas DIY

I did a very foolish thing not long ago - I got roped in to being the event organiser at our Village Hall. Now I would be lying if I said I don't enjoy it but it being the run up to Christmas I am mad busy with Ghost Furniture and I have a Christmas Fair to orgainise for 5th December.
Now I will get to the point. I am making stacks of decorations to cheer the hall up and setting up a Vintage Tea Room totally in White so whilst I gather DIY tips I will try to share them with you. Number 1 - Lighted Paper Pendants. Go here for instructions.

Just a Lovely Image - Christmas Circus at BHV Paris

I found this image over at Plurielles from the Christmas windows at BHV Paris. I just had to pretty up my blog with this.