Ok last week was frigid, this week much warmer. Today it is supposed to get up to 59 degrees! Not a flake of snow. I have been knee deep in trying to get the ALO Online shop back in order after the holidays, but I did manage to get Christmas down. Do you think!!! I left a few things for winter styling. What a bunch of nonsense.

The Welsh cupboard got the first refresh, with the return of the red ware pottery. I have to say it was nice to see it come back. It’s been a good 9 months since its last appearance.

I thinned it down somewhat and tried to create a bit more negative space. Filling my mocha ware bowl with Christmas greens for the winter. They are a bit loosey goosey up there but that’s fine, I am not into perfection. The greens in my big stoneware pot on the bottom shelf stayed for now.

Definitely a work in progress. Lot’s of trial and error. Here it is now.

One thing I couldn’t loose just yet, was the greens tucked into my ship over the front door. I’ve always liked the moored quality Christmas brings to that space. So we will leave it for now. Tearing down the greens around the Queens Head, was hard but it had to be done. I do love the way she looks with the “drape”.

Changing the pillow slips to the vintage crewel I picked up in Natchez MS a few years ago, definitely freshens up the living room. A mohair buffalo check throw, I picked up at our thrift shop last winter for 15.00, makes a great snuggle. It had never been out of its package. Absolutely perfect.

Then I moved on to the kitchen. I added an antique Iranian table square. This was an easy one. I brought back the wooden pedestal and filled it with my Doulton Lambeth collection of late 19th Century Pub Ware. I have used this here before but, I thinned it down a bit and added in some clay pots for texture. A sprinkling of chalk ware lambs reinforcing the lambs in the print above the table. Some wooden checkers stacked up.

The cubby got redressed too. But I discovered I wasn’t satisfied with it. It will be a work in progress as I try to reimagine it. In the meantime I’m working on something for the lower level that I think will make a difference.

Do you ever look at something you’ve absolutely loved and just like that, it feels like too much. That has been happening to me a lot lately. Taking pictures of all the things that I do, has been the one thing that has helped me as a designer. For some reason the camera sees what the naked eye cannot. It tells me if it’s good, or move it 1/4″ to the left! Let me know in comments if this happens to you.

As I have said here before I don’t believe in seasonal decorating. Buy what speaks to you and you will love it forever. I just keep recycling the things I love and try to find new ways to use them. I am always on the look out for that new piece, whatever it might be but, I am no longer compelled to keep buying. Now it has to jump out and grab me by the throat to give it a chance.

Last week I made the trek down to Lincoln to a good antique show. Saw quite a few interesting things. Came home empty handed. I didn’t feel sad. I was proud of myself. There just was not an “IT” piece for me, and that is really OK.

I hope this gives you a few ideas for your winter home. Think outside the box. Bring in those terra cotta pots from outside. Vary your shapes and sizes. Nestle something unexpected into a void. Keep it fun. It’s not rocket science. It’s just toys for the grown ups!

I would love to see what you are doing for your home after the holiday.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley