A MODERN DAY CHRISTMAS

I know, I know. It's not even December yet! But Thanksgiving is over and I've been waiting oh so patiently to share this space with you...
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Back in October, I put together this photo shoot for HGTV.com with the concept of creating a modern day Christmas setting in a friend's bachelor pad. I took his very neutral furnishings and warmed them up for winter with a fur throw and metallic pillows that stayed true to his style while adding some shimmer and texture!
hgtv+cocokelley+christmas+tree vignette
It didn't quite feel like holiday without a bit of colour, though, so I decided to add in one of my current favorites - a bright pop of citron green! Apartment living can always be a challenge when decorating for the holidays (I barely have room for shoes, let alone a Christmas tree!) and this room definitely didn't have a lot of options. Instead of creating awkward space issues with a large tree, we opted for this simple tinsel tree that still allows us to peek at the stunning view, tucking presents into the bookshelf.
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Hot cocoa, anyone? The simple addition of a gold serving tray and a bowl of baubles is enough of a holiday touch without too cluttered.
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Behind the sofa is my favorite part - the bar!! Ok, so maybe a feather wreath doesn't scream 'manly' but I know plenty of men who would appreciate it! Champagne, a stocking full of presents and the glow of candles set this scene perfectly.
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I couldn't make it Christmas without some kind of greenery, and these mini trees for the entryway were the perfect compromise to make up for no real tree. We wrapped them in cozy fabric to dress them up a bit, lit some candles and created an area to display all the Christmas cards! (Such a popular guy, our bachelor.) The artwork happened to lend itself well to the idea of glowing city lights on cold winter nights!

The best part of the online article, though, is that it features a gorgeous tabletop by Manvi at Mochatini as well as a fabulously fun retro holiday styling by Mrs. Lilien! To check them out, hop on over to HGTV.com. How will you be decorating for the holidays??

*photography by brandon sawaya, and a huge thanks to bethany, maggie and jennie for all their help with the shoot!

58 comments:

  1. Lovely warm colors, perfect for cold season:)

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  2. Thank you for sharing, you have done a GREAT job, feather boa and all!!
    You just gave me a good idea... I will be filling my milk glass cake stand with pretty Christmas balls for sure!!

    Great job!
    Northern Light

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  3. Anonymous29.11.10

    This Christmas style is right up my alley! I don't have space for a real tree, so I'll definitely borrow your ideas :). The apartment itself is very chic, but you made it shine! xo

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  4. Cassandra, this is stunning for a bachelor and I think the feather wreath IS manly! The gleam throughout, and the tabletop tree are wonderful!

    Come and Enter my giveaway from Fifi Flowers!
    xoxo

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  5. ohhh gorgeous!!!

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  6. Right up my alley! Love that gold bar cart!

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  7. Wonderfully decorated!

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  8. oh cas! it turned out amazing! i am so proud you were able to pull this off with such amazing style. even i want to live there! congrats!

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  9. I love the mini trees! Christmas just isn't complete without some evergreen.

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  10. i love the idea of a simple tree

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  11. that sectional floods me with emotions - all i have been doing is looking for sectionals - stinks when your SUPER picky like me ..

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  12. So inspiring, especially for us small-space dwellers! Just the right amount of holiday festivity, without cluttering the place up... LOVE ever detail! XO

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  13. So inspiring, especially for us small-space dwellers! Just the right amount of holiday festivity, without cluttering the place up... LOVE ever detail! XO

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  14. Festive, but still masculine. Very well done, Cassandra!

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  15. Beautiful. I love the use of milk glass. And the bar cart - gorgeous! And the wreath above the bar. Simple, easy, festive. Well done!
    -J
    p.s. I decorated for Christmas this weekend. It was so fun!

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  16. I love the feather wreath! The small Christmas tree is darling. Just perfect for a bachelor, and would go perfect in a dorm room.
    Have a nice day,
    Teresa

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  17. Stunning! I love the tinsel tree it's fun.

    What's the 411 on the driftwood lamp behind the sofa? It looks huge and absolutely fabulous!

    *bisous*
    Dane

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  18. I tend to be more of a traditionalist when it comes to decorating, but I have to say that I like the look of this modern Christmad decor. Very chic.

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  19. That gold bar cart is brilliant. thanks for sharing.
    xo
    hallie
    the glam lamb

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  20. Love this chic, modern and clean look. Great work, Cassandra!

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  21. Ohh- I like!

    Would you mind sharing where the stocking is from? I am looking for some neural ones, and that bit of gold rope adds just the right amount of pizazz!

    Thanks!

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  22. i love all of these ideas! and what perfect timing- my boyfriend and i were just thinking of how we might finally do some xmas decorations this year in our apt, without taking up too much space. ~joelle

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  23. What a gorgeous space. Great job!

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  24. Where did you get the bar cart? I love it and am looking for something like it!:)

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  25. It turned out beautiful, love the gold bar and the christmas tree!

    http://californiacandy.wordpress.com/

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  26. what a perfect little space! love the tree and the wreath and the citron colour is fun. I hauled out my tree and decorations on the weekend so it's decorating time around here! :)

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  27. Congrats on the HGTV shoot! It's my mom's favorite channel. She can watch it for hours and hours haha.

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  28. like the idea to stuff the present in the bookshelves...I would have done if I was back in my app...this year, however I'm back home for the holidays, therefore a big tree like the good time is a must! colour chosen? bordeaux...I wanted to go totally 80s but I had to compromise on 1880s!

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  29. Anonymous29.11.10

    Congrats! This is gorgeous! I love the Gold bar & the Christmas tree is lovely!

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  30. I know it's a bachelor pad and all, but judging from these pictures, I would gladly move there. Loved the citron green- one of my favorite colors, and I like that it's almost unexpected yet blends in so well. Who's the artist of the entry art?

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  31. Anonymous29.11.10

    LOVE! Such good ideas for a small apartment - much better than my last year's attempt of getting a huge tree that then took up the entire living room (not my smartest purchase)..haha. Can't wait to implement some of these ideas into my own space this holiday season!

    Any idea where that bar cart is from? It's gorgeous!

    Lauren

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  32. Great job! love your blog!

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  33. Cassandra does it again! Honestly this is perfection. I love what you did with the bar area, especially the feathered wreath — to die for! You are a styling genius, my friend :)

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  34. Beautiful! What a wonderful job and a fabulous apartment!

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  35. Anonymous29.11.10

    I really like the mixed metals - nickel coffee table and gold bar cart - along with the mirror console. Great man cave!

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  36. Great job! I think it looks cheery but still manly enough too!

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  37. I was waiting to see the rest of the images from this shoot - LOVE it!! As a small space dweller, I'm always looking for new ideas when I'm decorating for the holidays. Amazing job Cass! xo

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  38. This is exactly what I need. I'm not a big seasonal decorator so this post is very inspirational.

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  39. LOVE this---so clean and modern, but super festive at the same time.

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  40. Anonymous30.11.10

    Great job! This is stunning.

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  41. I am in love with the artwork in the last photo! Amazing xxx
    http://reallyliteral.blogspot.com/

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  42. Brilliant, Cassandra! The modern touch to Christmas and decor is class A. Great work :)

    -Savannah

    The French Bouquet, Tulsa, OK

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  43. really intrugiung & cool spaces! good idea... I will be filling my milk glass cake stand with pretty Christmas balls for sure too :-)

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  44. Anonymous30.11.10

    {Yeah}
    I was so excited to see this!
    Looks amazing!

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  45. Love it. Super Chic. Love the small tree with the glistening colored balls. Would look great as the sun is setting - all sparkly. Love the wreath...says metrosexual which I have no problem with and the little green trees is super classy and not over the top. Hello Bar Cart. Love it.

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  46. Love the little tree!! Could you share where it is from? I find myself unable to have a full tree this year and that would be perfect.

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  47. Love it even more now. The color palette and the glam touches are fabulous!
    Thanks for the mention cassandra. I feel honored to be in such great company.
    xoxo

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  48. Gorgeous, my favorite is the bar as well, that wreath is incredible.

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  49. I love this space! How perfect.

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  50. thank you SO MUCH everyone!! i will be adding the list of resources to the post, but here's the scoop:

    bar car is from a local seattle shop called Whimsy.

    artwork is also an unknown, but is simply a print on stretched canvas - could even be ikea! i'll work on finding out from the owner!

    the tree i got on amazon.com and almost all the rest of the accessories are Pier1! the feather wreath was from JoAnn's and the rest are my personal accessories.

    you guys are WONDERFUL!! thank you for all the sweet comments!! xoxo

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  51. I am droooooling! :) So beautiful!!!!

    I need to know where that lamp on your bar cart is from. It is perfection. THANKS!!!

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  52. LOVE your bar cart!!! did you purchase that or refurb something dingy into that fabbo gold wonder? HAPPY HOLIDAYS

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  53. Thanks for the update!!!!

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  54. Anonymous2.12.10

    I knew you were good but oh, my. This is SOOOOOOO GOOD! Now come on over to my house and do mine, okay? xo

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  55. Love this! So elegant and lovely!

    Liesl :)

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