Monday, December 20, 2010

A Christmas Tree Tea

I was invited to a Tea Party at the home of the only other blogger I know personally. She gave me carte blanche to photograph everything in her home!  Mary Anne is an Interior Designer but she is also an awesome gardener when weather permits.


The first tree I saw was at the entrance but I had no idea how many more were to come!


A little niche in the hallway (which had been a former closet) displayed another little lighted tree with a wonderful large lantern type enclosure for a manger scene.  The candle is battery operated so it can stay lit safely.


At the end of the hallway in this dimly lit room, I spy another little tree.  It is in the powder room sparkling with the lights on the tree and candlelight.


Another little tree in the guest bedroom.  Don't you love this chair, so unexpected amongst the white linens!


On the kitchen counter tucked away in a corner.

A beautiful gold adorned tree in the family room


Do we ever think of using our cut and pressed crystal as candle holders?  I know mine is coming out of the cabinet where nobody sees it.



This is the most elegant tea party I have every attended and I don't even drink tea!



Vintage cake plates and a fruit display befitting of the season


Mary Anne loves flowers so she had a mirrored niche built behind her sink.


Above is an area for dishes and decor




Another surprise in the formal living room with a traditional needlework pillow


Flow Blue above the greenery adorned  mantle

More trees as I get ready to leave

Well. I have worked my way back to the front door and it has been a wonderful tea party or should I say tree party.  Mary Anne is a very talented designer and I hope to get back to her home in the spring and summer to photograph her garden.  You can visit Mary Anne at http://alwaysrobinseggblue.blogspot.com/



Happy Holidays to all of our fellow bloggers!
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23 comments:

  1. BernieHMon Dec 20, 05:52:00 AM 2010

    Such a beautiful home decorated with great flair and detail. Mary Ann has a real talent!

    My favourite parts have to be the mirror-backed flower-filled niche behind the sink ... outstanding! ... and those cut crystalware candle holders ... so beautiful! Last, but most certainly not least, the morning tea spread ... scrummy!

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  2. JesterMon Dec 20, 08:38:00 AM 2010

    Everything is so beautiful! I think my favorite...and want to find one so I can copy it...the old latern thingy with the nativity set in it & greens. How creative is that???? Now I will be obsessed with finding one, my new goal for 2011! Thnks for all the great pictures, your friend is very talented!

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  3. Mary AnneMon Dec 20, 10:33:00 AM 2010

    Eileen, it was such a pleasure to have you and what a beautiful job you did with 'our' Christmas Tea. When we have passion in our hearts to create, how lucky we are when the results are so appreciated. Thank you dear friend! Getting ready for all of you was a joy!

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  4. Sweet Home and Garden CarolinaMon Dec 20, 10:52:00 AM 2010

    Thanks for the lovely tour, Eileen. You mean your Irish and you don't drink tea?

    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  5. CatMon Dec 20, 10:57:00 AM 2010

    Such an eye for detail and a beautifully festive tea! I especially love that little kitchen tree with its spoons and cups! Merry Christmas!

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  6. Reading Tea LeavesMon Dec 20, 11:03:00 AM 2010

    Mary Anne's home is beautifully decorated for Christmas. I like the idea of a Christmas Tree party;-)

    Happy Christmas Eileen.

    Jeanne
    x

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  7. Becca's DirtMon Dec 20, 01:05:00 PM 2010

    I just picked up my chin off the desk as I was drooling over the beautiful trees.

    Merry Christmas.

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  8. LonaMon Dec 20, 02:47:00 PM 2010

    Hi Eileen. What an elegant home. I adore all of the decorations. I enjoy see how others decorate their homes. I would have probably been wondering if those blue and white plates would fit into my purse. LOL! Just kidding but I do love blue and white.
    Eileen you and your family have a Wonderful Christmas!

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  9. Diana LaMarreMon Dec 20, 04:25:00 PM 2010

    I love Mary Anne's Christmas decorating style. Thanks so much for sharing her home with us. I am going to visit her blog right now.

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  10. Gatsbys GardensMon Dec 20, 04:40:00 PM 2010

    Hi Bernie,

    I have some cut crystal and pressed glass, some in boxes in the basement. I think I had better think of some more creative uses for them.

    Eileen

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  11. Gatsbys GardensMon Dec 20, 04:41:00 PM 2010

    Hi Jester, yes the lantern is quite large and opens easily like a door. I imagine it could be used for something each season.

    Eileen

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  12. Gatsbys GardensMon Dec 20, 04:43:00 PM 2010

    Mary Anne,

    Your home is lovely and it is evident you put much care into choosing each item. It was so generous to share your creativity.

    Eileen

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  13. Gatsbys GardensMon Dec 20, 04:45:00 PM 2010

    Hi Carolyn, loved seeing your little Sweet Pea, she's adorable. My mother was the tea drinker, several cups per day. I never cared for tea unless I was sick - my daughter has inherited the tea gene. Have a wonderful holiday.

    Eileen

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  14. Gatsbys GardensMon Dec 20, 04:47:00 PM 2010

    Hi WG,

    You know I did not even notice that kitchen tree and how it was decorated until I uploaded the photo. When you are taking pictures of so many things you don't always pay attention to the details.

    Eileen

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  15. Gatsbys GardensMon Dec 20, 04:54:00 PM 2010

    Jeanne, funny you should say you liked this idea because this is exactly what we said before we left and decided we should do this each year.

    Eileen

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  16. Gatsbys GardensMon Dec 20, 04:55:00 PM 2010

    Hi Becca, I have one larger tree and some smaller ones but not the nunmber at Mary Anne's home. Merry holidays.

    Eileen

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  17. Gatsbys GardensMon Dec 20, 04:56:00 PM 2010

    Hi Lona, I am not a lover of blue, but these plates were stunning with the white, green and red under them.

    Eileen

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  18. Gatsbys GardensMon Dec 20, 04:58:00 PM 2010

    Thanks Zoey, check out Tablescaper if you don't already have this blog on your list. You will love it.

    Eileen

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  19. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressMon Dec 20, 08:48:00 PM 2010

    Wow she really know how to decorate! I would never even think of most of those ideas. I really love all the little trees throughout her house.
    I hope you and your family have a very happy Christmas!!

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  20. joeyTue Dec 21, 08:17:00 PM 2010

    An awesome tour, dear Eileen, and thank you for sharing. If beside you, a lovely thought, I would sample the tea! Happy holidays, fun friend. Always a joy to visit and see life through your beautiful/creative eyes.

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  21. Kate (daisygil_io)Tue Dec 21, 09:00:00 PM 2010

    My goodness what an exquisite home! All the trees and the decorative touches are lovely. My favorite was the table set for the tea. Wow!

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  22. Jennifer@threedogsinagardenWed Dec 22, 06:28:00 AM 2010

    Hi Eileen, What a lovely tea party you attended. All the decorations are so pretty. You can tell that she is a designer by all the little touches! I love her bee wallpaper and the animal prints on the chairs. Best wishes for a happy holiday to you and your family and all the best for the new year!

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  23. BalishaThu Dec 23, 08:20:00 AM 2010

    Hi Eileen,
    How elegant...such a beautiful way of displaying treasures. I loved the tour... Have a wonderful Christmas...Balisha

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