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I’ve gone red and black plaid-crazy this Christmas. The main living areas in our home are normally adorned in pink and turquoise, with a few greens and blues. Our furniture leans toward the brown family, rather than having black or gray tones.
However, this Christmas, we’re breaking all the rules. The coastal colors in our little cottage are covered with red-plaid bangles, baubles, pillows, and bedding for the holidays. The plaids are paired with shiny black, charcoal, and silver accents. Reindeer are the focal points of holiday vignettes.
Some people say using more than three colors is a no-no. I don’t exactly agree with that philosophy. Although most of my Christmas decorations are black, red, charcoal, and silver, I do have other colors mixed in as well.
How could I leave out my beloved brown Hull Pottery gingerbread man plate, or the green and tan gingerbread man centerpiece on my dining room table? I’m going for the acquired-over-time-with-plaid-accents look, not the, I’m-a-department-store look.
I admire the clean, neutral, pared-down style utilized by others, but I am cluttery by nature. Less is not more, more is more in our little cottage.
When our three oldest children were little, we had a white, artificial Christmas tree that I loved. It yellowed over time, so we threw it out and bought a green one that we used for about 5 years. This year I ordered an artificial, pre-lit silver tree. It brings back memories of my beautiful white tree, while also saluting the silver trees from the 1950s.
Wanting to decorate the new tree in a glam, rather than rustic way. I put a new twist on the country-style deer/red and black plaid that is so popular this year. Instead I combined chalkboard-paint styled accents, red and black plaids, and glittery blacks, charcoals, and silvers.
I tried to avoid brown parcel paper, twine, burlap, wood slices, and large antlers.
The red and black-checked reindeer ornaments came from target, and the furry red tree skirt and snowflake tree topper were purchased at TJ Maxx. The chalkboard-style (love the chalkboard-inspired stuff) garland came from Michael’s Craft Store.
I also found thematic wrapping paper at Michael’s Craft Store and TJ Maxx (I plan to feature the wrapping paper in a later post). You can read the tutorial for making the DIY plaid ornaments with the following link: https://lovemycottage.wpengine.com/simple-diy-red-and-black-plaid-ornaments/
I like to pair my seasonal decorations with coordinating vintage dishes. The red plate in the center of my mantle is by Cristal D’arques. The candy jar on the left is an Egermann Ruby Red Crystal Czech candy jar. The red and black-checked reindeer came from Target, and coordinate with the reindeer tree ornaments.
The centerpiece on my piano is a Windsor Clear (Button and Cane) cake plate with a paneled top. My beloved Hull Pottery gingerbread man dish is on the left.
The tablecloth is from Martha Stewart’s Everyday collection. I had to track it down on eBay to match my nearly-vintage Martha Stewart Holiday Dinnerware I bought from Kmart in the 1990s. The gingerbread cookie jar in the center was made by Three Rivers Pottery in 1998.
My red and black buffalo-check classic Woolrich Plaid Mini Comforter Set came from Macys. I continued the reindeer theme with this beautiful pillow I found at Goodwill (the little Morkie dog, in the picture below, is priceless).
In the kitchen, my DIY Cozy Little Cottage sign takes residence above my cookbooks and pink Depression glass. To make your own, use this link: https://lovemycottage.wpengine.com/diy-buffalo-plaid-cozy-little-cottage-sign/
Even the dish soap has a red plaid apron! I wasn’t too worried about having a few older green and red plaid items mixed in with the new red and black plaid stuff.
In the upcoming weeks I plan to make a silver and plaid grapevine wreath, and a chalk couture garland. Be sure to subscribe, so you can receive every post this Christmas.
Merry Christmas,
Kristie
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Nancy says
I love plaids. I don’t have a country or farmhouse style home, more traditional, but I have added black and white buffalo plaid to my Christmas decor this year. It’s goes with casual and bling. Love it.
Kristie Schubert says
I think it’s a great idea to do something different for Christmas! Black and red plaid textiles and decorations can be layered over the year-round stuff. My home is not farmhouse style either, but I love, love plaid as well!
Debbie-Dabble says
Kristie,
I LOVE your new Tree….. My white Tree is starting to yellow and I hate to get rid of it. I will be posting later today about the decorations in my Sitting Room where my white Tree is. I love all your vintage pieces like the depression glass which i collect myself! I am a Victorian soul and Victorians subscribed to the More is More Philosophy and that is my philosophy when it comes to decorating!!
Hugs,
Deb
Kristie Schubert says
I can’t wait to see your stuff. Will I get an email update, or will I need to go look on Pinterest or Insta?