Monday, December 3, 2012

A Coastal Christmas Ladder


Good Morning Beach Dwellers

This weekend past has been revealing to say the least. I am certainly living with a mob of traditionalists. I never put the tree up before December 1 and the other Beach House dwellers would say I still haven't.  In my defence, I protested that this ladder was once a tree and it would be the only tree going up for Christmas this festive season.


The littlest Beach House Brat came on board pretty quick.  It's incredible how a bit of silver glitter and few other sparkly bits can win over a preschooler.  The Biggest Beach House Brat was disgusted and retreated back to his computer screen, with Mr Beach House promising to put up the traditional tree before the big day.  Yeah like that's going to happen.  I fail to see how a guy, who can't find a big jar of Vegemite in the pantry, when it is staring him right in the face, is going to be able to find the several boxes of decorations and the faux tree as passed down by grandma, in that chaos that is our under house storage area.



So vintage ladder with Ikea baubles and snow flake lighting, along with a few shells and doily votives it is, this year.


Funnily enough the Big Beach House Brat, surfaced again once it was dark and the ladder was all lit up.  As he strolled into the living room, he just said "Wow!!!"  I asked if it was growing on him and he just wiggled his hand, in a comme ci, comme ca kind of way.  He'll be a convert by Christmas, I'm sure of it.


When I got down to the yacht club on Sunday, there was more ribbing from my facebook friends and I found myself inviting people over for drinks next Friday night, to inspect my new baby in person.  Hello Suzi you will be eating your words I guarantee it!!!!!


I think the star on top makes her look just the thing, any self respecting vintage lover would be proud of.


So take a look at her and let me know what you think.  Be honest, I can take it!!!!!







So What do you think?  Personally I am loving her!!!!!

See all my other Christmas craft and baking projects here and to my friends from OZ, don't forget to enter my cake pop maker giveaway here.
Have a great week!!!!!

Today I am linked up here

43 comments :

  1. I love it. I tried to get away with decorating a palm tree one year and the fam said "no go". Last year I made a book tree and lit it up and that was the only tree we had. Of course I was over seas visiting one child, the other was with her fiance and poppa bear did not care either way.

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  2. You are very creative. This looks gorgeous. I would never have thought to have a ladder as a Christmas tree. I love all your decorations. They go together so well. Mine are a mixture of things I've bought through the years - nothing goes together but they're all too special to throw out. We don't put our tree up until closer to Christmas because we buy a real one so the scent of pine can fill the house xx

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  3. Well I love your 'ladder' tree! What a cool idea. You have decorated it beautifully too. Kate x

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  4. I think it's awesome Carolyn! As you know, we only have the twiggy tree this year and at first the kidlets were a bit funny about it but they're over it now and I'm sure your young man will be won over too :)
    Cas x

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  5. It looks gorgeous!
    I am planning to do that with a ladder myself for our outdoor area, but there will still be the traditional plastic tree inside.

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  6. I am in love with those snowflake twinkle lights!! OOH MY!!!

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  7. It's a great tree alternative!! It's funny how the young ones can't contemplate anything different in that department. My daughter is the same, insisting on the real thing! x

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  8. I love it and I am going to do next year :)

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  9. it's just wrong!

    you cant have a dead tree as a ladder, as a christmas tree....tell that littlest boy I am feeling his pain
    nic
    ( since I have been in sydney 3 different people have asked me to help with their trees...what the??!! anyway, none of them were a ladder, thank goodness cos I would have refused)

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  10. I think it looks great Carolyn, and I love those jars.

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  11. That's really pretty and so suits your house. Lovely Chrissy decs. Looking forward to hearing your Christmas dinner menu.

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  12. I have to admit the snowflake twinkle lights make the tree.
    I'm off to ikea. Great job.

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  13. HI I love it Carolyn it shows that you dont have to buy manufactured products to share the christmas spirit what if you (not you personally) didnt have money to spend on a tree but decded to be creative with what you have at home good on those who think outside the tree

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  14. The idea is to have what makes you happy and you don't have to spend all kinds of money or have to nag somebody to get a tree up. Been there done that, too many times in 44 yrs. of marriage. Your "tree" looks very pretty and festive, who cares what kind of tree you have.
    Since my hubs had a stroke little over 2 yrs ago we haven't done all we used to. We pretty much use what we have. this year there is no tree, to put one up would have had to rearrange the whole living room and after cleaning up all the Christmas stuff after making things and decorating for 2 days I'd had enough.
    Today I made a garland I'd seen on a blog but did it my own way. I've had two yards of silver and copper lame' fabric for years, (bought for some other projects) so when I thought of that garland that had been made with strips of white muslin and white tree lights I had a "light bulb moment". The lame was very easy to tear into strips then I used my pinking shears for all the ends as it ravels like crazy. Measured all strips into 6" strips to tie onto the light string. I alternated silver and copper between each light and it came out so pretty and festive looking. We have a partial wall between the kitchen/l/r so hung it on l/r side under the shelf on the wall. It looks so festive and pretty, shiney. Didn't cost me a penny. My hubs made 3 tomato cage trees from what we had in storage already, they're out on front porch on patio table. I spent a $1 for a vinyl tablecloth to cover the table, that's it this year.
    Hey who needs a tree. I did less this year, enjoying it much more as now I'm not a crabby bitchy tired old lady from trying to do too much. Gee only took me 72 yrs. to get smart. Happy week and holidays.

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    Replies
    1. That wreath sounds lovely. You leave such lovely comments on my blog. Do you have a blog?

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  15. Hi dear! absolutely LOVE your ladder!! gave me great inspiration for this christmas as I gave the tree and lots of decorations to my daughter for my little niece Aurora. had a look aroun your blog and could not notce your pasta italian style yummy.. well done! kisses and hugs from Italy.
    Claudia.

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  16. Love your coastal Christmas ladder! So creative :)

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  17. Simply elegant and lovely. Merry Christmas!

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  18. I love the ladder, lights and accessories, but as a substitute for a Christmas tree, it doesn't float my boat :)

    I think it would look lovely on a porch or a deck, but that's just me...

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  19. I think it look gorgeous hun, and styled beautifully as I knew it would be when I first started seeing it take shape on Instagram. You have that magic touch. As much as I love the idea, I couldnt get away with it here, my guys are far too entrenched in their traditional ideals. My fault totally. I'll just have to admire your creative genius instead :) xx

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  20. hi Carolyn - I'm undecided on this one as your main "tree" - i think it absolutely looks so pretty and you have made it just gorgeous with your beach vintage things and those lights!! but I like the greenery of a tree. but very creative of you. but there's no way my christmas loving husband would go for this. he is hilarious about christmas - so full on. but it makes it very christmassy and nice. (me I can take it or leave it but he gets me in the spirit..)
    hope you are having a lovely festive season
    cheers Fiona

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  21. Ok you said be honest.... I LOVE IT!!!!! Who wants to follow the masses... Ladders need love too... You saved a tree from its death.. That's really stepping it up... Sea-suns greetings beach dweller!

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  22. I LOVE this!! Sure wish I could get away with a fabulous tree like this.
    Mary Alice

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  23. I am collecting ideas for a more simple and primitive way to decorate next year. This is definitely on my list. LOVE IT! Yes, I am screaming.

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  24. Dear Caroline!!!!! I miss you!!!!
    I have been CRAZY migrating my blog to the new website, and my intention is to visit all my followers from CondensedLoveHome and ask them to follow me at the new site (www.restory.ca)! But I just came over to check Rose's party and found you here!!!
    I LOVE YOUR "TREE-LADDER"!!! I was just wondering how your family was and now I know, LOL! Reading your post I can see everybody is shocked over there, LOL! I would not replace the old tree, though. I would have both (energy and resources permitting).
    Perhaps if I did not have kids. Even thought my son is 18, he is "conventional", like your kids and husband.
    Kuddos to you for shaking things up! ANd I laughed my head off at Mr.Beach House not finding all the stuff. Of course he won't.
    My husband wouldn't wither. Big hugs! Claudine

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  25. So so wonderful! it looks so great and love the natural style, really inspiring, thank you!

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  26. I think your ladder tree is really lovely, and even elegant in your use of white throughout. I also really like the lace doilies on the jars with twine bows--very pretty. I have a non-traditional tree this year, too, and I really like it, and it was inexpensive and let me use some pretty things that I had on hand in a new and creative way. It may not suit everyone, but I think it's pretty cool:)

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  27. Awesome post! Love that elegant coastal Christmas decor ideas.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  28. Very cool idea! Way to be unique! I love it!

    Brittny @ www.deerlybeelovedcreations.com

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  29. your ladder that was once a tree xmas tree is the "Bomb"....if i didnt have kidlets that no doubt would climb it every chance they had i`d be joining you.
    Allison x

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  30. I love ladders and this is simple adorable!! Love all of the little details you added to this themed 'tree' -- I'm sending this to a friend who lives in FL -- she'll love it I know!

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  32. That is such a lovely idea! Would love if you'd join our Countdown to Christmas link party! Hope to see you there! Have a great week! :)
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_12_11_archive.html

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  33. Who would have thought an old ladder could look so elegant and beautiful! Lovely.

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  34. I love the look of this ladder tree. Divine! Stand your ground on this one :).

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  35. Wow. Just wow! I love it, and if I had something so awesome like that I would keep it up all year round.

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  36. I think it is the very best Christmas ladder I have ever seen. I doubt I will ever see another Christmas ladder that looks so lovely.
    x

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  37. Fair play to you, it looks amazing. Distressed wooden stepladder - Christmas ladder in a few easy steps.

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