Decorating a Holiday Dessert Buffet

Since the Twelve Days of Christmas aren’t quite though yet we thought we’d share a buffet table decorated for a holiday dessert party.

Intricate antique sterling and silver-plated serving pieces with vintage china sit awaiting the sweets and treats.

Flanking the buffet are a pair of trees crafted from wire and crystal, while a line of pinecones and votives along the top is punctuated with a few select pieces of white porcelain.

The display has a sort of fantasy winter woodland theme as shown by this vignette of vintage brass deer and crystal and mineral specimens that lend an icy sparkle.

A trio of charming German incense burners, or “smokers” as they’re called because the smoke curls from their mouths, make happy inhabitants of this winter woodland. 

The unusual centerpiece is a golden bonsai Christmas tree trimmed with miniature vintage ornaments and topped with a plump red-feathered bird. When the bonsai tree featured in our houseplant post took a turn for the worst a spray of gold paint gave it a second life as an unexpected Chinoiserie Christmas decoration.

Be sure to see Knickerbocker Antiques and Vintage for any of the serving pieces seen here as well as many many more!

Photos and styling by KS&D.

An Elegant Nature-Inspired Christmas Tree

As we hinted in our previous post we’ve taken a different approach to holiday decorating this year, trading the vintage inspired tinsel trees of years past for a more understated theme inspired by nature.

While the chosen materials may be simple, even humble on their own, they certainly combine to make quite the statement en mass.

In place of garlands we’ve entwined the tree with swirling grapevines collected from the woods to give an authentic woodland feel, as if the tree were found that way in the forest.

Instead of the traditional balls and bells are a profusion of pinecones in a variety of sizes, as well as fruits including apples, pears, and pomegranates. Fruits in fact were some of the earliest Christmas decorations dating back through the Renaissance to the Medieval era.

Also tucked amongst the vines, fruit, and pinecones is a galaxy of subtle stars woven from grapevine. Tucking is key to decorating a tree like this, as opposed to hanging ornaments on hooks this tree is more like one enormous floral arrangement.

In lieu of thousands of tinsel icicles are thousands of vibrant red berries for an elegantly abundant finishing touch.

Finally the crowning tree topper is a pair of naturally shed deer antlers clustered among a profusion of bare branches and berries to complete the woodland fantasy theme.

While the previous years retro snow village made an ideal scene around our vintage themed trees, a traditional nativity scene makes a more fitting base for this elegant nature inspired tree.

The elaborate nativity features Italian figures dramatically posed in a miniature landscape of moss, gnarled roots, and stones.

Just like the tree that towers above them the humble elements beneath combine en mass to form a rich and exuberant display.

We hope you’ve enjoyed seeing our elegant natural woodland Christmas tree as much as we enjoyed creating it. Wishing a very happy holiday season to all!

As always for unique and eclectic gifts for table and home be sure to shop the antique and vintage treasures at Knickerbocker.

Photos and Styling by KS&D.

Holiday's Are Almost Here!

It’s that time of year again to start thinking about trimming the house for the holidays!

Although here at Knickerbocker Style and Design our readers seem to have Christmas on their minds all year long as our annual Christmas tree posts have become among our most popular.

This year we’ve decided to take a break from the vintage inspired tinsel avalanches of the past few years in favor of a more natural look.

The vignette here gives a hint to the decorative elements and color schemes we have in mind.

Be sure to check back it the coming weeks for our version of a nature inspired holiday!

Photos and styling by KS&D.

An Old-Fashioned Christmas Tree

The tree is up and this year’s is the largest one yet…

Measuring over eleven feet to the top this towering conifer was given a further height boost being placed atop an antique chest.

 

The soaring windows and ceilings in the loft called for a tall specimen and this one fits the bill, reaching to the sails of the vintage pond boat mounted high on the wall beside it.

In contrast with the more natural shape of last year’s unshorn spruce this one was selected from another local grower who pruned it so perfectly it almost looks to good to be real.

All the Victorian art and architecture that inspired us this year also influenced this over the top Christmas tree theme that mixes a profusion of antique and vintage glass ornaments with paper ones crafted from Victorian scraps embellished with wired tinsel trims.

The finishing touch is of course thousands of tinsel icicles coating the boughs with a frosty winter shimmer. Even the red silk bows are edged in feathery tinsel trim.

A candy cane color scheme of white, reds, and pinks with contrasting touches of wintergreen completes the sugary iced effect.

Hope you’ve enjoyed our old-fashioned Christmas tree and wishing a very happy holiday season to all!

For unique antique and vintage gift ideas be sure to browse our online shop’s latest arrivals HERE now.

Photos and styling by KS&D.

A Lot Like Christmas

With the first snow of the season falling yesterday and holiday decorations beginning to appear around town it sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The lush window boxes from summer now sprout seasonal evergreens and crimson berries.

Another window box incorporates white branches for a wintery effect.

Downtown the shops are ready for the holiday season as well.

The lime green glittered pinecones are a fun touch to these garden urns of evergreens.

Up the street another cast iron garden urn is packed with a wide array of all natural elements.

This Victorian front porch looks especially charming trimmed with Christmas garland while snow covers the shrubs and lawn.

Couldn't this holly tree filled with berries framing the gothic stained glass window of a snow covered stone church be lifted from a Christmas card.

For unique antique and vintage gift ideas be sure to browse our online shop!

Photos by KS&D.

Tree Trimming Inspiration

Almost time to start trimming the tree…

Looking back through photos of Christmas past for inspiration we came across this nighttime shot of a towering tree all in gold we did several years ago to help get everyone into the spirit! Check back soon to see what we come up with this year, but in the meantime click here and here for a look at more trees of Christmases past.

Be sure to browse our online shop HERE for unique one-of-a-kind holiday gifts!

A Very Vintage Christmas

For our first Christmas in the country we’ve decided to trade the tabletop trees of years past for a towering conifer freshly cut from a local grower.


This grower doesn’t shape his trees, as most do today, making for a naturally shaped tree with more space between the boughs like those seen in old movies from the 40’s and 50’s. This gave us the idea to go for a full out vintage theme complete with loads of blown glass ornaments, icicle tinsel, and even a charming snow village spread out beneath.


To really get the look of a true retro Christmas tree we made sure to have the big old-fashioned multicolored lights that cast such a wonderfully warm glow, and of course yards of traditional popcorn and cranberry garlands to lend that final homey touch.


Nearby an elaborate Italian nativity finished with moss, straw, and greens is displayed below a three-tier wooden German Christmas pyramid surrounded by a squat pair of nutcrackers and a cheerful collection of Santa figures.


A bowl of clove-studded oranges is a simple and inexpensive project that not only makes an elegant display but also has a wonderful aroma that adds much to the holiday ambiance.


Outside greeting guests an old cast iron grotesque mask is transformed into the Ghost of Christmas Past with a sumptuous halo of holly and pine.


The old carriage house door gets into the spirit with a simple country display of a weathered copper barn star generously decked out with pine and holly.

Decor and photos by KS&D.

Eclectic Holiday Decor

Now that the Thanksgiving dishes are cleared it’s time once again to think about decorating the house the winter holidays. Why not begin with a unique antique or vintage find?


The kindly old gentleman in this charming vintage German oil portrait bears more than a passing resemblance to Santa Claus, especially with his red and green attire and pipe.


Where would Old Saint Nick be without this reindeer? This regal pair of brass deer figures, complete with dramatic antlers, certainly make for an elegant alternative.


Who better to watch over your holiday celebrations than this primitive carved folk art cherub corbel so beautiful you’ll want to keep her around all year long.


The snowy mountain landscape of Mount Fuji depicted on this hand painted antique Japanese porcelain plates makes them perfect for the winter holidays.


Here a cheerful set of tole cache pots features elegant scalloped rims and hand painted wreaths with gilded ribbons and white berries.


Trim the tree with a strand of antique blown glass beads that proudly display the softened patina of Christmas past, and for the most unique gifts for under the tree be sure to visit our shop Knickerbocker Antiques and Vintage!

Seasons Eatings!

Wishing a very happy holiday season to all!



We have some great posts planned for the new year but until then we hope you'll enjoy this entirely edible edifice we created complete with caramel block chimneys, shaved coconut snow, and windows of caramelized sugar.

Gingerbread house and photo by KS&D.

Holiday Hospitality

This holiday season welcome your guests with a cup of cheer served from the finest European cut crystal by Waterford, Val St. Lambert, and Baccarat.


Our barware rests on a romantic inlayed wood tray depicting an elegant lady courted by rival cavaliers. Along the back are placed inverted gold gilt wall corbels to tie in with the opulent golden frame on the dramatic angel painting in an exuberant Spanish Colonial folk art style.


This bold and imaginative work of art is flanked by hand painted tole cachepots brimming with burgundy hydrangea and gilded floral wall swags. Along the top hangs a round Chinese wood carving of horses framed by a pair of intricate Persian miniature horse paintings.


Adding height and drama are large scaled accessories including a matched pair of large sang de boeuf porcelain jars along with two unique armillary sundials. The vintage holiday magazines under the little suit of armor date from the 1940’s and 50’s and are a great source for retro Christmas cookie recipes and holiday decorating ideas. Scattered under an antique French music box are several charming vintage German Christmas cards featuring cozy holiday scenes.

All photos and styling by KS&D.