Decorating ideas..............

Over Christmas I LOVED this old metal tree........so much so I don't really want to take it down and store it away for almost a year!  It fit perfectly in the corner of the dining room, twinkling in the velvet dark of winter nights.


But, hiding it in the depths of the attic is necessary despite thoughts of it in a new guise, perhaps as a Valentine tree, or an Easter tree, and so forth.  No, have to get the cottage back to normal. Remember that word I've been sharing for several years................

.............SIMPLIFY!

The kitchen only has one 'holiday' item remaining, the IKEA  lantern.  It will stay for the chilly days ahead because it blends in with bright red soup pots..................warming up my neutral kitchen.  I like it burning in the evening while sipping an aperitif and making dinner, and in the cold morning when the rooster crows announcing time to make rib-sticking healthy oatmeal to start a Winter's day.

This regal crown was another holiday decoration I enjoyed.  Because it's grey and goes perfectly with much of my French/Nordic decor in the dining room, I'm thinking of keeping it out for a while longer, however the now brittle and dropping Pyracantha berries will have to go out to feed the birds.

How about the white pumpkins, bless their sturdy hearts!!  Yes, same real ones used for Autumn/Halloween decoration, these babies will not give up, still firm and plump with not a sign of old age!  How can I bring myself to toss them on the compost heap, or worse leave them for the yard waste pickup on a freezing, wintry Wednesday morning?  

How about Valentine pumpkins?  A pretty red or crystal heart on a silky ribbon snuggling around the stem would brighten up a February day.  What do you think?