Monday, December 22, 2014

The Golden Glow of Christmas

In our household, we have always decorated an evergreen tree for the years we celebrate Christmas at home.  My family and I enjoy the scent and appearance of real trees, excitedly brought into the house a week or so before Christmas day, and trimmed shortly thereafter with my ever-expanding collection of vintage glass ornaments.  Aside from the tree, various seasonal evergreen boughs are tucked within the tops of picture frames and mirrors, or hung in garlands around the front door.  Of course no Christmas is complete without a few wreaths of fragrant laurel or cedar.

As we shall be far from home during the Christmas holidays this year, we have opted to forgo our traditional evergreen tree and instead decorate only our small ivory colored goose feather one.  I purchased the tree about fifteen years ago, when I came across a catalog by The Feather Tree Co., a small American family-owned business that makes replicas of German goose feather trees by hand. These artificial trees were popular Christmas items in nineteenth century Germany and offered a solution to the rampant problem of deforestation.  A few years after my daughter was born, I ordered a second feather tree so that she too should have one to use in her own home when her time comes to fly the coop.  I'm so glad I did as the husband and wife team who labor over their creations recently announced their retirement and are no longer supplying their happy customers with these enchanting diminutive heirloom-worthy trees.

Chronica Domus
Our feather tree takes pride of place in the drawing room this year
Photo: Chronica Domus


We dressed the tree in shades of gold, silver, and green, and used a selection of ornaments in the form of pine cones, berries, and nuts.

Chronica Domus
A vintage glass walnut appears quite realistic
Photo: Chronica Domus


I've long had a weakness for pine cone ornaments and have collected quite a number of them in various designs and sizes over the years.  I have found little plump squat ones and slender elongated examples, dusted with crushed glass so that the cones twinkle when caught in just the right light. I am especially fond of those made during the 1940's in occupied Japan, and have found those in the colors you see upon our tree, as well as in vibrant turquoise and pink.  I adore how they are embellished with white paint to simulate freshly fallen snow.

Chronica Domus
Golden Japanese pine cones and green 
berries drip from feather boughs
Photo: Chronica Domus


Chronica Domus
Yet more pine cones fill a Paris porcelain punch bowl in a corner of the drawing room, collected on my walks and coated in clear glitter affording them a frosty appearance
Photo: Chronica Domus


To continue the color theme, I placed several variously sized balls in a pair of Anglo-Irish cut glass footed bowls either side of the tree.  I love the way they look grouped together. 

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus


I'm not certain what these little snowball-like ornaments are supposed to be, but I think them quite charming.  They are made of spun cotton and crushed glass which makes them glisten in the candlelight.  They remind me of the icy snowballs I used to hurl at my sisters when we were all rather silly girls playing in the snow outside our house in Kent.  In fact, we are still rather silly girls, but a little older and possibly a little wiser, but that is, of course, debatable once you've come to know us.

Chronica Domus
Hmmm... I see a snowball fight coming
Photo: Chronica Domus


Our tree has been placed in a nineteenth century black basalt bucket-shaped vessel that I found in England.  I've not seen another quite like it and don't exactly know what it's intended purpose is.  It is so large, one could chill a bottle of champagne in it.

To secure the tree firmly in place, I filled the vessel with an assortment of real silvered walnuts and pine cones.  I think they look marvelous alongside their glass imitators.

Chronica Domus
Silvered walnuts and pine cones fill a black basalt vessel
Photo: Chronica Domus


A dainty silvery-grey satin ribbon, a trio of miniature glass balls, and a home-made pipe cleaner star crown the top of this year's tree.

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus


But wait a minute, aren't you all wondering about those small wax candles attached to the tree's branches by the little tin clips?

Chronica Domus
To light, or not to light, that is the question 
Photo: Chronica Domus


Yes, I must confess, it would be a huge thrill for this author if she were to see our little confection of a tree all aglow in candlelight.  However, in the interest of marital harmony, I have promised my dear husband that I shall refrain from my pyrotechnic fantasies and keep the matchsticks far away from the candles.

Chronica Domus
Alas, the only allowable flames are those that flicker from our blazing fireplace
Photo: Chronica Domus


Except, that is, for maybe... just... this... one.

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus

Wherever you may find yourself this Christmas, I wish you and yours glad tidings and a very merry Christmas.

32 comments:

  1. Your feather tree and ornaments are elegant - really lovely! Enjoy your Christmas holiday. I hope it is restful and happy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Anon,

      Thank you for your comment and yes I will make certain our holiday is happy, but restful it ain't (which is a good thing in this case). Merry Christmas to you.

      Delete
  2. Dear CD,

    Yet another lovely post to delight your readers.

    My very warmest wishes to you and yours for Christmas and the New Year.

    Spud.

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Spud,

      Happy to continue to do my best to delight you. I too wish you the happiest of Christmases.

      Delete
  3. Just one Rascal, I see.
    Such a very pretty tree! Thank you for sharing it with us.
    A very merry Christmas to you, CD.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, just the one rascal. Why do you think we named her Patience!

      Joyeux Noël to you and thank you for stopping by.

      Delete
  4. Your tree is just beautiful as is your dining room. A very happy Christmas to you and your family!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you AD, I am glad you liked it.

      Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas also.

      Delete
  5. Hello CD, What a marvelous collection of vintage ornaments, but what I am really jealous of is that black basalt pot! I wish you and your family a great holiday.
    --Jim


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    Replies
    1. Now how did I know you'd like that pot Jim! I only wish I knew a little more about it.

      Season's greetings to you.

      Delete
  6. I just love the goosefeather tree and the backstory with the German couple. Your daughter will indeed treasure her heirloom. You have exquisite taste my dear CD and all the pinecones are quite lovely. Your eye is as always masterful...the CD pinecone didn't fall far from the tree.

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    Replies
    1. Dearest GSL,

      I'm happy to learn that you enjoyed my goose feather and pine cone fantasy, which I enjoyed putting together.

      I wish you glad tidings and the most wonderful Christmas with your family. Thank you for always adding so much to the merry banter at CD.

      Delete
  7. Magnificent! and very elegant, dear friend. Have a Merry Christmas wherever you are. J

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Lindaraxa,

      So happy you too enjoyed this year's Christmas tree.

      I wish you and your family a scrumptious and tasty Christmas - how could it not be if you are charged with the menu, yummy!

      Delete
  8. Your decorations are so beautiful, what a treat to read this post! Merry Christmas!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, DaniBP, I am pleased the tree is to your liking.

      Merry Christmas to you and your Rascals.

      Delete
  9. CD,
    The feather tree is charming and I too love pine cone ornaments. I wish you and your family fun wherever you are this holiday.
    Karen

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Karen,

      Yes much fun is being had by all, thank you.

      I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and I am sure it will be a special day what with it being your grandchild's first.

      Delete
  10. I have never heard of goose feather trees, it's utterly magnificent, I want to burn money silly, traversing the globe until I find one!

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    Replies
    1. I think you just came up with your next holiday - mad adventures in hot pursuit of a goose feather tree.

      Merry Christmas to you Tabitha.

      Delete
  11. Dear CD,
    What a splendid tree! But your husband is right...feathers are flammable so discretion is the better part of valor. It's best to leave them (well all but one) unlit.
    Here is something you can do with those large but less than decor-worthy pine cones. Tie a string to the top. Spread peanut butter around the exterior and roll the coated pine cone in bird seed. Then hang your pine cones in the trees. The birds will love you.
    Merry Christmas and safe travels,
    KL Gaylin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello KL Gaylin,

      I love the idea of a feast for the birds and have considered doing this with the very long cones of the sugar pine, so the birds get a banquet of a meal.

      Wishing you a joyous Christmas and thank you for your comment.

      Delete
  12. Wonderfully elegant, and the more prized (for me) because it is diminutive. I think I might copy that idea...next year. I agree with your husband - the warm glow that might result would probably not be welcome, compared to say a house intact! You might try and see if you can find these sort of candles in the correct size:
    http://corcol.blogspot.com/2014/02/can-you-hold-candle-to-it.html
    http://corcol.blogspot.com/2014/02/comme-ca.html
    Have a very happy Christmas wherever you are spending it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Columnist,

      They do say good things come in small packages, at least they did this year. I am glad my tree has inspired you for next year and I look forward to seeing the results.

      I have considered the candles you make mention of for a pair of rare storm bowls that I am nervous about using so I shall seek a pair out and let you know how I get on.

      I trust you had a pleasant Christmas and will continue to enjoy the holidays.

      Delete
  13. Dear CD
    What a beautiful tree. And you have inspired me to seek out ornaments. I haven't bought any in years, though I love them Hmm...Im just now gathering the first wisps of an idea for a blogger ornament exchange.
    Your home is as beautiful as your writing
    Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Merry (late) Christmas to you as well Bebe. I adore that you've been inspired to seek out some ornaments for your own tree and I know you shall be successful in your pursuit. An ornament exchange sounds like fun.

      Delete
  14. What a wonderful, warm and beautiful Christmas you have... Happy holidays to you and your family and all the very best for the new year! x

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    1. Thank you, dear Natalia, how very nice of you to stop by and comment.

      I too wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a fantastic year ahead for 2015.

      Delete
  15. I love the way even the apple-green candles in the brass candlesticks are colour co-ordinated with your tree. Wishing you all the best for 2015. David.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lord Cowell. Those were my last two green candles (alas, the color has been discontinued). I've purchased others since but they are more of a lime green. Must keep searching!

      Wishing you much happiness and progress with your beautiful ventures at WBP in the coming year.

      Delete
  16. I found this glorious image on a Google search and have become addicted to your blog. Christmas in New York is a delight for the eyes! But the Golden Glow of Christmas is the most stunning image of your own handiwork! All of your blog has captured me! Thank you for sharing with all of us...

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    Replies
    1. Hello Anon,

      What a wonderfully generous comment, thank you. I'm thrilled you've discovered the blog and do hope you visit again (and often) and join in on some of the discussions, which might very well be the most rewarding aspect of writing this blog, at least for this gentle author it is.

      CD

      Delete

Please do leave a comment as I enjoy the dialogue with my readership, thank you.

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