Hi everyone! Today you're in for a treat... we're going to visit my good friend and assistant Anne Bryson in Bend, Oregon! She has a way of decorating for Christmas that says welcome home, stay awhile, and make yourself comfortable. When you're sitting by the fire, watching the snow fall and enjoying her decorations you may never want to leave. Add some hot cider or hot chocolate, a kitty on your lap and you know it's home for Christmas.
Welcome to the Bryson home! The entry way greets you with candles, cinnamon sticks, and rose hips in a narrow antique tray. The tray stays here all year and Anne changes the filler to match the seasons. I've offered her money, fabric and quilts for this tray. She's not selling!
The dining room is graced with a beautiful star quilt she made. If I remember right, it's from a Red Wagon quilt book. Nothing says Christmas more than a star quilt. The quilt is complimented by a smaller quilt on the table, containers filled with red berries and candles. Even the china hutch has a garland of greens.
Successful decorating is using what you have in a different way. A beautiful pine cone candle is showcased on a simple cake stand, and surrounded by red berries.
Anne loves working with wool, and she's made some darling table toppers throughout the years. These snowmen will make you smile with your morning coffee ...this little tree is the center of the kitchen table. Did you notice those little buttons on the tree? I've got to go get my button jar!
A beautiful yellow bowl with a purchased table topper sparks up the great room coffee table. That touch of yellow is wonderful at Christmas.
I love this display she did on the table behind her couch. It's one of the first things you see when you enter the great room and again she's used the things she has creatively. The scoop holds a candle, the white bowl holds white balls with a little handwritten sign that says "snowballs". I actually gave away some old scoops when we moved. If you found them at the thrift store could you bring them back?
Remember that old cheese grater? Don't throw it out! Tie it with a bow and add a cinnamon stick. Instant charm! Darn, where did I put mine?
The bedrooms are ready to welcome guests. Red flannel sheets, a snowman pillow and little wreaths on the picket fence headboards make this room warm and cozy. (Her husband Dave, made the picket fence headboards! ) Special little decorations sit on top of the quilt rack. Anne made the quilt from a pattern in American Patchwork and Quilting.
Another room waits for guests to arrive. The side cabinet is topped with a plaid homespun towel and containers filled with greens.
The bed is dressed with a Christmas quilt and pillows. The quilts at the foot of the bed are tied with a bow to remind guests of what's to come.
A simple quilt block becomes a decoration when it's framed.
...and the kitties (Jack and Arnie) are waiting for Santa to arrive. I've heard they've been very, very good and have even helped decorate!
Another fun collage! Thank you to the Brysons for sharing your beautiful home!
