Using blue and white chinoiserie for Hanukkah decorations is my secret weapon!
Well, not like an actual weapon but more like a stunning secret to crack a decorating code.
When I was younger, it always disappointed me that there was no inspiration in magazines or shops for Hanukkah decorating. December offered the most stunning Christmas displays in rich red velvets and mossy greens, lush gold and silver, and every possible shimmery, glimmery and sparkly option one could imagine. But none of them were for Hanukkah.
The revelation
Hanukkah was always relegated to a small section at the end of the aisle with garish wrapping paper, tacky gold wrapped chocolates and plastic party goods. This was never going to work for my French Country sensibility.
And then one year I noticed a lovely spread in Martha Stewart Living of a beautiful table set for Hanukkah entertaining. This rocked my world! Yes, there was no reason Hanukkah couldn’t be approached with the same panache and design flair as any other holiday.
And, all the better, the traditional Hanukkah colors were blue and white. This was going to be easy!
So, I set about creating my Hanukkah decor to reflect my own personal style…
Here are 5 tips for elegant Hanukkah decorating:
(And of course these can be used for Christmas, as well, if you love French Country design and non-traditional colors!)
- Blue and white chinoiserie ornaments – what is an ornament if not a simple orb meant to add color and pattern to your holiday decor? These gorgeous chinoiserie ornaments are the quintessence of French Country style and they also happen to work perfectly with the traditional Hanukkah colors.
2. White flowers – I used hydrangeas and white roses, but any pretty white flowers will give you the same look. A cluster of white flowers has a purity and simplicity that exudes elegance. Throw in some drapey greens and you’ve sealed the deal.
3. White embroidered tablecloth – I’m a huge fan of vintage linen with tonal white embroidery. It can be used for so many different looks from casual farmhouse to the most formal dinner parties. Here it provides a sweet backdrop for a plate of potato latkes, a traditional dish served for Hanukkah.
4. Silver objects – silver looks stunning with blue and white, and the more elegant the objects, the more impactful the effect. There’s plenty of shimmer and bling to be had on this table, from the jewel encrusted menorah to the silver footed fruit bowl. I like to stick with white candles to maintain the classic look.
If you can find the right tones, blue flowers work well, too.
5. Chinoiserie vases – If, like me, you collect these blue and white beauties, this should be a no-brainer. I had actually intended this vignette for my kitchen island (or a sideboard would be perfect as well), to function as a styled display for my menorah and latkes. But the day I did my photo shoot was dreary and grey with buckets of rain pouring down for the entire day, so I moved the whole vignette to the table to be closer to the window.
If you’d like to find some similar chinoiserie vases you can look HERE and HERE.
You can find the silver menorah HERE.
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kim says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 7:46 amBeautiful, Lory. This would be pretty for any season or holiday. I did a blue and white table much like this years ago just not with the menorah. 🙂 That is a beauty though.
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:24 amThanks, Kim! Yes, it seems every post I do with blue and white always resonates with so many people. It’s one of those really popular combinations… 🙂
Christy @Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 8:32 amAbsolutely gorgeous, Lory! Your beautiful display looks great with the window as a backdrop, and that is one seriously pretty menorah! XO
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:22 amThank you, Christy!!
[email protected] Housepitality Designs says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 8:49 amHow so very beautiful Lory. Love how you used the blue and white Chinoiserie decor for your table decorated for Hanukkah. I have seen many Hanukkah Menorahs and your silver one is exquisite!…Your rainy day situation turned out to be great as the vignette looks wonderful in your breakfast room! You created a most exquisite Hanukkah vignette that even Martha Stewart would be in awe of!!!
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:22 amThank you so much, Shirley! I know we’ve all been through that situation with a rainy week and photo shoots to get done, so we need to improvise. I so appreciate your kind words!!
Donna says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 9:46 amNothing plastic, gaudy, or tacky about your Hanukkah decorations. Everything is gorgeous and elegant. I agree with Miss Shirley…Martha Stewart would be in awe of how you pulled this all together!
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:21 amLol…. thanks so much, Donna!!
[email protected] Antiques says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 10:56 amThis is so elegant and beautiful, Lory. I am so happy that you shared such a gorgeous wany to decorate for Hanukkah, there isn’t much inspiration out there. The blue and white, silver and chinoiserie patterns are just about perfect! That menorah is superb, who wouldn’t want to light the candles in that? Even Martha couldn’t make this more special, this is the perfect holiday table for a meaningful holiday, Lory.
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:20 amHaha Lidy, maybe I should contact Martha… 😉 But seriously, thank you so much for your kind words and for all you did to help put this tour together!! It was a great one that I was so grateful to be part of.
Kelly says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 12:15 pmLory – I have so many friends that celebrate Hanukkah and they would love your tips. You rock the Hanukkah decor. I will be passing this post around. Really lovely! And what a stunning menorah! Happy Hanukkah to you & yours!!
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:19 amThanks so much, Kelly! I really enjoyed being part of this tour and can’t thank you enough for including me… 🙂 I finally got a chance to make the rounds today and everyone really outdid themselves!!
Devra says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 1:56 pmWow, you are an inspiration!!!!! Just found your blog, but I’ll be a follower now. Getting in the Hanukkah mood….
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 2:09 pmWelcome, Devra! So glad you’ll be following… 🙂 I’ve got some older Hanukkah posts you may enjoy as well (although the next few days will be Christmas). I’ll also be doing a Hanukkah guest post on a friend’s blog as the holiday gets closer, so will link to that one here too. This is one of my favorites from last year: https://designthusiasm.com/french-blue-and-white-holiday-table-setting/ Enjoy!!
charity says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 3:00 pmWhat a beautiful table Lori! Blue and white is always a favorite of mine and I love incorporating it for Hanukkah. Happy Hanukkah to you and your family
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:18 amThank you so much, Charity! And to you too if you celebrate… 🙂
Anne says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 4:24 pmYour Hanukkah Menorah is absolutely gorgeous! I’ve never seen one so pretty! I love your collection of blue and white Chinoiserie . You created the perfect setting!
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:17 amThank you, Anne! It’s funny how blue and white is one of those combinations that resonates with so many people… 🙂
bonnie morgan says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 4:33 pmBeautiful Lory! Looks like a magazine. Very elegant and eye catching.
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:16 amThanks so much, Bonnie!
Rebeca says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 6:36 pmBeautiful! I absolutely love all things Chinoiserie! So festive. 😉
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:15 amThanks, Rebeca! Yeah, the blue and whites are so popular! I hoped that even though most people don’t celebrate Hanukkah that they would still enjoy the post… 😉
laura janning says
Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 6:49 pmit is all so beautiful. i have never seen a menorah like that. stunning.
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:14 amThank you, Laura!
Sarah | She Holds Dearly says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:01 amI am completely blown away. This is the most beautiful Hanukkah layout I have ever seen! This should be in a magazine!
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Monday, December 5, 2016 at 1:14 amAw, thank you so much, Sarah! What a lovely thing to say!!
Kerryanne - Shabby Art Boutique says
Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 6:05 amLory, I’m sure everyone has already covered what I wanted to say, so I’ll just add that I’m glad you stayed true to your own style and used what sang to your heart. The blue and white chinoiserie is gorgeous and this colour scheme always has timeless appeal.
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 9:12 amThank you, Kerryanne!
Jamie says
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 10:55 pmI love all the blue and white details, Lory! And that is very cool that Martha Stewart inspired you in that way 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Miriam says
Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 7:40 amI just found you blog via Pinterest and all I can say I am so happy about it! Such an inspiration! Beautiful pics! You got me right on Holiday track – – – I’ve been feeling a little bit *blah* with Hanukah and now I can’t wait the 2 weeks to go by quickly enough! Thank you so much!
And your Menorah is absolutely the most beautiful I’ve ever seen!
Lory at Designthusiasm says
Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 8:53 amMiriam, thank you so much for your comment!! It’s comments like these that keep me on track when I feel like blogging is just too much work. My goal is to inspire and it’s a pleasure to know when that’s working… 🙂 Welcome and enjoy!!