Although tweaks occur on a daily basis, most of the holiday decorating is complete. Last week, I shared our driveway entry gates and front porch and today, I welcome you inside our home for a holiday home tour.

The Front Hall

The front hall is full of fresh cedar garland and red plaid ribbons. In previous years, the garland on the bannister was wrapped with string lights and this year I chose not to do so, changing it up a bit.

In a corner beside the front door, a 7 foot tree is decorated in all things forest/outdoors~from owls and bears to pine cones and hiking boots. This small tree provides lots of sparkle at night and sets the mood for the holiday.

My husband has all the holiday lights on a remote control so within seconds we can illuminate several rooms.

The Living Room

The large fireplace is the focal point of the room. A deep mantel allows for lots of material. I combine fresh cedar garland, magnolia leaves and faux greens and berries. Since the living room colors are cream and blue, there are blue and white pots that hold bright red amaryllis on each end.

As we get closer to the 25th, the tulipieres on the coffee table will be full of fresh red roses and carnations.

Several battery operated candles and strings of lights provide a warm glow.

A fragrant Christmas tree stands in the corner, but as of yet, it is not decorated. This generally happens around my husband’s birthday on December 13th.

The true meaning of Christmas is reflected in the Nativity scene located on top of the baby Grand piano. Baby Jesus makes an appearance on Christmas morning.

Here’s the view from the foyer into the living room. Fresh cedar garland and red plaid ribbons adore each doorway.

The Dining Room

For years, I struggled with using Christmas colors in the dining room. When I finally make the decision to work with the colors in the rug, I now love the tones of blush and greens here.

Various bottlebrush trees in blues, greens and blush give height to the mantel. These were purchased from Pier 1 Imports a few years ago. The faux snowy tree is in a coral orchid pot from Dear Keaton. It is also available on Overstock for a few dollars less. I love the vintage Virgin Mary in the oval cloche stand which is a thrift store find.

On the buffet, the silver tea service sparkles with blush ornaments tucked about.

Nearby on a pedestal dish is a set of Christmas coffee cups.

Upholstered slipcovered chairs are adorned with preserved boxwood wreaths and a satin pink ribbon. Wreaths are from Ballard Designs and worth the purchase as you can use them year after year.

The Breakfast Room

If you missed my post last week, here is a picture of our breakfast room fireplace. Christmas art replaces the oil painting that hangs above the fireplace the balance of the year. Lighted trees, garland, pinecones, red ornaments complement the red/white beaded garland with tassels.

Family Room

Each year we hang artificial wreaths on the windows using a grommet system my husband created (you can see that post here). Behind the sofa we add two lighted trees which are really stunning at night. A lucky after season purchase, these trees are heavily discounted. With the newly reupholstered sofa (and a dog and cat that love sleeping on it), I use a holiday quilt to protect the new fabric.

All these layers remind me a bit of an English cottage feel~plus the cover keeps the sofa clean. Holiday pillows and quilt are from Pottery Barn

Last year, I did a holiday painting of our cat, Donovan. It sits on a brass art stand on the end table near the sofa.

On a nearby chest a holiday vignette of books wrapped in plaid paper, silver beads and a white pitcher with greens, adds more Christmas to this room.

The same plaid wrapping paper is on small boxes under the faux tree. The decanters on the brass tray have bells, pinecones and holiday greens. I love small lamps tucked into various places to provide a warm ambiance to the vignette.

The Kitchen

I certainly have way too many holiday towels, but it’s fun to hang them on the handles of the double ovens.

Above the gas range, the small shelf is ideal for decorating with Santas and artwork.

On the kitchen island, is a glass two tiered bakers display. It is fun to decorate it seasonally and each year I change it up a bit. By its side, is a short frosted artificial tree that is full of kitchen related ornaments.

I hope you enjoy seeing a bit of our holiday home. Thank you so much for joining me today. Happy Tuesday!

Here it is, Saturday again and time for a Saturday Meanderings! So happy you are here today as we chat about all good things that happened this week. December is cruising along at a fast pace, but this week, at least for me, it was a productive one.I accomplished many things each day so the time feels more purposeful.

Christmas Decorating

While listening to holiday music, most of the week is dedicated to gradually working on the Christmas decorating. I know some people have theirs done right after Halloween, but we wait until after Thanksgiving. I hope to do a holiday home tour, but if not, here’s a sneak peek into what has been done to date.

The front entry/porch is mostly my husband’s responsibility and this year he adds several artificial trees to create a forest feel. It is magical at night with all the twinkly lights on. This is the only time of year I wish my front door was red vs. blue.

The front door wreath is sporting a new ribbon which is a wired faux Dupioni tartan silk one from BellaWreathsToo on Etsy. I LOVE this ribbon and it ties all the colors of the artichokes, red ornaments, greens and cinnamon sticks together. Wish I bought more than 2 rolls.

The large wreath on the well tower is up and it is so festive to see it out the kitchen window at night.

When Something isn’t in Stock

Have you ever received a catalog in the mail and the featured item is non-existent or out of stock? Several weeks ago I received a Hobby Lobby catalog showing all their garlands. There is one in particular I really like and went online to purchase it (as instructed by the catalog).

It is no where to be found. Not out of stock or discontinued…just no information about it at all. Being a bit bugged by this, I order red and white beads online and make my own. Here’s how mine looks on the breakfast room mantel.

This is a quick and very easy project as I could do it while elevating my foot and icing my toe. Tassel-making is simple too. If anyone is interested in this, I can do a quick post on how to make it.

It’s a cheerful addition to the breakfast room and makes me happy each time I pass it.

Blooming Time for Amaryllis

Home Depot is (was?)selling amaryllis bulbs in cute red metal containers a few weeks ago. This week the blooms are opening and I am now wishing we purchased more of these~would make great hostess gifts.

Annual Tradition

My husband’s birthday is on December 13th and each year, we typically get a fresh Christmas tree on or around that time. Since we are traveling next week, we picked up the tree this week from our favorite nursery, Whitfill Nursery. Donning our Santa hats, we hunt for the perfect tree! Both daughters are available to go and when we get home, the tree goes into the pool for a few days to hydrate.

Kerouac, my daughter’s Cavalier King Charles puppy is also part of the festivities, complete with his flannel outfit (it was chilly out) and Christmas bandana.

December Garden

Next week we are due for some below freezing weather so this weekend I will be covering the garden. Since I have blooms on my tomatoes and the greens (lettuce, Swiss chard, arugula) are doing so well, I need to protect them. While out there yesterday, I pulled up some dying vines, only to find sweet potatoes! Since I’ve never grown potatoes before, I’m not really sure when to harvest them.

I literally stuck a sprouted potato from the grocery store into the garden bed months ago, not really expecting much. It will be fun to dig the plant up and see if there are more spuds!

New Resource

Do you follow The Glam Pad? This week, they feature Tessa Foley from Nine and Sixteen (never heard of her) and I am so in love with everything she does. Her signature style combines coastal New England with classic English details and is timeless, feminine, and warm.

Each photo on the post sparked ideas. You can see more photos on The Glam Pad post here. I think you will like her style.

How to Make Any Outfit Holiday Ready

I am definitely NOT the person to advise on fashion, however, Cindy Hattersley is a great resource, especially for fashion over 50. Her recent blog post, How to Make Any Outfit Holiday Ready is filled with tips on making everyday clothing more holiday friendly. I love her tip on adding vintage rhinestone pins (as I have quite a few of those). And she is the only person I know that can pull of combat boots.

Isn’t she darling? I now need a tartan blouse.

Wrapping it Up

It’s a good week when you get your haircut and then go to Trader Joe’s! Plus I am out of my boot and am managing to get my recovering toe into a real shoe. Before signing off, I thought you might like to see our home at night.

With the candles in the windows and the trees illuminated around the front door, the house looks so festive and ready for the holidays.

Have a wonderful weekend!

As you may know, our historic home was built in 1910, before Arizona became a state. Originally the plats of land were 20 acres and were marketed to build rural agricultural estate homes surrounded by citrus groves. Nearly all the large parcels have been subdivided as Phoenix has grown. We feel fortunate to still have 2 acres, which is rare in this urban environment.

Unfortunately, I do not have any pre-renovation pictures of our entrance. The driveway was dirt/stones with no gates.

During the holidays, we love to decorate the entrance to our home, because you cannot see the house from the street. Our goal is to make our entry welcoming and festive. The first impression we want to create is that all are welcomed here.

Irrigation Laterals

Our home sits 150 feet back from the street. Adjacent to the street are irrigation laterals, which supplies public water at an affordable cost to deep water our large, mature trees.

As you drive in, you cross what I call the “moat”.  It is the main irrigation ditch that runs along the road.  If you look to the left and right once you pull onto the “bridge”, you see this~~a river (the irrigation lateral). The main gates are inset to provide enough room for two vehicles pulling off the street (as our street is very busy).

This water source feeds into our private irrigation ditch, which parallels the main moat and our property line.

Twice a month in the summer and once a month in the winter, water is released into our private ditch.  After opening hatches, the water is then funneled throughout the 2+ acres providing many gallons to the orchard and mature trees.

Original Stone Pillars

Large, original stone pillars act as sentries at the entrance of the driveway. Back in the day, we believe a heavy chain hung between the columns for security.

The hooks are now a great place to hang a holiday wreath.

The wrought iron fencing and gate design is to replicate the architectural arches throughout the house. Since we live on a busy street, the fence and gate keep the dogs safely inside the property and deters any criminals looking to cause mischief.

Our pre-lit wreaths change with the season and hang on the automatic gates.

We used tumbled pavers on the entrance bridge. Once you go through the gates, the driveway is a combination of paver edges and bands with packed decomposed granite in between.  This stone/gravel look is more historically appropriate for our 112 year old home.

Arriving at the Front Door

The original front door and sidelights had security bars and gates on them, hiding the beautiful 4 foot wide raised panel door. To see the before and after of the front of the house, click here.

Here is the view from the front door to the street. Notice the archways in the architecture. You will see many of these details throughout the property.

We are getting the front door decorations up this week and if you recall my Christmas in July post (see it here), the theme of the wreaths will be blue velvet ribbon, oranges, artichokes and cinnamon sticks. Hoping to tie it all together with the living room mantel and staircase garlands (and share it with you next week).

First impressions are lasting. To me, having a welcoming entry is such an important element in your home. In spite of the size or location of your home, you can make the entrance attractive and unique. It doesn’t take a great deal of resources, just a little upkeep and attention to detail.

What do you love about the entrance to your home?

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For years I have been making wreaths….but not like this. Our friends and recent house guests, Melissa and Kinita share their wreath making skills with me. Their wreath-making technique is very different and what a gift for them to share their skills and techniques with me. The creative possibilities are endless as you get to determine colors of the mesh, ribbons, and accouterments.

Supplies You will Need

You can choose whatever size you would like, but for this DIY we are using a 16″ work wreath. I did not know what a work wreath is, but it is a lightweight double frame wreath with pipe cleaners (or twisty ties) spaced evenly around the frame. The interior circle is higher than the outer circle, making a fuller, lush looking wreath.

Right now, stores like Hobby Lobby are stocked with their Christmas work wreaths at 50% off. This 16″ work wreath is normally $6.99 and marked down to $3.49.

• 16″ work wreath
• 1 roll of Polypro Mesh Ribbon (weatherproof) 10″ width x 30′-color and design of your choice
• 2 rolls of Wired ribbon 1.5 inch width x 30’~colors and design of your choice
• 1 roll of Wired ribbon 2.5 inch width x 30’~color and design of your choice
• Optional: an item of interest to hang in the middle of the wreath (sign, seasonal prop)
• A measuring device that is approximately equal to the width of the mesh (we used a wooden spoon)

I have never used mesh before in my wreath making, but mesh gives the wreath a lovely fullness. Plus it can be used in many ways in decorating centerpieces and garland. One roll of mesh will make approximately 2 wreaths. Make sure the decorative ribbon you select is wired so you can manipulate it.

Again, all these products are on sale at Hobby Lobby at 50% off. If you would rather order supplies online, Amazon has a nice selection here. Work wreaths are available on Amazon but at a much higher cost and with 3 rings, not 2.

If you decide you want something in the middle, make sure the size and scale (and weight) are appropriate. Since this wreath is for the Christmas holidays, Kinita selects a wooden snowflake ($9.99 on sale for $4.99)

Prepping the Wreath frame

Since the ties or pipe cleaners are willy nilly, Kinita pulls the ties on the top inside frame straight up. The ties on the bottom frame are pulled and flattened out.

Where to Begin

In order to start applying the mesh, we select the point on the wreath where the inner ring tie is in the similar location as the outer ring tie. Scrunch or pinch the end of the mesh and tie it to the outer ring.

Then tie the mesh to the inner ring tie. The inner ring will be where you continue to work with the mesh.

Filling the Top or Inside Ring

Since the width of the mesh is approximately 10″, we use a wooden spoon handle as the approximate length of the mesh poofs that will go around the wreath.

Continue to pinch or crimp the mesh at the top of the handle length. Tie this crimped section to the adjacent one. Fluff this section to create a balloon affect.

Continue around the inner ring until all ties are used. Your wreath should look like this.

Moving onto the Bottom Ring

Continue this technique along the bottom ring. You will find it easier to work with the ties with them sticking out as they will not get tangled with the mesh on the inside ring.

With two rings of puffy mesh, the wreath becomes more substantial.

When you reach the end of all the bottom ties, cut the mesh.

Adding Ribbon

With the theme of this wreath being red, black and white, Kinita finds this cute white ribbon with black evergreen trees, which is 2.5 inches wide. Trim the edge of the ribbon.

Start with the inner ring and crimp and tie a section of the ribbon. Balloon the ribbon to the next tie and secure. Do this again, secure and then cut the ribbon.

Continue around the wreath doing both the inner ring and outer ring. Use your eye to see where the ribbon looks best.

Again, Hobby Lobby and Michaels are good choices for this 2.5 inch ribbon. Or you can find a good selection online here.

Adding More Ribbon

For more color and sparkle, Kinita selects a 1.5 inch wide ribbon in both black and red glittery mesh. Measuring one piece using the wooden spoon, this is used as a template to cut a total of 9 pieces in each color.

Folding the ribbon in half, and then in half again at the ends, provides a way to notch both ends of the ribbon with a V shape.

Stacking the red and black ribbon on top of each other, you are now ready to crimp them and secure to one of the ties. With 9 sets of ribbon, you will alternate and skip every other one. But eye the wreath and make sure you balance the ribbon placement.

At this point in the wreath you can keep adding picks or other Christmasy items or keep it as is.

Affixing the Center Decoration

Find the most logical part of the wreath that would be considered the top. Using the tie, secure the decoration. In this wreath design, the red, sparkly ties enhance the feel of the wreath. You also have the option to cut them short if they are the wrong color.

The Finished Wreath

Isn’t this pretty? It is nice and full, colorful and festive.

The approximate cost of making this wreath is minimal. There is leftover mesh so one roll of 30 feet will make 2 wreaths. All the leftover ribbon will make 3 wreaths. So if you were to estimate the cost of materials, this 16′ wreath would be approximately $15.80.

Personally, I found this wreath very easy to make and you can customize it however you want. It would be a great gift for anyone.

Here is another example of a Halloween wreath made by my friends. If you live in Boise, Idaho and love their wreaths, I can provide contact information for purchasing. Not only are they fabulous house guests, but how nice for them to share this craft.

Happy Wednesday!

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If you read my Saturday Meanderings last week, I mention my disappointment with two wreaths I ordered online. Not only are they too small, but the quality is not to my standards. One of the challenges of ordering a product online, is that you can’t see and feel it. Photographs can be misleading, and in this case, I totally fell for the pictures depicting these wreaths. But not one to throw things away, parts of the wreaths are worth reusing.

My Typical Fall Wreath

Purchasing an attractive wreath can be a big initial investment, but if stored properly, you can use it year after year, amortizing the cost over time. In 2019, I purchased this wreath from Tanya at TwoInspireYou on Etsy.

Since our front door is wide at 4 feet, I need a substantial wreath and not a common size. Tanya’s wreath selections come in a diameter of 24, 26 and 30 inches. The beautiful wreath I received is a lush 30 inches. You can tell by the photo that the quality of the flowers and leaves are well made and silk. The frame is a substantial grapevine one.

Unfortunate recent purchase

Recently, when scrolling through Pinterest I came upon this ad:

Look how lush and full this wreath is! And the size looks quite large compared to the woman holding it, right?

So I ordered 2 of them, using PayPal since I have never ordered through this company before. I do not get an automatic confirmation of my order, only confirmation from PayPal that payment has been made. After waiting a few days, still no notification of my order.

I google Home Yard Mart and it’s a bit of a sketchy website. I start to worry and do some digging and then send an email to yet another company about my order. Finally I hear back with a tracking code that doesn’t really lead anywhere. At this point I am convinced my money is gone.

Fortunately, I get my two wreaths in the mail, not really packaged as you would expect.

Not only are they horribly small, but have a plastic frame and with exception of a few pieces, everything is reallly inexpensive plastic. Some of the pumpkins and gourds are chipped. The frame is 12″ in diameter so the overall size is probably 14″. Complete and total disappointment, and not really worth my time to initiate a return.

After stewing about it for a few days, I re-read my post on Autumn in August-Fall Wreath Ideas and Inspiration and got to work on how I can dismantle these terrible little wreaths, but utilize the few good parts.

Softening the Glue

The manufacturer did not skimp on glue, as the pieces are unmovable from the cheesy plastic frame. With my trusty hair dryer, set on high, I soften the glue and ease the parts of the wreath from the frame.

I’ve never done this before so a couple of words of caution. A blow dryer in the highest setting gets hot. In addition you now have melted glue that can also get hot. Keep a bowl of ice water nearby in case you need to rescue your fingers from melted glue (a great tip from one of my readers).

Within minutes I am pulling off the few silk roses and pumpkins. I keep a sheet of plastic from the shipping envelope and lay down the miscellaneous wreath parts and their sticky ends to cool. The colors of the peach and orange roses are quite pretty, but most of the foliage is plastic and not useable.

I end up with 12 roses and 6 gourds/pumpkins.

Laying out the Pattern

At this point, I am still not confident I want to add these elements to a wreath that I already love. So I place the roses and gourds on the beautiful original wreath. I like the pop of color that these add to a deeper, garnet and sage flowers/leaves, so I heat up my glue gun.

The orange and green pumpkins add some interest and texture. I try using some of the plastic greenery, but their low quality diminished the elegance of the wreath.

The “New” Fall Wreath

It is so hard to capture the color of the front door as it changes by the hour. This is an early morning shot with the eastern sun behind me. You will see all the color variations. Not sure why this blue is so hard to capture.

Here is a photo from inside the front hall with the door open in the late afternoon. The door almost looks gray.

Before and After

Actually, I love them both for different reasons. It’s hard to capture what the new wreath looks like in person, but I am so drawn to peaches, apricots, cranberry or garnet colors this fall. The good news is that I can add or remove any of the pieces, as I was very careful when affixing that I didn’t ruin the original wreath.

If nothing else, I feel better about that I didn’t completely waste the money spent on the 2 substandard wreaths.

Happy Tuesday to you! I hope you are enjoying decorating for fall. The light is shifting here and the Autumn Equinox is this Thursday, the 22nd.

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