tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post5845351990997981391..comments2024-03-26T00:10:40.751-04:00Comments on Reggie Darling: Decorating for Christmas: Anything But "Retail Red"Reggie Darlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-65456243358204920072013-12-19T14:47:48.676-05:002013-12-19T14:47:48.676-05:00Hear hear. If there's a time for 'a good ...Hear hear. If there's a time for 'a good dose of bracing vulgarity' it's Christmas!<br /><br />(Personally I draw the line at tinsel, ready-made bows, artificial trees and any kind of Christmas-themed fabric ... but if it makes you happy, that's what Christmas is about, after all).Philippahttp://ofpinsandneedles.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-33359230682898488662013-12-19T14:38:28.956-05:002013-12-19T14:38:28.956-05:00Oh no I *like* red for Christmas! Red, green, gol...Oh no I *like* red for Christmas! Red, green, gold, silver ... and a whole rambunctious mix of colours from homemade and hand-me-down decorations, ranging from old stained-glass angels to their newer pasta cousins, courtesy of one's own small relatives. The worst thing of all, if you ask me, is a theme.<br /><br />(But then being British, perhaps hotchpotch is our theme …).Philippahttp://ofpinsandneedles.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-54454464838435546372010-12-20T23:17:34.642-05:002010-12-20T23:17:34.642-05:00Retail Red! Brilliant. I will now easily remember...Retail Red! Brilliant. I will now easily remember to avoid it.Alysonhttp://hudsonvalleyestates.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-71217269568132862762010-12-20T09:38:01.842-05:002010-12-20T09:38:01.842-05:00Dearest Ancient:
Reggie is almost at a loss for wo...Dearest Ancient:<br />Reggie is almost at a loss for words, he is so overcome by the generosity and creativity of such a gift as you describe. And that it reflects the creative genius of such an august cast as you have assembled leaves him, well, speechless.<br /><br />Now that I have recovered from my temporary aphasia, I wish to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart, and to let you know that in return I have made arrangements for a nice long, all-expenses paid stay for each of you the McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts commencing on Monday, January 3d. I have asked, I mean instructed, the kind hospitality staff, I mean doctors, to let you stay, I mean keep you, indefinitely, or as long as is required to restore your mental state to one where independent, unsupervised living is once again feasible. I am sure you will have a lovely time there as I understand the food is quite good, and at least one hour is allotted each day to arts and crafts projects.<br /><br />In the meantime, I would be most grateful if you would please be so kind as to send me the dimensions of the base of said Bhudda-Claus, so I can arrange with my contractor to have a properly laid stone foundation in place well ahead of its much anticipated arrival. I am sure it will be the talk of the county when it is installed at Darlington!<br /><br />Please accept my many thanks and felicitous wishes for you and yours this Christmas. I am your most humble servant, <br />Reginald Ambrose DarlingReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-42562213714876258372010-12-19T16:17:23.696-05:002010-12-19T16:17:23.696-05:00Reggie --
I am very sorry to have to report that ...Reggie --<br /><br />I am very sorry to have to report that due to a small mix-up regarding local bribery laws in Yunan Province, the present that DED, Blue, Columnist and I had long planned for you will not be available until next year.<br /><br />But I promise, it's worth waiting for. With Columnist's help, a twenty-foot bronze Buddha was procured and has been adapted to the very image of St Nick. Thanks to remote sensor-technology inadvertently discovered by Dilettante, anyone who approaches within twenty feet of your new mechanical Santa will cause the bronze doors of his stomach cavity to fold open, revealing two dozen mechanical elves in a revolving conga line (suggested by Blue on the model of a medieval clock tower destroyed in the bombing of Dresden). Best of all, the elves will be singing "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" (kindly dubbed by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir in exchange for a small donation to Romney 2012 made by, well, never mind that part).<br /><br />We were hoping to surprise you on Christmas morning -- assuming the base of the device could be safely sunk in concrete overnight in the front yard of Darlington without disturbing you, Boy or the great Pompey himself.<br /><br />But now you're just left with our good intentions, which I hope will suffice.<br /><br />Merry Christmas!The Ancientnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-23021352751813365462010-12-19T11:38:37.627-05:002010-12-19T11:38:37.627-05:00Reggie,
I loved this post, your opinions and usual...Reggie,<br />I loved this post, your opinions and usual impeccable taste. Just having shopped at Macy's on Friday, this made me laugh as "Retail Red" is most definately their theme this year...and all years.<br /><br />Gold and white is always present at our house for the holidays. However, this year after a long absence, red made an appearance in our living room this year. I always call it December red. The offense totals 4 glass finials on the mantle with fresh greens and the tiniest red balls on the main tree. Gold, peackcock blue and brown complete the tree!<br /><br />If you were to visit us I would contain you in the foyer and dining room, where neither December red or "Retail Red" are in view from any direction. Oh, and I promise to serve a meal so divine, I think forgivness could be possible!Acanthus and Acornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08603547994268012876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-1917570329828680262010-12-19T10:55:13.888-05:002010-12-19T10:55:13.888-05:00Do I hear a revolt in the palace?
This is about t...Do I hear a revolt in the palace?<br /><br />This is about to surpass the post on the maid's uniforms...what fun!<br /><br />I have yanked off all the red in my living room and now feel sooo liberated!<br /><br />Thank you dearest for a retail red free Xmas! What's next? Don't tell me the red nose reindeer and the inflatable Santa in the front yard have to come down too...lindaraxahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721286284279902181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-45677528686518816292010-12-19T09:21:56.412-05:002010-12-19T09:21:56.412-05:00"Oh no, no, no, no, Flo. You misunderstand me..."Oh no, no, no, no, Flo. You misunderstand me completely"<br /><br />Oh I cringe and die. I am so sorry, I DID misunderstand. I was [needlessly] taking up the cause of Boy and me and others who make a living in the design field. We [boohoo] don't even get a moment to rest on laurels than it's time to outdo ourselves again, or else. <br /><br />Your description of walking down your road seeing the white houses in the snow with red bows and wreathes got to me in a good way, though. I took that image to bed with me and felt envious of the simplicity and sincerity in those outward expressions of Christmas. <br /><br />I wonder if anything holiday colorful has been set about at the South Solon Meeting House, one wonders...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-81683898625696466782010-12-19T06:18:23.399-05:002010-12-19T06:18:23.399-05:00Gregory P: I am sure it is lovely, and the very es...Gregory P: I am sure it is lovely, and the very essence of Christmas.<br /><br />Flo: Remind me not to cross swords with you, as I know who the victor would be, without a doubt! <br /><br />Ulla: Funny that you should have thought that, as Reggie has his eyes on a pair of the very Jefferson slippers you speak of, in burgandy velvet . . .<br /><br />Voice Talk: Yes, as I shall soon reveal, "rules" are meant to be broken, or at least they always have exceptions . . .<br /><br />DED: No offense was taken by yours truly, as he figured the charge was aimed elsewhere . . . sort of. He wishes you a Happy Red Bow Christmas!Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-19349967811423286572010-12-19T00:03:58.629-05:002010-12-19T00:03:58.629-05:00Oh no, no, no, no, Flo. You misunderstand me comp...Oh no, no, no, no, Flo. You misunderstand me completely---I love the ribbon on Jefferson. I love natural wreathes. I also love high artifice and glitter on the holidays. I also love things that are outside the box, as well as those within, but what I meant was that I just cannot join the condemnation of red bows and the like at Christmas. And I wasn't aiming the 'trying too hard' remark at our host at all---but rather at a couple of excessively 'good tsste' decorations (Yawwwn) on my own street. Good taste for good taste's sake is no taste at all.The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-5258495952792331592010-12-18T20:34:55.620-05:002010-12-18T20:34:55.620-05:00I could not agree more: using the colors in one...I could not agree more: using the colors in one's room as a basis for decorations is elegance itself. This year I made a garland of magnolia leaves for the mantel to 'go' with the brownish-orange tile on the surround, and for the first time it looks really lovely. I can't wait to do it again next year. <br /><br />Now as to red, I must confess that I have red candles in sconces in the bedroom since the curtains are a Chinese red. As you say: there are exceptions to every rule! <br /><br />Love Mr. Tom in the bow tie. Very handsome. <br /><br />Wishing you a splendid Holiday Season! <br /><br />DanielDaniel Shigohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12736080550398734909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-63669335678484736152010-12-18T20:31:24.355-05:002010-12-18T20:31:24.355-05:00Reggie..... I went to Stubbs and Wootton today and...Reggie..... I went to Stubbs and Wootton today and they have a 'Jefferson' Classic Loafer and I thought of you.Ullahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05190800242127014491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-51360539121620014272010-12-18T20:12:21.539-05:002010-12-18T20:12:21.539-05:00" 'trying tooooo hard'."
Oh you..." 'trying tooooo hard'."<br /><br />Oh you exasperating high-judging State of Mainers, you! Your phrase reminds me EXACTLY of my late beloved Mother [grandchild of the born and raised SOM-er for whom I am middle named] -- if she said that line once, she said it...well. <br /><br />C'mon. <br /><br />To say someone is "trying too hard" omits the other half of the damning accusation; moreover, it implies a violation of a fixed standard.<br /><br />People who put cereal on the table via their labors in the design field had better not recognize any fixed standards. And they had better DIE "trying too hard."<br /><br />But I love ya anyway, DED.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-4492414362759085882010-12-18T19:27:13.342-05:002010-12-18T19:27:13.342-05:00I agree! I do however like red in certain tartans...I agree! I do however like red in certain tartans and think they are appropriate for the holidays (in small amounts)... such as tartan grosgrain ribbon used to hang a crystal herringbone cut ornament.Gregory Piccinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053630321062451728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-27768831396266841882010-12-18T18:20:51.315-05:002010-12-18T18:20:51.315-05:00Dear DED:
Well, to each his own, I suppose . . .
...Dear DED:<br />Well, to each his own, I suppose . . . <br /><br />By the way, this particular Santa's velvet smoking isn't brown (although his grandfather's public school blazer is), nor do any of his Belgians have red piping on them. The only velvet smoking he has is a deep woodsy green (and he adores wearing it this time of year) and the slippers he has with red piping are velvet ones from Stubbs & Wootton, embroidered with red devils holding pitchforks. He can't bring himself to wear his S&Ws during Christmas, given their subject matter, but he looks forward to wearing them the next opportunity he has.<br /><br />ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-86302974450860468102010-12-18T14:20:36.698-05:002010-12-18T14:20:36.698-05:00I'm afraid I must give a dissenting opinion in...I'm afraid I must give a dissenting opinion in defense of red here. I'm guessing from the evidence that my own taste is both more educated and more edited than most ( I mean this in no egotistical way, for taste is sometimes also no more than opinion), but I like a good dose of bracing vulgarity once in awhile, and at Christmas, this 'good taste' of subdued colors just doesn't apply---in fact to me, it just says 'trying tooooo hard'. I just walked up my street, and many of the handsome old white houses, sitting in the snow, sport wreathes with red ribbons. It could not possibly be more cheerful, and frankly, crisp and attractive. A couple of houses have extremely decorator-y affairs going on, and frankly, it just doesn't cut it. Trying too hard. I love originality, I love variety, and I love imagination, and I love good taste, as long as it isn't used as a self congratulatory pat on one's own back.---and sometimes, even a little vulgarity to shake it up. I'm just not ready for Santa in a brown velvet smoking jacket wearing Belgian loafers. Unless they have red piping.The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-33801896155139175922010-12-18T10:14:18.598-05:002010-12-18T10:14:18.598-05:00LPC: "I am not sure I have the emotional fort...LPC: "I am not sure I have the emotional fortitude to relinquish the red and green and gold of my childhood." <br /><br />RD: "Do consider confining your colors to green and gold when you decorate (clock is ticking, m'dear), and it will provide you with a more tasteful and gentle Christmas..."<br /><br />This is exciting! Two high WASP global brands coming to terms, nay dueling at dawn, over Christmas colors. I for one will stay tuned...wait, while we're talking about Christmas decorations, don't miss Mr. Minimus' latest in which he presents the world's first known wearable twill Advent calendar with enough flaps buttonholes pouches and buttons to delight any east-to-west coast Episcopalian child.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-46378364402560019122010-12-18T09:38:55.141-05:002010-12-18T09:38:55.141-05:00As a former teacher of color theory and mixing, I ...As a former teacher of color theory and mixing, I am of the opinion there is no ugly color, merely the poor use of that color. I agree that pre-made bows of Retail Red are foul but even more loathsome is the dark maroon used by those who think they are superior to Retail Red.<br /><br />Of course, TJ is in good taste, no matter the season.<br /><br />lovingly, CamillaCate Fitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12835720513248934609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-53933727235764636792010-12-18T09:27:41.704-05:002010-12-18T09:27:41.704-05:00Morning! What a handsome bow on such a distinguish...Morning! What a handsome bow on such a distinguished beau! As for colors for the Season -- gold, plum (not just for pudding anymore! LOL!) and pewter reign supreme here! Plus this year -- I have dried fruits for gifts of potpourri along with herbs from the garden and pinecones from local sources. I wonder if plums can be dried too?? Wishing you all a most festive Yule! I'll be decking the Yule Log today in anticipation of a small party on the Winter Solstice!Teacatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06899566893360863672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-13620363517437335782010-12-18T07:31:14.539-05:002010-12-18T07:31:14.539-05:00Dearest LPC:
Strike while the iron is hot! Eradic...Dearest LPC:<br />Strike while the iron is hot! Eradicate the red (wait a minute--isn't that a line from the "Think Pink" number in "Funny Face"?) from this year's Christmas decorations chez LPC-land, I beg of you. Reggie isn't counseling his readers to throw off green and gold, just red. In fact, green and gold are the very colors that we have decorated our dining room at Darlington House this year! Do consider confining your colors to green and gold when you decorate (clock is ticking, m'dear), and it will provide you with a more tasteful and gentle Christmas, and will be a joy fo all to behold! ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-6728398012972122972010-12-18T03:12:20.677-05:002010-12-18T03:12:20.677-05:00Bart, Aesthete, and Nell: Thank you!Bart, Aesthete, and Nell: Thank you!Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-12000762952749297702010-12-18T02:56:53.253-05:002010-12-18T02:56:53.253-05:00Staircase Witch and Magnaverde: Reggie's comme...Staircase Witch and Magnaverde: Reggie's comments regarding red do not extend to the actual, or physical, decoration of one's rooms. He is, he admits, a fan of red rooms (when well done, of course), and has employed the use of red as one of the colors in decorating one of his own rooms at Darlington House.<br /><br />Architect, T&CM, Lindaraxa, and LizaE: Reggie agrees that there are certain instances when it is more than appropriate to employ the color red at Christmas-time, such as those you suggest. There is a place, in particular, for red berries, for instance. He is mostly referring to the ugly red, pre-made bows and such as depressingly found in mass-market retailers everywhere this time of year...<br /><br />Blue: Reggie is not surprised to read of your Christmas decorations. Not one bit! They sound lovely.<br /><br />Maison Fou: Reggie imagines your decorations are enchanting. The color scheme reminds him of southern magnolia and kumquat branches, both great favorites at Darlington House.<br /><br />HHR: Reggie believes that every "rule" has exceptions, as what must most assuredly be the case with your Chinoiserie decorations.Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-55967407629375473462010-12-18T02:45:46.588-05:002010-12-18T02:45:46.588-05:00I haven't done anything yet. I am not sure I h...I haven't done anything yet. I am not sure I have the emotional fortitude to relinquish the red and green and gold of my childhood. My deep apologies:).LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-67347919108719807542010-12-18T01:38:00.387-05:002010-12-18T01:38:00.387-05:00I would gladly take your challenge to eschew red i...I would gladly take your challenge to eschew red in my holiday decorating Reggie, but unfortunately I have quite a bit of it in my home. I like to think of it as more of a chinoiserie red rather than a "retail red", although I may be happily deluded here. I suppose I am fan...That having been said, I love other, less traditional palettes at Christmas too. I think Boy's Thomas Jefferson bow is very dashing.<br /><br />H.H.Hill House Ramblingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18412649709294802444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-70353982072515278412010-12-18T00:08:59.127-05:002010-12-18T00:08:59.127-05:00I knew you would make everything right,Reggie. And...I knew you would make everything right,Reggie. And, Mr. Jefferson, does look appropriately festive. Happy weekend!Town and Country Househttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00842299632895569707noreply@blogger.com