Decking the Halls!

As promised, here is our 2018 holiday home tour.  I tried a few new things this year. There are several pictures so please pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee/tea and enjoy!

The Entry

Since the outside of the front door is rather magical, I wanted to make the entry feel as special. As I mentioned in my last post, I have ALOT of fresh garland and used it on the front staircase bannister.

The petticoat table isn’t really my style, but it’s an antique and I’ve never seen another.  The mirror on the bottom was used to check your hemline. Unfortunately you can also see my Dyson vacuum cleaner in the reflection! So much for trying to take perfect photos.

I assembled a collection of colorful ornaments in glass vases this year.

I love those fabulous faux candles (that light with a remote) and placed a few on the stairs. Bells are hung in the garland on the newel post.

In 2011, we went to Disneyland right after New Year’s to celebrate my daughter’s 10th birthday. The Chip and Dale store had all their ornaments on sale for 75% off.  I bought them all, literally, with the intention that they would be appropriate for a Christmas tree at our cabin.  However, we have never had a tree up in the mountains so the ornaments have been boxed up for the last several years.  A woodland theme for the front hall tree was the perfect solution. Now we are enjoying all those ornaments.

This old log cabin has been in our barn for years collecting dust.   With its own rocking chair, the tree on the porch and wreath on the upstairs window, it fits with the woodland theme.

I even wrapped my hostess gifts with simple in mind and placed them under the tree for handy retrieval at the front door. Custom made tags by Dixie Design.

Living Room

To the left of the entry, this is the view of the living room.

I kept the mantle rather simple this year, with garland and candles but added 2 new trees on the ends. The boxwood topiaries are from The Enchanted Home and stay on the mantle throughout the year.

The tree is a fresh one from Whitfill Nursery. We have never been disappointed in the quality of trees this wonderful nursery provides. Combined with the fresh cedar garland, the entire house smells like winter. Tucked into the corner by the windows, the tree is filled with cherished ornaments we’ve collected over the years.

The Nativity Scene is placed on the top of the piano. Baby Jesus will arrive on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, the 3 Wise Men roam around the house as they make their way to Bethlehem.

Dining Room

Tried and true, the vintage glittery village rests on the sideboard.  Lights are placed under the snow and each little house is lit from behind.

On the adjacent wall, above the fireplace, is a mantle filled with snow globes.

Here is the view from the front hall to the dining room.  I added these sweet boxwood wreaths (from Ballard Designs) to the back of the chairs.  I feel like I need to do something about the dark furniture in the dining room, but that’s a project for the new year!

The Kitchen

My friend, Janie always has a Christmas tree on her counter.  I stole her idea and this year I added a small Christmas tree on the kitchen island, with any ornament related to cooking or food.

The Library

Most of the artwork on the first floor gets changed out for Christmas paintings. Matryoshka dolls we purchased in St. Petersburg are placed on the mantle.  Done by a Russian artist, each doll represents a Russian fairytale.  There are 8 more inside the smallest one below,  but if displayed, the cats would have a field day.

We also tuck these remote control lighted candles in the bookcase.  With the fireplace roaring and the candles on, the room is quite magical at night.

Lastly, my sweet husband had my last 3 Christmas paintings framed and they are hanging in the mudroom.

Thank you for joining me for my holiday home tour.  We feel so blessed to live in this historical home, where many holidays have been celebrated over the generations.

This weekend I will be setting the holiday table and if time permits, I hope to share it with you on Monday.