There are two things that I love in the world of home blogs: the holiday season and home tours. So, what could be better than both of my favorite things all rolled in to one?
Today, I am so excited to be participating in a holiday home tour that is kicking off today.
I’m joining 29 other bloggers this week who are sharing their homes all decked out in their holiday finest. In addition, One King’s Lane is providing a $200 gift certificate to one lucky reader, so look for the Rafflecopter near the bottom of this post to register.
If you’re coming here from Decor Adventures, welcome!
I’m so happy you’re here!
If you have been around here awhile, you know that a recurring theme at Lilacs & Longhorns is my continuing challenge of blending the styles and tastes of myself and my husband (yes, he actually cares!). Well, at Christmas-time, it’s interesting because quite honestly I think I could do most anything during this time of year and he would be happy. Well, let me qualify that…the more I decorate, the better as far as he’s concerned because, anyone who knows my husband, knows that he LOVES Christmas. I jokingly refer to him as “Clark Griswold.”
Before you get too worried, I promise, you cannot see our house from space when the lights are turned on at night, but we do like to be festive. This year, I kept things very simple and used what I already had.
So, come on in – let me show you around!
I’m keeping my front porch very simple this year and added some lovely winter-hardy (for Texas) plants in my old wash tub. I love the bright red of the cyclamen – such a pretty pop of color and it feels so fresh and alive!
Inside, I kept things fairly simple as well.
I bought a small fresh tree for the foyer and added only a few ornaments, a strand of wooden beads and used simple ribbon tied to a few branches to decorate it. It’s not fancy, but I love it. Because of our huge vaulted ceilings in our living room, we have a pre-lit 9-foot artificial tree so I love this little touch of fresh when you come in the front door.
(Our Elf on the Shelf landed here last night — aided by Clark Griswold — and I didn’t even think about him until I started editing my pictures- ha!) Doesn’t everyone have an Elf on the Shelf sitting in their tree?!
On the other side of the foyer, I switched out my “every day” pillows for some with holiday cheer and filled my hanging basket with faux greenery.
The dining room is my favorite room this year.
It’s not just because I finished re-decorating this room this year, but I just love all of the pops of red and the fresh and faux greenery in this room.
This center piece is a mixture of real birch branches, faux and preserved greenery. The pieces of birch came from my grandparents home and I made this arrangement several years ago. (My husband drilled holes in the ends so we can insert votice candles.) I think of them and their home on the lake every time I bring it out each Christmas season.
Each year I also bring out my Fitz & Floyd holiday collection. Some are displayed in my little blue china hutch and other pieces are on my sideboard.
This little train station and choo choo is one of my favorites. My son was obsessed with trains when he was little and it always reminds me of him.
The stair case in the foyer showcases some more family mementos. Can you tell I’m sentimental?
I’ve collected these pictures and frame ornaments over time. Some pictures are of the kids with Santa Claus and others are of our family when we’ve gone on holiday adventures — like the time we went to Sea World during the Christmas season.
I love looking at these year after year to see how everyone has grown!
In the living room I have done a little bit of simplifying this year.
I usually put some garland on the fireplace mantel, but decided to change it up this year and I am loving it!
It looks rustic and festive, I think.
I added two Christmas pillows in here, and a few other touches but that’s about it.
The kitchen is pretty simple, too.
My two-tiered stand is sitting on my island with festive red plates in it and I brought out my little jar that was given to me by one of my preschool students when I taught preschool.
On my little hutch, I set up my pretty Fitz & Floyd canisters and added a little epsom salts inside to look like snow.
I hung up my little wreath (that is actually a candle ring I tweaked to make a wreath) on the wall next to the hutch. I just love how full it is.
Just off the kitchen on the way in to the dining room, is my butler’s pantry. It’s a dark space to photograph, so forgive the yellow color from the lights, but I just had to show you this little space.
I set up a little hot cocoa bar and I think it is so much fun!
My kids absolutely love this idea and have been begging for hot chocolate almost every night (and maybe stealing a marshmallow or two when I’m not looking).
Finally, my little half bath is looking as festive as it’s ever looked.
It’s also not easy to photograph because it has no windows and is so small, but I wanted to show you anyway because I love all of it’s red and green.
Like all of my holiday decor, it’s not fancy. I just added a few colorful touches and called it a day.
I’m especially loving the little glass ornaments sitting on top of my vintage linens.
I like them so much I kind of wish they could sit here all year long!
Thank you so much for joining me on this tour today. If you haven’t already, please visit the other blogs on tour and follow along all week long — you won’t be disappointed!
The full tour schedule is at the end of this post. Before you go on to visit the others, please take a minute to register for this fantastic giveaway sponsored by One King’s Lane (OKC). OKC is an online decorating resource that offers great deals on high-end items and they’re offering one lucky winner a $200 gift card! To register, use the Rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
Monday
Worthing Court
French Country Cottage
Atta Girl Says
Town and Country Living
Decor Adventures
Lilacs and Longhorns
Tuesday
Marty’s Musings
Mom 4 Real
All Things Beautiful
Making Home Base
The Happier Homemaker
The Lily Pad Cottage
Wednesday
The Everyday Home
Craftberry Bush
Celebrating Everyday Life with Jennifer Carroll
AKA Design
Hymns and Verses
Our Southern Home
Thursday
Stone Gable
Adventures in Decorating
Newly Woodwards
Setting for Four
Back Porch Musings
All Things Heart and Home
Friday
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Cottage at the Crossroads
Top This Top That
Domestically Speaking
Mommy is Coocoo
Shabby Art Boutique
Sharing at:
Between Naps on the Porch
Savvy Southern Style
I love that you, too, have a “Clark Griswold” in your house! What a great idea adding a small tree in a bucket on your foyer table (such the perfect smell when your guests enter) … beautiful rustic mantel … and, I love your fun hot cocoa bar! Merry Christmas!
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I always find it such a treat to visit your home. I just love all of your Christmas touches! You have created such a warm and inviting home for your family! Happy to be touring with you! ~Christy
Aww, thanks Christy! You’re so sweet! I feel the same way about your house! 🙂
Julie, your home looks amazing. Merry Christmas. 🙂
Everything looks so beautiful! I love the small tree in the bucket. Lovely home and tour ~Sonya
What a beautifully warm and inviting home you have! Love the little tree in the entry way!
It is all just absolutely beautiful! I love those checked chairs in the dining room! Christmas at your home is wonderful.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much, Pat. I appreciate your kind comments. Thanks for stopping by!
Love your home and your Christmas decor is so beautiful. Your tree is gorgeous and I adore the pictures on the garland staircase. Fabulous idea. Hugs, Marty
Thank you, Marty – you are such a sweetie! 🙂
Julie- everything looks so pretty. Such a warm holiday feeling, which is exactly what you want your home to evoke. Happy Holidays!
Thank you, Laura! 🙂
So charming~ I adore those little potted trees. Your Christmas home is beautiful!! Pinning and happy to be partying with you!
Your entire home is simply lovely and oh-so-festive. I think I felt at home before I even entered the front door. 😉
I really love the entry and the fresh tree. We’re heading out for a few small fresh trees today. I think there’s something so special about them.
It’s hard for me to pick a favorite spot in your home, but your living room and mantel is stunning. I love the simplicity of it. And that hot chocolate bar is just the cutest! I want a mug!
So thrilled to be joining you on Day 1 of the ATH Christmas Tour.
Hi Julie,
Love your holiday decor! Thanks for the mention and I’m so glad to be on the tour with you.
All of your reds and greens work so well in your home. Glad to hear Clark is on board with it all!
Hope you have a lovely holiday season 🙂
Julie your home looks beautiful all dressed for Christmas! Love the tree in the bucket in your entry and love the look of your mantel! So many pretty things I kept scrolling up and down to make sureIi didn’t miss anything:) Our elf made her appearance yesterday too…my youngest was soooooo happy! I have the same wire basket filled with the boxwood topiaries on my “potty” too.
Really Beautiful Julie!
Gorgeous, gorgeous! Love your style.
Joining you from Amaze Me Mondays.
Beautiful job Julie!! I love all your touches with the baskets on the wall to the greens on the chandelier you have gorgeous taste and design!
Everything looks so warm and welcoming. And I love elves!!
It’s good to see someone else that decorates every room in their house! I love mine! It almost looks like a fairy tale!
Your home is lovely and I adore all of your decorations. I think your mantel looks wonderful – just right! Happy Holidays!
Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design
What a warm and inviting home you have created. The garland up the stairway is adorable with the picture ornaments. I love your mantle, stockings and tree…just lovely! Beautifully done! Blessings, Janis
I’m loving the way you decorated your powder room, so simple yet so elegant. It wouldn’t take much to over decorate, but you did it just perfect.
Julie – your home looks so calm and Christmas’y 🙂 Sounds weird but I love your little powder room, with the Christmas magazine on the little stool – sweet!
You have managed to make your home feel so cozy and welcoming…which is exactly what Christmas is about…:) thank you so much for sharing your home with us…xo
I cannot believe that you have so beautifully decorated your home for Christmas…every vignette is stunning…and your trees are gorgeous…so enjoyed the tour Julie!
I definitely left out some words!!…I meant to say that I cannot believe that you have so beautifully decorated your home for Christmas with all of the events that you are participating in…your energy must be endless…I went over your beautiful posts again and went to comment and saw that I already have however, left out some words…!!
Julie, your family and friends must be so enjoying your gorgeous home for the holidays!
I’m loving simple this year too. I love your little tree in the bucket in the entry and your hot cocoa bar. Might have to do that in our butler’s pantry too. So excited to be apart of this tour with you!
Julie, your Christmas home is so inviting and lovely. Every room flows effortlessly into another, continuing the festive theme… and I simply adore the hot chocolate bar! That’s where I’d be hanging out if I visited you and I’d probably beat the kids to the marshmallows.
I love the stair garland with the photos-neat idea. I am doing less this year-but I trul think I will enjoy it more. Your house is lovely with just the right amount of Christmas touches.
Your home is breathtaking!! It looks so festive!!
It’s beautiful Julie! I love how warm and inviting it all looks, great job!!
Julie, your home looks so warm and inviting, and aren’t you glad you’re all finished decorating? I am in love with your stockings with the red buffalo check tops! Sharing those on our blog page!
Thanks, Jane! I appreciate the sharing love! 🙂
Looks so inviting – love your Fitz & Floyd collection!!
Kelly
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Your holiday home is lovely! Thanks for sharing it with us!!!
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Everything is so beautiful! Take care, Laura
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I love the Santa in the cubbard how adorable!
Sandra
The Adored Home
How beautifully Christmas!
I really like your decorating style – your home is so cozy and inviting!
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Oh my goodness, Julie – your home is just beautiful! So many elements that I love – the tiny tree in the bucket in your foyer, the hanging basket filled with greenery – well, I could just go on and on. Great job and loved the tour!
I love that you decorate with birch branches too!!! Gorgeous home tour Julie! Sharing it everywhere! It’s been so fun to party with you!
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Very pretty ! I have some of same decorations Christmas cups with tree . I have set of dishes with that pattern with cups and glasses. Santa’s, snowmen and candle topper. My tree looks like yours also. Merry Christmas thanks for tour.
Your home is gorgeous! So warm, so inviting! I love all of your Christmas touches, just beautiful!
Everything looks so pretty! LOVE the fabric on your dining room chairs! Merry Christmas! Melissa
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Thank You for your Christmas tour. As I was looking in your home, I was thinking her home is so inviting and beautiful. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Thank You for your Christmas Tour. Your home is so inviting and beautiful. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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