Yes or No?
Tinsel icicles...do you love them or hate them?
I hated them as a child but love them as an adult.
I think my love for them started with many viewings of White Christmas.
In the final scene the curtains open to reveal a huge Christmas tree with
limbs covered in them.
It was a required decoration for trees in the past.
Pretty amazing...the number of tinsel icicles delicately placed on these trees.
I think I like it best on a green tree.
I used it on my tree last year...but am debating whether I will use it this year or not.
We'll see...if I do.
I am thinking about painting all the wood trim on my chair and sofa white.
I have been hesitant to do so because the wood is very pretty.
But I've never liked how the wood looked against the pink upholstery.
I know it would look great with a distressed painted white trim.
So I think that is what I'll do.
What do you think?
Should I go for it?
47 comments:
I happen to like tinsel...but my dear hubs does not so I let it go....but it is so vintage and I DO love vintage! The chair is very pretty with the wood...either way it is a winner!
Our trees were always loaded up with the tinsel. But you had to put it on one strand at a time, or mom and dad would not let you help! Then I hated it, but now I love it too...I like the chairs wood and I think they would look nice white~I know you are gonna do it and I can't wait to see them!
I love tinsel on a fresh tree....not so fun to take off a fake tree.
Beautiful pictures
my favorite job was putting the tinsel on when I was little. You just planted a seed for next years tree.
I go back and forth on the tinsel. I think my in-laws influence the negative part. They used it every year and it was all crinkle.
I love the wood on the pink chair. I think it would be pretty white as well. I am wondering if it would be kinda hard to paint it.
I almost bought some tinsel yesterday but the thought of it being all over the floor stopped me. I love the look and may go back to get some - it was on sale for .40 a box! As for painting the wood on your chair white, I would have a tough time doing that - the wood is really pretty!
I loved to put tinsel on the tree as a child...never used it on my trees, though...and, I tthink you should go for the white paint! Don't distress it just yet...let time and your puppies do that for you!
All of our trees growing up were short, fat and full of tinsel! Remember the tree in "The Bishops Wife' when Cary Grant magically loaded it with decorations and tinsel?? It's one of my favorite parts of the movie...and it's in black and white but still looks beautiful! I like the wood on your furniture but I think it would look fab a distressed white too!~Hugs, Patti
I like the look of tinsel in other people's houses.... However, tinsel tends to find its way into my vacuum cleaner and bind up the beater bar... That and plastic Easter grass (for the same reason) have been banned from our household since about 1996. LOL
I've always loved them. My tree doesn't have them this year because my cat insists on eating them. :( LOVE your pink sofa! And also the vintage black and white photos are great. They really DID use a lot of tinsel back then. :)
I LOVE tinsel and its "retroness" but I was totally bummed out to find out that it contains really high levels of lead, so if you have pets/kids, I don't recommend it. Also, they say try to re-use as much as you can for next year so that the lead doesn't make its way into landfills/waterways. I really really want to put some on our tree but I MUST...RESIST... :)
Yes yes yes GO FOR IT. Sometimes more IS more.
Danielle
I like tinsel on a tree, the way it would move a little and sparkle in the breeze. But my parents would get mad at me for putting clumps on at a time...and then there was the tinsel hanging out the dog's butt...that was never good. Pulling it off the fake tree one strand at a time so Dad could pack it away nice and neat was just too much for my young patience to bear.
Suddenly one year, we just stopped
useing the tinsel, to this day I have never used it on my tree... but I do like the look of it. As for painting the wood white, I think you will make it look great! A reader of your Mod Mix Monday did something similar with painted wood at it turned out fabulous!
Nita,
Now that you've worked at Pier 1 a while, do you find yourself pointing out all the Pier 1 furniture and knick knacks in TV shows, Movies, and model homes? I STILL do it, and it drives my wife crazy. We'll be watching a dramatic scene and they'll walk by dresser that I'll recognize and say "Pier 1" and point. She'll whisper "will you STOP THAT"? I guess they have a big Pier 1 right across the street from one of the major studio lots. If you arn't doing it yet you soon will be.
Take care,
Adam
I liked tinsel as a kid but a big NO now because of the pets.
So I vote NO on tinsel and
YES on painting the wood.
Go for the white paint, I think that would look great. Yes on the tinsel in moderation. How bad something sparkly be bad? Please stop by our giveaway if you get a chance, Laura
OH our trees always had tinsel growing up, it was a must. I recently saw a couch where she had painted the wood white and it was beauitful. I think you've already made up your mind!
I find myself debating change as well. Sometimes wondering what someone will think of it. I've decided that life's short. If you want white trim, make it white. If you hate it, it was still worth a try and can be undone or changed until it's just right.
You know when you're right and I'll agree, wood/stain is a color and it doesn't do the pink any justice.
I love tinsel on trees but don't use it due to the kitties trying to eat it and pulling it off the tree and it ending up everywhere. I have a fear of them choking on it or some other horrific disaster from it.
I remember tinsel but cannot use it because my cat would surely eat it. I love your pink sofa as is and would not paint it but you do what makes you happy lovey.
Yes they are magical!!
YES on BOTH! and YES, i LOVE tinsel! Is a favorite childhood memorie adorning the tree with tinsel... it was all in the "technique"!
We have never actually decorated with tinsel. It looks so pretty but I must confess I am not sure I would have the patience to delicately place those sweet little strips on my tree!
Please share some pictures if you decide to use it!
Best Christmas wishes,
Natasha.
Hi Nita,
I vote YES, YES, YES for painting the trim on your sofa...and I'm not saying that because I happen to be a painter, either. But having seen the lovely photos of your home, white ( or some other sherbet color ) would be perfect for your decor.
Check out thedecoraologist.com, November 18 posting....she painted hers, and it looks fabulous!
As for the tinsel, not a good idea at our house. The cats eat it and that leads to a holiday visit to the emergency vet service...then there was the season one of them ate the straw from the creche. Curly ribbon is another delicacy, as is Easter basket grass, and rubber bands, and towels....
Dogs are so much better mannered aren't they?
As a kid, we tinseled up the tree - - with the fully leaded stuff. It was a pain to put on and take off, and I really never cared for the look of it. I much prefer my beaded garland and wired ribbon instead. But on your white tree, with the pink and aqua/teal balls, I think it looks retro-cool with a bit of "wow" factor. Tinsel almost begs for some Shiny Brites, you know? -- HollyM
It looks so amazing in the vintage photos but I think it would drive me crazy. Hubby thinks it's needed for a tree to be a Christmas tree, but in the 13 years we have been married we have never used it.
We always had tinsel as a child - and I always loved it. DH does not like it so much - mainly because it tends to end up in lots of places other than just on the tree. I need to do something more to my tree this year, though - maybe I garland. As for your furniture - I love the wood! But either way, I'm sure it will look great. I'm new to your blog - LOVE it! :)
Hate tinsel. Love your decor. Paint the wood white!
I love tinsel but can't use it for two reasons. 1) OCD. It would take me to February to get it all on perfectly, and 2) Cats. Not a fan of pulling it out of them.
Hated tinsel as a child and love it now - nostalgia and all. I did buy plastic, silver icicles at Target a few years ago as my nod to the tradition.
Go for it! I know the wood is beautiful but white will look AMAZING and more like YOU!
Thank you for keeping up with your blog regardless of all the other "life experiences" you are tucking under your belt. I so enjoy everything you share with us! Merry Christmas, Nita!!!
p.s. favorite tinseled tree - the one in The Bishops Wife. Cary Grant does a mean tree.
I like tinsel. I've always liked it. I stopped using it, though, when I got a cat. It's very dangerous for them if they swallow it, and since it dangles and sparkles, it's very interesting to them.
Ah, two quandries to which I have no answer to except go with your heart. And while I always enjoy "White Christmas", I prefer "Holiday Inn" which also features that wonderful song.
Oh, just had a thought -- can you Photoshop the trim white just to see how it might look before jumping in?
Hi Nita,
We always had tinsel on our tree when I was little but I don't remember ever putting it on our as a married couple but that's been 43 years ago! Twinkle lights and big gold garland were the rage in 1968 so I think we went with the trend. As for your beautiful French chair I say paint it. It will make the scroll work pop. It will be tricky with it already being upholstered (I'm assuming you are not changing that) but it can be done. Remember, painter's tape is your friend and it will help mask off the upholstery. I don't know how to attach pics to the comment field so check your email. I sent a before and after pic of an upholstered Louis XV chair that I painted white and I love the way it turned out!
Helen in Ft Worth
Oh, I forgot to tell you how much I LOVE your header with the pink vintage bottle brush trees and Christmas putz houses. You are definitely a girl after my own heart!!
Helen
Hi, Nita
I love the tinsel, its just lovely.
Thank you for hosting too.
Vanessa
I like tinsel on real trees with vintage ornaments. I think the old tinsel had a bit of lead in it, which is why it doesen't look so nice now.
As for your chair, I would leave it. The chair is clearly old and the wood is beautifully turned and not too dark. If it was some crappy mass produced piece of furniture, I would say go for it. Have you considered removing the varnish and lightening it a bit with bleach? It is your chair and you can do what you want with it. I like it the way it is and think it goes nicely with your house and the other furniture.
I love your chair as it is. It is a charming vintage piece. You have other painted pieces. Contrast is needed.
Yes, go for it dear lady, it will be gorgeous and you will so glad you did.
i loved the icicles, but I have never enjoyed putting them on the tree. I stopped when we got a cat, it's so dangerous for them.
Hugs, Cindy
Yes! Pink and white is SUCH a classic color combo.
I say go for it! I have realized lately that I often hold back on my ideas, even though I know they are good. Then when I do finally finish, I wonder why I waiting so long! It might look really pretty distressed, too. You can't go wrong Nita, your ideas are always great.
my grandmother worked in a tinsel factory when she was a girl (can you believe that?! I'm sure it was real lead back then too!!) so I am partial to tinsel. We did not use it growing up, my parents had trees that looked like the ones above, SOOOO much tinsel you couldn't see the tree!
And I would not even THINK twice about painting the wood on the chair/sofa!! AB SO LUTE LY!!!!
Hi there,
You asked about my skinny flocked tree. I got mine from ChristmasTraditions.com but I don't see it there this year.
It's also sold at this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Pre-Lit-Winter-Flocked-Christmas-Lights/dp/B0016ZMRP4
Just cut and past it. I hope this helps. We sure love ours!! : )
M.L.
I loved the icicles then and I love them now. You have the right kind of tree to put them on. I'm a big chicken when it comes to painting over pretty wood but if anyone can make it look good you can! Go for it!
I don't tinsel but love the look on yours-my dogs might get all into it-lol-I'm your newest follower-stop back for a visit!!
The questions are, "How much do you want to pick tinsel out of everywhere, including any pets' throats?"
And, "Are you prepared for a frustrating painting job around the upholstery?"
I say, "Chill." K.I.S.S.
The tinsel, I have mixed feelings about. But, since it is vintage, that makes me want to use it also :) The chair, well, I usually am not a fan of painting over any wood furniture surface (esp if it is an antique), but a washed antique white could look good on that chair. Either that or reupholster it in another color of fabric. Maybe a small print fabric?
I think you should paint the wood on your chair a metallic- like a soft gold or something. If you paint it white it will become the focal point.
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