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[Oznell]

I belatedly stumbled upon designer Shea McGee's living room decorated for Christmas.  We've seen her house posted before, but thought its Christmas transformation was especially nice.

Some of the straight lines and hard angles of a relatively new-build house are softened.  I like the assymetric garland and bow arrangement on mantel, the little hits of burgundy, the paired ottomans, the cheerful pot of forced bulbs, the very traditional tree, and vintage looking pillows.

Especially love the paired Studio McGee hurricanes with the deep red tapers-- how elegant.

"Tottenham Taper Holder"

But expensive at just under $200.  I have no doubt that much more affordable, similar looks could be found somewhere online...

Here with taupe candles, in another season.  I love the burgundy though.

It's interesting how much they contribute to the overall look of the room.  Something about the combination of sparkling glass, metal, and tall slim candles within-- a promise of bright nights! 

EDITED to add:   I neglected to add my main question!  Do you have a no-fail accessory of your own-- art, furniture, decor of any kind-- that always makes a room feel "right" to you?  That adds in that little bit of 'you'?  Please describe in detail, if you please. 

[DREAMON]

This is lovely.....not over done and just pretty.

My no fail go to piece is a very large weathered wood tray with wrought iron handles that I place on top of my large ottoman in front of the sofa.

I have large shells and sea glass that my family has found throughout the years placed on one side of the tray. All shells and glass are marked with the persons name and year that they found it. On the other side of the tray I place Holiday or seasonal pieces. It currently has a small tree and candle for Christmas.

[Bonkers1]

I could live with this - not too fussy.

[We rescue cats]

Classic and beautiful, LOVE IT! And the candles are gorgeous, love the Studio McGee hurricanes . . . no doubt they may be found less expensively, but the owner's heart knows how special they are. . .

[wilma]

I like this space. Nicely decorated and looks liveable. I love the tree. I would switch the large ivory bow to a red one. Not crazy about the ottomans for seating. 

[Marsha2003]

I have some clear rose bowls from my mother that I enjoy using in various ways.  They are great to hold flowers, candles or little collections of things like shells or pebbles.  I think because they remind me of my mother, they add a personal touch to my decor.

In general, I like McGee's decor.  Thanks for sharing her Christmas look, @Oznell.

[GingerHead]

@Oznell 

Pretty Christmas decor and those hurricane taper holders are so pretty! Pottery Barn has some lovely glass hurricane holders as well.

The 2 accessories that come to mind for me are my wood dough bowl dining table centerpiece and my big stone bust planter on my entrance way cabinet.

These are always out and stay where they are but always look fresh, new and totally different because I change out the decor of what's in these 2 pieces for every season/Holiday.

I like these because they are small, contained spaces that don't take a lot of decor, work or effort to change the whole feel of the rooms they're in (although, I do decorate the rest of the rooms as well, because I'm just that way but it wouldn't be needed).

I've posted these before but here are my wooden bread bowl and bust planter: My Bust planter in these 2 pictures look similar because I didn't change out the flowers in these cases but I sometimes do....it's always different. haha

PS. The bird on my bust planter is crocked and wonky....so is the candle, ugh....

[DSD2]

Lovely @Oznell 

My mother gave me this. It will always be with me; one of my treasures. 

[cindyNC]

@Bonkers1  Agree with you........not too fussy! Much more my style. 

[Oznell]

Oh boy, I love that some of you answered my question of what is your "go-to" piece in a room!

@DREAMON ,  your weathered wood tray with iron handles sounds like the perfect piece-- good looking in itself, but so versatile, and you can put virtually anything on it, especially including your treasued family items.

@Marsha2003 ,  rose bowls are among my favorite pieces-- again, you can do so much with them. Then the fact that they are precious reminder keepsakes from your mother. Also, I seem to always be drawn to spheres, and spherical bowls.  I have a little Westmoreland ivy bowl in English hobnail, that has that satisfying "rose bowl shape"...

@GingerHead ,  great hurricanes from Pottery Barn, thanks for posting!

Talk about versatility, your commodious dough bowl, and your lovely planter have endless possibilities. And the way you have them span the seasons, just by switching out what they contain.  I love your witty transformations for your lady planter-- her mysterious mask is most becoming...

@DSD2 ,  your crystal Orrefors vase with the woman gazing at stars and night sky--  wow, both stunning, and ethereal!   What a great piece-- your mother showed wonderful taste, and no wonder it is your "it" piece.

You all had such good examples, and got me thinking.  Let's see-- I'll narrow mine down to two accessories I must always have ( and the key is, that I keep these two out virtually ALL the time).

One is, a set of custom wood bookends my Dad had a skilled craftsman make, when we lived in Arizona.  They are a gorgeous wood, with a carved acanthus shape on each.  Rats, I can't find an example of any online that resemble them closely, but they are somewhat similar to this image I found:

My Dad's aren't as high-shine, and have even more of an "art deco" feeling, I think.  I keep them on top of my desk, with some vintage Sinclair Lewis novels between them.  Couldn't be without 'em!

The other is a chunky Wedgwood jasperware jug.  It's my largest Wedgwood piece, and in the darker, Portland blue color, rather than the more usual powder blue Wedgwood shade.

For me, the dark blue spans all the seasons effortlessly, so I can have anything from orange berries, to pine sprigs in it, to springtime lavender.  Navy is an accent color in my living room, so it works on that level too.

Found a picture online of the exact jug.  In real life, the blue is even a bit darker--

 

I never tire of the little classical figures, and that sculptural classical "garland" going around the top.  The jug is one of the first things my eye lights on when coming into the living room!  Have it grouped usually with a smaller Wedgwood pitcher, and a heart shaped Wedgwood trinket dish, both also in the deep Portland blue.

Thanks to all for your posts, and Happy almost New Year!