When I was growing up I loved unpacking the Christmas decorations. They were stored in the basement and most of them were contained in one large box.
Back then, my mom didn’t change up the decor so everything we hung on the walls or placed on the tree was something we looked forward to seeing each and every year. Opening that box was like saying hello to long lost friends. It was so fun to pull each thing out and place it in it’s usual home.
It’s funny how so many things remain the same even though I’m all grown up and I’m in my own home with my own children.
My kids get so excited to pull out the boxes of decorations every year. Even though I add and subtract some decorations from year to year, we still use many of the same ones every year and, again, it’s like saying hello to old friends.
On Friday, I showed you my foyer all decorated, ready to welcome family and friends.
To see Part 1 on my holiday home tour, click here.
I continued fussing with my Christmas decor over the weekend and now I think I’m finally finished re-arranging and primping. (Although, I can’t promise anything!)
I tweaked things in my living room and switched it up a bit after I blogged about my Christmas mantel here.
You’ll notice the chalk board is different and I’ve moved a few things here and there.
When I first decorated the mantel we didn’t have our Christmas tree. We bought a real one this year and we had about 4 branches that needed to be cut from the bottom, so I put some on the mantel and then added our stocking holders from the boxes in the attic. After adding those things, I decided that I needed to simplify the chalk board, so I drew the wreath.
Furniture needed to be moved to accommodate the tree and I like how it has come together.
I’m so happy I changed things up. It just feels better to me now.
I don’t have a lot of display space in my living room, so I made the most of this single shelf in our built-in. I love all the red, green and natural elements.
I kept the coffee table very simple and bought a huge poinsettia that takes up a lot of space. I love it’s height and bold red color!
I pulled a lot of greens from our yard and used large pine cones that I’ve found here and there to fill my large bowl. The little snow man countdown is something we have had for years and it’s a favorite with my kids. Just like I said earlier…it’s a long lost friend we meet again every year!
The space I was most excited to decorate this year is our kitchen. If you’ve been around here awhile you know that we underwent a big kitchen remodel this past summer.
I didn’t go all crazy in here because this is the most used room in our house. But, the bright pops of red are so happy.
I put just a few little Christmas decorations here and there with a few fresh greens.
It was so overcast the day I took pictures in here, I had to turn on the lights. It seems like we’ve had more dark and gray days lately than sun. Where are you sun?!
I think my favorite holiday addition to the kitchen is this faux garland. I’ve clipped all of our picture ornaments that have photos of the kids with Santa and family outings to Christmas events. It’s a great little trip down holiday memory lane.
There are a couple of empty ones to fill this year, and I can’t wait until our smiling faces are hanging from the garland!
Just past this doorway is my little butler’s pantry. I created a hot cocoa station there a few weeks ago and posted about it here.
Finally, I added just a few hints of red and green to the breakfast nook.
I added a little faux garland to the chandelier and a new table runner that my mom gave me.
I didn’t get all fancy with the table. I kept it very functional because this is the place where the kids do homework and we eat every meal.
This lazy Susan is ideal at the table, everybody can get what they need when they need it.
I almost didn’t include this picture to my tour because it doesn’t seem very blog-worthy, but then I decided to keep it real this season. Pencils at the table are a must for homework!
So, it’s nothing fancy, but I think it’s still festive. I especially love the little candles that remind me of ones we had in our home growing up. I found them at Target a few years back and I’m so happy to see them every year.
My favorite touch in the breakfast nook is my happy little cow statue.
We call her Lulu Belle. Er…really, my daughter and I call her Lulu Belle. My husband and son don’t understand her cuteness!
I made her a scarf out of a ribbon. I made a little fringe on the ends by making simple cuts. Sometimes it’s these simple little holiday touches that make me smile the most.
Thank you for stopping by to see my holiday home!
This tour is part of the “Christmas in the Country” Home Tour and Link Party 2014.
I am one of over 40 decorated homes participating in this two week event from November 28th till December 12th. Please visit Creative Country Mom to see all the stops on the tour each day. There is also a Holiday themed link party for the event where everyone can add their posts so please link up if you have a holiday project, recipe or tour you’d like to share! Remember, go to Country Christmas at www.creativecountrymom.blogspo
Sharing at: Between Naps on the Porch The Scoop Savvy Southern Style A Stroll Thru Life
Good Morning!
Just love your home and how you have dressed her for Christmas! I was wondering if you could tell me what paint color you used in the foyer and up the stairs? I love it. I, too want to hang family photos on the walls going up our stairway, but can’t figure out the frames and situation of each. Any pointers?
Thanks so much for your help and for having a blog that I look forward to reading and revisiting many times!
Jennie
Hi Jennie,
Thank you for your kind compliments! The paint color in my foyer and stairway is called Pebble Stone and it is by Behr.
As far as creating a gallery wall, my best tips are to study others on Pinterest and try to copy what you like. Also, mine has no more than 3 frame colors. I used a brown wood tone, black and silver frames — keeping the silver sprinkled only here and there. The frame style doesn’t have to be the same, but all the mattes in the frames should be the same color to help keep the gallery from looking too cluttered. You can vary it a little but sticking to this general rule should help keep you on track. Also, lay it out on the floor first and play with your arrangement. It helps to put the gallery together with someone so they can help you see it as you go. Some people put paper the size of their frames on the wall first before they put holes in their walls, but I’m way too impatient for that! I made a few extra holes when I did mine, but it’s nothing I couldn’t touch up! lol Hope that helps!
Happy Holidays to you!
Julie
Oh, by-the-way, I adore Lulu Belle, too! She’s a keeper for sure!
So beautiful Julie! I love what you said about the decorations being like old friends. We feel the same way here! Hello to old friends.
xx
Your holiday decor is gorgeous, Julie. I am with you about bringing out the same things over and over each year. We do the same!
Thanks for visiting my blog, http://www.mypineplace.blogspot.com. Your home is wonderful, LOVE your burlap advent!!!
I love the basket on the door!
your home is lovely with the darker walls. So much white these days is overwhelming so your home appeals in a serene and classy style. The scarf on the animal in the kitchen gave me a real kick. thanks for sharing your home with us.
I love your home and its beautiful.
Julie your home looks absolutely beautiful all dressed for Christmas!! I kept scrolling up and down to make sure I didn’t miss anything!
Thank you, Martina!
Merry Christmas!
Everything looks wonderful!
Blessings,
Cindy
Julie, just catching up and wanted to stop by to tell you your home looks terrific. I really like your style – from the entry way looking in toward the tree – great focal viewpoint! Love that little cubby shelf in the great room too. I was on the tour on the first day, so I’ve been ready quite a while, but also feel like I should be doing more than lazily enjoying all these tours. I’ve got a huge family dinner to plan for Christmas Eve, but it’s much more fun to be in pjs and see all the eye candy of the season. I totally get LuluBelle, and totally understand the guys NOT getting it. Happy Holidays!
Rita C at Panoply
Very cute. I like how you have pops of Christmas in all your rooms. That’s what I like to do as well. It’s a little Christmas magic sprinkled in each room.
I am hear visiting for the first time. I am not a big decorator, but so inspired by your blog. The picture you almost didn’t include is the one I found most inspiring. We always seem to have pencils hanging around and I am constantly moving them. Yours look so cute in the silver container. I think I can do that and it looks good. Thank you.
Hi Kelli! So happy you visited and commented on my blog! I’m thrilled that my little pencil cup inspired you. I ended up including that picture because I think pencils on the table is true to the way most people live…we use our homes and the kitchen table is where all the homework happens in our house and I was tired of hunting down pencils. Now they’re handy and I think they look cute, too! You’ve inspired me to keep things a little more real here on my blog because people like you appreciate it. Thank you!
I loved your tour, your home looks so cozy and pretty! The kitchen is absolutely gorgeous!