Holiday Home Tour

With Christmas almost upon us, our family is set to welcome our holiday guests into our home. Before everyone arrives, though, I invite you to come take a tour of our 2013 holiday home, which is filled to the brim with festive touches!

One of my favorite features about our home is our large covered front porch. The home’s stone is such a beautiful backdrop for the vibrant colors of the season. On each of the pillars flanking our front walkway, I accented some simple swags with sugar pine cones and pre-made velvet ribbon bows. Each of these only took about 5 minutes to make from start to finish.

A garland accented with pine cones and bows frames the front door, while pretty poinsettias add a pop of color.

For the front door wreath, I opted to gussy up and old wreath I had on hand with a bit of decomesh, some gold ornaments and a metal sign that I picked up on clearance at Hobby Lobby a number of years ago. The wire branches of the wreath made attaching each decorative element as easy as can be.

They entryway extends a lively welcome to everyone who steps inside. Flanking our entry table are two small white trees, each decorated in glittery red with pops of lime green.

My favorite feature of the trees are these oversized red glitter ornaments. They really make a statement!

Pictured here: Miniature Tinsel Wreaths, DIY Paper Medallions

For each of the trees, I made simple scalloped tree skirts with felt. These were completely no-sew!

My most cherished Christmas decoration is the nativity set my mom gave me just after Mr. Splendid and I married. I knew I wanted it to take a prominent place in my decor, so I placed it here for everyone to see the moment they walk in the door.

Pictured here: Joy to the World Wreath, Gold Topiary Christmas Trees, Glittered Faux Bois Topiaries, Easy Table Runner

I just adore the carved verses in this set that allow each figure in the nativity to tell a different aspect of the Christmas story.

Moving into the living room, I love that our tree is nestled close beside our fireplace. The glow of this space is absolutely delicious!

Pictured here: Traditional Christmas Mantel, Joy to the World Cross-Stitch Sampler, Classic Cuffed Christmas Stockings

Perhaps my absolute favorite aspect of all of my decor this year is my staircase garland. Large paper medallions (crafted from wrapping paper), red honeycomb paper ornaments from Ikea, more of the over-sized red glitter ornaments, and white decomesh transform a simple faux garland into something truly show-stopping! The same large medallions on the tree unite everything with a common theme. 

Pictured here: DIY Paper Medallions, Felt Poppy Lampshade

Perched on the coffee table, our shelf elf, Buddy, loves to read the collection of Christmas stories we keep close at hand in a basket for enjoying while sitting together by the tree. 🙂

Pictured here: Scandinavian Snowflake Pillow, Easy Table Runner

Venturing into our kitchen breakfast nook, more large paper medallions hang from each of the windows, each of which is accented with black and white gingham curtains tied with a red grosgrain ribbon sash.

 On the table (the same table my father-in-law ate meals on as a boy!) is an antique pitcher and wash basin I inherited from my late grandmother.

Filling the pitcher with greenery cuttings and the basin with ornaments makes for an instant, lovely centerpiece!

Moving on to our formal dining room, the table is set for our holiday meal. A red poinsettia swag and red grosgrain ribbon bows add a pop of color to the neutral drapes, while a garland accented with pine cones and berries lends a seasonal flourish to the chandelier.

One of my favorite features of this tablescape are the black and white gingham table runners. To make them I used fabric strips left over from my kitchen breakfast nook drapes. I simply pressed each of the edges under to make each strip the same width. No sewing required!

A large pewter serving platter is the foundation for the table’s centerpiece, which contains fresh poinsettias, greenery sprigs, flocked pine cones, ornaments, red bead garland, and a pretty angel figurine given to me a few years ago by my mother-in-law.

Small green glittered bottle brush trees accented with washi tape labels make for easy and darling place cards.

I always enjoy pulling out my Christmas dishes, which belonged to my grandmother before her passing. I think of her each time I use them! Red chargers and napkins really pop against the black and white gingham runners and the white tablecloth.

Thank you so much for stopping by today to take this little tour of our home dressed up in its holiday best!

May you each have a blessed holiday spent with family and friends, as we celebrate the birth of a tiny baby who would grow up to change the world.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2: 8-14