That's really lovely. The Garland is beautiful. - Gail

The decorations just pop off of those dark walls! Gorgeous!

I painted my dining room a deep blue/black and I love how anything I put up is highlighted by the dark background.

Welcome Misty! Glad ya found your way here.

My Son-IL choose what looks to be the very same color for their media room. IRL, it's gorgeous~I call it a grape/raisin combination. The Christmas burgundy/red really makes it pop! I agree with Alex, the dark color background really shows off everything.I'm planning to paint the top portion of my DR black~did you ever see Texashottie's DR? It was gorgeous!

Anyway, the forum is turning to thoughts of Christmas, so they'll be ideas galore. Keep comin' back! ;o)

Mistybear, Love your decor and the wall color def makes things pop! Wish I had the guts to paint my walls dark - it looks beautiful. I like the pink poinsettia thing on the wall in your picture. Gorgeous.

Mo

Very pretty!!! Ditto what everyone else is saying. Would love to see a picture of your tree as well.

Welcome Misty...I remember you from Home Decorating..glad you found us here. I too love your color combination. Every things looks stunning.
jane

Hi mistybear, I also remember your name from when I used to go to that forum. Once I found the friendly people here, I stayed. Hope you will do the same!

Love your pine stairs with the dark walls!

OMG Mistybear - what a lovely foyer - absolutely stunning. I don't have the nerve to go so dark on the walls but oh now I love the look - your garland is gorgeous.......MORE PICTURES - pretty please :).....

oh and welcome to the forum but be VERY aware that we are a bunch of enablers - you will get no sympathy from us as to how many shopping trips you make as a result of what you see and read on here - lol....

Lynne

Welcome Mistybear, glad you found us and are sharing pics of your lovely decor with us. I really like your burgandy flowers on the garland. Doesn't look to me like you need any help from anyone, you're doing great already. Hope you will have fun checking some of the prior posts here and sharing your ideas with us too. Luvs

I just love the burgundy with the dark walls. Beautiful.

Lovely decorations! I love seeing everyone's personality come out in the way they deco for the holdiays...
Welcome, hope you feel at home.
You show pictures, so that's the prime requirement here! :)

Like I said in the other forum, my taste isn't for everyone.

Mistybear, I understand completely. When we moved into our place, I spent some time over there and found that my taste and vision for where I wanted to take the design here didn't mesh well with the prevailing taste of that forum.

Kind of hard to ask for opinions on a design problem when you know 60% of the forum hates gray walls and, well, I made the decision to paint my LR & DR that color because I like it. ;-)

This is a very worthwhile forum, mainly because there seems to be a very healthy variation in taste and style. I've gained a lot of insight into solutions for problem areas in my home since I started reading here.

BTW, I love the burgundy in the garland with your color scheme. It definitely pops, but I find it very soothing at the same time.

oooooooooh, I heard the word purple and then saw those walls. Be still my heart. LOL. WHAT color is that?

The banister garland is lovely and makes me want to see more of what you are doing! Thanks for joining in and sharing photos.

hugs, Karen

I love what you've done so far! I would love to see photos of your tree also.

ncnana, Thank you

alex9179 Blue black dining room sounds amazing. Thank You for the link to come visit this forum. Everyone is super friendly.

patty_cakes Thank you, I did see that DR, and you are right it is gorgeous. I hope to see your DR when you get going on it. I am glad to be here on this forum. As you, I am also a little OTT for Christmas.

mo13 I think painting is a hobby for me. I have had my walls, teal, eggplant, light mauve, darker plum, mossy green and now back to the darker colours again. It is where I am happiest. The poinsettia thing is actually a gold wire Christmas tree and I felt it needed something else. I used gold glittler glue and added to the outer petals of the flower. Thank you.

bright199 I will include a picture of the tree. Thanks

slinkey Thank you. Your name is familar to me as well.

yachter123 The people on Home Decorating are friendly, as well as everyone here. I have strayed to other forums in the past and have not found that to always be the case. Actually the stairs are oak. All the baseboard, trim and kitchen cupboards are knotty pine. Thank you.

lynnencfan Thank you, I think it is just a case of getting the right shot with the camera that makes the foyer look the way it does. I must have taken twenty or so shots before I could get something that worked. As far everyone being enablers, that works for me.

luvstocraft. I do need help. Sometimes I just get lucky. I do plan on visiting here as often as possible. Thanks and I will check back on some prior posts.

dd50 Thank you.

kathleen_li. My personality is most definetly in my decor. Like my friends say a little off the wall. But that is what makes me happy. I will show a few pictures. Thank you.

flattie_2008 How great to be in good company with you. I don't post a lot when it comes to advice and comments on the decor over their. If I like it I say so , but I mostly post on the Conversations side. I step out on a limb when I have a question. But I have to say, everyone is always patient and very kind to me over there, no matter what I post. I am looking forward to hanging out here. Thanks

purplemoon Another lover of purple. We are few, so I have found. The colour on the walls. Sorry I can't be of much help. After many times of painting using paint chips and then always finding later, that the colour was exactly what I had pictured in head. I tried mixing my own paint. This time, success! The original colour for the family room was such a bright purply blue that I added browny eggplant to tone it down. The same for hallway. I just used up a bunch of part gallons from previous years. Thank you.

dreamgoddessI spent the day taking pictures again. Thank you.

Linda
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Beautiful home and decorations. I love your dark walls and they go great with your tiled floor and decorations.

Everything is soooooooooo beautiful! I'm especially intrigued by the large glass 'jar' in the first photo with the crystal decorations in it. Boy, I'd love to see your Purple Palace in person.

hugs, Karen

Absolutely Stunning!

I love the lighted "twig" tree.
Can't wait till Thanksgiving is over.
I want to get all my Christmas decor out!.....cheryl

It's wonderful! I also love the color of your walls... and I am not a "purple" lover ;-) You did a great job!

Welcome Misty , glad you checked it out over here and hope you will stay . Love your decorating including the purple !!;))

Yacheryl... I have to use your words...Absoultely Stunning!!! I have to keep looking again and again. Thank you very much for the added photos. I can't even pick a fav picture. Just so much sparkle and shine. Wish I were brave enough to try more color on my walls.

phonegirl Thank you so much

purplemoon Every year I do something different with the glass jar. This year is my favourite. It is filled with all the leftover stuff I didn't use. Just so I didn't have to put it away. lol. You are too kind. I can post more pictures of the inside if you like. Thank you again.

yacheryl When I saw that tree a couple of years ago at the same place where I bought my black Christmas tree, and the other crystal tree, I just had to have it. I keep it up for a long time. It was my first fibre optic tree. I wish I could show with photos that it keeps changing colours. There is also a dream ball that is lit just underneath that also changes colours. Thank you.

prosperity66 Thanks, Maybe after so many attempts at painting, mixing my own colours with leftover paint, I finally got it right.

kareen Everyone is so very kind here. I just wish I could find more time to come and visit. Thank you so much.

bright199 If you like to paint, it is a fun thing to do. I can tell you that my MIL tells people when they ask "what is Linda up to these days" She always replies " She is either gardening, cutting lawns or painting".

Just before I painted this last time, she mentioned that it had been two years and I still had the same colour. I just hadn't been motivated enough to try again, knowing that it would probably not turn out. But I took a chance, and like I said before, mixed my own paint and I do have to say that I most likely will not be painting for some time.Thanks again.

It is such a treat to be here and have all the appreciative comments made to me. It is just the boost that I needed.

Linda

Beautiful decos, but none of my favorite 4 legged decoration....I think he needs to be in here too all he would need to qualify is a christmas ribbon!!

Linda,
All your trees are so beautiful. I NEED that twig tree - thats fantastic. And you def picked the right wall color for all your decorations. I am going to keep your pics in my inspiration folder - I have a purple LR too but nowhere as nice as yours. :)

Mo

Heres Budddy!
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Ohhhh I WANT HIM!! He just has such a 'Regal' look standing there by the tree, thinking >> 'Okay - Just One Picture'!
OT..Quick dog story...For years, when I would take pictures of the tree, I would notice that the bottom portion of the tree was always missing some tinsel. I thought that I was just always neglecting it. This one year, I really made sure I took extra care with that section. Then, I took pictures of it, and all looked good. About a week later, I noticed it was almost bare again. ?? Then, one night, I heard some noise in the LR..and there, in the dark, was the 'Tinsel Thief'- Benji - (Wheaten Terrier)..lapping up the tinsel, just like a Candy Cane...mystery solved!! I do miss my dogs..DH is so against another one. I've had them all my life and I feel like 'something's missing. Ya think if I write a letter to Santa???
jane

Had to put our chow down a few years back and I said no more after that . I think I want another dog though and dh doesn't so I relate Jane . Never had a problem with a tree related to a dog ....just cats
I really want to adopt this guy but he is in Albany Georgia and I am in Albany NY:((

Here is a link that might be useful:

Awwwwww thanks Misty...he is so beautiful and photogenic. Everytime you post I look for pictures of him!

kareen...he's a cutie too. Looks like a 'Big Mush'!! lol
I'm always checking the humane ads..most all my dogs came from HS. DH..is just so stubborn. It's so hard to part w/them when their time comes and I think that's why DH won't go for it anymore. The last one 'Charlie' we had for almost 17yrs!!
jane

Linda, thanks for posting more pics of your beautiful home AND gorgeous decorations which go so well with with it. I love all the silver sparkly stuff which compliments the pinks/purples so nicely!! And Buddy is DEFINITELY in his 'Christmas finery' with that beautiful white coat of his~he looks like a happy little(?) guy. Bless you for giving him a good, as well as beautiful, home. ;o)

I HAVE to use something like your white branch with crystal decorations. Beautiful!

I just love your use of dramatic color, it's really inspiring.

Your dog is adorable. ALMOST the handsomest dog I've ever seen :) I can't help but be partial to my own in that department.

Mistybear, I'd love to see more of that glass jar decorated.

Slinkey,Kareen, thought I'd share this with you...it was sent to me recently and I thought it was wonderful.

From a shelter dog:

I rescued a human today.
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering
apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved.
At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.

Tho my beloved dogs aren't from a Shelter, they are my "sanity keepers" and I can't imagine Life without them.
They give so much and expect so little.

hugs, Karen

Thanks allot Karen, now I'm having to wipe tears from my eyes!
I too just love dogs, they are the most perfect companion I can imagine. And they love their humans so unconditionally, doesn't matter how you look, what you wear, or where you live, they just want to be near you.

Misty, your's is a cutie, such sweet loving eyes.

Luvs

Oh my Karen, you made me cry with that. I want to adopt a dog but want to wait until after Christmas. My kids keep saying they want a small dog, etc. I keep telling them that you can plan all you want but somehow the dog picks you. It may not be the one you imagined but it is the only that you are suppose to get. I have a lab/basset mix and thing he would love a playmate.

Now back to the decorations. Wow, wow, wow. My favorite if I had to pick one is the branch tree with the sparkley ornaments. Love the other ice tree also. Can you give us a close up of that? Love all the purple ornaments.

Your dog looks so sweet and that would make a beautiful Christmas card.

mo13 You probably could just take branches from a dogwood or something and spray paint them white or silver. Before I found the fibre optic twig tree, that is what I was planning on doing. Then I was going to add some glitter to the top of the branches. I am excited that you are keeping the pics in your inspiration folder. I would like to see your purple LR. I am sure it is gorgeous.

slinkey Yea he is quite the dog. I have never read the book "Marley and Me" but apparently it could have been written about Buddy. Sounds as if you had your share of laughs with Benji. I know what you mean about missing dogs. I was in your DH's place before Buddy came along. In April of 2003 our Malmute, Misty, had cancer and had to be put to sleep. I was devastated. That was the fourth dog we had and it was the first time in 20 years that we didn't have a dog. We had always had two at a time but it was getting to be too much. We also had Bear, an Austrailan Shepherd cross. After he lived to be 13, we only had Misty left. When she was gone, it was so lonely in the house. DS wasn't the same. I wanted a break from the poo, walking, destroying of things and mainly having to say goodbye. She was only 9 years. The long weekend in May, we noticed there were racoon prints around the pond. I basically looked at DH and asked "We're getting another dog, aren't we?
The Tuesday, DH came home with Buddy of 12weeks. DH said I know you don't want another dog, and he is only on trial, I can take him back. Yea right!! I fell in love instantly, even tho I was the one who didn't want another. He fills our lives with love and fun and happiness. Oh and he thinks he is a lap dog. That is quite the site to see him litterly sitting on DH lap. Sorry for going on so long.

kareen He is a beauty. I hope things work out the way you want.

jaybird If only Buddy knew he had such an awesome fan.

patty_cakes I can hardly wait to see your decorations. Oh yes, Buddy has a very special home but he worth it for what he gives back to our family.

alex9179 Thank you and Buddy is blushing.

purplemoon Very touching poem. They do give so much and expect so little, except when they have to go out at 2:00am every night. lol

dd50 Thank you and you are so right about the dog picking you. Going back to the story of before Buddy came along. After I had asked DH if we were getting another dog. Knowing that I wouldn't win, I said "if we were to get another one, I had always wanted a big old English Sheepdog". Did the background check and decided that that breed wasn't for us. We each had our own ideas of what we would like. Truly, deep down, my dream dog has always been a Great Pyrenees. (sp?) But not practical. While surfing on the net we came across a white golden. I instantly fell in love. We all fell in love. But it was too far away and too much money. I totally let it fall out of my mind. I have always lived my life with the "que sera" attitude. Unbeliveable odds that DH would find a white retriever that no one else had wanted at 12 weeks still waiting for us to bring him home.
Christmas card, I guess that could be a possibilty.

Okay here a few more pics. I hope I got one of what everyone had asked about.

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Wow. More fantastic Pictures. Your home looks like it came out of a magazine. I just love the bowl full of sparkles!!! As well as the ice and twig trees!

mistybear, Your home and Christmas decorations are beautiful. Everything is so very pretty and that jar filled with all of the silver is very interesting besides being gorgeous. So is Buddy! ;~)

Stunning, gorgeous, love every single purple thing as well as the rest. Including the wonderful Buddy. Thanks for the closeup of your jar/vase. What a super item to decorate with. I've saved the photo for our Xmas inspiration album.

hugs, Karen

Hey Mistybear! I really like all your decorations. The colors of your house work very well with your light wood. Very rich looking. I really like the last couple of pics with the jar thing, crystal tree and the other tree with crystal ornaments. I love shiny things! :) Where did you get the glass jar? Your dog's is adorable!

Ok.. I didn't get a chance to read all of these but I caught purplemoon's about the rescued a human and you made me cry! I'm such a sap with aniamls. I wish I could save them all!!

bright199, Thank you! The sparkles came from an icicle garland that I cut into bits. Last year I had them on the tips of the branches of the Christmas tree.

sandi_w, Thank you, Buddy is a character and seems to love getting in the picture.

purplemoon, Thank you again. The jar is usually out year round somewhere in the house with different things inside.

sheesharee Thank you, I think at one time the jar had a terrarium in it that I gave to my mom. When all the plants died she asked me if I wanted it back.

Linda

Thanks for the close up of the branch tree. It is beautiful and I didn't even know that it was fiber optic. You have decorated your home beautifully. Thank you for sharing it with us.