Decking the Halls: Christmas Office 2022

Hi! Wow, it feels strange to be back in this seat writing a blog post! Amazingly, I almost remember how to do it. LOL What better time to hop back in to blogging than Christmas? Throughout December I’m going to be sharing how I Deck the Halls around here. My love of French decor has not subsided and I’ve pulled that into my Christmas decor in a big way this year. Someone recently described my decorating style as fancy but cozy. I think that is about the best description I’ve heard and I love it. Today, I’m going to share my French Country Christmas office.

I wanted to add a little French to the Christmas tree that sits in the bay window this year. I pulled out my stash of Christmas ribbon and settled on a lovely 1.5″ double faced satin ribbon in cream. I have long been obsessed with double faced satin on gifts and used amongst my Christmas decor. I find it just a bit more elegant.

I used my piano stool base as the tree stand again this year. Did I ever tell you about how it came to be my Christmas tree stand? I was walking through an antique mall and saw a piano stool that had a cracked top and some really bad paint on it. I picked it up for $20 and on a whim unscrewed the seat just to see if my tree would fit. I dropped the base of the tree in the threaded hole where the seat screwed in and low and behold, it fit! It’s been one of my favorite things ever since.

I’ve been slowly adding white ornaments to my collection for this tree. I didn’t really set out to do that. It has just happened organically. This year I put some thick yarn on the tree before I added anything else. I love the subtle texture it gives the tree without overwhelming it. I then added the ribbon. How did I get those perfect looking bows? Remember when you were learning to tie your shoes and someone showed you the bunny ear method? Well…that’s what this is. Using the bunny ear method will give you a perfect bow every time.

The night photos just don’t do it justice. I strung one string of twinkle lights in among the lights already on the tree. As I sit across from the tree writing this post, the tree is twinkling and sparkling. Fancy, but cozy at the same time.

I love seeing it twinkle from the other room. This bay window is also in the front of the house so it is very visible from the road. One of my first projects in 2023 is going to be finally figuring out window treatments for this room.

I moved the French desk to face the bay window and the Christmas tree and think I may keep it positioned this way even after Christmas. It seems to open up the room. It also provides a really nice sightline to the book case which I decked out also.

All of these items, with the exception of the little nativity painting in the upper right hand corner, were things I had in my stash. I’m a big believer in finding new ways to use decor you already have. For instance, these bottle brush trees are left over from a display I created a few years ago (see below).

Probably my most thrifty Christmas decorating idea, if you want to have a different look each year, is to collect many of one item. It doesn’t have to be bottle brush trees, it could be Santas, Gingerbread houses, reindeer etc….Then find new ways to display them each year. It’s a great way to be creative and have a big impact without breaking the bank.

I also pick up quality greenery when I see it at a great price. I always seem to be able to find a place to stick some greenery in. Wait for the good stuff to go on sale or splurge a little. It will pay off in the long run.

The mantel clock above is very old. It was given to my mother and father nearly sixty years ago from a member of my dad’s congregation. He was in his 80’s and wanted to pass it along to them. He had it in his home for nearly fifty years, making it well over 100 years old. It has the most beautiful rich tone when it chimes. I think chiming clocks make a home feel more cozy.

So much so, that I have two. This is a more recent purchase from a lovely estate sale. This is not an antique and will have a date with my paint brush sometime soon. When I’m finished with her…she will look old.

Drop one of those cute little trees available everywhere in a container that has some interest. This pot was a thrift store find. I gravitated toward it as soon as I saw it and when I turned it over it said, Handmade in Italy. Well of course it had to come home with me! These are the things that keep me going back to thrift stores and estate sales over and over again…the thrill of the hunt.

I’ve linked some items below if you would like to get the same look. The ribbons are all ribbons I currently have in my collection. I’ll be posting the rest of the spaces in my home in the coming weeks! Thanks for stopping by. Leave a comment and let me know if you collect anything for Christmas decor. I am always looking for a new collection to start. 🙂

Shop the Look

As an Amazon Affiliate member, I receive a small commission for curating the sources. Have fun shopping!