I am so excited to share my English-inspired “Toile and Tartan” Christmas decor! I normally don’t have a theme for Christmas as I just love to use things that I have collected over the years along with lots of natural elements.
This year, however, I was inspired by some photos I had seen and my “Romantic England” transferware, which you will see later this week.
These next two inspiration photos are from Charles Edwards lighting in the UK, which you can visit HERE.
I love the colors in these, particularly the persian rug and the dark furniture. Also, the wall color and accessories really spoke to me, I also love to mix old and new. Dreaming of the chandelier:-)
This photo was from a 1995 issue of Country Living, and I really loved the tartan window treatments, so that was the jumping off point for me.
I lucked into this fabric, which is so similar to the inspiration photo, on ebay, and there was just enough for four generous panels.
I made pillow slipcovers with remnants of the Waverly “Sweet Pastimes” toile in Spice that I had leftover from a runner project.
I also added vintage quilts and afghans that were made by my great grandmother and family friends as inspired by another book I love, Perfect English Cottage, available HERE at Amazon.
So here is my English cottage Christmas…
I wanted a really comfortable family area that we could gather in and enjoy…
I also draped the tree with more toile and lots of tartan bows.
…a few night pics
A cozy spot for reading the Christmas story…
Having seen antlers everywhere in decor lately, I begged and pleaded with my parents for this set over the buffet, and my dad finally let me have them. These are from a hunting trip he took when he was just 14 years old…his very first deer.
“Romantic England” red transferware plates by J & G Meakin were part of the inspiration for the English cottage style.
Now a closer look at the tree…my 5-year-old loves to rearrange things on the tree:-)
I used a lot of handmade, crocheted ornaments along with others I have collected over the years on trips to Germany and Italy. The gold ball ornaments are from Sacile, Italy.
Home is a very special place for us, and I work really hard to make it that way for my family. We cherish the time we spend together and make that a priority. Our house is very small, but I really try to make the most of it in creative ways. We are so thankful for what we have, and we make every effort to share with others as opportunities arise.
A cause near and dear to our hearts is the plight of homeless veterans. We regularly volunteer at a local shelter dedicated to their needs, and we are the ones being blessed by them. A wonderful thing to do during this season is to give a gift in honor of someone to a charity that will help someone in need. Also, please take the time to volunteer at a shelter, or simply take food or necessities to someone. There are so many opportunities to give, just take one. We could so change the world if we all did that:-)
Merry Christmas
Anita
I’ll be joining Kim for Wow Us Wednesdays
Anita, this is just wonderful!! I LOVE all of the rich tones and colors. What a wonderful theme!! It makes everything so warm and inviting. I just love all of the personal family treasures that you added. It makes it all so special. I love every detail! Thanks so much for sharing! God bless you!
You really did a lovely job, Anita! Everything looks very festive and elegant, yet relaxed enough to sit and enjoy time with family and friends! This looks magazine worthy!
XO,
Jane
Anita, this is so beautiful. Everything you do is always done just right. Happy holidays to you and your family. xo
Make me a hot chocolate please…I'll be right over to sit ALL day in that wonderful space! Everything looks SO lovely and ready for family and friends. You did an incredible job. Thank you for sharing this.
Kristine
You've done a wonderful job! Everything about your decor says "welcome". It is so warm and inviting! I love it.
~cathy
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! It's perfect! I tried for a tartan Christmas last year but affordable tartan fabric/ribbon was not to be found! We had a tartan lite Christmas. I am infatuated with Tartan – so much so that I have a Tartan Board on Pinerest. I know your home looks magical this year, tucked away in the woods and all cozied up inside. I hope you get snow for Christams. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
p.s. it's a gray day here : )
This is really beautiful, Anita. I LOVE English cottage, and tartan and toile are two of my most favorite fabrics. These are some of the prettiest pictures I've seen for Christmas this year. Thank you for sharing and have a blessed Christmas holiday.
Denise at Forest Manor
Anita, you're home is absolutely beautiful! I LOVE the plaids and have been collecting plaid throws for some time now.
Your tree is beautiful, as well, and as always you've done everything perfectly. You have such a gift and I love coming to your blog to see your newest tablescape, decorating idea or furnishing you've made.
God Bless You and Yours this Christmas Season,
Susan
Anita, The English country look is my all time favorite look, especially at Christmastime. Your home is just perfect. LOVE!! the tartan curtains.
It's so interesting because I have Christmas magazines from the '90s too, with English/Scottish rooms and lots of tartan.
Your rooms are beautiful and so welcoming.
Merry Christmas!
Anita I love both toile and tartan and I LOVE your living room!! You decorated your home beautifully for Christmas! I love that last shot of your tree, beautiful! Martina
Anita, you really achieved that English country decor look in your home! It looks so beautiful and cozy. Beautiful job! Blessings, Pamela
Anita, everything looks gorgeous!! You are such a wonderful inspiration! I love the new drapes!!! I have been SEARCHING for some paisley to do a paisley and tartan table cause I finally found tartan plates!!! I have a tartan tablecloth but think it mIGHT be too much, I have to try it. I also JUST spoke to my BIL in Mi. and he is going to send me some antler sheds and some turtle shells!!!!!!!!!! I, too, have been seeing them and wanting some too. Your tree is exquisite. I didn't realize you had a 5 year old. I bet he/she is adorable!!! What a wonderful age for Christmas!!!! Thanks so much for sharing all this beauty! Blessings to you at this beautiful season. XO, Pinky
I love those drapes and all of your warm colors. I found myself just staring at every picture because you have so many beautiful details. Your rooms flow so well together and all the holiday decor is just gorgeous!
-Shelley
Just beautiful Anita! Love the richness of the colors and all the things you have found from your family! Makes it all the more special! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Hi Anita, you're home is absolutely beautiful,I love The English country look, your home It is so warm and inviting!.
So many blessing for you and yours
on this Christmas
XO
Isora
Beautiful, warm, cozy and inviting! This is a room I am sure many enjoy being in..so welcoming and well decorated… so very pretty!!
Miss Bloomers
Anita, This is a really beautiful room! You have done a fabulous job of putting everything together…I would love to spend an afternoon in this room chatting & visiting with friends! I *adore* it…it is cozy & warm and perfect! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas! Angie xo
Your home looks so comfortable. I so love your tree.
Michele
Anita, this is fabulous and a real English country room, exquisite! You've captured the Eng. essence so beautifully, yours could be next in the magazine, because it deserves it! Thanks for sharing and happy Holidays. FABBY
This room is gorgeous!! I love toile and old quilts so this room is just wonderful to me! Super job!!!
Hi Anita~your home looks sooo warm and inviting!! I love your tree 🙂 and your curtain panels turned out beautiful 🙂
xo~Mari
Just a moment to comment before starting to wrap the gifts for our Angel Tree family. Beautiful choices for your room. The plaid and the toiles work perfectly together. Thanks for inviting us in for a peak. Cherry Kay
Oh ! How beautiful Anita… I am totally in love with all the night pictures … !!
Holy Cow, this is amazing!
You captured it perfectly!
I am amazed by all the detail and that you made new drapes and pillows. I am also amazed that you have time to do this with a 5 year old, stunning, just stunning!
Cindy
Anita, Your home is lovely!
You have the magic touch!!!
d
Oh my heart! Your beautiful home reminds me so much of an English B&B that I think I'll be checking on airfare for a return trip to the British Isles. You have lovely, lovely taste!
I just took a peek at your family room all decorated for Christmas and must say I'm VERY impressed! It's so warm and inviting and beautifully decorated. I love how cozy everything is. It looks like the perfect "Winter" house. I love your plaid drapes and all the quilts everywhere. Your inspiration photos paid off. I can see many ideas you used.
I have the Romantic England plates too, and I have it in green, I think I have some red toile fabric, you have inspired me to make my English cottage blessed with ideas for a lovely Christmas