Home For the Holidays
What a magical time of the year….
a time for creating lasting memories…
enjoying the peaceful beauty that surrounds us.
Trees are the cornerstone of many holiday settings
and gifts from the heart are most cherished.
Perhaps more than anything else
food plays a central role in many holiday gatherings
and baking cookies conjures up wonderful memories
for my family.
We’ve tried the whole gingerbread house “thing”
many times…
and my children, Francesca and Montana, and myself,
have come to the realization
that it’s best left for the pastry chefs! 
Decorating our home
for the holidays
is one of my favorite traditions…
I begin by finding the perfect spot for my “Byers Carolers”
handed down to me by my mother
who had quite a lovely collection over the years…
Our tree
is decorated with an eclectic array of beautiful ornaments
but my favorites will always be
those made by my children.
I like using some of my own designs for decorating…
One of my holiday kissing balls
hangs perfectly on my living room shutter…
My vintage button tree
proudly sits on the old Victrola in my dining room
an anniversary present
given to my grandparents in 1942.
I have a collection of vintage cigar boxes
and antique Tobacco cans
once belonging to my great grandfather.
They add a wonderful, vintage feel
to my fireplace mantle
as they sit amongst the rose trees I designed this year.
I adore vintage boxes and tins…
in all shapes and sizes
and I’ve carried this theme
throughout the dining room
and all through my home…
My dining room has a beautiful, built in china cabinet
home to my china, cut glass, and assorted antique dolls.
The dining room is one of my favorite rooms
(water bottle on the table and all… )
…and is where the “queen” of the house resides
Bella Luna
spending most of her time lounging from chair to chair.
She is my spoiled “angel”.
The kitchen displays my love of creamy whites and my signature red
along with many of my favorite “treasures”.
The downstairs bathroom
was once a wash room and a “coop”
(as my grandparents use to call it)
It once housed grandma’s potatoes, apples from the many apple trees
on the property, etc…
in the back portion of the room
which is now the laundry area
In the front room of the bathroom
stood the big, cast iron double sink many years ago…
(its now a lawn ornament and home to some beautiful Spring flowers)
Oddly, the bathroom is also where the backside of the dining room
china cabinet is
which I’ve turned into a chalkboard
carefully leaving the wood “as is” from many, many years ago.
The beautiful, hand painted shelf
was made by my wonderful, 88 year old Aunt Grace
when she was a young girl…
and is one of my most prized possessions.
She is the reason my family is living in this house today.
Aunt Grace bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful Ava Gardner
and is the most amazing person I have ever known.
One day I will dedicate a post just for her…
Notice the “curtains” in the bathroom~
I purchased these towels from Andrea
at fadedplains.com
and made them into curtains.
I LOVE them and use them for everything!
Andrea is the sweetest person
and these towels are just one of many favorite items I’ve purchased
from her ETSY shop.
Andrea’s shop is constantly changing its inventory
with the most wonderful treasures…
…but what I love most about her is the way she packages her orders…
She makes everyone feel so special by always including something
“extra”…
Wait until you open up your order~you’ll see what I mean!
Please visit Andrea at Faded Plains
to see her beautiful home and creative ideas.
And while I’m talking about wonderful shops and blogs…
Please check out my wonderful friend, Anita
from “Castles Crowns and Cottages”, new ETSY shop!
Anita is an amazing artist (among other talents)
who produces the most incredible designs!
Her gift tags, cards, handmade books, theaters…
are absolutely MAGICAL…
Soon she will be adding more delightful designs to her shop.
Please visit her amazing blog at:
http://wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com/
You will instantly be transported to another time and place with her
beautiful, poetic, literary talent.
If you like handmade soaps (who doesn’t??)
please visit my friend Robyn at
www.robynsnestboutique.com
Robyn creates the most beautiful and whimsical soaps I’ve ever seen…
with a wide assortment of heavenly scents and designs
Robyn can create a soap in every shape imaginable!
Her attention to detail is incredible…as is her packaging…
Her soaps make the perfect gifts (especially for wedding favors!!)…
and she’s even created a soap for Bilancia Designs in the shape of a
wine tag!
This is one of the things I adore about Robyn~~
beside the fact that she’s a joy to work with AND she gets your order out
as quickly as possible…
you can ask her for a specialty soap and she can do just about anything!
Please visit her ETSY shop for great holiday gifts.
And last, but certainly not least…
please visit Deb Ivy at
tinyolive.com/store
Deb has a gorgeous collection of fabric gift bags
in all shapes and sizes…perfect for any sized gift.
What an ingenious idea! No more wrapping, taping, scissors…
Tiny Olive has a wonderful, traditional holiday story behind it.
Deb is such a wonderful person a real pleasure to work with…
creating the perfect order for you this holiday season AND any time.
The fabrics are beautiful, the bags are lovely…
and what a treat for the recipient of that special gift in a Tiny Olive bag!
I am obsessed with Deb’s bags…and now my friends actually ask me if
their gifts will be in a Tiny Olive bag! :)
I think she started something!
Please visit Deb’s beautiful website and start your own holiday
tradition!
….Please visit Bilancia Designs
Holiday Shop
with new designs arriving weekly…
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have shopped
at Bilancia Designs!
Wishing you and yours a magical holiday season!
Lisa xo
Photos courtesy of:
Tumblir
Tiny Olive
Castles Crowns and Cottages
Robyn’s Nest
Bilancia Designs
What a fabulous post. You have a LOVELY home and everything just looks so cozy and inviting. Thank you SO much for including me and my shop in your blog post. I truly appreciate your business and look forward to working with you again soon! <3
LISA!! AWESOME!! I LOVE this!! What fun getting a tour of your beautiful house at Christmastime!! Everything SOOOOO pretty and festive……………………..and comfy!! (Was looking for some “faces” in the window…………..lol
I got a big smile when you talk about your Carolers………my mom had a small group of those that came out every year at Christmas, there were four of them and that triggered a strong memory for me (my sister in law has them now with her large collection)………..a 40+ year old memory!! You can tell your home is surrounded by wonderful, meaningful memories of family and there is no better time of year than Christmas to keep those traditions going while creating new ones. Lovely, just lovely………….!!!!!
Your home is stunning Lisa…inside and out! You have made such a beautiful and cozy place in which to raise your family. Thank you so much for inlcuding me in your wonderful post.
Wishing you all the best!
Andrea
Lisa
Everything is so very beautiful!! The perfect holiday touches everywhere filled with love from room to room. The snow is a gorgeous blanket of white. Love love your dining room too! The ornaments on the tree are divine.
Much love to you my friend
xoxo
Kate
LISA!!!!!!!!!!!! I FINALLY MADE IT! Wow, what a day. I am unable to comment on blogs from school, BUT NO ONE SAID I COULDN’T LOOK DURING my lunch break! I am enthralled by your home. LOOK AT THAT ENTRANCE! This is one beautiful vintage home. And your indoor shutters and details are stunning. That arched doorway into your dining room is magnificent and your fireplace, so cozy. When you described to me your plans for the party, I could now see those old cigar boxes filled with all the goodies for your guests and of course, I spotted that BUTTON TREE and the star. THE LITTLE BUTTONED BALL is also sweet and your gracious invitation into your home today to us is so warm and much needed for this season. We are all working so hard, rushing around; I was ALMOST SIDE-SWIPED on the freeway today by some maniac in a hurry! Imagine???? To slow down and to just treat each other with the kind of love YOU have shown me, now that is what the season and life is about!
STUNNING PHOTOS; this is a true poetry entrance into your world Lisa, which is remarkable touched by visions of artistry that I am so honored to know. THANK YOU for featuring Audrey and Marie Antoinette…and for enjoying my newest creation.
MUCH LOVE TO YOU DEAR and WONDERFUL FRIEND! Anita
Thanks for giving us a tour of your beautiful home. It looks so comfy and cozy. I love the snow pictures too. Especially the trees covered in snow with the light shining through and the lighted Christmas Tree,
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas
Barb
OH Bella Luna is so darn cute! She looks like she runs the place! And, that darling vintage cabinet on your mantel is just perfect. Ohhh, I am just wandering over to soak in more of your home before I tear outta here to teach. Sending love your way dearest! Anita
Lisa,
Your home looks lovely in her Christmas ‘duds’! I love that so many of the vintage pieces you have are tied o your past. It makes them that much more special. I especially like the blackboard you created on the back side of the dining room built in — how clever! What a wonderful use for towels you purchased from Andrea. {I’ve made purchases from her shop as well. Who can resist?} I will be sure to visit Robyn’s, Anita’s and Tiny Olive’s sites as well. Thank you for sharing the links. I can’t make out the writing on the sweet shelf your Aunt Grace made. What does it say? I adore your kissing balls, paper rose wreaths and all your button snowflakes. You are truly talented, my friend.
Your Fellow Jersey Girl,
Deborah
It says “Nothing is more beautiful than the truth”. Isn’t that beautiful?
Hi Lisa! What a beautiful house you have! The outside is seriously amazing (what architecture!!!) – and the inside, so full of love and sweet memories, is just beautiful! I felt like I stepped back into time while reading your post. Love the grain sack curtain, darling Andrea’s towels-turned-curtains, your adorable Bella Luna, and your holiday decor! GREAT job, my friend!!! Sending you Christmas hugs and blessings, sweetie! ♥
xoxo laurie
Goodness gracious, your home is GORGEOUS!
I knew the outside was stunning, but the inside…WOW!
You are so gifted in so many ways, I can easily see your beautiful home gracing the pages of a magazine one day soon. With hopefully me photographing it?! Wouldn’t THAT be a hoot?
Hugs and love to you!
Anne
Hello Dear Lisa!!
Wow, am I late! I posted your sweet and kind comments, but have had almost zero computer time to visit blog friends…
This post just gives me the warm fuzzies!! I agree with dear Anita, your home is just spectacular. I love all of the vintage items..what a joy to live with such wonderful memories. And Bella Luna, the beauty, looks like my family’s cat Tenschi!
Your home looks festive, cozy, beautiful…love that dining room light. Thank you for allowing us a peek into your lovely world.
I wish you a wonderful, healthy, joyful Christmas and New Year!!
xoxo,
- Irina
Oh that Bella Luna just makes me smile dearest…she is A QUEEN!
Oh, to see your comment last night, and your kind email….you are just wonderful. I had you on my mind all day as I was crafting yesterday. What fun. I CAN’T WAIT TO TALK TO YOU about your plans…….LET’S DO IT!!!!! LOVE YOU! Anita
It was a HUGE thrill to hear your voice dear friend, and while we were both in our workshops!!!!!
The problem was found. It was embedded into one of the gadgets. HOW SNEAKY!!!! As soon as we dumped the gadget my blog came back. Thank you for the tender friendship and laughter. YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!! Anita
You are wonderful. I didn’t want to keep you from your work, but it sure was fun to hear you!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to see what your plans bring. Will be waiting by your side. BISOUS!! Anita
As I have always said “Once you go Lisa you can never go back!!” Finally a site that does you justice and WOW!
Hi Lisa,
Many thank for visiting me and your kind note you left, I really appreciate that.
I loved coming by again to look at your post and see your beautiful home and all the wonderful treasures you have.
Warmest wishes for a merry Christmas and a year filled with happy days.
Hugs
Carolyn
Dear Lisa,
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and your very encouraging words about my recent poem and my writing. I have decided to move away from the op. ed. style and do weekly poetic and literary kinds of things. Next week I’m going to post a poem I wrote earlier this year but have revised and like much more. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your friendship with Anita and all you’ve done to get her to use her talents to start a business. It’s slow but we’re committed. You are an incredibly talented person. Anita has shown all the creations you have sent her and it really helps us to see what to shoot for.
My time is largely eaten up by teaching and academic demands, but my personal dream is to be a writer — better late than never.
I love blogland because it has afforded us the opportunity of meeting people like you. I hope Anita and I can come to visit you some day.
Finally, your home and pics are wonderful. Bravo.
Ruben
LISA DEAREST,
Oh, this is what BLOG CHRISTMAS is to me…meeting up with dear friends who care and share what they love. THANK YOU for coming today to visit me, even while I am sure you are busy entertaining! THANK YOU SO MUCH for leaving a kind word on Ruben’s blog; he truly is a writer that deserves attention, and like you, has SO MANY TALENTS!
Enjoy my sweet…back later tomorrow or whenever you can SKYPE! Anita
Lisa, thanks for visiting my blog and your nice comments. So many have commented on the tub that I think I will have to do a post about it after New Years.
Have a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.
Barb
Dear Lisa
It makes me so happy to know that there are people like you that are moved to thought and even inspiration by something I say. As an aspiring writer, it is the fulfillment of my dreams. I love your idea about putting together a book that collects some of these quotes and maybe other writings. In fact, my goal is to keep writing poetry and short inspiration/challenging meditations precisely to put in book form. Stay tuned.
Let’s do keep in contact, and I am serious about Anita and I visiting you. I left my email as part of this reply. It is not published with the comment, but you probably have access to it. If not, email Anita and ask her for my email address, as I would like to talk with you about a visit perhaps this summer when we’re both out of school.
Your new friend,
Ruben
Merry Christmas dear Lisa!!!!
xoxo,
- Irina
Thank you, sweet friend, for such generous and kind words! I appreciate it so much. I am very grateful to have met you through beautiful Anita. Your positivity, kindness, and talent are blessings indeed. I wish you and your family a healthy, happy, spectacular 2012!!!!
xoxoxo,
- Irina