Chaletmomma

Hello friends I’m continuing to embrace all things Christmas - so this week I thought it would be fun to share how we enjoy the holidays here in the Chalet.

On the day the bins come up from the basement and decorating commences - we select our movie to start off the day - this year we started with White Christmas and went straight into A Christmas Carol - the 1951 version is darker than the 1938 version, I also like the 1935 Scrooge, we also have Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol, and this 1969 cartoon is fun - I am really fond of this character I could write an entire piece about all the versions of this Charles Dickens tale of awakening which I love so much! It all started with the Giant coloring book you see here I had when I was little - how I wish I still had it!

Our holidays wouldn’t be complete without watching these films: The Bishops Wife, Miracle on 34th Street, The Bells of St. Mary’s, The Shop Around the Corner and Holiday Inn. The 1977 version of The Nutcracker ballet with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland is a favorite and this year we introduced Home Alone to our son.

Our Tree is chockablock full. It’s a mix of Shiny Brites that were my folks, ornaments mom bought me, a few I crafted, ones I’ve been buying yearly, bits Liam’s made - In addition you’ll see a few extra special Christmas cards and gift tags - finall… — Our Tree is chockablock full. It’s a mix of Shiny Brites that were my folks, ornaments mom bought me, a few I crafted, ones I’ve been buying yearly, bits Liam’s made - In addition you’ll see a few extra special Christmas cards and gift tags - finally it’s topped with some felt gingerbread garland and paper-chains!

Other programs not to be missed: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, CMA Country Christmas and of course re-watching our favorites - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy, Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express and A Charlie Brown Christmas. We listen to tons of holiday music from Andy Williams, Nat King Cole, Dave Brubeck and Pentatonix among current artists Christmas renditions and my favorite Nutcracker disc is often playing.

I used to decorate the day after Thanksgiving and wrap gifts that weekend. I don’t rush to get it all done quite as quickly anymore. I do have a few things under the tree but, I can’t place anything under the tree for a certain someone until he goes to bed on Christmas Eve after our family leave. Gearing up for our Christmas Eve celebration means baking - cookies, magic cookie bars and some years a cake yum! Gathering on Christmas Eve in the Chalet is carrying on a tradition my Mother started in 1968.

We celebrate with tons of hors d’oeuvres - my Mom’s famous hot crab meat dip, dill dip and savoy treats like chopped chicken liver; while the main course changes from year to year, we always have a bunch of options for dessert. Meanwhile It’s A Wonderful Life plays in the background. This year we may add a card game into the mix - my son is really into them lately - maybe Would Ya, Utter Nonsense or The Voting Game…. The night is always topped off with holiday crackers and all of us adorning our paper crowns and sharing silly jokes!

If you’re interested in movies that are not specifically about Christmas read my post Film Favorites.

From our home to yours Happy Holidays.

Til next time stay safe!

Hi Friends after many months the kitchen refresh is finally complete!

Back in February I popped into Home Depot and came home with a sample of English Channel. I am not someone who needs a plethora of swatches. I knew I wanted a dark blue but, not navy and this color fills the bill perfectly.

On Friday July 24th we celebrated 17 years of ownership here at the Chalet. In that time all but two spaces have been redone at least once. (We like what we like and we like it for a long time! hahaha!) So the kitchen was one of the spaces that had not seen any updates since the original remodeling project in January 2005.

This is our kitchen in its full Ben Moore Pumpkin Spice glory…. I loved the color so much for so long - until I didn’t. I started talking about painting the kitchen a dark blue last fall. I saw some raised eyebrows and I get it - I really do - the space is about 9’ x 9’ and I’m being generous - the measurement from the frig to the diningroom is 6’ 6 inches.

If you follow along on IG than you never see this space. It’s small, hard to photograph and the light levels vary between barely any to being very bright thanks to it bouncing off our neighbors house.

In April I painted the trim - the problem was I didn’t have the wall and ceiling paint. This is my very sweet husband - he went to the store (during the the height of the pandemic here in New Jersey) and bought me paint. I started painting the ceiling Behr Paint Pink Prism in May but, as it is with life especially during Covid the project stalled. On July 22nd he took pity on me and gave the ceiling the second coat it needed and then my friends I was off to the races!

I painted for 6 hours on Friday July 24th (that magical 17th Houseaversary) and for another 8 hours the next day. I know you’re thinking what?1? 14 hours to paint such a small space but, I started brushing and stuck with it. I like brushes they offer me a control I don’t feel with a roller. I also used artists brushes to get in to some of the nooks and crannies.

By Saturday night there was Art! Thanks so much Christina for lending your eye!

“KP duty is “kitchen police” or “kitchen patrol”...”

— Wikipedia

This image proves the ceiling really is Pink!

This fabric was the jumping off point for the rest of the elements in the space. Originally I thought about going in a chinoiserie direction but, when I closed my eyes and asked myself what did I want to live with? What did I see in my minds eye? Something I Ask Clients To Do… I saw fun with a modern twist and this fabric is the perfect blend of color and pattern to tell that story.

I first saw this fabric on my friend and Interior Designer Cameron Jones IG feed, she was sweet enough to grab a yard and mail it from Raleigh, North Carolina. It had been sitting in a bin in my basement for a few years - I am so glad I hadn’t used it for pillows or a client! So the last thing I tackled were the cafe curtains.

I hope this has inspired you and let you see even professionals can struggle to get projects finished - for one reason or another.

This pretty space is getting a break while we’re at the beach - breathing in salt air, eating donuts, playing mini-golf - all while self distancing and wearing masks. Please know I’m here for assistance - email me - no project or query is too small!

Take care and Please wear your mask!