First Sunday in Advent 2014

Advent, from the Latin word adventus which means arrival, 

is the beginning of the Christian New Year.

Like many others around the world one of my favourite Christmas traditions is to prepare evergreen wreaths to decorate the front doors of our home.

Over the years I have decorated many different styles of wreaths, some with fresh greenery cut from the garden and also sometimes faux.

These are the two very simple ones welcoming visitors to our home this year.

The faux fir wreaths were purchased at IKEA
the berries and other faux greens came from my Christmas decorating stash.

I was inspired by a wreath featured in the LL Bean catalogue
and made copycat versions.

In 2009 the wreaths were created using fresh greenery and tree bark from the garden,
 pine cones & faux berries from stash. 

The double front doors lead straight into our home's entrance hall
which has also received a small seasonal makeover this weekend.

I may add a runner to the top of the chest of drawers and perhaps a Santa or two?

But, at the moment I'm liking the clean lines with just the smallest touch of glitter and gold.

The mantle piece in the library is also one of the first areas to be decorated for Christmas.

This year I'm using cherished antique pieces to decorate the mantle.
Gilded cherubs, a gift from a dear friend in Bavaria many years ago;
two engraved glass German bier steins, also a gift
and in the centre a French clock.
The silver and glass angel is a modern piece
bought whilst shopping with an English friend a few years ago.

 Every year a small amount of tweaking usually takes place before I'm completely happy with it.
I'm thinking that the two miniature Christmas trees may have to go,
 or be embellished somehow.

It's looking a little dark during the daytime
but really comes alive in the evening 

when the table lamps are on and the candles lit.

In 2009 I used a shot of  the decorated mantle as my blog header.

In 2010 the theme was silver with gold accents.

In 2011 I went back to my favourite combination of red, green and gold.

and finally, one last vignette before you go.
I changed out some of the objects displayed on top of my desk to reflect the festive season.
There is something so simple yet classic about silver and white with a dash of green.

The  Court China trio on the left
was manufactured by
William Lowe of Longton, Staffordshire, England.
circa 1912.

Linking to the following blog parties this week
A Pause in Advent hosted by Angela.
Christmas in the Country with Brooke
and
Mosaic Monday where Judith is our host.