Once upon a time, I use to take part in blogger’s big home tours at the start of December.
These days? Laughable! Here it is 2 days before Christmas and I nearly sorda have it all together. And I only hit the two main rooms in the house plus my front porch.
It’s just about like I’m not working on a true blue blogger’s timeline any longer, but rather in the moment.
Yeah. In the moment living, step right up! May some of this home tour inspire you for NEXT Christmas. 🙂
All I know is, now that the house is prettier, it does feel much more special. The effort is always SO worth it!
So allow me to take you on a little tour of this year’s somewhat limited halls decked out for Christmas. Junk style of course.
My favorite place to hang out these days is in the living room.
I use to work nearly ALL the time. I think that’s because my son took over the TV so it left me feeling like I had little else to do anyway.
Things are different now with my son living officially on his own. This room has morphed into my cozy sanctuary, the perfect place to grab a warm blanket in the evenings and cozy up with a cat or two and flick on the tube.
The junk lamp made it’s way over to this side of the room for Christmas, and I’m deeming it permanent for now. I love it here so much more. Bigger stuff, yet less of it.
Note to self.. maybe 2018 is the year to hire out someone to finish painting my difficult to reach stairwell… heh.
These are my evening buddies. They found a new home lately in this cute little solid wood tray I landed at Lowes for 50% off. It was called ‘The Cabin Collection’. It’s SO well made, leaving me wishing I went for two.
It’s a perfect companion on top of a little antique coffee table trunk.
This faux industrial coffee crate side table (tutorial HERE) will appear familiar to some of you… sort of!
It was first made to be stacked against the short sides. However after moving my lamp over, it was too tall to stand beside the sofa. So I pushed them on their sides and repositioned the wheels.
I like how tall the sections are positioned like this.
I’ve always wanted a long bench window seat underneath this window. So stealing the rustic bench from the front door is a trial. However now that there’s an actual chair here from my patio set, I’m enjoying this too!
Lake loves to perch up there and take in the birds outside. When he isn’t sleeping.
I’m looking forward to incorporating a little red into the living room after Christmas. This grain sack pillow (tutorial and more window photos HERE) is a good start!
Christmas Tree
For this year’s Christmas tree (crate tutorial HERE), I had meant to pick up a real one. However after bringing up the little Ikea faux tree I got last year, it stayed. It turned out pretty cute plunked into an enhanced old crate.
While I did this for no other reason, many have exclaimed what a clever way this would be to keep small kiddos safe and pets away.
Why didn’t I think of this 18 years ago?!
I do love this tree and all the rambling branches. It really does look quite realistic.
Desiring to loosen up the living room a little, one of these chairs was removed from the room. So this one lonely chair deserved a new pillow design for being so well behaved all by its lonesome.
Pillow How-To
For this design, I choose the large tree in You Cut Tree Farm and taped off the tallest tree to shorten it. Then repeated the trees randomly and added the odd small star from Christmas Graphics.
Find the stencils HERE
Learn how to stencil a pillow like this one HERE
Fireplace
This year’s fireplace (tutorial HERE) is looking mighty cozy with all those natural rambling branches.
The crackling wood just brings it all together.
And because I’m generally asked, learn how the fireplace was made HERE
Kitchen
Here is the layout of the kitchen from this summer… since I forgot to take one for this home tour. Whoops.
Something I like to change out each season is the signage behind the stove.
Remember the three winter directional signs I made HERE?
Hot Cocoa has officially landed in the kitchen and is ready for duty!
Because the kitchen is on the small side, maximizing ANY wall space is #1. The mugs so handy is like a little celebration of coffee time in the AM, and…
…hot cocoa at night!
This year’s hot cocoa station (I like making a different one each year – see them all HERE) is simply a medley of jars filled with all the goods, residing inside a handmade crate turned shelf.
The top shelf houses ground coffee, loose leaf spearmint tea, and coffee beans.
The 2nd shelf is hot cocoa powder mix, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and candy canes. The whipping cream is in the fridge. YUM.
Coaster How-To
This little cutting board is from Ikea. It was stained with Fusion Mineral Paint’s All-In-One Stain to darken it up, then stenciled with part of the Lunch stencil.
So. Cute!
This really is such an inviting little space. It begs you to concoct something delicious and then relax.
During the cooler months, I love to add more warmth through wood pieces in the kitchen. So a slowly growing collection of cutting boards was brought out to play.
They make fabulous cheese platters, little serving trays or oversized coasters too!
Hello there sunshine! It was so nice to hang out with you today.
Because I am a sun-aholic, I keep the windows bare other than the Farmhouse sign valance (tutorial HERE) and let it all in.
The one big branch was captured from under a tree after a wind storm. A little spritz of snow spray sealed the deal.
The twig tree is new. It’s from Urban Barn and was landed at 50% off. Same with the wreath.
Are you watching my Insta Stories on Instagram? I took you along this shopping trip!
The stacked wood phone shelf (tutorial HERE) was decluttered, allowing the branches to take over.
Extra woodsy branches were layered on top to add a little more texture and height.
Front Porch
The front door was already festive wearing that swanky shade of Bayberry! (tutorial HERE)
However with a little red added, it chimes in soooo well with Christmas. Honestly, it looks great all year around.
The You Cut Tree Farm tree sign (tutorial HERE) landed by the front door (Christmas porch post HERE) adding the perfect touch of festive.
And my dear friends, this rounds up the tour and my last post before Christmas.
I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season, filled with memory making great times. Thank-you for your visits to my little place on the web. Your visits, comments and shares and companionship are so very appreciated!
And now there’s only one thing left to do…
… indulge! Cheers!
Love that pillow design!
Your house is beautiful!!! Merry Christmas Donna!
That lamp is ALWAYS my fav! It has to be a signature creation of yours. So so so creative.
Your home looks so comfortable and I really like what you do with your creations. Merry Christmas, Donna!
Beautiful and cozy. I LOVE the way you decorated the fireplace!
love the hanging mugs above the stove
Hi Donna! Loved the tour and especially the twig tree on the kitchen counter and your industrial crate table readjusted. Glad. You explained. First glance and I knew something was different. Your stenciled pillows are absolutely the bomb. I was wondering when you write of “registration marks” does that mean you have taken the guess work out of figuring how to center a design? Often I read the term and wondered. If that is the case I would love to order some. I get a little frustrated when attempting to figure placement of a design. Again, thank you for generously sharing your lovely home with us. We,your followers, sure love It! Merry Christmas! And Hope your sister is all better!
Very pretty, all of it. I decorated five little artificial trees with crystals, jewels, etc and really enjoyed it. No more big trees for me. Manageable and prettiness in every corner. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Eve. I love this rusted kitchen post. Everything is beautiful. So many ideas I see and love. Thank you for posting.
Donna your home looks absolutely lovely! Someday when I redo my kitchen I am going to use yours as an inspiration. I just love how it looks! One thing that is missing is the little red stool! I know you have it but I always look for it! LOL
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
p.s. I did not even notice the foyer was a different color until you said something and I had to go back and look!
Donna,
I love everything you’ve done to your house. It looks so warm and inviting. I’m wishing I could come over for a visit, have some hot chocolate and chat for a while!
LOVE your fireplace. Beautiful Photos.
Thanks for the Inspiration!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas Donna!!!! Love the look of your house 🙂 I’m definitely going to try the crate thing for my tree next year.
Merry Christmas Donna! Your home is warm and cozy and oh how I miss my fireplace. It is the best spot in the house!
it’s all just perfect. Not sure who I am these days w/ an online presence (in regards to your former blogger home tour days comment). Feels like I’ve failed in that area… Trying to just do life well – and realizing I know precious little about blogging! But always enjoy your posts – your decor – everything you do. You have a gift…. Merry Christmas!
I started following blogs many years ago b/c of you and your awesomeNess! Cant believe your son is grown! where did the time go??Merry Christmas Ms FJI.
Aww, such nice words Chris, thank-you!
Donna,
Very nice! Enjoy your holidays.
I always LOVE seeing your home tours, Donna! You’ve done such a wonderful job. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas. Wishing you all the best, lots of love, and many Hawaii trips in 2018!
Love,
M
Thanks for the fun tour! My Christmas tour timing is about like yours. I’m blaming it on too many years of having a store, doing others’ homes & always doing my home last. I just don’t enjoy it till 2 weeks before, when the inspiration hits!
I love the lamp. My father gave me an old wheel hub. I didn’t think I’d ever see another one. I plan on using mine for a table stand. Thank you for sharing. Your house is lovely.