Tired of Red and Green Christmas? Time to try Blue!
Over the years I have done different themes using blue as the color. The tendency is to mix blue with white or silver for a cool (as in temperature or color wheel) winter look. This year I wanted the color to evoke a rich, elegant, religious feel, so blue is paired with gold and the decor focus is Angels.
To solidly establish the color theme in the Dining Room, I use blue velvet as a runner down the table (Premier Linens), draping to the floor for a little drama as you enter the room. Large Angel candelabras are the central table focal point. Gold and mercury glass lanterns and boxes are a repeated element throughout the room. Battery operated gold wire lights fill the lanterns. Two styles of votives are staggered throughout the larger elements. I use a gorgeous gold gem encrusted D. Stevens wired ribbon to flow from the boxes and meander down the runner to the ends of the table. I use ornaments to give a finish to the ribbon as it swirls around the end votive. The ribbon visually connects all of the the various elements and gives motion to move the eye throughout the table decor. I place a few floral poppy stems at the base of the angel candlesticks, curling their long stems instead of cutting them. The boxes are filled with ornament and floral treasures and remind me of the Magi (Wise Men) from the East who sought the King Jesus when they heard of his birth. After a long journey, they presented him with gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. A small bottle containing the three gifts is dangling on each side of the boxes. For more information on the significance, click gifts.
With so much fabric on the table, I decided not to use a fabric placemat behind the gold glass charger. For plates, I use Lenox China Eternal dinner plates and Independence accent plates. Lenox gold rimmed crystal wine glasses, Gold flatware and 17″ blue velvet napkins complete each setting. The Crystal and gold of the napkin rings are repeated in the votives throughout the tablescape and the mantle. I use blue and gold laser cut boxes to hold Lindor chocolates as little presents for dinner guests. Once I have everything in place, blue double sided satin ribbons will be tied to the lanterns and Angel candle holders to drape down to the table.
Tip: I try to have 12 of each plate/accent plate, with 2 extras for breakage. If you are having trouble finding more of a pattern, check Replacements Ltd or eBay. Note: I only had 10 of the Lenox Independence accent plate. As it is discontinued, it was hard to find enough. Just recently I found a listing on eBay and was able to purchase 4 more. Apparently, the seller is the daughter of a woman who was a designer for Lenox and worked on the Presidential patterns!
Large floral arrangements flank the fireplace, bringing the theme color and floral elegance to the room. Centered on the buffet chests and in front of the mirrors, they bring height and still allow for food service. I used 20″ blue velvet napkins gathered around the base of the vases. See my blog article Christmas Prep for details on building the arrangements.
For the fireplace mantel, I removed our Venice oil painting and replaced it with large canvas art to set the focal point and religious theme. Flanked by large gold candlesticks, other elements from the tablescape are repeated – a large lantern, a small version of the gift box, and multiple votives. The prelit greenery garland is anchored at the center with one floral poinsettia stem and then adorned with ribbon and ornaments. I use more of the blue and gold laser cut boxes as a repeated element and easy filler. I finally hang stockings to complete the look and bring in even more color.
On the opposite wall, a lantern flanked by angel candlesticks adorns the side table and balances the room.
In the large picture window, large blue and gold ornaments dangle around a central gold glitter Bethlehem star. Blue satin ribbon adorns the blue ornaments. Large gold letters spell NOEL, with the blue poinsettia floral stem decorating the O. (A term signifying the holiday season, Noël comes to us from the Latin verb nasci, meaning “to be born.” In the book of Ecclesiastes, the birth of Jesus is called natalis. A variation of this word, nael, made its way into Old French as a reference to the Christmas season and later into Middle English as nowel. Today it refers both to Christmas and to Christmas carols.)
For continuity, I will continue the theme through the rest of the home. Check back later for I’ll have a Blue Christmas Part 2 to see more of this theme!
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