Friday, December 11, 2009

The Elegance of the French Court

Louis Nichole Christmas Ornament - 1983

Our sweet hostess, Beverly of How Sweet the Sound has asked that we share a favorite holiday decoration this Saturday. Well, selecting a favorite from our ornaments is like asking me to select a favorite niece or nephew. They are each and every one very special and bring their own unique joy. That said, I took camera in hand and focused in on something PINK.

After all it is Pink Saturday! So here for your pleasure is a little mademoiselle chat dressed in her finest pink ruffles and frills and a berribboned chapeau. You can see from her proud face that she thinks she is the "cat's meow!"


Louis Nichole Christmas Ornament - 1983

Her gentleman friend, monsieur chien, is ever so elegant in his waist coat and bow tie. I think he looks rather dapper and distinguished.

This charming dueo was added to our Christmas ornaments in 1983. They were part of Louis Nichole's Louis XVII Heirloom Collection. Even the little tag that was attached to each one is elegant.



And I love the description within:



I hadn't given this pair much thought other than to delight in their presence on our Christmas trees for the past 26 years, but with this post I decided to google Louis Nichole to learn more about the talented designer who created my cherished petite chen and chat. As a retired elementary teacher, I was amused to read that he is a former kindergarten teacher who built up an international brand in only ten years. The Louis Nichole web site is filled with photos of his work: homes and gardens, home furnishings, tabletop, dolls and collectables, Christmas. He is one very talented individual! You can visit his site here.

As always, I'm delighted you stopped by for a visit. Please leave a comment below so I know you were here. Then check back in with Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound to see what others have shared for this special Pink Saturday.


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19 comments:

  1. The Quintessential MagpieDecember 12, 2009 at 12:53 AM

    Sarah, those are delightful ornaments! I love them! I certainly see why they are your favorites.

    Happy Pink Saturday to you...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  2. AnonymousDecember 12, 2009 at 1:01 AM

    Hello dear Sarah,
    Indeed, these favorites of yours are delightful. I will visit the mentioned site.
    Thank you for sharing and for stopping by Art Glehen. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  3. MaggieDecember 12, 2009 at 3:48 AM

    Good morning Sarah,
    I love your chien & your chat (but the dog is my fave!)Very stylish in pink.
    I looked at the website so lavish & sumptuous, it's no wonder he has clients such as the V&A, the Queen & the White House.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Maggie

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  4. JacqueDecember 12, 2009 at 5:03 AM

    Good Morning Sarah!

    I am trying to catch up on my blog readings--never will on my postings!!

    Those ornaments are exquisite! What a tree--or trees--you must have each year. A feast for the eyes, I bet!!

    I just love magnolias. Their flowers and leaves make such simple but elegant arrangements. Sadly, my hubbie would never let me plant one in our yard because of the flower buds but I always understood his reluctance. As children, we would venture underneath the majesty of them--where the branches hung down onto the ground sheltering the trunk of the tree. They made the best secret "hideouts" where we would play away from those pesky boys!! HOW wonderful were those days!!

    The stocking your Aunt made for you is so pretty!! And in pristine condition. You must have taken great care of your treasures. This certainly is a prized one!

    Hope you have a great Christmas season. Thanks for all the informative posts!

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  5. Natasha in OzDecember 12, 2009 at 5:32 AM

    Thank you for another interesting and beautiful post Sarah. I can see why these little treasures are amongst your favourites-they are stunning!

    Hope you are having fun preparing for Christmas.

    Best wishes, Natasha.

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  6. Doris LongDecember 12, 2009 at 7:25 AM

    Oh Sarah, what fun, and to learn of this creative person. I have quickly looked at the web site but will look more later. I know your tree has to be exquisite. Could we see a photo sometime of the whole tree? Christmas at your home would be magical. Love your ornaments.

    Have a terrific week end.

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  7. ♥Mimi♥December 12, 2009 at 8:01 AM

    How absolutely and positively WONDERFUL! You know, I ♥ Pink Saturday but when you can pair it with Christmas - my gosh, what could be better? And, you did a marvelous job☺

    Loved your post today, just loved it. Wishing you a weekend filled with fun, family and friendship.

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  8. storytellerDecember 12, 2009 at 8:30 AM

    What delightful pink ornaments with wonderful memories too. Thanks for sharing and happy weekend ;-)
    Hugs and blessings,
    My Pink Saturday

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  9. JeanetteDecember 12, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    So many beautiful treasures and memories. Isn't it fun to search out the history of the items we love.

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  10. GwendolynKayDecember 12, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    What a lovely pair they are. Pink Blessings!
    Gwen

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  11. Brenda PruittDecember 12, 2009 at 5:30 PM

    Ooh! Love the pet ornaments! And they are very distinguished looking too.
    Brenda

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  12. sherri@lavenderfieldsDecember 12, 2009 at 8:21 PM

    Sarah they are both so cute! I love them! I just love all the memories that the Christmas tree has. Each ornament that was ever given to me has such special meaning! Hope you are having a great Pink Saturday! I didn't have time to post anything this week, but I'll try for next weekend! Have an awesome week!
    Sherri : )

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  13. MollyeDecember 12, 2009 at 8:27 PM

    Hi Those are magnificent. The most unusual I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. KBeauDecember 12, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    This was a perfect post to visit after just watching "Julie and Julia." Seems I've been immersed in everything French tonight.

    Merry Christmas!

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  15. mikeDecember 13, 2009 at 7:53 AM

    Hi Sarah, OMG...These are the cutiest thigs I think I Have ever seen...You know I love dogs..And if you look around my blog you know I love Rabbits...I think I might try to find myself a pair!!!
    LOVE IT... Sarah I got the beautiful hand towel...I just love it...Please forgive me for taking so long to get back to you...Some days it is all I can do to keep up with my blog...I would like to get Christmas out of the way and then post the game on my blog...So sorry I don't make it over for a visit as often as I should... I Looked around some while I was here....Love Love Love the little pink stocking that your Aunt made...Looks a lot like my tree skirt...My 15 year old told me I needed to make three more tree skirts so they all could have one some day...Maybe I should just make them all stockings...
    Merry Christmas
    xoxo
    Julie

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  16. mikeDecember 13, 2009 at 7:57 AM

    Hi Sarah, Not sure what happen here... But when I hit the publish your comment...And then I checked to see that it appeared I saw that it said that it was from Mike...???
    Just to let you know
    xoxo
    Julie

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  17. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsDecember 13, 2009 at 12:46 PM

    Those are the sweetest ornaments!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  18. PatriciaDecember 13, 2009 at 8:03 PM

    Happy Pink Saturday to you !. The ornaments are very beautiful and interesting - I have never saw these before. Have a wonderful new week full of all things Christmas.

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  19. Bargain Decorating with LaurieDecember 15, 2009 at 8:20 PM

    Oh how unique and how pretty! You have some of the neatest things, and these are among the best! I also enjoyed reading the history of them. laurie

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.