A Natural White Christmas with Veronneau

As a blogger focused on homes interiors, Christmas is the busiest { and the jolliest } time of the year. Christmas trees, tables, mantles and windows, all transform themselves under layers of glittery bubbles, wreaths or festive trinkets. The challenge becomes to figure out how to reinvent myself year after year to create vignettes that are both current, original and that are an extension of my personal sense of aesthetics.

But then, there are clients with whom I work from a year to the next and that make it just really easy for me. Décors Veronneau is such a place. Specializing in artificial flowers and plants, they become Santa’s decorating workshop with the holidays roll in!  I worked with them last year to create a botanical Christmas brunch tablescape with a lush and green table long centrepiece.

This year, it is the living room area that I decided to tackle. With a Farmhouse look as my inspiration, I opted for an all white and natural palette with just a few accents of blush pink as a feminine floral accent. The 2 main areas to decorate are the fireplace’s mantle and hearth and of course the proverbial Christmas tree area.

I said earlier that the challenge was to reinvent myself year after year. When I walked in the Laval location of Veronneau, my challenge became something else entirely. It all of a sudden became very hard to select just one look amongst so many options. If you cannot walk in either their Laval or Boucherville stores, then be sure to check out their online shop.

THE TREE

So first I laid out the foundation: the tree. I chose a flocked white Montana pine which is great both in size, at 7’, but also with its integrated warm white lights and flocked branches. You can flock branches on your own, but it is a pretty messy business and having it flocked saved me a great deal of time. I also found a decorative wooden base that was so perfect in cutting down the preciousness of the tree with its very rustic and rough aspect. So tree & base: check!

Then, I selected an assortment of natural branches and blooms to decorate the tree, add texture, colour and create the natural look I was aiming for. I got eucalyptus, coton, flocked fir in its natural green,  pale pink glittered magnolia , and a few copper coloured berry sprays.

I then added a few baubles, again all natural in their textures and with a ombré effect of different shades of whites. I know this might seem counterintuitive to mix different whites together, but believe me, it works! Warmer and cooler whites, creams and pure whites all work great together in adding a layered effect, that feels collected over time and adds warmth. So my choice landed on some wool and jute ornaments, faux birch & cotton hanging balls, and large white engraved ornements. And I finished the look with some silk ribbons that I had.

MANTLE & HEARTH

The fireplace at the Apartment is so great! It dates back to the early 20th century with its very ornate and pretty ceramic pattern surrounding the hearth. Painted white, it feels fresh and modern which is exactly what I wanted. So to build upon that, I opted for pine and pinecone garland to which I added magnolia foliage and tiny sprays of blush pink roses. A string of fairy lights completed the look and added sparkle. I also fell in love with these little horses and I plucked one on the mantle and another in the hearth.

Speaking of hearth, since it is no longer functional, I created a Christmas village with unpainted wooden houses I had, loads of pillar candles,  some white pinecone finials, and the little horse. I love how it turned out, so lively and festive without being colourful or gimmicky.

THE WINDOW VIGNETTE

Finally, I created a third smaller vignette by the stained glass window with 2 simple, but very festive elements: a nutcracker and a hedgehog! Because we all know that it isn’t Christmas until you have a hedgehog under a cloche right? :)

So let the holidays begin… I am ready! Clearly.

Photos: Phil Bernard Photographe & stylisme: Audrey St-Laurent

This post has been sponsored by Décors Veronneau. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. I only review what I own, use and love.

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