Home Decor

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Jessica Crawford
Cotton & Co.

(11/2020) I’m fairly certain I’ve said this before, but I will say it again. 2020 has somehow been, the longest and shortest year ever, all at the same time. It feels like a decade since the world seemed to come to a screeching halt back in March. But on the same token, it’s hard to fathom how we could already possibly and quickly, be approaching the holidays.

And honestly, we all deserve all of the joy and happiness this season. Every ounce possible. It’s the most joyful, grateful time of year. We’ve made it through what is hopefully the most, or some of the most, challenging and isolating times in our lives. I am looking forward to the holidays this year, for sure more than ever before. I love watching the magic of the season through my children’s eyes. Transforming my home into a mini Winter Wonderland. And continuing to teach my little ones, one of the most valuable lessons; the life lesson of learning the art and gift of giving. When you find just the right thing, for just the right person, and you can’t wait to watch them peel back the wrapping paper and brighten their day, mood, life. The art of giving is a teaching lesson in generosity, kindness, selflessnes and thoughtfulness.

At the shop, the vendors have been preparing for months for this next season. Either by creating or curating inventory, dreaming up designs or refinishing furniture that’s perfect for holiday entertaining. By the time this article is published, Cotton & Co will have already been flipped over and transformed for the next season. Brimming with vintage Christmas, ornaments upon ornaments, seasonal décor and greens, and everything you could possibly need for dressing or entertaining this holiday season. And something for everyone on your gift-giving list this year. Our vendors work hard to have items for men, women and children, young and old. With a great balance of vintage, antique and new inventory.

I reached out to my vendors before writing this month’s article, and asked them for some of their most favorite holiday decorating tips and tricks. One of my favorite suggestions came from Katt, wood flower artist and owner of Grit & Grace Custom Designs. She specializes in hand dyed and arranged wood flower arrangements. Sometimes she incorporates vintage vessels into her arrangements for added, special, vintage flare. In terms of holiday decorating, she suggests using antiques and inherited pieces in your decorating, as it’s a meaningful way to include family members into celebrating the season, that may no longer be with us.

Pam, of Dragonfly Memories, agreed and added that she has always been drawn to vintage and antique mercury glass and Putz houses. Those are those adorable Japanese Paper Houses, also known as Mica Houses. She says that pulling out her heirloom nativity every year brings her joy. Bringing out family heirlooms during the holidays, and mixing it in with new finds, always makes your holiday decorating more special and sentimental. Picture Great Aunt Mae’s brass candle stick set, on the mantle, intertwined with fresh pine roping and scattered vintage Christmas balls

Susan, owner behind Lovey’s Vintage Goods, had an excellent suggestion for recycling Fall and Thanksgiving décor into the following season. Did you know that a lot of gourds can be dried and preserved. And even those that don’t preserve long term, should last several months off the vine, especially if you wipe them down with a 2% bleach solution periodically. She says she loves to take her Fall gourds, and paint them white (acrylic or spray paint would work well) and then sprinkle generously with iridescent glitter. They’ll now be ready to use as part of a winter tablescape, or mixed in with Winter greens for a front porch display.

And speaking of Winter Greens, Ashley of So Long Status Quo is a proponent of a little back yard foraging. There are lots of winter greens that can be pruned and clipped and borrowed from nature. Like spruce, holly, arborvitae, nandina and cypress varieties. Lindsay, the owner and artist of Dulcis Home loves incorporating live greens into her holiday displays, and adds that stuffing a vintage vessel, such as an antique milk can, with overflowing live greens, is a great holiday porch statement. Our local wildflower vendor, Third Day Flowers, is planning on providing an inventory of live winter greens, starting shortly. Lindsay also advises grouping smaller decor items for a more collective feel, as well as mixing patterns and solids for a cohesive look. Think buffalo check and a solid throw.

Regardless of your holiday style and gift list, we’re ready for you. We have a shop totally stocked and brimming with everything and every style that you need to make this a special holiday season. Something we all need this year. We are kickstarting the holidays officially, the first weekend in November (6-8). We also are hosting a November Open House November 20-22, with a December Open House planned for December 11-13. We’ll be adding some additional and extended hours in November and December too. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for events and photos and holiday inspiration. Join us this holiday season!