December 09, 2010

La pièce d'inspiration, Joyeux Noël


"click on photos for detailed views"
Fragments from our home and yard echo a French cottage style holiday season, with plain rustic creatively designed, and found pieces. While capturing the essence of a Joyeux Noël in French flea market style.

Inspired by rustic European cottages I was drawn to gentle shades and natural forms adding all the charm I could to my interputation of a soulful peaceful holiday. Festive tree branches, junk jewelry, paper ephemera book pages, plaster and paints added a muted glow of calm. A formula that makes for a Joyeux Noël, and will steal special attention from the room.


I have taken tree branches and misted them with gray primer for a gentler appearance. Then poured a plaster mix into a plastic bowl while placing the tree branches wired together into the bowl just right. After the plaster is set and dried you then cut down the plastic bowl to a shorter size covering the container with an old torn, and tattered square of a pillow case. Using a strip of the case while holding all four corners together and tying it around the top gives the appearance of the tree having its root ball covered, and ready for planting. The best part is gathering up old necklaces while dipping them into a mixture of plaster, glue, and paint then hanging them out to dry for the use of aged old garland, with old world charm. I even dip crystals into it giving the glass a frosted aged look, as if they have been un-earthed from years of weathering outdoors with perfect age to them.

I took and cut out paper book pages in the shape of birds adding a perfect touch to this holiday tree. The vignette design under the tree includes a vintage birdcage, making for a simple display of peace and joy.
Inspiring one special holiday design that outshines all the rest.

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tree, Dore! So perfectly artistic and you!! A true work of art my dear friend!
Guess what I received in the mail today... :)
Happy Holidays!
xoxo,
Jo

Julie Johnson said...

This is stunning! I love all of your thoughtful touches!

Tricia said...

How beautiful Dore...you are so creative. Best wishes ♥ Tricia

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

It is all beautiful, Doré. I'm with you, the more nature the better for this holiday season. I especially love the little bits you created!
xo~Tracie

Tammy said...

Oh. So. Beautiful!!
Tammy :-)
JUNK WILD

Amy Kinser said...

That is so beautiful. So glad you shared the photo.

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Very nice! How the simple things in life can give us such great pleasure.Bravo My Dear~Cheers Kim

Christel said...

less IS more! So beautiful, and sophisticated, it screams french cottage, elegance, and rustic..I love your artistic style. xoxo Christel

Debra@CommonGround said...

Just beautiful, Dore, this is so lovely and so YOU! Perfect for your decor. You have it decorated with the most wonderful objects,
big hugs,
Debra

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Just gorgeous Dore! I love all your beautiful creative ideas!! This is so charming!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

MA BELLE.....THIS IS THE LOOK I LOVE! My little white tree is full of homemade paper birds, and organic materials! I will have to study your photos closer tonight for I am running late to get to work, but I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU ABOUT PAINTING MY NEW ROOMS! Email me when you can:

rivani@bethel.edu

I will send you some photos of the perfect French cottage painted walls I have ever seen and maybe you can lend me some of your expertise on how to achieve that look.

GROSSES BISES et merci for this perfect post! Anita

Paint Me White said...

A beautiful display Dore just gorgeous Sandy xx

time worn interiors said...

Now that's my kind of tree! Love it1
Theresa
aka:tot

Unknown said...

...only YOU could make leafless tree branches glorious!!
Lovely!!
xo, Rosemary

Beach House Living said...

Dore,
Oh dear! How your mind creates such lovely things with a mix of old world rustic French styling I will never know. I would never think of using plaster to set the branches in so they stay just right or begin to know how to cut the plaster.
The tree is just lovely and I wish it were sitting in my house!

Rust: Vintage Inspired Design said...

Peaceful serenity....LOVE!!!!!
xojanis

michelle said...

So beautiful Dore!! It looks so soft and rustic at the same time. Perfect combination! Your whole display is gorgeous!

La Dolfina said...

It's just lovely like it's creator.
Your essence comes through in everything you do, my friend. Beautiful.
xx

Fishtail Cottage said...

You are amazing! Simple, yet extraordinary - FESTIVELY BEAUTIFUL! xoox
~tracie

Tuire said...

Just beautiful with book underneath and little sparkle!
We have so much snow and it's only the beginnig of december.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

So simple and beautiful...perfect to leave up through the winter!

Romeo said...

Ah, at last! I was hoping that you would have a post with some Christmas at your home! BEAUTIFUL!!! You know how I love nature...it's right up there with milk!! And you probably saw the EMPTY bowl you left for me so that should remind you how I feel about moo juice!

I would also like to be sure you know that I did not take off with the paper garland. I saw it one picture but it was missing in the others. So purrlease know that it wasn't me that took off with it. Milk. Yes. Garland. No.

Purrs to one of my favorite friends!

Romeo

Sandy said...

I love, love, love this! THIS is simple don up elegantly! I love the paper garland falling off the table, looks like the birds have been scattering it about, perfect!

Anji Johnston said...

You are absolutely one of a kind Dore! Your attention to detail is truly amazing. I may take a leaf out of your book for my decorating this year and keep it pure and simple. Thank you

Unknown said...

I adore branches in winter! Such a fabulous look! XX!

Seawashed said...

lovely and peaceful.

ox`kerrie

Amanda@RelovedRubbish said...

The decorated branches look lovely with the muted colors of the dresser and frame. I love your French Country Christmas!

Rebecca said...

Very beautiful, love the natural look and especially how you have carried the theme thru with the paper birds
Very nice
Blessings
Rebecca

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Just beautiful!! Thanks for sharing at my party!

Marie said...

Gorgeous, love especially the bird touches~!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Christmas bracelet giveaway

VS said...

Such a beautiful idea...I would love to try this!! Your French Country Christmas is absolutely charming friend, thank you for sharing it with me!
Smiles,
Susie

Suzanne said...

I am so inspired by simplicity these days...and yours is simply beautiful!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

MA BELLE DORÉ! Oh, your comments just make my heart sing!!! Isn't the music for this time of year just classic? Oh Holy Night is my absolute favorite. I wept as I was listening to it while loading it onto my playlist! teeeheee...but when I think of the message, well, my heart just skips a beat. BLESSINGS TO YOU AND I see you sent an email! Well, I might be out today digging our way out of the snow to get my sweet husband to the hospital. He has a strange thing going on with his nose that the nurse on the phone said needs to be attended to TOUT DE SUITE!

Please think of him?

MERCI MA BELLE! And you name is in the pot! Anita

Patina said...

I love decorating with branches. It's so fun to bring nature into your home. Your display is beautiful Dore!

Anne Lorys said...

Absolutely stunning, Dore!

Aubrey said...

Lovely Dore! So full of whimsy yet perfect for the wintery season. I love how your home is full of your dream of a "white & grey Christmas."
Blessings and love to you and Hannah during this precious season.
Cheers
Aubrey

Seawashed said...

I've been keeping an eye out on my postal box but haven't received anything from you yet sweetness. Did I maybe misunderstand? I thought you said that you got my Christmastide and that you sent one too? If you did, well you know I am anticipating its arrival! Love to you during these calm days of winter's approaching. ox`kerrie

French Basketeer.com said...

Dore, everything looks perfect and peaceful, just like I hope your Christmas season is!! Joyeuses Fetes!

Simple Home said...

It's beautiful Dore. I love the look you've created. So peaceful :-)
Blessings,
Marcia

koralee said...

Everything is sooooo darling over here...thank you for visiting me. I am off to peek around your etsy shop...happy dance.

Hugs of JOY to you today. xoxoox

Lara said...

..oh my! I love this!! The natural branches, the beaded garland... the sweet birds... it's truly a wonderful diplay of natured intertwined with chic French... you are so inspiring.. and sweet. :))
Hugs Lara

Renae said...

How much fun! Love your blog...will keep in touch!
xx

vignette design said...

Dore,
This is so beautiful in all it's simplicity!

joanna said...

C'est Magnifique -- artistic one.... clever and fanciful creative expression.

joanny

Seawashed said...

O Dore I am so sad your card has not made it to me. You know the postal service is not too bright these days. If you got the zip code right it should still make it to me. Our mail service often goes to neighbors whom are not kind enough to give it to us. I am praying it finds its way to me or back to you. ox`kerrie

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Doré,

Glad to have found you as I do sell a lot of French Country Style items from France!
You and your beautiful daughter are doing a great job.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas,

Mariette's Back to Basics

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Oh so lovely! I am inspired! ;)

Thank you for visiting my blog and for leaving your sweet comment. (My hubby is also French and Irish -- and some English tossed into the mix as well.)