apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Martha Style: Doilies for the Holidays

msmain111408.jpgThere was no way to make that title NOT sound dorky. Somehow its hard to embrace the word "doilies" on Apartment Therapy the same way that the editorial team does in the new issue of Martha Stewart Living....they have the whole sincere, doily-embracing thing down. But, we decided to go with it anyway - their execution of the much maligned doily into a winter-y holiday motif is worth it. Jump below for more...

marthathumbs111408.jpg

 
 
Above the Jump: A holiday dinner table with a cloth made from stitched together doilies.

ms111408.jpg According to the article, this wreath is a simple project, made from paper bouquet holders, twinkle lights and a wreath frame. How To instructions are included in the magazine.


ms4111408.jpgDoilies as window decor. We really like the look of this winter-y window hanging and probably wouldn't want to take it down after the holidays.


ms2111408.jpgDoilies as ornaments on a feather tree - a very vintage and elegant look in gold and white. Packages are topped with doilies as well, a nice idea, especially with the green papers shown. The paper tree topper how to is included in the issue.

For more: Check out Martha Stewart Living online or pick up the December issue, on newsstands November 17th.

Photos: Sang An/Martha Stewart Living

Tags

inspiration, books, guides & resources, entertaining, holiday, Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart Living, decorations, doilies

Related Links

Share

Comments (19)

First...isn't doiley such a silly word? They are so grandma...but I do like the idea of serving pastries and such on those paper doilies ... but that wreath and those pillow motifs are really really lovely...kind of more like snowflakes...but I will never ever use a doiley on my furniture "a la grandma" ... While on the subject, it also disturbs me to see "dresser scarves" in some of the pics here at AT...some ideas should not be resurrected....just stay away. I know how I must sound, but this trend could degenerate into bed dolls, matching doll lamps with doiley skirts, dresser scarves with crochet edging and ECCCH!

posted by muirwoods08 on November 14th 2008 at 8:42pm
view muirwoods08's profile

I am wearing doilies right now.

posted by Seaside on November 14th 2008 at 9:37pm
view Seaside's profile

That doily wreath is making me gag.

posted by Mrs.B on November 15th 2008 at 1:10am
view Mrs.B's profile

I am not ready to accept doilies yet. I still can only imagine my grandmothers table with a doily on it and then covered with a clear plastic sheet

posted by Hollie on November 15th 2008 at 2:13am
view Hollie's profile

As usual, Martha knows best -- you have to make the full commitment to rock the doilies. You need masses of the things; a few here and there would just look silly and grannyish. And anything but the soft pale colour palette as shown would likewise send the look into ishyville. Dolilies for holiday decor may be one of those concepts that only the hardest of hardcore Martha-ites are willing to undertake, like deep frying a turkey!

posted by amed studio on November 15th 2008 at 3:36am
view amed studio's profile

While those pictures were beautifully styled, even they can't get around how FUSSY those things look. Yuck.

posted by kristen verity on November 15th 2008 at 5:52am
view kristen verity's profile

I like the doilies hanging in the window - but in my house? They'd look like a bunch of doilies hanging in a window.

posted by blackbird on November 15th 2008 at 7:01am
view blackbird's profile

Love it. I think they are coming back. Brace yourselves.

posted by amygdaloides on November 15th 2008 at 9:41am
view amygdaloides's profile

gag me is right. That wreath is just wrong.

posted by beddybee on November 15th 2008 at 10:16am
view beddybee's profile

The doilies hanging in the window look like beautiful snowflakes. All the pictures looked beautiful, except perhaps the wreath made of doilies...ack! Definitely a clever use for an old fashioned object.

posted by suzy8track on November 15th 2008 at 1:34pm
view suzy8track's profile

Hummm....that doilie on a pillow is not bad on an idea...

posted by danze on November 15th 2008 at 2:38pm
view danze's profile

I like the wreath. It wouldn't look good in my apartment, but if I had the right place for it, I might try it.

posted by jamiealyse on November 15th 2008 at 3:14pm
view jamiealyse's profile

the snowflakes are cool. i'm thinking this stuff would be best for a winter wedding w/ a vintage feel. just so long as the doilies are used in a more anthropologie window way & not at all literal.

posted by mariegael on November 15th 2008 at 3:30pm
view mariegael's profile

Too fussy.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on November 15th 2008 at 4:32pm
view hrhprincessfiona's profile

fussy grandma. while eddie ross probably had his hand in this, i doubt this will be taking off with us confirmed bachelors.

now that beautiful natzler bowl and the rock crystal (or salt) votives and the gustavian furniture and color palette, they are winners.

with the doilies, the only thing missing in those photos are toy dogs in bows.

posted by healthyhome on November 16th 2008 at 11:33am
view healthyhome's profile

Oh, geez, everybody. A little frill is nothing to fear... I've always liked crochet. I do think it depends on the doily, though... it needs to be more 1800s than 1980s. And under no circumstances should you put one on your speakers. I'd be wary of trying this at home but I love these pictures.

My real burning question, though, is, what is that green stuff in the (?) tureen and cups? It looks unreal. Pea soup with creme frache? Green matcha tea with cream? Something frosted?

posted by whytephoenix on November 17th 2008 at 11:06am
view whytephoenix's profile

from that first pic, no wonder the doily is much maligned.

and Seaside, thanks for the laugh.

posted by loislane on November 17th 2008 at 12:14pm
view loislane's profile

I love it!

posted by racheloncegentry on December 1st 2008 at 2:07am
view racheloncegentry's profile

no.... I was shooting top design when this was shot!
Eddie

posted by Eddie Ross on January 7th 2009 at 11:36pm
view Eddie Ross's profile

Feeds

RSS icon Chicago

+ City Feeds