Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Welcome one and all.

Welcome to our home all dressed up for Christmas.

Today I am participating in Karen's "Doors of Welcome" meme which is taking place at "Some Days Are Diamonds", and also Susan's "Deck The Halls" at "Thoughts From Over The Rainbow".

When you've checked out my contribution please do go and visit them both for even more festive cheer and see all the wonderful Doors & Halls gathered together today.

Fresh wreaths are very scarce in Normandy and so this year, as usual, I took a pair of "couronne artificiel" and enhanced them with fir, holly, ivy (rich with dark blue/black berries) and box from the garden.

A Victorian Christmas as described by Charles Dickens in the short story A Christmas Tree.
"I have been looking on, this evening, at a merry company of children assembled round that pretty German toy, a Christmas Tree. The tree was planted in the middle of a great round table, and towered high above their heads. It was brilliantly lighted by a multitude of little tapers; and everywhere sparkled and glittered with bright objects.”




A pretty Victorian festive scene, from my Victoria & Albert Christmas List book.

The hearth beneath the mantlepiece .

The library tree from outside looking in.

26 comments:

  1. Hi there and thanks for having me at your beautifully decorated home! Love your door and all of your decorations. I felt welcome from the time I arrived:) Have a blessed day!

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  2. How beautiful! I love what you did with your wreath by adding natural elements. Nice job!
    Living it up at Lakewood,
    Cindy

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  3. That wreath is stunning! Also love your mantle....your home is just so gorgeous Maggie. Wish I could hop across the pond and visit!

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  4. Good Morning Maggie B.

    What a beautiful entry to a beautiful home. You are truly blessed to be the caretaker of such a treasure.

    Have a safe and happy holdiay season. I do hope that Santa makes it to your home with a sled full of wonderful things!

    Joyeux Noel...

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  5. Oh Maggie, your home is beautiful! You totally had me admiring your beautfiul wreath, especially knowing that most of it came out of your garden, wow!
    Thank you for the visit, I have so enjoyed my stay.
    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
    everything vintage

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  6. Maggie your home looks so festive and welcoming. I can picture myself snuggling up by your fireplace with hot chocolate in hand.
    Cheers

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  7. What a beautiful welcome to your home!

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  8. I enjoyed the Christmas tour of your beautiful home. How wonderful to live in such a grand old home.

    Lovin' the fresh wreath.
    Rhonda

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  9. Hi Maggie! Oh, your home is so beautiful all decorated for Christmas. First of all your wooden front doors are so beautiful! I love how you've enhanced the wreaths. They look completely like live wreaths. The berries and pine cones are so pretty. Your mantle is lovely! Your tree is lovely. I've really enjoyed my tour.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  10. Maggie, it's just lovely, sugar! Double doors, double wreaths and double the gorgeousness. ;-) Doesn't everyone dream of living in the english countryside on Christmas? I'm loving reading your blog also. I'm adding you to my Google Reader so I don't miss a one of your posts, chickee....
    xoxo,
    Connie

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  11. Hi Maggie!

    Your home is just lovely and so beautifully decorated. The wreathes are beautiful.

    Carol

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  12. It looks as though you're ready for the big day! Your doors are the picture of 'welcome', and the wreath is a treasure. Is there anything prettier than a shining tree in a window?

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  13. The wreath is very inviting to welcome in your holiday guests& your mantel is lovely. I bet you have some sort of Hilton Head shell ornament on your tree from the little shop at Harbor Town:)
    Joyce

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  14. Oh, I am sooo excited that you visited me, and I got to visit you! Thanks for the reminder that I can spruce up my wreath with live holly and box (have not heard boxwood called that in ever so long!) You encourage me with my own home renovations. Thanks for sharing.
    CurtissAnn

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  15. Your doors are so beautiful and your wreaths are lovely! Thank you for sharing them with us!

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  16. Maggie, I loved you blog on Christmas trees, and now this one with your door wreaths. VERY handsome entry indeed~ I never did comment on your lovely mantel display with the big plaid ribbon running through the special Christmas items..You always make things so beautiful!
    And how in the world did you do the snowflakes drifting through your blog? Clever lady! Your blogs are always so special. Thank you.

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  17. Hi Maggie. Oh, I just loooove those doors! The wreaths make them look festive and welcoming. Hope you don't mind, but I enjoy your posts and have joined as a follower. Rosie

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  18. Maggie. I think I might just stand here awhile and gaze at your gorgeous doors. They are just so pretty! And your tree and decorations - from the outside looking in . . . just beautiful!
    I am so glad you joined in!
    Hugs and Merry Christmas!
    Karen @ Some Days Are Diamonds

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  19. Well it is certainly beautiful at your place!
    Brenda

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  20. Maggie_It's all gorgeous--I love your gorgeous double doors with the transom--even undecorated! I also love the shot of the tree from the outside. Love the berries on the wreath. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely home and joining "Deck the Halls"!

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  21. Wow, your home is just lovely! I'm so jealous, I wanted to do the snow effect on my blog, but just couldn't get it. lol Thanks for joining the party and sharing your lovely home.
    Merry Christmas!
    Hugz, Z

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  22. Maggie, I don't think I've ever seen more beautiful wreaths. And the doors are spectacular! It is all breath taking... the library tree through the window looks like something out of a movie. Wish I could see all this in person, so thank you so much for sharing it in photos.
    Hugs ~ Sarah

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  23. Stunning Maggie, you did a splendid job on your wreaths and entryway, all the decorations are so pretty and your home looks most inviting. You are a whiz at thee blogs, I always enjoy them!

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  24. Hi Maggie,
    I am in love with those awesome doors and that gorgeous fireplace and mantle! They are just stunning and I am so glad you came by so that I could find your wonderful blog! Cindy

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  25. Thanks for sharing your front door. Your wreaths are gorgeous! Merry Christmas. Meg

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  26. Beautiful doors, wreaths, and decorations! Thanks for inviting us!

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Thanks for stopping by, your visit just made my day!