CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR

December is moving quickly- unless you are a college student and your last final is on Friday afternoon. With a little extra time on my hands this time of year I wanted to share our Christmas Home Tour.

The real estate market is a wee bit slow this month with interest rates resembling a heart monitor on an episode of ER. Buyers are sitting this out this season waiting for sellers to make price improvements on their homes from last year’s price tags). #realtor life

The market will change- it always does. Kind of like my cut and/or color.

So I am settling into Christmas and enjoying the time at home with friends and family.

this …

CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR

I wanted to share a few pics from around our house. We have lived in our home for nearly twenty years. I describe it as a brownstone in the suburbs. Multiple levels and staircases.

We purchased the house because we knew it would work for us when our kids left the nest.

We raised three children, three Bernese Mountain dogs, and one Australian Shepherd, Tanner. I shared this story about Tanner. We have a tradition to hang the stockings of our dogs, who ran to the Rainbow Bridge over the years, on our tree.

Over the years my Christmas style has changed. One year my house looked like the movie set of a Lifetime Christmas movie after the wrap party. Again just too much.

Another year it looked like the Christmas aisles at Homegoods. Probably because I purchased so many wreaths and ornaments from those aisles. Again too much.

Another year I decided there was no such thing as too many Christmas trees. Apparently, there is such a thing.

FAMILY ROOM

See the before and afters of this fireplace remodel. The stone fireplace was in the works for a dozen years. It was worth the wait.

I love our family room and I love when my husband and I are nestled on our his and her couches and settle in to watch our favorite shows.

What are you watching this time of year?

Over the last year, I have purchased this garland and it is amazing.

It is soft to the touch and the perfect shade of green. I share the link here when they have 20% of sales.

ENTRY

I love an entry because it sets the tone of the home. Well in this class and in full disclosure I pulled back on the garland after I saw this photo.

The garland looked like it was swallowing this entry table. I removed the lower level and used it elsewhere.

Bells and/or ornaments. I ordered these bells from a store in Knoxville about 5 minutes from my sister’s home. Two years ago they opened an online store so now I don’t have to pay for a 2nd bag to ship my finds to my home in Colorado.

The name of the store is Fig and Company. The link is below.

This niche is next to the main floor guest bath and my home office.

I wanted the nook to remind me of the season (and the time) when I ended my work day. There is the second set of bells from Fig & Company.

KITCHEN

I love the red and white on the island and the simplicity of the red and white. It is a clean look that is perfect for an island or counter.

It’s surprisingly calming.

TIP: Red and white accessories work for Valentine’s Day, Memorial and Labor Day and the 4th of July. Store “neutral decor items” in a bin marked “red and white.”

If you are a frequent visitor you know I love a tiered tray.

My tiered tray is on the kitchen table year-round. It makes decorating easy.

Seriously, while my tea is reheating in the microwave I can decorate a tray in under 3 minutes (thanks to my clear bins stored in the basement).

I added real greenery for the fresh pine scent.

This week I added a sweet treat to my tiered tray.

I love to decorate above the kitchen table too!

DINING ROOM + LIVING ROOM

My new favorite Christmas arrangement is the one in front of our dining room window. It includes garland, white lights and a few ornaments. I added a bucket to the center of the ledge with a combo of real and faux stems. It throws off a soft light in the dining room as the sun sets for the day.

Tip: Buckets are the easiest way to decorate. If you look through my blog it is hard to miss a bucket. They are inexpensive, paintable and versatile.

The living room is my husband’s favorite space at the end of the day. The views are amazing and the electric fireplace insert adds a level of calm and cozy.

Here is the Homegoods tree I found on clearance a few years ago.

Thank you for stopping by today! What is your favorite room in your house?

THESE ARE FUN TOO!

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