It took several hours to look through the 600+ reader photos in this year’s holiday decorations uploaderand narrow it down to the top 16 all-star displays. Readers — you really have the sparkle turned on this year. Note, the following All-Stars are not in a particular order, but we’ve numbered each photo to facilitate comments. #1, above: It was love at first sight with this mystery reader’s “everlasting Christmas tree” decor. All that lovely retro aqua furniture is highlighted and complemented by the white tree, decked out in green, blue and aqua — topped with a light up atomic starburst. Yowza. P.S. Is that Flintstones-stone WALLPAPER?! What a fantastic idea for an accent wall!
#2, above: Just like the aqua room #1, April’s orange and green holiday display color coordinates with her everyday mid century modern decor. Just lovely.
#3, above: Readers J, A, R & O kept their holiday decor at a minimum, but the shiny blue ornaments on their vintage aluminum tree play nicely with their retro modern blue couch. Another wonderful, yet minimal touch — hanging some ornaments off their brutalist wall sculpture on the fireplace. Well done.
#4, above: Reader mamam’s display is also minimal, but the white tree with white lights seems to glow as if the whole thing were illuminated. To set off this wondrous sight, vidid splashes of red in the ornaments, tree skirt, pillow and table runner really tie the whole look together and make a warm, glowy and inviting display.
#5, above: The classic red and green combination works nicely in Frank and Eunice’s California home. In fact, this photo would be hard to distinguish from shot taken in 1955.
#6, above: Evergreen trees aren’t usually found in tropical tiki environments, but somehow @OneMust’s limey green holiday display works. Upon closer inspection you’ll notice another non-tropical addition — the abominable snowman Bumble scaling the tree King Kong style — a humorous touch indeed.
#7, Above: Reader RetroCorning is all set for the holidays — in this shot alone I spy: an aluminum tree, color wheel, retro ornaments, putz house on the credenza.
#8, above: This mystery reader has put together a fantastic mid century modest display, with their 1962 Evergleam tree the centerpiece. I’d love to cozy up by the fire and sip some hot cocoa in this home.
#9, above: Proof yet again that fabulous Georgia Peachez rocks our world. She has multiple trees in her house, each dressed head to toe with gorgeous vintage ornaments and goodies. Somehow Georgia has managed to make her trees have the same “feel” and style as her famous vintage ornament wreaths — the calling card of a true artist.
#10, above: Reader Fordman Kurt has quite the holiday display — indoors and out. The only thing that’s missing is a santa hat for his furry friend.
#11, above: It looks like reader Larissa — who is spending her very first Christmas in her 1954 ranch home this year — has a fantastic start on her vintage holiday display. Her vintage aluminum tree is just as sparkly as the chrome on her furniture and sputnik light.
#12, above: Reader Anita’s retro looking white Christmas tree looks like it was freshly coated with snow. She’s even taken the extra care to choose gift wrap that matches her retro blue ornaments — and coordinates with her proudly displayed guitar collection.
#13, above: Most of the photos in the uploader are shot inside. But a few crafty readers gave us photos looking outside in. Reader Nathan gives us a neighborly view of his impressive and rare “silver forest” inside his living room. Nathan says there are six trees in total, and he finally has the room to display them all in his new home.
#14, above: Reader Erica T.’s tree is fabulous — completely decorated to the nines and even matches the cute flowered drapery. Gotta love that vintage ceramic tree on her Broyhill Sculptra buffet and the Masketeers, too. No, those M.R.Not.Dux .
#15, above: This reader has gotten really creative and filled her retro fireplace with a silver Santa collection. Let’s just hope the big guy doesn’t step on any when he shimmies down the fireplace stack.
#16, above: Reader Karen shows that holiday decorating need not stop with the living room. This adorable “holiday kitschen” is one place I wouldn’t mind making Christmas cookies and drinking eggnog. Don’t you agree?
And because no post-uploader round up is complete without paying tribute to the strangest, funniest and most unique item — let’s turn the spotlight to this retro Krampus ornament wreath from a mystery reader. Good golly, this is a fun wreath. It may be disturbing to some, but it appeals greatly to my sense of humor. Did you make this yourself, mystery reader?
Also amazing were the great festive shots of you and your family and friends — both furry and otherwise. We couldn’t let these submissions go unnoticed, so Pam suggested a Kitschmas collage to thank everyone for visiting us now and throughout the year. We love you, dear readers. Mega thanks to everyone who participated in our holiday decorations uploader this year.
nina462 says
lovely, just lovely. looking at all the photos that won – I’m determined that next year is the year for the new/old couch & side chair!! Just got a raise at work so that’s what I’ve saving for. Thanks, thanks, thanks for the uplifting photos and the kick in the pants to finish my living room.
Scott says
All great rooms, the coordinating tree and sofa as per #1, #2, and #3: fantastic. I look foward to browsing through the entire album over the weekend.
oh Holland says
All are splendid but I have to say the kitchen is ADORABLE, with or without holiday decos.
S says
These are all fun, but I’m not making Christmas cookies until I see the Kitchen Aid stand mixer, no matter how cute the decor. I have fond memories of making Christmas cookies in the 60’s, but creaming the butter and sugar(s) and adding the flour aren’t among them.
Kate says
Yes! A stand mixer helps SO MUCH when making Christmas cookies! I love mine.
Adrian says
I’ve seen #1 before on HGTV!!! His name is Brian if I recall correctly, and his whole house is TO DIE FOR!!! (think Fransiscan Starburst kitchen and pink poodle bedroom). I can’t find any links but the whole house is AMAZING!
Brian says
Greetings Adrian, I must say you have an absolute superior memory. Kudos for remembering the name Brian, I’m lucky if I can remember my name at all 🙂 Here are a few Pinterest & Flickr links to my homes interior. I so need to do a re-shoot since everything looks much better with the new floor and upgrades. Thank you for enjoying and hope all is well. Brian
http://www.pinterest.com/atomicted/my-crazy-bungalow-pre-remodel/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boyoflondon/sets/
pam kueber says
Thanks, Brian!!
Wendy M. says
These are all just dreamy! I can’t choose which one I like best. It’s amazing that these are from actual homes…I’m in awe of the decorating skills showcased in these pictures. Very inspiring!
Mary Elizabeth says
I love every one of them, and the collage, too. The main thing about this series of uploads is that people seemed to be having so much FUN with their decorating, whether minimalist and sleek or maximum-over-the-top kitschy.
My personal favorites are #13 and #16. The silver forest photo has so much artistic contrast going on, with the viewer looking inside a picture window and seeing a forest inside a house, which could also be interpreted as a reflection in the window. And #16 looks like it would be so warm and inviting year round, with its vintage kitchen ware and fun spoon drawer pulls (wherever did you find those, please?). The addition of the holiday chair-back covers just adds a little holiday punch. (Pun intended.)
Now that the hectic decorating is done, though, I hope everyone allows the blessings, serenity and peace of the season to fill them and their loved ones with quiet joy. And please, folks, after all this effort, remember that there are twelve days of Christmas, so please don’t start putting things away until after January 6. Or maybe just put away the ornaments and keep up your aluminum and white trees to be decorated in hearts and flowers in February and plastic eggs and vintage bunnies in April! 🙂
James says
Exactly-we leave our tree up until Three Kings Day- Jan. 7th. Lots of cool stuff here!
brenda says
I am just in awe…
Diane says
These are sensational! Thanks for posting!
Becky says
They are all beautiful, but the first one absolutely takes my breath away. That is the most gorgeous room, with or without the tree. Just perfect.
And I want to sit in the orange and green living room and read and crochet for hours, it’s so cozy.