Happy Wednesday everyone! For today's holiday blog party we're hanging out with adorable Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. I have been busy transforming our kitchen into candyland for the holiday season, just in time for the Vignette Party.
Peppermint striped wreaths, plates, peppermint stripe ribbon, and candy cane trees are part of our theme this year here in the Opulent Cottage kitchen. I started by rearranging a few things to make room for our ever-growing kitchen tree. And wait until you see the tree! I'll be showing it for Sarah's Tree Party on December 9th.
This baker's rack was moved (OK, shoved) up against the fridge, because I just can't live for a month without my cookbooks, and there's no other place for them to go! If it's going to be here, it's going to have to be cute, so why not decorate? You can see how tiny my kitchen is, because I can't even get a shot of the whole thing! Never keeps folks from cramming themselves in here though, isn't that always how it is?!
White lights strung throughout the baker's rack add a festive glow. Candy salt and pepper shakers and Fiesta Ware tea cups, embellished with a bottle brush tree, hang out with our resident chicken.
A vintagey tin, ceramic ornament and more tiny trees --
This awesome mug came from a friend who gives them out every year. I have a good collection now, thanks, Laura! It sits atop peppermint napkins and some Christmas plaid tea towels, ready for holiday entertaining.
A sweet nest, and peppermint plates.
On the bottom shelf, a basket of Critter Crunch is stocked to feed hungry beggars (remember Marvin?). Handy!
It was really fun to decorate the countertops, too! I had not rearranged my kitchen accessories in a while, and this fresh look was simple, low-cost, and super cheery for this holiday season.
The candy theme continues with these handmade peppermint wreaths. I simply covered dollar store styrofoam wreaths with yarn, added a peppermint-stripe bow, and attached them to our vintage-style chicken wire cabinets with some silver craft wire. I'll show more about this soon!
This tray moved in from the living room, and now holds our kitchen lamp, miscellaneous trees and a handy mug full of sterling spoons and Santa spreaders.
More bottlebrush trees and ornaments are perched amongst yummy candies on a covered cake plate. These candies (Candy Cane Kisses) are really going to get me in trouble this season! Have you tried them? They're really addictive!
This vignette is just a collection of items we already owned, with a couple of ribbons and holiday trees. It's a great example of how simple holiday decorating can be. Look around, and see what you have that you can use!
And a collection of holiday-themed towels, hanging from a rack by the sink, super-handy to have! On the side you can see my vintage rag garland, an estate sale find from years ago that I still treasure.
Even the top of the fridge got cleaned off and decorated for the holiday --
This may have become the world's longest blog post, but I have one more thing to show! Something that was never intended to be part of the Christmas vignette, something that should not be on the counter at all . . .
She had already rearranged the towels when I caught her in the act, and then we had to have a few moments of play time! Naughty, naughty kitty. I know that she sneaks up here at night because the heater blasts down on this counter (gross, and funny).
Thank you for coming by to see our kitchen! And thank Rhoda for hosting the Vignette Party, you are always a huge source of inspiration. We love you!!
Your eclectic mix is so fun! And kitty is the cutest of all:)
Posted by: Leslie | December 02, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Such pretty things. I love how just the bit of ribbon made your "greens" so Christmasy. The candy cane tree...darling. I love the stacked plates with the bird nest...that may be my favorite. Loved it!
Posted by: Sue | December 02, 2010 at 02:18 PM
I love the "JOy" tin and your mantle is so great! I love red, so Christmas decorating is just the best for me! Lezlee
Posted by: prior | December 02, 2010 at 08:33 PM
You have the most darling kitchen I have ever seen. I love the wreaths on the cabinets. and I too have a kitty counter sitter but only when I'm not around.. how smart they are!
Posted by: marlis | December 02, 2010 at 09:50 PM
WOW! Andrea so precious and charming! I completely adore your home and vignettes. Pretty kitty too. I enjoy each and every colorful tour.
Have a very wonderful weekend!
Warmly, ~Melissa :)
PS Do you have a follower button? You follow mine I believe and I can't find yours to pay you more regular visits.
Posted by: Melissa's Heart and Home | December 03, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Look how darling your kitchen is! I'd totally missed this. Your house is like mine except with red and green!
Posted by: Nita@ModVintageLife | December 07, 2010 at 06:36 PM
I love everything you put together for Christmas last year. I know I'm months behind
but I'm looking for 2011 ideas.
Posted by: Sussi Sassmannshausen | May 20, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Hello!
I'm also looking for Christmas ideas for this year and I stumbled on your blog. What a delight! I'm so delighted with what you did last year, I signed up to follow you.
So nice to meet you,
Janelle
Posted by: Janelle | November 25, 2011 at 11:43 PM