Well, the Nibbles and Sips party was a huge success. It was fun to see all my fellow Quester’s spread throughout our home. They seemed to appreciate an opportunity to just relax without an agenda, and sit and have easy conversations.

Even when I mentally put a fork in the holiday decorating, I am constantly tweaking. A little nudge here, and a complete removal there, and an occasional “What Were You Thinking” comes into play. I wanted everything perfect for my party and in the last few days I’ve had a lot of “Oh yeah I forgot to do that”. Like tiding up the round tray with sink incidentals on it. Well if anyone noticed, nobody said a thing. It didn’t matter!!!

In planning for the lower level room this year, I had to start by clearing the decks from the mess, made by State Days. This forced me to start early. I saw no sense in cleaning up the lower level only to mess it up again. Relaxed and Cozy is what came to mind.

I wanted something a bit different to look at so, I decided to fill all the cabinets with Redware Pottery. Reserved for my winter Welsh Cupboard I wasn’t sure if this would work downstairs in my “blue” space. I hadn’t had the Redware in the corner cupboard in many, many years so I decided to give it a try.

When I looked at the image above, I did have that “what were you thinking moment”. This is the way it was for the party. It is so unbalanced, I had to stop the presses, and go down and redo it. Proof that images see what the naked eye doesn’t. My Santa’s face is obscured on the second shelf, the yellow ware bowls are too flat. Well, it’s a mess. Redo!!!

The Do Over, I simply removed the Santa to the top shelf, added in 3 more red leather books, some easels to the plates on the second shelf, raising the plates and giving them more presence. I adjusted the bowls with the eggs because it is Christmas right!!! Moved one of the bottle brush trees to balance the height of the Santa and called it good. Yikes!!!!!!

The dark hole on top where the pot is laying down was bugging me so I hung a small glittery ornament on the inside. It breaks up the dark. The wreaths on the doors I love. They were so cheap like 4.00 a piece at Hobby Lobby. If you look closely you can tell they are fake, but with a beautiful ribbon and distance, I like the spikiness of them.

The trunk got its usual collection of critters and trees. The large Santa that I have had for many years, was hand made by a woman on Lake Minnetonka in MN. I have two by her. The faces are so great they even have age spots. All made from salvaged bits. The inside of the coat is emerald green taffeta! My kind of a maker!!!

This deer for some reason spoke to me last year. I rarely buy decor at Hobby Lobby but, I really liked him, and the price was right. I still love him this year. I nestled him into a fox collar that belonged to mom, added some pinecones and berries, and then added a metal holly candle ring around his neck. Of course Santa’s workshop came out to play, complete with an elf, a globe and packages. Working with things that I use all year long creates interest and levels.

I decided to leave my one plate wall of transferware. It helped to balance the blue over to the other side of the room. Adding the wreath to the platter quiets the area some, and I love the velvet ribbon.

Keeping this table surface a bit more spare haha, because there is so much going on, on the wall. The damask frog with his jaunty hat, is a been bag and the fabric is glorious. He always sat on my mom’s sideboard on a stack of law books. I love the scruffy tree in an old wooden pale, juxtaposed against the formal Queen Ann lowboy.

The bookcases received more Redware. I just swapped out the transferware and tweaked a bit. Another Tom Smith Santa is holding down the fort. I love the way his coat kicks out at the bottom. He is holding a basket and a lantern.

Some greens and a bottle brush tree tell you it’s Christmas. A collection of Bronte’s works, a pair of small antique shoes, and a bowl with an ornament are subtle reminders of the season.

The shelf above the TV also gets some greens.

Of course the painted chest had to get some love too! A Pottery Barn Lantern is the perfect spot for a small vignette. My Tom Smith Skater resides within. A watch case made by my dad, with a pocket watch inside, a bottle brush tree in a small clay pot, and a miniature ornament made by a very special woman. It is a patchwork wreath with a mouse. Yes there is a story behind it. I love this little vignette and enjoy doing it every year. This year the skater has encountered a dusting of snow and dropped his plaid scarf on the ground.

From the chair you look into the hallway that leads to the laundry, powder room, and the garage. This sign was designed by my daughter for our front door. Unfortunately nothing can hang on the door because of the southern exposure. Everything cooks! Instead this welcomes you from within.

The pie safe is pretty simple with just this one vignette and a photo of my grandparents in a sleigh. I need to keep it clear for food and dishes. This vignette has the first Santa I ever bought. Chalkware, I smile every time I take him out. A TS Santa in a Jack in the Box to commemorate the birth of our granddaughter who will be 25 next year! A copper cookie cutter with a heart in the palm.

A very old Vanity Fair cartoon of Horace Greeley takes center stage on the bookcase.

The last TS Santa is on a bracket. A favorite, a few years ago I decided to embellish him with the wreath, greens and bells. I love the way the shadows are playing off of him.

Last is the barn vent. Nothing really new here, when you like something you stick with it. Pheasant feathers and mercury glass pinecones and of course the House of Haden Santa hanging on for dear life.

And that’s it. Lower Level for 2025. Filled with unquestionable sentiment, quirks, and hopefully humor! I had fun. A LOT of work but worth it. I’ve enjoyed it. Does it pass muster? Too much, not enough, let me know in comments.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley