You're a wrestler you say? A crossfitter? A yoga expert? Yeah, good for you. You must be so proud. Pftt. Amateur. I am none of those things, but I'm still more of an athlete than you.
I excel in the sport of Christmas decorating.
I train just as hard as you, carb load not only before the big game, but during and after it, *plus* win or lose I'm covered head to toe in gold sparkles for the entire month of December. I'm like a walking gold medal. If you propped me on a pole I'd look like Brandi the Christmas stripper, only I'd have cookie crumbs in my bra instead of money. I'm awesome.
Look, I know at this point you're feeling a bit intimidated by my obvious superior athletic abilities, but don't be. We all put on our team jerseys one arm at time. It's just that your jersey is some stupid, super-boring one that reduces you to a number while mine happens to be a pair of tree sap covered pajamas with 4.5 pounds of artificial garland and mystery dirt stuck to them. So again, awesome.
There are subtle differences between my sport and yours of course. Yours has you replenishing with Gatorade and eating power bars. Mine has me replenishing with rum and eggnog and tripping over power bars then giving them the finger, *just* before I fall into a Tupperware bin full of antique glass balls. I also give them the finger.
I started the race a little bit late this year because I had to finish putting in the built in bookcases in the dining room. So it turns out this Christmas post is also the reveal of all of the bookcases in my dining room. It isn't a representation of how the dining room will look all the time, just during stripper Christmas.
I also realized that this is the first time you'll see what's become of my foyer since removing all of the bookcases. This is a very exciting post indeed.
In fact, it's like Christmas.
A black Christmas.
This year it's out with all white and in with big hits of black.
It's also a bit of a turnaround for me in terms of shoving some of the simple, minimalistic, decorations to the side in favour of big, fat, cookie eating decorations. I have retired the anaemic garland I've loved so much over the past few years and I'm embracing my inner Dynasty.
Which is not to say that everything is over the top. Everything over the top is too much, just like eating an entire Costco sized chicken pot pie is too much. Sometimes. My coffee table decoration is just one of the cheese boards I made with a few candles on it.
All of the garland in the house though? Yeah, every bit of it is totally over the top with a capital Carrington.
Ready to see the new foyer?
There are so many things in this picture that I feel compelled to tell you about.
The tree. For the first time in my life I bought a surprise tree. One of those things wrapped in netting and twine, smashed up so tight you have no idea what's actually inside. It was like a tree wearing Spanx. I was excited and terrified to cut it loose for fear of what might come boinging out at me.
As luck would have it the surprise tree was perfect. Too perfect in fact. I had to take a pair of shears to screw it up a bit.
The tablecloths Those are not tablecloths over my foyer table. The bottom, natural coloured one is my linen duvet cover and the black one on top is my black linen pinafore. I'm very cold at night and very dirty while cooking, but my foyer looks good.
The Chandelier You might remember my $100 Kijiji chandelier. Once I got it together I discovered it's missing a lot of crystals and one of the arms causes the bulb (and my dimmer) to blow out. Sooooo watch for a DIY on how to do a little electrical repair on chandeliers the first week of January on the blog.
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We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
I still haven't figured out an option for window treatments but I won't be able to do the thing I most wanted which was interior wood shutters. There just isn't room for them to open on enough windows. So I've half decided to go with simple roman blinds, just like the ones in my kitchen.
You won't find any photos of my kitchen at Christmas in this post incidentally because it looks exactly like it did last year, so just take a look at my Christmas House Tour 2015 if you want to see what it looks like at this very moment.
I brought the black into this room with the black metal candelabra at the end of the buffet and 3 black reindeer. Black decorations were hard to find this year but I'm guessing by next year they'll be way easier to come by.
Simple, rustic and white have been in for so long that there's bound to be a backlash soon by way of people clamouring for the opposite of white and simple. Black and brash.
And Buddha.
Enter Dynasty era garland number 4. It's 3 or 4 garlands twisted together with pinecones, gold beads and black and white ornaments added to it. It. Is. Over. The. Top.
Are you ready for the dining room and the completed bookcase project that caused me to run naked and screaming through the streets? (that's rhetorical if you happen to be one of my neighbours)
I love it. It's like a hug. From hundreds of books.
Enter the black dining room accents. Black ornaments tucked in the garland which is sitting on a black burlap runner.
Margaret is the beautiful black backdrop to it all.
And then of course there are the black presents, inspired by basketball coach Amos.
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas tour through my house this year, I'm glad you could make it. I'm even more glad that you're only imaginary here because then I don't have to make small talk and you don't have to worry about breaking anything.
It's been an exciting post hasn't it? So exciting you might feel inclined to tip me. You don't need to. But if you insist, I shall keep my bra open and ready for you to stuff with cookies.
love Brandi, the Christmas stripper.
Kat
The book cases are perfect! Fantastic job! The whole house looks great! Now here is my question. I am a bit of a tree topper junkie. I love the old vintage ones the best. Where are your tree toppers. Both trees have no tree toppers Karen. They look naked to someone who idolizes tree toppers. It is always the first thing I look at when I look at a decorated tree. I kinda lose it a bit when I see a perfect tree with no topper. OK I will stop now.
Karen
Well, funny story but ... I don't particularly like tree toppers, lol. Just don't. The odd year I'll put a classic star on top but not this year. Avert your eyes, lol. :) ~ karen!
Lois Baron
Love everything, esp. the garland! Please tell me about the box you stuck your live tree in. Is there dirt in there to hold the tree up? It doesn't look big enough to be hiding a regular tree stand. My tree is currently leaning because the trunk didn't get cut straight so it tilted while we were winding lights on it. (Be proud of me because I did not yell at my husband who said he would--but did not--recut the trunk.) True confession: I am coveting your box . . . and the garland . . . and lots of other things, but not the sap involved. I hate sticky. If I'd realized how much sticky was involved in parenthood, I might have skipped the kids. But I digress. The bookcases look AMAZING.
Jenifer
LOL! I hear ya on the sticky! Some days it can feel like living in a frat house...or what I imagine living in a frat house would feel like!
Karen
Hey Lois! The box is an antique butter box. It is indeed holding a christmas tree stand, but I've had to modify it by removing the legs so it could fit in there. I also have the tree held with fishing line to the window behind it. If your kids get too sticky just think of them as cinnamon buns. ~ karen!
Robert
So you love them momentarily and then hate them for ruining your figure? That sounds about right!
Karen, is all the black in your decorations matte except for the satin ribbons in the bookcase's presents and that single ornament? Or is my screen deceiving me?
Karen
hahahahahah! ~ karen!
JulieD
Lookin good- absolutely gorgeous job on the Christmas decorations!
And I’m loving the white painted trim with the wood doors – looking forward to seeing the new window treatments. The dining room looks so great . Well done!!
Nancy Blue Moon
Love it all lady...The bookcases are something I dream about...
Stephanie Hobson
Ok, now I can quit worrying about Margaret. :)
Karen
Yep. :) Margaret is the one thing I would never, EVER get rid of. Ever. ~ karen!
Grammy
I'm glad you have been worrying, too, Stephanie. It makes me not feel so pervy. I didn't think Karen would ever get rid of Margaret, but I was afraid she'd take her out of the dining room and Margaret would just never feel right about that. She looks so serene gazing upon all the beautiful built-in bookshelves. It's just perfect, and I'll be able to sleep again.
Note to Karen: As usual, your Christmas house is stunning (notice how many people used that adjective this time?) and I LOVE the over-the-top garland. Painting your trim white was the best thing, and every single other thing looks better without the natural wood taking up mental space. The linen roman shades will be exactly right. And thank you for keeping Margaret in her proper place of honor.
Suel Anglin
Once again, you have inspired me to get going! But here in the mountains of Western North Carolina, I'll be looking to incorporate some Douglas Fir, Mountain Laurel and Galax. That is if I can find any left in my woods. Happy Christmas up there!
P.S. how are the chickens?
Karen
Thanks Suel! And there's a chicken update coming up next week! ~ karen!
Melissa
You are the best Brandi. Wouldn't have expected anything less than perfection.
Happy, Happy Christmas!
Karen
Thanks Melissa! My pasties and I are pretty pleased with it. ~ Brandi!
Teri
Hey Karen! I love your posts, admire your talent, and am currently feeling no guilt at all.
Even though, Um, I have two Christmas cards hung above the fireplace. AAAAAANNNNNDDDD that is the sum total of my decorations.
However, your "get done in November" Calendar was useful to me in other ways. I wrote a few lists. I started to pack (there is currently a wetsuit on my window seat, so perhaps I do have more decorations than I thought?).
My 16 year old daughter was given enough prep time to make presents for the family and 16 teachers. (My 17 year old son is doing the OOPSIE dance right now, but whatever, one out of two ain't bad). Did I mention that I wrote some lists?
My family is going to Tofino for 5 days prior to Christmas. My Mom (almost 87) my eldest and my daughter-in-love, my two teens, my neice, and me. We are having a minimalist surfing Christmas and I am taking my Dad's old aluminium 2 foot Christmas tree. $5 presents. a Turkey dinner one week early. the silly family games including quoits that my grandfather made more than 70 years ago.
It means much less stress for me (as my Mom will have fewer reasons to criticise my untidy house), and a blessed guilt-free 5 days away from 'it all'.
Yes, I could have decorated, however then I would have to undecorate, and that enervates me. Instead, I will enjoy YOUR decorations, then go out and get pounded by the Pacific Ocean on a boogie board. ;-) Merry Christmas Karen and to all your lovely commenters... XX
Karen
Have fun in Tofino Teri! If you go to Shelter for dinner tell the chef I sent you in for the brussels sprouts. ;) Also I dropped a rock I wanted to bring home after surfing in September. It was on one of the beaches in Tofino about 3 feet from the water and it was black. If you find it, send it to me. ~ karen!
Teri
will look for it. what beach, exactly? LOL
Karen
mmmm. I can't remember exactly. You'll have to check all of them. ~ karen!
Jan
Beautiful! Too many fabulous vignettes to pick a fav!
Patti
I am an avid fan but would have left those living room windows bare rather than have those curtains. Just take them down and leave the windows bare!
Karen
Well I can't Patti, lol. You're right, the windows are beautiful but I live 5 feet from the street so at night there would be zero privacy. There needs to be some sort of window covering until I update to linen roman blinds. :) ~ karen!
trish
Wow.Wow and Wow!!!! You've sooooo nailed it girlfriend. black and brash -- the awesomenest counterpoint for white and wood:) and its only the 13th or 14th or something. Karen for Emperor !!
Su
It's beautiful and stunning. Brandi, you have outdone yourself! Take a bow sweets! Merry Christmas!
Amy
Absolutely beautiful! I'm still working on the cheese and bread boards but really love your inspiring posts. I especially like the Jameson in some photos, a neat shot of Irish whiskey can be very inspiring.
Karen
Thanks Amy. The Irish whiskey was a gift from an Irish man I knew once. :) ~ karen!
Laura
Try some of that Jameson in your eggnog. It's the best!
Karen
Hmm. Good thinking Laura. :) ~ karen!
Dana
I love the big mirror in the foyer.
Karen
Thanks Dana. Now that I've painted all the trim in the foyer I love it too. With the bare wood it didn't look nearly as good. ~ karen!
TucsonPatty
Bee-you-tea-full job, Karen!! Your over the top garland looks awesome over the top of Margaret! Heehee. All is stunning, and my paltry once live now brown wreath on my front door is sadly lacking. There is time, yet, though!
Karen
Meh. Whatever. Stick a little mini, white Christmas tree in it and your brown wreath will look fine. :) ~ karen!
Leslie Mittendorf
This looks amazing- your built-ins came out wonderfully, make for such a cozy dining room. The garlands are awe-mazing.
Thanks for sharing your journey and your destination!
Happy Holidays-
Karen
Thank you Leslie. :) ~ karen!
Gayle
Over. The. Top. Christmas. I love It! I have to check out your kitchen yet, tho. Merry Christmas!
Karen
Oh yeah, the kitchen's good. :) ~ karen!
maria
I love your place! I want a white xmas tree - and your dining room one is perfect - where did u get it? I have looked at some at the big box stores and they look so fake.
Thanks, Maria
Karen
I *think* I got mine at Homesense Maria. The Canadian equivalent of Homegoods. But it was about 10 years ago I'm afraid. :/ ~ karen!
Alena
Canadian Tire has white Christmas trees and I saw a really nice at Sheridan Nursery (more $$ but sometimes you get what you pay for). Bouclair has a white tree made from feathers but I found it disappointing. I bought one last year but I took it back. It was a) made in China and b) the feathers were falling out.
Barb
Unbelievably STUNNING Ms. Bertlesen! You never cease to amaze me. I'm going for the 80's silver this year but will definitely be rethinking next year.
Karen
Oh Barb, stop. So more the Knots Landing look for you? Or Flamingo Road? Go 80's! It's all the rage for Christmas this year apparently, lol. ~ karen!
Julie
I love the black. I think black adds so much depth into a room! Thanks for the tour. I'm going to figure out how to incorporate dust bunnies and the shedding hair of my daughters and me into some sort of personalized garland.
Karen
Black is important in any room! Even an all white one. Just braid the hair and make mini garlands for things like your spoons. ;) ~ karen!
Julie
I can make those braided deer-things like you see in Ikea! Great tip! :)