Several years ago while watching the British period drama Cranford, I was struck by the wisdom of Miss Octavia Pole, the show's Chief Gossipmonger About Town and General Know-It-All. She uttered the following words of wisdom while presiding over the tarting up of the house for Christmas, "...that is enough! One can be so over zealous with one's Yuletide decorations".
Miss Pole is a woman after my own heart for I believe that our homes are not retail establishments and should not be decorated as such. Not every surface need be covered in gewgaws, with displays to rival those found in department store windows.
A little sparkle here, a little color there, a few snippets of greenery placed atop picture frames and looking glasses and, well, that's usually about the extent of it for us. Restraint can travel very far.
Oh, and a tree, of course. One year it might be a towering evergreen, another a tabletop goose feather tree. To some, Miss Pole's Yuletide decorating philosophy may sound a little spartan and somewhat under-decorated but to us, it feels just right.
I extend Miss Pole's words of wisdom to the exterior of the house too. Simple homemade wreaths hang upon the doors, and occasionally when the mood strikes, twinkling white lights are draped over the boxwood hedge. I say occasionally as we do not have an external power source. Running an electrical cord from the front of the house, all the way along the side, and in through an upstairs window left ajar to seek out a power outlet can become a bit of a production. A production, I might add, that this particular year I'm not apt to indulge. I am more than happy to leave the flashing light shows at the Vegas strip (if only my neighbors would read this blog), and those inflatable lawn blow-up thingies to, well ...perhaps I shouldn't say.
On the whole, I think Miss Octavia Pole would approve were she to pop in for a pot of tea. On the other hand, I'm not quite sure what she'd have to say about these peculiar little fellows:
Do you subscribe to Miss Pole's Yuletide decorating philosophy of restraint, or do you find yourself getting a little carried away with your festive flourishes?
The bright hues of seasonal citrus inject a welcome dash of festive color to the dining room table in an image I snapped back in December 2013
Photo: Chronica Domus
Miss Pole is a woman after my own heart for I believe that our homes are not retail establishments and should not be decorated as such. Not every surface need be covered in gewgaws, with displays to rival those found in department store windows.
Miss Octavia Pole, second from the right, is a woman of Yuletide wisdom
A little sparkle here, a little color there, a few snippets of greenery placed atop picture frames and looking glasses and, well, that's usually about the extent of it for us. Restraint can travel very far.
Photo: Chronica Domus
Oh, and a tree, of course. One year it might be a towering evergreen, another a tabletop goose feather tree. To some, Miss Pole's Yuletide decorating philosophy may sound a little spartan and somewhat under-decorated but to us, it feels just right.
This year the kitchen's hanging wall shelf got into the act (did I go too far I wonder, Miss Pole?)
Photo: Chronica Domus
Placing greenery atop the looking glasses and picture frames is an English tradition I uphold to this day
Photo: Chronica Domus
I extend Miss Pole's words of wisdom to the exterior of the house too. Simple homemade wreaths hang upon the doors, and occasionally when the mood strikes, twinkling white lights are draped over the boxwood hedge. I say occasionally as we do not have an external power source. Running an electrical cord from the front of the house, all the way along the side, and in through an upstairs window left ajar to seek out a power outlet can become a bit of a production. A production, I might add, that this particular year I'm not apt to indulge. I am more than happy to leave the flashing light shows at the Vegas strip (if only my neighbors would read this blog), and those inflatable lawn blow-up thingies to, well ...perhaps I shouldn't say.
I could not bear to relegate the beautiful sneeze-inducing incense cedar, left over from wreath making last week, to the compost bin and so it now sits upon the mantelshelf looking rather pretty
Photo: Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus
On the whole, I think Miss Octavia Pole would approve were she to pop in for a pot of tea. On the other hand, I'm not quite sure what she'd have to say about these peculiar little fellows:
Photo: Chronica Domus
Do you subscribe to Miss Pole's Yuletide decorating philosophy of restraint, or do you find yourself getting a little carried away with your festive flourishes?
Hello CD, I didn't know that they filmed Cranford--the novel is one of my favorites. I seem to recall the ladies' common goal (and necessity) of avoiding ostentation by making a virtue of thrift.
ReplyDeleteOne question about those indoor evergreens--don't they leave spots of resin or dampness when placed on delicate wood or painted surfaces?
Over-the-top is fine for some, but one virtue of your restraint is the way the decorations highlight the beautiful antique collections that they accent.
--Jim
Hello Jim,
DeleteI think you'll need to add the dvd box set of Cranford to your Christmas list this year for I am certain you shall enjoy viewing it being such a fan of the book.
As for the greenery question you pose, I've not had an issue with them marring the surfaces of furniture or painted surfaces. Perhaps it is because they are dry to begin with (avoiding the damp issue), and sap-less. In the case of things like pine, if I were to decorate with it, I would clip it a day or so before as I know that sometimes has sap associated with it.
I love little flourishes here and there. My children love to go crazy however so we strike a balance. Your place looks stunning: festive, yet elegant.
ReplyDeleteHello JL,
DeleteOh, yes, children do so enjoy their decorations a tad on the OTT side. I've (thankfully) avoided that over the years by having my daughter decorate her very own goose feather tree exactly as she likes to, and that is placed in her room. Before that, I would give her some evergreen branches in a container that she placed on a little table in her room so she could go to town and adorn it to her heart's content. One year, she was obsessed with little blue lights so I purchased a box for her and the result looked rather funky and fun, draped across the furniture of her room; an icy fantasy I suppose.
I think Miss Pole has the right idea - we are all in danger of overkill in our Christmas enthusiasm - just a tree and a little greenery a few berries is all I care for now. Although as a child I loved over-the-top decoration, paper chains and big paper bells in the middle of the ceiling - no one seems to do that these days - out of fashion I guess. The same things brought out year after year, the excitement of unwrapping the tissue paper and finding those shiny baubles and the tatty old fairy - where children are concerned there can never be too much of a good thing. Where did that enthusiasm go I wonder.
ReplyDeleteHello elaine,
DeleteWhy does it not surprise me that you too enjoy using evergreens and berries to enliven your house during the Christmas holidays.
Thank you for the reminder of those big paper bells, made of tissue paper as I recall. We had an angel just like those bells, that we looked forward to opening up each Christmas and displaying. I wonder what on earth happened to them as I don't tend to see such charmingly childlike decorations anymore?
I'm crushing on Miss Octavia Pole and have an open barstool for her to join me for a wee dram,
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the fab 1 man show with Robert Morse as Truman Capote who upon receiving a Christmas parcel of a poinsettia takes from building staff and deposits in trash can dismissing this way overdone décor as "the Robert Goulet of Botany"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMwlsac0t0k
Hello GSL,
DeleteI'm sure Miss Pole would be a hoot if you plied her with a warming tot of something strong. I can only imagine the words of wisdom that will flow forth!
Loved the story you tell of the much loved and reviled poinsettia and I look forward to watching the video clip you included in your comment. I'm sure I could do an entire post on poinsettia plants as many have strong opinions on them.
Loved Cranford! But alas, Miss Pole has different ideas about Christmas decorating than I do! Yours is charming, but I could never show such restraint.
ReplyDeleteHello LostRoses, and welcome!
DeleteI look forward to visiting your blog, which I shall do so momentarily, and experiencing the polar opposite of Miss Pole's Yuletide decorating philosophy.
Thank you for visiting and I do hope you stop by again.
I think your house looks absolutely wonderful, the simple greenery and touches of citrus really set off the style of your home and furnishings. I hope you don't mind if I pin these images because I think this is perfect holiday decorating.
ReplyDeleteI always plan to decorate a bit over the top but then don't end up doing so. Greenery outdoors, one bow on the front door arrangement and a few things here and there inside... and of course the tree. I do have a bar set up in my kitchen now which is a nod to the season and the party atmosphere, it's taken the place of everyday mugs and plates for now.
I'm always inspired reading your blog CD, thank you! XO
Hello DaniBP,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words about my humble abode and its festive flourishes. I am most flattered and tickled pink that you would consider my images as "pin" worthy, and that my little blog inspires you.
Do please consider posting on your pretty decorations. I'm most intrigued to see the bar set which I am certain will come in handy at this festive time of year for more than a few cocktails and tots of brew to serve to your fortunate guests.
I love your decorations - especially the baubles in the bowl. Thing is i am pitiful that way although I put some tinsel up and a red bauble and got some of those twigs with winter berries on it. I love garish decor for xmas as well that the Americans do so well with the santa and reindeer on the roofs - makes me laugh though I would never myself for the main reason being laziness!
ReplyDeleteHello Naomi,
DeleteRegarding those little baubles... they are my downfall. I always have to hold back as I have collected so many of them over the years that I tend to pile them up in bowls and containers everywhere. This year, however, I've had to apply Miss Pole's Yuletide decorating philosophy rather sternly and just stick to the one little slop bowl full of them, and leave the rest for the tree, which I shall be posting about next.
One advantage of using natural decorations as opposed to what you describe as "garish decor" is that it can all go into the compost bin around Epiphany. No storage required and perfect to satisfy any lazybones.
Naomi I shall join you in the camp for lazies, OK?
DeleteOh, come now Lisa, just a little bauble somewhere, anywhere perhaps? My daughter was once given a funny little gift which looked like a Charlie Brown tree. It was basically a lone faux branch on a stand with one little ornament dangling from it. Now, there's an idea for you to get you into the spirit.
DeleteRestraint with a bit of whimsy. I was at Monticello over the weekend and the decorating was superb and extremely subtle. I'm sure Miss Pole AND Thomas Jefferson would approve!
ReplyDeleteHello AD,
DeleteMonticello must be so beautiful at this time of year. It is one of my favorite places on earth. Perhaps you were able to snap a few images for your blog and post them. I would enjoy viewing the simple decorations that are TJ-worthy.
We seem to have crossed paths on each others' doorsteps, in that I was here yesterday, then zipped away to ding of oven or whistling kettle or some such, then came back a few minutes ago. I had all I wanted to say about Miss Pole all ready, then got so fascinated by the tiny woodland beings (I think of those as made of warm shiny wax, with the almost slapdash expressions of little assembly-line-painted faces (I saw a movie once, of the old West, in which a husband-wife team lived in a boarding house, making their livings every day by going to a shop and sitting side-by-side, painting the features on figurines one day, and tiny bouquets of china flowers the next). They chatted while they worked, went "home" for noon dinner and then their suppers around the big table, and that was life. I thought at the time that might be a mighty fine way to run a marriage, with no dishes to worry about, none of the responsibilities of meal planning and car maintenance and such).
ReplyDeleteThey're such cunning small beings, with those Nordic eyebrows and what I think of as "nut-cap" hats. I have no size reference, but they seem to be of a size to be hidden beneath a handy teacup, should Miss Pole sniff her way into your parlor like the ornament police.
I DO LOVE that Dolores Jane Pole person, whose sparse decor certainly did not extend to herself, for I remember her as having four ruffles, three prints and at least two bows (not counting cape and bonnet) upon her person, in her own day's "layered look" and there, she certainly never met a furbelow she didn't like.
Just sitting in a fairly-neat house of minimal decor of our own---I have only one white satin Father Christmas and a two-foot PINK TINSEL tree with twinkly lights and miniscule teacups down here, and the "big" tree upstairs, along with the Snow family which seems to blizzard away in the dark of the Holiday cupboard and emerge with more and more progeny every year.
And then, whilst you were HERE, I was there again, popping away to Google that nudge of what-the-heck-is-that-little-piece-of-music which sounds as if little woodland creatures are doing sound effects with acorn cups and twigs and stones? My dear late friend used to play that for me often, right after Pavane for a Sleeping Princess, so I tried Ravel, but cannot isolate a title.
Awaiting three more GRANDS this afternoon or tomorrow, and am simply BEING today, for every moment will be filled til the weekend. I wish you a bright and happy week, with all your own planning and going and fun.
r
PS Guess it comes of being married to a Master Punster, but I couldn't resist the resemblance to Guy Fieri, and THOSE EYES!!
Oh, I absolutely agree and luckily, my husband is the same. We add a few things here and there - anything more than that feels really tiring and dust-collecting. :) I love your ideas very much, they add a festive and cosy element without being too loud. Beautiful! x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Natalia, another fan of restraint. Now, saying all of this, I did go a little nuts with the tree this year, which I shall be posting about next. Not sure if Miss Pole would approve of it, but my daughter has given it her blessing, which comforts me greatly.
DeleteWhere do people manage to store their burgeoning Christmas collections I wonder? I love the fact that I can just compost the greens and fruits at the end of the holidays. The perfect space-saving decorations.
Hello r,
ReplyDeleteThose "tiny woodland beings" are about three inches short so yes, they can certainly be secreted away under tea cups if Miss Octavia Pole were to pay me a visit. Their caps are made of spun cotton, bodies of real pine cones embellished with a little white snowy paint, limbs of old-fashioned pipe cleaners, and painted faces of plastic. Their facial expressions are so bizarre and veer towards creepy, almost. They were probably made in Japan in the early 1940's and I've owned them for at least twenty years. My daughter loved them. They were included in a little bag of vintage Christmas glass ornaments for a mere couple of dollars, back in the day when such things were readily found at this time of year for sale in thrift stores. Alas, those days are long gone and I now only seem to find those fragile ornaments for sale at antiques stores and markets.
Do let me know if you are able to identify which piece of music it is that is driving you to distraction trying to locate its title. I hate when that happens to me, which it does more frequently that I'd like to admit. The old grey matter adores playing tricks on me.
By the way, I did not know of Guy Fieri so just looked him up. I can absolutely see why you named the little hedgehog after him. They are separated at birth! So very funny.
CD,
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I went "simple" this year and could not be happier. It just feels nice to be able to enjoy the fresh greens and pinecones collected on my walks, along with a few of my nutcrackers, without feeling claustrophobic over too many geegaws. :-)
I love your citrus in the footed crystal bowls on your dining room table and the citrus on your plate rack. So pretty. I confess, when we had little ones in the house we went a little over the top, but it was fun for the time, now I'm calmed and relaxed with simple.
Have a joyous holiday season.
Karen
Hello Karen,
DeleteSo pleased that you too are enjoying the benefits of restrained festive flourishes this year. It certainly makes packing it all away easier too (greens and fruit go straight into the compost bin). Some years I make orange pomanders with cloves, in case you are looking for an afternoon activity to do with your grand children (perhaps the youngest is too young for this, come to think about it). Children just love the magic of Christmas and decorating projects.
Some years, a silver Revere bowl holding an assortment of pine cones large and small serves as our tabletop decoration. It sits atop a (clean) Turkish carpet which we sometimes use as our tablecloth. I agree that Christmas decorations can be overdone. Less is more. However, I would rather see someone go overboard than not decorate at all. When I walk through the neighborhood, the houses that are all dark seem so sad.
ReplyDeleteHello slf,
DeleteYour beautiful bowl and its natural decorations upon the carpet sound divine! I adore pine cones and love to bring out the same ones I've collected on walks from year to year. Is your bowl out again this year or have you selected something else to adorn your tabletop?
There is a locally famous road that gets into the Las Vegas style lighting show each year, where hundreds of cars drive by each evening to observe the spectacle. It appears that every house but two join in on the carnival atmosphere. When we used to take our daughter there to view the lights we often wondered about the occupants of the dark houses and how they could stand living on such a festive street, and why they had chosen to forgo the decorating antics.
I am drawing inspiration from your arrangement and have decided to get out a crystal bowl (Equinox by Miller Rogaska for Reed and Barton) and filling it with citrus including kumquats. Your bowls are beautiful!
DeleteOh, well done slf, that's the spirit! So pleased to have inspired you to whip out your beautiful bowl. In past years, I have also decorated oranges with cloves making pomanders. They fill the room with the most delightful scent of what I associate with Christmas.
DeleteI think I might have pole position over Miss Pole. Nary a bauble in sight chez columnist. Unless it's done the way you do them, Christmas decorations in most of their "shop bought" form are completely abhorrent! And besides, the Christmas tree, (that will be erected in the lobby on Friday morning), and I will have a date with destiny; a comparatively restrained destiny. Here flashing glitzy polychromed ghastliness is all the rage, so I just try and pare it down. Yesterday I had to have a battery replaced in a watch, so I was rather pleased to see their restrained tree with its red baubles, white lights, occasional intertwined gold "C"s and tiny white packages with red sealing wax. Commercial sure, but at least a teensy bit restrained. Mine will be similar, but without the "C"s, and not surrounded by multi million dollar watches and jewellery.
ReplyDeleteHello columnist,
DeleteAh yes, Miss Pole would certainly approve of tiny white packages adorned with sealing wax, as does this gentle author. That tree must have looked a sight for sore eyes compared to most. I am looking forward to seeing a post of your completed lobby tree. I'm sure, in your care, it will be in safe hands. I went a little nuts this year with ours and shall post on that next so stay tuned.
Dear CD,
ReplyDeleteYour decorations look just right...festive and tasteful. I am also delinquent in noting your lovely hand crafted evergreen wreaths. We are not inclined to Vegas style decor ourselves, but I don't mind seeing it on someone else's property. During this joyous time of year, a little excess is excusable and can be fun.
Wishing you and your family all the blessings of the season. As a Brit, do you celebrate Boxing Day as well?
KL Gaylin
Hello KL Gaylin,
DeletePleased to learn that you too veer towards Miss Pole's Yuletide decorating philosophy than to Vegas light shows. To be perfectly frank, I do enjoy viewing festive light displays when done right. One of the highlights of Christmas as a child was being taken to see the famous light display along Regent Street in London. The lights are usually the best in London and always so creative and tasteful. A big production is made when the lights are about to be switched on for the first time, all so very exciting for us to watch.
Boxing Day in England is almost an extension of Christmas day. For my family, the celebrations continued with visits to aunts and uncles, where a special meal would be shared and the merriment of the previous day would continue. Of course, there was always the television specials to watch too. When I lived in Kent, we would also make a point of going for a long walk in the surrounding countryside which I adored as everything looked so beautiful in its winter state.
Well I am absolutely going to borrow that trick of greenery atop the mirror! BTW, I think those little critters at the end of your post are key. Everyone needs a little Christmas kitsch, no? What fun is life without a soupçon of bad taste?
ReplyDeleteHello Lisa,
DeleteI recall you telling me you owned an antique mirror (an Egyptian Revival one, I believe), in which case it will act as the perfect perch for some winter greenery. And, yes, everyone needs a little fun about the place. I have a love/hate relationship with those pine cone men you know. Something about those puzzling expressions on their dear little faces.
Hello CD -- Yet again, I drink from the same cup as thee. We most definitely subscribe to the School of Pole. I firmly believe that a retail Christmas experience should be left to the stores, and eschewed at home.
ReplyDeleteWe, too, have greenery about the house, nestled atop picture frames and doorway cornices and about the house. And we have transferware bowls of ornaments, too. This year we have a feather tree instead of a live one, decorated with interestingly-shaped vintage ornaments collected over many years. It is so ethereally beautiful it takes my breath away. Outside we hang simple, bow-less wreaths and our garlands are made of white pine bought inexpensively at the Agway. I confess, though, that I have hung old-fashioned lights on a drift of lilacs, with large red (not white) bulbs. They are a pleasing (at least to me -- Boy grumbles that they would be more appropriate decorating a bordello) alternative to the ubiquitous white fairy lights (as you Brits call them, I understand) strung elsewhere in our little hamlet.
Hello Dear Reggie,
DeleteYes, the School of Pole is alive and well with you and Boy cheering it along from the sidelines. Yesterday, while out walking, I saw what can only be described as a fantastical tree fashioned from a metal pole, with lengths of string radiating from the top and secured to the ground. Shiny compact discs were dangled along the length of the strings making the whole quite an eye catching spectacle, and one fit for, perhaps, a music store, not a neighborhood pocket lawn. Shudder.
Darlington sounds to be perfectly decorated with its fresh greenery, enchanting feather tree, and yes, fairy lights albeit in red, but I trust, never Retail Red!
It's my cup of tea,CD,I love,love,love this !
DeleteAnd have golden baubles in a crystal jar.
And will borrow your evergreen tucked in picture frames,could I?
And when I grow up (and do it my way-not to please my descendants and offspring!) I will have three teeny tiny trees in jars!
Inspiring
Dottoressa
Hello Dottoressa,
DeleteTucking greens atop picture frames and looking glasses is an old English Christmas tradition which I will be honored if you too feel inspired to try in your own home.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.