Getting in the Christmas Spirit

While we were traveling last week, my husband and I attended the annual Greentree Close Holiday Open House in downtown Lexington.  Greentree Close is a  myriad of upscale shops that have a personal quaint small town charm yet big city  chic feeling about them.  It is always a treat to visit them, (especially this time of year) and this trip didn’t disappoint as usual.  It’s also a wonderful excuse to get all dressed up and go out for the evening. They were all decked out in their holiday glamour, with Christmas music, delicious hors d’oevres, and even Santa!

A very special destination that is one of my all-time favorite places to shop is Belle Maison Antiques owned by my friend, Debbie Chamblin.  She has a wonderful way of mixing period French antiques, mid-century modern pieces, and sophisticated urban city style displays that always grab your attention.  She has a great “eye” for tresors, and pays such attention to every detail.  She also has an attached sister shop, named Trillium, which is a lifestyle store filled with all the latest trends in fashion accessories, pampered pet items, and fine accoutrements for the home.

Here are a few photos that I took the next day after the big event.

I love mixing old and new. The antique French iron garden piece and rustic table blend effortlessly  with the whimsical stone rabbit and lighted branch trees. You can’t exactly tell from the photo, but these little trees were wrapped in burlap sacks and contained  in mercury glass vases. The drum also came from France and is antique.

I’m crazy about this oil painting by French artist, Paul Lambert.

She had a wonderful display of ornaments by local shell artist, Ron Meece.  You can see other examples of his work on the table below. She used two long natural branches suspended from the ceiling to hang the ornaments.  How simple and genius. Yes, you can see more French antiques in the background.

Faux bois planters and huge lanterns.  Love them!

There’s a lot going on here. More French antiques (like the round metal gueridon table between the two fauteil chairs), important shell pieces, and modern horns, skin rug, and copper drum table.

I have a thing for mirrors, and think everyone should have at least one sunburst mirror. So chic and French.  Notice the custom lamp shade by The Shade Above. Debbie has the coolest lamps-antique and modern.

Lots of sun pouring in, but I can’t get enough of the warm rich patina on French fruitwood furniture pieces. A Louis Philippe mirror sits on top.

And, here is a shot of Debbie’s other store, Trillium, more modern and cutting edge.

What did I come home with?  Well……I had to have those great lighted branch trees in the mercury glass vases, several artist made shell encrusted ornaments, and holy smoly, some of those awesome feather trees above in different sizes.  Stay tuned for what I’m going to do with all these goodies. 

Blessings,

Kim