Monday, December 10, 2012

It's Christmas Time In The City

If you have been a reader of
Ooh La Frou Frou
for any length of time,
you are all aware that this is true:
I love New York.
I do not live there but I do visit as often
as I can. which is never often enough.
I love the noise, the energy, the movement ...
I love the hotels, the stores, the windows,
I love the architecture, the taxis, the townhouses ...
in other words,
I love the magic of New York.

Image via

I must be Eloise all grown up ...
who wouldn't be perfectly happy living at the Plaza?

Eloise {author Kay Thompson, illustrated by Hillary Knight}

So ...
I mentioned in last week's post that
 our new house has ten foot ceilings,
so it seemed only reasonable to bring home
a majestic ten-foot tall tree ... right?
I must say that it's the prettiest Christmas tree
I've ever had ...
and when we stood it up in the bay window,
we couldn't help but notice it was really rawwwther large ...
like a Rockefeller Center tree in the house ...
which was soooooo exciting!

Image via

It felt only right to give this tree a memorable theme.
And since that theme just had to be New York,
why don't we dream just a little
about where we'd like to live there?
Of course. you know I have a THING for townhouses ...
so, let's do a little dreaming of how
we'd decorate for the holidays if we had our own
Upper East Side
townhouse ...










Above townhouse photos via Heather Clawson,  Habitually Chic.

Whenever I'm dreaming, I always find myself sketching ...


So I did a quick sketch of one townhouse,
then two, then three ...
then painted them,
{which I must say is EVER so much easier
than painting a real house} ...
and then I took one of my taxi illustrations
and had them all printed off so there were
many, many townhouses and taxis ...
and then each townhouse and taxi
 got a sprinkle of glitter.
(Maybe we should try that with our real houses ..
they'd probably look really fab :) .


Would you live in this lovely little townhouse,
which has a glowing glass greenhouse on top? ...


.... or perhaps this chic abode,
with it's balconies at every window? ...


... or maybe you'd prefer one with a
lovely staircase leading to your front door? ...


... this actually looks like it sits in the glow
 of an Upper-East-Side streetlight ...


... Of course, true to NYC form,
lots of taxis are scooting here and there and everywhere
all over the tree ...


Once the city was all over the tree,
I searched for my prettiest decorative ornaments ...


... and chose from my ornament collection
those that would be perfect accompaniments
for chic townhouses ...
I was looking for items that might actually adorn
 the inside of these fictional
Upper East Side dream homes ...

Of course, these townhouses
surely would have lots of chandeliers ...
so these now hang on my tree ...








... and I assume lots of entertaining would be going on ...
candy cane martini or glass of pinot, anyone? ...




... probably quite a few silver trays ...
these glasses and the tray are all miniature ...


... I know I'd definitely want some of these
for the walls ...


And, of course, at least one of these ...




You'd probably want something like this
to sit by the fire in ...


... or perhaps this? ...


I'm sure we'd be bringing home lots
of these to go under the tree ...


And maybe when we step outside,
there would be a wreathed gate
leading to the formal gardens in back? ...


Maybe you'd spot something like this
in your strolls through Central Park and the city ...


When all of the ornaments were hung, I stood back and looked
at the miniature city before me ...


And I had the distinct feeling
that way up at the top  ...
is probably the tree's "Upper" East Side ...


Thanks for joining me for this fantasy, everyone ...
Happy Holidaying ... and don't forget to
print out your gift from me ...
chic little gift tags for your gifts ~ here!



 Ooh La Frou Frou
is the blog of illustrator
SANDY M 

If you are interested in
custom illustration
contact Sandy here.
 
























16 comments:

High Heeled Life said...

Sandy ... your post transported me at speeds of light to NYC!!! How brilliant and creative you have brought your tree together! And the gift tags you are sharing ... tres chic! Wishing you a beautiful NYC week... Hugs, C. (HHL)

Jocelyne said...

Wow ! What a wonderful tree ! It's amazing, I love the idea of a NYC tree and I love your sketchs of townhouses !
Thank you for the gift tags, it's beautiful.
Have a wonderful Christmas !

Ivana said...

Oh my goodness, Sandy, this is the most perfect and beautiful Christmas theme I've EVER seen! I mean, those townhouses, taxis and glamorous ornaments are stuff dreams are made of! Now I'm so incredibly jealous of your talent :) You are so unbelievably talented!

xx Ivana
Macarons and Pearls

Vannessa@Luxuria said...

OMG!!! Sandy, what gorgeous decorations. Your tree looks like something out of a Christmas fairytale. Your decorations are stunning, but I would expect nothing less from you Sweetheart.

Rowena @ rolala loves said...

Wow Sandy! Your amazing Christmas tree is so lucky to be decked out in such utter fabulousness from your gorgeous townhouses and taxis to your lovely ornaments. I was oohing and ahhing the whole time I scrolled down this post. As a native NYer I must agree that New York is magical especially around the holiday season. I'm finally getting uptown to view the windows later this week and I can't wait!

Have a splendid week my dear!
Rowena @ rolala loves

Gorgeous Glam said...

I love these! Your tree must be a sight! I've missed visiting your blog so much! And Thanks for the little tags, I'm going to print them out right now! Hope all is going well with the decorating!! xoxo -Taj

Sam said...

Wow Sandy, i am completely gobsmacked at your decorations, they are unique and creative and I think every fashionistas tree should be treated like this, its amazing!

Unknown said...

Sandy--love your whimsical tree, it's so perfect! Hope you are having a magical holiday season!

xo Mary Jo

Fashion-isha said...

Your sketches are amazing and I love all the gilded furniture ornaments. Oh..and the mini chandeliers and crystal...wow! This was pure eye candy. I love the city too...as you know from this morning's instagram. You can hardly feel the grey skies and rain when you're there. Thanks for this gorgeous post!
xo
Sharon

miss b said...

Your sketches of the gorgeous townhouses are so pretty - yes I could happily live in any one of them! Such an original theme for tree decorations and sure to be a talking point with your visitors. I especially love the different styles of chandeliers - great post!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

Unknown said...

What beautiful inspiration for the Christmas season! All the charming decorations are so lovely. The sparkly chair, chandelier and the fireplace. Happy Holidays Sandy! Thanks for always bringing such sweet magic to our blog roll. XOXO

Maria
http://onestyleatatime.blogspot.com/2012/12/fashionistas-gift-ideas-under-100.html

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I'm in love with those beautiful NYC themed ornaments and I bet your tree is just glorious!

A Very Sweet Blog said...

sandy, your ornament collection is beyond exquisite! like no other! i love the townhouse and taxi cab ornaments you created for the tree. i could live in each one on a separate day! hahahaha you are just so creative and talented. very charming my friend. loved this post!
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Margarita Bloom said...

Oh, Sandy you're a girl after my own heart! I too have a thing for townhouses...oh, how magical it would be to live in one like the pics you posted with a lovely wrought iron gate in the front and sparkling shiny black door and crisp green wreath all decked out in red ribbon. I LOVE IT! And your tree must look so magical all decked out in those lovely ornaments. le sigh...you paint such a lovely world. *wink*

Margarita Bloom said...

Sandy, you're a girl after my own heart! I LOVE townhouses....and would love to live in one esp. one with a gorgeous wrought iron gate in the front and a glossy black door all decked out with a lovely green wreath in red ribbon!

And your tree looks gorgeous!! I can only imagine what it must look like in full view...what a sight. You paint such a lovely world. le sigh... Happy Holidays!!

kansasgirl1 said...

WOW! I just found your blog through a Pinterest posting of one of your Christmas photos and I'm just in love with your Christmas tree! I have some cute small fur coat ornaments that would have been a perfect addition to your tree. Your townhome illustrations are Wonderful! So Beautiful! I'm your newest fan and follower! I'm off now to wander further into your blog. Happy New Year!