It’s funny how holidays can evoke a certain mood from year to year. Last Christmas, I was in the mood for sophisticated, wintery glamour with a frosty, table of white, burgundy and gold. I’m all about joy in the form of color with this Christmas tabletop inspiration we created around these adorable bottle-brush trees in shades of pink, aqua and teal… Even the soufflés we whipped up went with the theme – a dusting of ‘snow’ and a pink raspberry topped those dishes just right… Our wreath made from honeycomb balls added a simple, fun touch to the wall, while personalized nutcrackers (that we DIY’d!) greet their guests and watch over their gifts… I loved how the color popped in our all-white studio, bringing a fresh and festive style to the space… And, of course, a table like this requires a little pop of color from the hostess herself… Not to mention tidings of comfort and joy on napkins! ’tis definitely the season for indulging guests with a setting that evokes childish delight and just the perfect amount of whimsy to bring a little holiday cheer.

photography by katie parra for coco+kelley // styling by cassandra lavalle sources :: dishes b by brandie // gold flatware // gold chargers // glassware // stitched napkins // trees // nutcrackers // tablecloth from choice linens // wrapping paper by farewell paperieWe’re making Christmas easy this year, and that includes easy DIY projects – for kids, for craft-lovers, for anyone who loves a hand-made home. Stylist Emmaly Stewart created these cute balsawood trees for your table or mantel. Here’s how it’s done…You’ll need:3mm thick balsawood (available from art/craft stores) Paint/glitter/decorations to suit your Christmas table Step 1 – CutDecide on the size you want and mark two equally sized triangle on the balsa wood before cutting them out. Go carefully with the knife – a trip to the hospital will kill the festive mood very quickly.Step 2 – CreateMark the centre of the base of one of the triangles and cut out a narrow channel half way up its height.

Make sure the channel is as wide as the balsawood is thick so you can slot the two pieces together. Cut a similar channel from the other triangle, starting from the top (pointy end) and finishing half way down its height.Step 3 – DecorateSlide the two halves together to check it all works, and adjust if necessary. To decorate, use paint, clear craft glue and glitter or whatever takes your fancy to adorn as much or as little of your tree as you like. Use tape if you’re painting straight lines.After the paint has dried and you’ve removed the tape, you have a cute & crafty decoration, personalised to suit your Christmas table. Create a few in different sizes and place them in groups. Emmaly painted the left over shapes to use as name tags, pegged to each place. Let’s face it, peace on earth and goodwill to all men depends on a carefully thought out seating plan.Check out our Pinterest board for this and other DIY ideas for trees, wreaths and decorations.Kara and Mac’s wedding at The Sonnenalp is everything we love about mountain weddings: distinctly sophisticated style, rustic alpine vibes, and breath-taking views!

The couple exchanged vows in a quaint chapel then partied all night long in the glass-enclosed reception hall that offered a perfect view of the mountains and allowed the naturally beautiful colors of Colorado to surround the entire space. what is the best home exterior paintThe bride looked effortlessly chic and picture-perfect in an intricate lace Ines Di Santo, messy braid, and natural makeup. christmas decorating tips for the homeJoel Bedford Weddings and second shooter – M. Lindsay Shuptar captured some brilliant moments that are sure to inspire anyone who’s ever dreamt of a mountain wedding!large home decor letters

Mac and I met in Colorado, and the mountains have always been special to both of us for different reasons. My family has always loved The Sonnenalp; it provides the most perfect combination of alpine rustic vibes and European elegance. christmas decorations house beautifulWhen we visited the venue and saw the all-glass room with a retractable glass ceiling we were sold. country wedding decor for saleThe gorgeous rocky mountain scenery could be seen from the dinner tables/dance floors. bedroom wall decorating ideas on a budgetNot to mention, the adorable Vail Chapel was right next door. Our guests didn’t need to get in a car all weekend, everything was walking distance in Vail Village!

We did our first look right behind the chapel in a grassy area that backed up to a beautiful stream. It was close enough to the chapel to feel the energy of the guests arriving but the sound of the stream was enough to drown out any noise or distraction making it feel very private. Tapping Mac on the shoulder literally felt like the first moment of our forever. He took my breath away. We laughed, we cried. It was unbelievably special. We cannot rave enough about working with Joel. He is so easy going and kind that you are instantly put at ease, which makes the photos look much more natural. He would politely lend guidance if he thought a particular pose or angle would make for a great shot. We knew we wanted to take photos on top of the mountain and love how they turned out but some of our favorite shots were from areas that Joel had scoped out on his own. We had guests traveling to Vail from all across the U.S., which meant the world to us. In the planning process, we focused a lot on function, flow, and comfortability.