Hi Everyone,
Merry day after Christmas! I hope whatever you’re doing is full of joy. I was alone this holiday, which I often am on Christmas. But, I’m happy to be alone and happy when I’m with people.
So, all is good.
I had a wonderful day– relaxing, reading, and watching copious amounts of ballet on youtube.
After watching some of the dancers from one of my favorite ballet companies, The Mariinsky theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia doing their daily class, I felt inspired to do some ballet exercises along with them. I want to get back in better dancing shape, so I can take classes at the Boston Ballet School.
I’m amazed at how similar the Mariinsky’s professional-level class is to the ones I’ve enjoyed for so many years in my adult life. Theirs is not a tricky class, because the goal for the dancers is to warm their bodies up, not so much to challenge their brains. However, the exercises are somewhat different every day, so one can’t sleepwalk through the class.
Okay, since it’s a vacation week, I have a few more photos for you to enjoy of Boston.
***However, before I do, this is a gentle reminder that the sale for my rockin’ interior design guides, which you can read about starting here, is ending at 11:59PM December 28, 2022.
THE SALE HAS BEEN EXTENDED AND WILL END DECEMBER 31, 2022 AT 11:59 PM
In January, the prices are going up to higher than before the sale. This is a great time to take advantage of huge discounts, particularly with the many bundles created.
They are mixed Beacon Hill and Back Bay; I took this past week before it got ridiculously cold. I understand our southern neighbors are getting a taste of what we normally endure for four months of the year. Still, I hope your outdoor plants are doing okay.
Next weekend is predicted to be unseasonably mild. We’ll take it up here!
The trade-off for frigid temps and leafless trees is the spectacular display of lights on bare branches and tasteful greenery with a backdrop of gorgeous 19th-century architecture in both Beacon Hill and Back Bay.
All of these are new images except for one, and all but two were taken at night, which arrives around 4:30 PM these days. :]
38 Lime never fails to impress any time of the year.
One of the three beautiful homes around the corner from 38 Lime Street on Brimmer Street.
Above is the same home last year during the day– duh.
The rest of the images for Christmas 2022 were taken in the dark of early winter evening.
Except for two in Beacon Hill, they are all in Back Bay on Commonwealth Ave in the first block after the Boston Public Garden.
The view from near the corner of Berkley Street in Back Bay, looking down Comm Ave towards the Boston Public Garden.
Thursday evening, I went to pick up my other stool from Upstairs Downstairs. And, yes, of course, it was raining, but very lightly. Still, it wasn’t supposed to start raining for at least two more hours. However, I’ve learned that in Boston, the weather forecast is only a suggestion of what might happen.
I love this view looking north on Brimmer Street.
This romantic old-town vision is why people say Beacon Hill looks like Disney World. Those are the famous gaslights of Beacon Hill. Please also note the wonky sidewalks.
I thought this naked tree looked so cool in front of the bay window and a stunning Christmas Tree on Comm Ave. I’m pretty sure at least part of this home also appears in the springtime 2021 post featuring these trees filled not with warm lights but with beautiful pink magnolia and dogwood blossoms.
This is the view in the opposite direction. This home is also in the springtime and other posts.
Above is River Street, near the corner of Beacon Street. I turned around to see if any cars were approaching, and the vision of the beautifully lit interiors and gaslights stopped ks.
Back on Comm Ave for a breathtaking home with a stunning display of Christmas 2022 lights.
The lights that appear to be coming from the windows are the reflection of the lights on the trees that line the Commonwealth Avenue mall.
***Again, if you missed it at the top, this is a reminder that the Laurel Home interior design guides are on sale but only for a short time. The price is going up in January, higher than before the sale.
To Learn more, you can go to Sunday’s post.
OR- the introduction page that introduces the guides to learn more. You’ll find buttons and links that will take you to other pages for additional info about each guide, or to pay.
I couldn’t be more proud of these five books that I’ve written, and feel that they are an invaluable resource for designers, and design enthusiasts, alike.
Here’s wishing all blessings for the new year.
xo,
PS: Please also check out the newly updated HOT SALES.
For more Christmas decorations in Boston please check out this featuring only Beacon Hill at night.
And, also last year’s post, featuring more magical lights
For more gorgeous front doors in Beacon Hill, you will love this post.
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30 Responses
These photos illustrate the exterior version of your maxim that the most important element of interior design is the house’s architecture. Any of these houses would look lovely even without any lights or greenery, because their proportions and materials are so perfect.
Do people really say that Beacon Hill looks like Disney World? Do they not realize that Disney World is trying to look like Beacon Hill?
Picking up on Ramona’s note to wish you happy multi-holidays, Laurel! Our family finishes up Christmas with a big party on Epiphany.
Happy Holidays Laurel! Wonderful photos!
Happy Day after and post Christmas Sales from a former New Yorker and Balletomane. I like to watch Baryshnikov dance the Nutcracker and enjoy ballet when I can. Best to you in 2023.
Happy Hanukkah and Christmas, Laurel. With best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling year ahead. 🎄🍾🎄
Thank you for the beautiful Boston photo tours and your thoughtful design advice. And not least of all, your sense of humor. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for the absolutely beautiful photos. Lovely to look at sittting by the fire in an Ontario blizzard.
Merry Christmas and the best for 2023
Christmas blessings. Many thanks for this beautiful post.
Thank you Laurel for another year of beauty and wonderful advice. I hope you have a peaceful and joyful holiday season.
Such a feast for the eyes and heart, for those of us who are especially visually inclined!! THANK you!!! Christmas joy and peace to you this season, especially!
Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and new year! Love your posts all through the year!
Beautiful photos, Laurel…thank you!
Merry Christmas and thank you for your beautiful, informative, humorous posts throughout the year! I always look forward to savoring them and having a few laughs!
Thank you once again for bringing the beauty of Boston into our homes. It is the best Christmas present under my tree! Wishing you a warm and cozy day, and a very sparkly 2023!
Wishing you a wonderful celebration and the happiest of New Years. I too am alone this Christmas. Interesting how many are! Please remember, the light is now returning. Hugs to all.
Lovely photos of Boston, as always, Laurel. Wishing you a happy Christmas day, and more happy days going forward to 2023.
Merry Christmas. Alone this eve, but had a celebration yesterday with a dearest loved one. Thankful that all my other dearest are safe this Christmas.
Wishing everyone some semblance of peace this night and coming day, especially in Ukraine and wherever war rages.
The festival of lights is so very necessary for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.
Remember this holiday is not about one day but a whole series of days in different traditions. Christmas is not over when commerce in presents is over; it continues for 12 days till Epiphany, Jan. 6th. Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also multi-day celebrations.
I long for the day when we pray for the planet; she needs our help in order to help us.
Thank you Laurel for the grace and beauty you show us.
Peace, Ramona
Thank you, dear Laurel, for the lovely Christmas photos. May you have a wonderful holiday season, and then a peaceful, happy and healthy New Year. I look forward to sharing it with you, if only virtually.
I always said, if I could live anywhere it would be Boston. What a great city! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.
Can’t wait to see how you decide to use your pretty new stools! Merry Christmas Laurel!
Thank you Laurel, for posting the gorgeous pictures of Christmas on the Back Bay!
Always enjoy learning from you, and really appreciate your sense of humor!!
Best wishes for a wonderful 2023!!
Laurel, thank you for sharing the beautiful Christmas pictures. I also am alone this Christmas due to having Covid myself. Looking at the pictures has helped lift my spirits. Thank you for all your effort & suggestions.
Merry Christmas & a Healthy,
Happy New Year. 🎄🎄
Gorgeous photos, the homes are exquisitely decorated ! Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
I enjoy your blog, thank you.
Thank you for the gorgeous pictures. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Healthy Happy New Year!
Hi Laurel,
I also am alone this Christmas. The pictures of the homes in your area never get tiring. Some folks really know how to decorate for the holidays. I just hung a wreath on my front door. Maybe next year I’ll do more.
Cheers to being alone but happy. 🥂
Thank you for the gorgeous photos. On the coldest Christmas Eve in one hundred years it warmed me up looking at these beautiful lights siting in the comfort of my home.Thanks for all the work you do in teaching us designer tricks. I love the stools you bought, and also the console table they were sitting under in the picture. I would love that store. Do you have any idea how much thetable cost?
Hope you have a Peaceful Healthy Happy 2023.
Kjb
I wish you BLESSINGS, JOY and PEACE – AND that is it totally OK to be alone – and I truly hope/pray you are WELL! Your BLOG is looked forward to by many – and I for one – appreciate YOU.
Thanks and MERRY CHRISTmas !
Thank you, Laurel, for the lovely pictures and for your wonderful posts all during the year.,
Happy Holidays
laurel’
i too am alone, my son and his family have covid. but i decided to enjoy it.
not one but two lobsters, wine, salad, and my favorite dessert from while foods, almond cream cake.
now off to a hot bath, candles, music and another glass of wine.
the very best,
annemarie
Thank you for the lovely pics on Christmas Eve. Happy holidays.
Thank you for the great newsletter you send frequently. While I am not a big shopper at this time I’ve learned so much from you that when I do shop I get the more appropriate and quality items!
Beautiful beautiful photos! Thank you. Wishing you a nice Christmas.