Decorating with Neutrals for Christmas

Christmas , my favourite time of year.  I love everything about the anticipation, the build up, the special indulgent food, the time to rest and spend time with family and friends and of course, the decorating ! 

The Real Flower Company

I love flowers.  More often than not I have to buy them for myself these days.  Whilst rushing round the supermarket I might grab some value roses or our local charity shop often sells "past their best" flowers which will last a day or two longer and bring some cheer to my home. 

The advent tree

It goes without saying I adore Christmas, certainly since having children it has become more magical.  Sadly this year we have

New Winter Warmers & Old Favourites

One thing I love about Winter is the dark nights, the excuse to curl up on the sofa with a glass of something and a good film.  So to discover Echo falls have a new range of red fusions and that I get to try them out ! 

It's a wrap

 

Super effective and cheap finger print wrapping paper from Pinterest

Every year I promise myself I will get more

Deck the hall (and everywhere else)

 I LOVE Christmas ! I love the anticipation, the excitement and the decorating.  I love the decorating!  This year as I'm no longer self employed I'm not so tired and distracted and it has become a pleasure again. We were really lucky to be sent a Christmas tree to review from Pines and Needles so the decorating started earlier than our usual week before Christmas, but today I finished it all off and I LOVE IT !

Christmas Tree - Pines and Needles

There has never been any discussion when it comes to Christmas trees in our home.  It always has been and always will be "real is best".  I love the look, the smell, the whole experience of going out each year and choosing just the right one.  So I was thrilled to bits when the lovely people at Pines and Needles contacted me and offered to send me one of their best selling Nordman Fir Christmas trees.

Christmas at the white approach shop

I always think you have to get Bonfire night out of the way before you can really start thinking about Christmas, but, well, I couldn't wait and have spent since Saturday night trying to transform my shop into the Scandinavian image of Christmas I have in my head.  I haven't quiet succeeded in the perfect all white with accents of red and grey but I am pleased with what I have acheived .

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I pride myself on selling unique and affordable items from local independent crafters and artists.  Its important to me to have ideas and products not supplied by other retailers.  I have a wonderful selection of those, including the wooden advent calender made for me by my husband.  It stands approx 4 ft high and is hand painted.  I commissoned a talented local lady to make the numbered bags for me and think the end result it stunning.  A favourite Christmas family piece for years to come.  For Sale in the shop or online for £65.

 

I really love everything about Scandanaivian style, the fresh, clean look of red and white is particularly  apealing.

Pretty, framed hand crafted picture decoration available at the white approach £27.50

Affordable, handmade table runners, placemats, bread holders, bottle bags and more. 

The front window.  I love these large candy canes.  Please ignore the reflection of the old woman in the window !  If you are in the area would love to see you, pop in for a browse and a chat.

Instant Best Seller !

This weekend I had an unexpected success on my hands at the Christmas fair I attended.   Like a lot of things it was a last minute idea to make some decorations.  I thought they might work as decoration if nothing else to accessorise my vintage finds and reloved furniture.  As it turned out they were a best seller !

wooden heart decoration, hand painted and distressed.   Available to buy from The White Approach - £3

Small wooden heart decoration £1 each

Blue and white hand painted and distressed wooden heart garland £6

More colours and shapes available soon, including snowflakes and reindeer .

"Our Family Likes" personalised and framed picture, available to order from The White Approach £25

Linking up to HandmadeThursday over at Whitelillygreen