Christmas Around the Home

Hi there friends. I hope this holiday season is going well for you and you’re finding yourself joyful and content. It can be so easy to fall into the temptation to compare, rush or feel pressed in on all sides during the holidays. I’ve been finding myself tugged a bit in many different directions all at once and truly wanting to do it all. But then that’s the beauty of home in my humble opinion. A grounding place, a place to unwind and hopefully feel unhurried. Breathing space. Joy space. Last week I gave you a tour of our kitchen and mudroom and this week it’s mainly the family room with peeks of the master bedroom, entry and some other corners of this old home. I’m joining some more sweet blogging buddies for this Christmas Blog Hop, they’re all listed on the bottom of this post so make sure you stop by and say hi.

I think it might be the preggo lady nesting tendency but I’ve wanted our home to feel as uncluttered and neat as possible. Earthy corals and denim blues, pulling in some favorite finds from last year and incorporating some new loves. I moved things around, reorganized the shelves, got a few new pillows (don’t tell my husband!) and am loving the way this Christmas came together. Probably my favorite ever.

The mantel has some new pom pom stockings from a favorite site and my two chambray stockings from Potterybarn last year. A simple faux cedar garland and some zinc houses makes it feel fresh and happy. I took apart and then remade the wreath above the mantel and finished the mantel off with these beautiful grey ceramic vases from McGee & Co.

I had been eyeballing this 9 ft Prelit Faux Noble Fir from Terrain for a solid year. It reminds me of California and the beautiful silvertips my parents get from their local tree lot.  I waited until after Christmas last year before I was ready to buy it thinking it’d be majorly discounted and then it was sold out. Go figure. If you love it, just get it. They sell out quick so this year, as soon as the trees were up on the website, I purchased it, in September no less. And when it came time to take it out of the box, there was some initial panic.

It needs fluffing. Like an hour of sitting on the floor unfolding each and every branch. Talk about pregnancy backache but totally worth it once I stood back and realized how much I loved it. The prelit trees have little lights on them so I felt like it needed a little extra shine. I added outdoor size white lights and the size difference adds an awesome texture.

I used a bunch of ornaments I already had and then some recycled glass and earth tones I picked up this year. Some simple grey velvet ribbon wound loosely down the tree finishes it up. Add that beautiful star from McGee & Co. and you can see why it’s my fav ever. It’s simple without being boring. On either side of the tree I put up these beautiful glitter white branch wreaths and hung them with gorgeous silk ribbon by my favorite ribbon shop, Bertie & Fred.

A cozy blanket and some inviting pillows make you want to just get that Christmas movie started and relax.

I’ve used the same faux cedar garland for the last few years on my mantel and stairway. I like to buy 1 or 2 of those each year from Anthropologie or Terrain. They’re so beautiful but pricey so I’ve been steadily adding to my collection. They’re real looking and I don’t have to worry about needle drop, which at first was a good idea because little babies were putting needles in their mouth but now I’m realizing I just don’t like to sweep / vacuum them up so its been a worthwhile investment. If you’re on the fence, the quality can’t be beat.

Now we have the back staircase to decorate and I kept it simple. When you keep your color palette the same throughout your home, everything looks fresh and united. At the top of the landing is the sliding barn door to the laundry room and the entry to our master bedroom and the hallway to the boys’ rooms. Don’t you think barn doors just look better with wreaths!?

This is the first year in our master bedroom and it’s really turning into a haven. It’s a lovely room with the ceiling detail and fireplace but it isn’t a big room. A simple faux garland, tree in the corner and JOY above the bed about does it. Lovely simplicity and oh-so-cozy.

I love the cozy knit stockings in here from Anthropologie. It’s not a colorful bedroom but I wanted serene. So I honored the neutral palette with the Christmas decor. Simple ceramic white balls on the tree, ivory stockings, greenery. That beautiful floral painting by Jess Blazejewski goes well no matter the season.

So my holiday wishes for you dear friend is that you know what you have, whatever that is, is enough. May you know you are both worthy and worthwhile. And in whatever you are facing this holiday season, may you be able to glimpse the lovely. Happy Holidays!

All these pretty home pictures were captured by my friend Madison of Madison Rae Photography. I’m thankful for these sweet friends with their amazing eye for beautiful pictures.