Ideas for decorating a Christmas tree and dining room in French blue and silver for an elegant, understated holiday look.
Have you noticed how lovely French blue and silver look together? It’s a refined combination that can be dressed up for a glamorous effect or kept subtle for a quiet, sophisticated holiday atmosphere. In my dining room I aimed for a balance—just enough elegance to feel festive without being over the top.
This post contains affiliate links from Amazon and other retailers. See my full disclosure policy HERE.
My inspiration began with a sparkly mirrored star and a cherished collection of silver bells—Reed & Barton bells and Wallace sleigh bells—that I enjoy polishing and displaying each season. These vintage silver pieces bring a timeless quality to any holiday vignette and are perfect with soft French blue accents.
Here’s a closer look at the start of the design: a mirrored star and a small collection of silver bells that set the tone. Polished silver shines beautifully next to blue velvet ribbon and mercury glass ornaments.
Much of what I used is available for purchase, and later in the post I list items and styling ideas so you can recreate a similar look at home.
After a seasonal polish, the bells take on a fresh, lively shine. If you have silver-plated items to refresh, a quick polishing routine makes them sparkle and instantly elevates your display. I keep a short how-to video in my Instagram highlights titled “Polish Silver” showing an easy, fast method if you want to follow along.
Welcome to the annual Celebrate Christmas Home Tours. If you’re joining from another tour stop, hello! I hope these ideas give you inspiration for pairing French blue and silver in your own home.
SIDEBOARD DECORATIONS
Once I chose this color palette, I knew my vintage silver pieces would look beautiful on the sideboard. A sterling champagne bucket, Paul Revere bowl, and a few family silver pieces form the base of the vignette.
These pieces rarely see daylight, so bringing them out feels special. In my case, the champagne bucket was a meaningful gift and now doubles as a seasonal container for polished silver bells and ornaments.
Filling the bucket and bowls with shiny bells, blue ornaments, and sprigs of flocked garland adds texture and movement. I used deep French blue velvet ribbon and velvet poinsettias to tie the vignette into the rest of the room’s decor.
A simple trick: attach a flocked garland to a mirror frame using small cup hooks, then tuck the branches around the hooks so they stay hidden. A ribbon loop on one hook can support a lightweight wreath for an additional layered look.
THE DINING TABLE
Because the sideboard vignette is ornate, I kept the dining table centerpiece simple. A blue-and-white ginger jar flanked by small topiaries and a few loops of French blue ribbon creates a balanced focal point without competing with the more detailed sideboard display.
A few carefully chosen elements—classic porcelain, neat greenery, and luxurious ribbon—are all it takes for an elevated holiday table.
THE CHRISTMAS TREES
This year I placed two trees in the dining room: a main, fuller tree in the bay window and a slim “memory” tree to showcase a collection of bells and small keepsakes.
The main flocked tree is dressed simply with blue and silver mercury glass ornaments, large painted bulbs to match the ribbon, and generous swags of French blue velvet and silk dupioni ribbon. Using wired ribbon makes it easy to shape bows and loops that hold their form.
The smaller, very slim flocked tree is perfect for a porcelain pot and works beautifully as a memory tree. I used it to display an assortment of silver bells—each bell a small piece of family history. It’s a lovely way to honor traditions and add a personal touch to the room.
Tips to recreate this look: choose a cohesive ribbon palette (velvet pairs beautifully with silk), mix vintage silver with modern glass ornaments for contrast, and use a slim tree or pedestal to display sentimental pieces separately from your main tree.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope these French blue and silver decorating ideas inspire you to create an elegant, personal holiday display in your own home.
Next up on the tour is Kelly from A Tattered Pew—her Christmas kitchen and dining room are always full of wonderful treasures and warm inspiration.
Sand Dollar Lane // 2 Bees in a Pod // At Home with Kristy // Exquisitely Unremarkable // Our Crafty Mom // Hearth and Vine
Zucchini Sisters // Postcards from the Ridge // Southern Crush at Home // Amy Sadler Designs // Pasha is Home // Simple Nature Decor
Worthing Court // The Tattered Pew // Cottage in the Mitten // DIY Beautify // Thistle Key Lane // At Lane and High // Feet Under My Table
White Arrows Home // Aratari at Home // White Lilac Farmhouse // Cottage on Bunker Hill // Bricks ‘n Blooms
My Family Thyme // Southern Home and Hospitality // Songbird // Shiplap and Shells // Chalking Up Success // Pure Happy Home
SHOP THIS POST
Suggested items to look for when recreating this look: flocked Christmas trees, French blue velvet and silk dupioni ribbon, mercury glass ornaments, vintage silver pieces (polished), velvet poinsettias, blue-and-white porcelain pots or ginger jars, and a mirrored tree topper or star to add sparkle.