To have a home to decorate,
With lots of holiday cheer,
To share what talent God gave me,
With friends far and near,
This is one of my greatest blessings
Something I hold true
Welcome to my home, my friends
This post is just for you.
I’m truly honored to share my holiday decorations with you today and to be a part of The 12 Days of Christmas Tour, along with 29 fabulous bloggers. If you’ve missed any of their homes, I’ve posted the entire Tour Schedule at the bottom of this post.
Grab a cup of warm coffee or cocoa now and let’s get started. There are lots of photos, as a Home Tour warrants, so I’ll try and be brief with descriptions.
Welcome to My 2013 Christmas Home Tour!
The Woodland Theme Front Porch
Read how to paint the Holly Leaf Pillow here.
see more about the Woodland Tree Trio here
More about the Faux Rust plastic bucket from the dollar store here.
Woodland Themed Patio
The garland is simply inexpensive artificial pine to which I added sprigs of fresh cedar and weather-proof ribbon, along with colored lights.
Mother Nature added her own special touch this week.
A 4’ tree is adorned with plaid valances from the thrift store, landscaping burlap, berries from our yard and faux rust ornaments made from cereal boxes.
Soon there will be birdseed ornaments for our feathered neighbors.
C’mon inside where it’s warm! I share this house with my mother with she having the upstairs and me the down, called “dual living”. She loves colored twinkle lights and angels, a theme you’ll notice recurring throughout ‘her area’.
The Entry
The woodland theme continues, bringing the outdoors inside.
For just a few steps . . .
The Living Room Mantel
The rustic naturals are left behind as glitter and bling takes center stage with this 36” wreath full of sparkling poinsettias and golden stars.
The mantel nestles in the corner behind the wood-burning stove, and is draped with simple red fabric and topped with pine & fresh cedar that anchor golden mesh and over-sized ball ornaments.
The left corner leg houses the recently painted mirror that reflects the living and dining rooms . . .
Including the Christmas tree!
Across from the mantel sits this demilune table, perfect for displaying Mom’s newest angel collection.
The angels can either sit or hang, and can be set to either shine white lights or sweet soft colors.
Who can resist adding a glittered deer to a wrought iron candle sconce?
The Dining Room
The open floor plan allows the dining room to be seen from the living room, so we carried the copper accents into this area, incorporating red decorations as well to complement the focal wall.
The tree is swathed in gold satin, bronze tulle netting, as well as copper and gold ribbons. It’s full of unexpected treats such as copper and burgundy poinsettias, berries, and glittered feathers, finished with sparkling netting that gives the illusion of spun sugar.
(I’ll give the full details on this tree, and many more, in my Christmas Decorating Series later this week. See below for more info.)
On the wall adjacent to the dining room sits a clock and two sconces my brother made for Mom a number of years ago.
It only takes a few tiny touches to incorporate them into the theme of the entire room.
The Kitchen
I’ve made it no secret that the 70’s ‘harvest gold’ of Mom’s kitchen is . . . not to my liking. For Christmas I decided to embrace the color and go with it. Just this once.
Mom’s Bedroom
Tiny glittered ornaments hang from each post, surrounding her with a bit of holiday cheer each morning and night.
That’s it for Mom’s upstairs level. Would you like to see mine?
A Winter Wonderland
For my sitting/living room I took a complete departure from the sumptuous metallics upstairs and went with my favorite color – turquoise – framed in stark whites.
The fireplace is flanked with my white cardboard ‘trees’.
This is my Everything-but-the-Kitchen-Sink-Wreath.
(Find out why I used what I used tomorrow in Wreaths 101, Part 1 of my Christmas Decorating series)
The highest shelf holds simple ornaments and an apothecary jar with a bottle brush tree.
The shelf on the right mimics the left with a slightly larger bottle brush tree in an apothecary jar.
Nearly everything displayed is from either the dollar store or thrift shop. I did the Peace on Earth painting, of course.
Separating the sitting area from my workspace is this floor screen that I hung two Dollar Store Wreaths on.
A new purchase this year was these lit frosted branches, which worked perfectly in my Faux Verdigris planter.
All of the colors work back to the Painted Runner I made earlier. I added a sheath of turquoise organza bordered with silver snowflakes. (A Walmart find, btw.)
Last year, if you told me that I’d be merrily decorating a wonderful new home, I wouldn’t have believed you. Two years ago, I wouldn’t have even listened.
All you have to do is believe.
It’s been three years since I’ve had a tree to decorate and, yes, this year I absolutely went for it. With gusto. So much so that my love of decorating and floral design has been rekindled . . . into a bonfire!
Which is why I’ve been working on this series.
A ton of tips and tricks to help you get a professionally designed look in your own Christmas décor. It doesn’t have to be my style, of course. In fact, I really hope that you’ll feel comfortable and confident after this series to fully express your own tastes. On a very doable budget.
Thank you so-so much for visiting my home today. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to stop by my friends’ homes too so you can see all kinds of other styles and decorations.
12 Days of Christmas Home Tour Schedule
Monday DEC 2nd
Tuesday DEC 3rd
Wednesday DEC 4th
Thursday DEC 5th
Friday DEC 6th
Saturday DEC 7th
Sunday DEC 8th
Monday DEC 9th
Tuesday DEC 10th
Wednesday DEC 11th
Thursday DEC 12th
Friday DEC 13th
Merry Christmas!
xoxo
Colleen
Cindy Eikenberg, Little Miss Celebration says
Colleen, this is a holiday extravaganza! Everything is simply breathtaking and I love how you embraced the gold. The angel collection is so lovely – my Mom collects angels, too. Plus snow for the pefect, finishing holiday touch! Thank you for sharing your beautiful holiday home with us – I am loving this tour! Pinning and sharing! Have a happy & merry Monday and a fabulous week!
Petticoat Junktion says
Colleen, I love your tour but the woodland tree trio is my favorite! Have a great week.
Petticoat Junktion says
Colleen, I love your tour but the woodland tree trio is my favorite! Have a great week.
Sonya Barker says
WOW, so much to look at and it’s all beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing with us all! ~Sonya
Leslie Stewart says
What a gorgeous home holiday tour! Love every touch! Its been a pleasure to be a part of this tour with you. Have a great week!
Leslie
House on the Way
Abby Lawson says
Colleen! Your home is stunning! You really went all out and every bit is gorgeous! I am so honored to be part of this fun tour with you. Thanks so much for sharing!
~Abby =)
Http://whatmeeganmakes.com says
Colleen! I LOVE your front porch! How inviting and inspiring. Your blue decor has my heart. It is fresh and crisp. You are so talented and I am excited to be on the Home Tour with you.
Make it a Merry Christmas!
Jeanette Chaney says
Colleen, It’s wonderful that you have the opportunity to showcase two homes each completely different. I have to say I love the gold in your mom’s kitchen. Thank you for sharing both homes with us on the 12 days of Christmas home tour. Have a beautiful holiday! ~Jeanette
Artsy Chicks Rule says
Your home is beautiful….The golds are gorgeous and the snow…the perfect touch for looking all Christmas-y! I love your turquoise Peace…sign. Everything is just gorgeous!
Nancy
donna vinolus says
Just beautiful. Can’t wait to see more of your decorating series. You are an inspiration!
Paula@SweetPea says
Everything looks so pretty at your home. When I saw the snow on your porch with the green and red garland against it, I had to sigh as it looked so perfect for Christmas.
Ahmed mohammed says
nice, thank you . .
Therese Feeman says
Colleen, what a delight is was to see all the beauty of Christmas throughout your home. I’m so happy to hear you’ve stocked the fire into a bonfire for decorating. Yay! Can’t wait for your designer series and have loved every minute of being on the 12 Days Tour with you.
Cheers
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Colleen, everything is so gorgeous! I absolutely love the dining room. And I adore your Peace on Earth sign and your dollar store wreaths hung with burlap ribbon. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us!
Dria S says
Colleen! Your tour is so beautiful! I love how you decorated the exterior so inviting right from the first step! Your trees are gorgeous, love the bedroom one so adorable! The swags on your windows simply love those so much! You did a wonderful job!
brenda o says
delightful, awesome, beautiful, cheerful. so many adjectives and none really do this home tour justice. thank you for sharing. makes me feel a bit ashamed of the paltry bit we have managed.
Christy James says
Wow, your tree and garlands are amazing! You are so talented! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful home! XO
Christy James says
Ooh…forgot to mention the front porch…LOVE!
Sharon @ mrshinesclass says
beautiful. beautiful, beautiful, Colleen. Your creative talents are on full display! I’m in love with the woodland scene on the front porch. I think you did a fab job of making harvest gold look good. And I love your turquoise and white color palette in your sitting room.
Laura Strack says
Oh Colleen, Everything looks beautiful! You have created a Winter oasis and I’m sure everyone in your family will want to gather at your house this year. You have made the house into your Home and I am so happy for you. Merry Christmas!
Hugs, Laura
Megan Rapp says
I ADORE your porch (and everything else) but I am a sucker for a porch. You decorated it so darling and how lucky was it that the snow was able to just enhance the whole look! Love it!
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
Colleen your home truly was just a JOY to tour. All of the sparkles and greenery… those faux metallic ornaments from cereal boxes?? Mind blown. I love every touch. Pinning now!
Eclectically Vintage says
Wow! Colleen your home is so fun and festive! Love your angel collection! You went all out – I’m sure your grandson will love it!
Kelly
Christy Our Southern Home says
Holy cow…the eye candy! You must be behaving something extra good to be able to have that beautiful snow for your pictures! So happy to be touring with you! Merry Christmas!! ~Christy
Lani @ Simply Fresh Vintage says
Colleen,
What a wonderful CHRISTmas display! I may have to make a trip back just to spend time swooning over all your holiday decor! It’s been a joy sharing our homes together.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Hugs …
Lani
Allison @ The Golden Sycamore says
Very pretty, Colleen! I love the different themed rooms!
Clotee S says
Thank you for this home tour. You have beautiful house. It’s feel like I’m visiting your house right now.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!
Bring you Good wishes of happiness.
Sorry for greeting you earlier,, just don’t want miss saying this.
By the way, I’m Clotee. It’s my first time visiting your blog. I am blogger too, and now try my best luck to open an e-shop. Nice to know you.
Regards,
Clotee
lora says
I love this site, thank you to all who are created, I learned many things, very positive, a thousand thank you.
voyance gratuite par mail
Brian Adams says
Oh my god! I can’t believe that this kind of decoration is really amazing. I will also try few of them tricks for at my home on this Christmas.