Hello Friends! I’m excited to begin today by saying I have some fantastic Christmas tours for you to see! I look forward to these every year and this is an entire week’s full! You’ll want to come back tomorrow for Friday’s links but today you can click on Monday through Thursday and be inspired! If you are a new visitor, then Welcome! Wasn’t Sara’s tour at Twelve On Main a Scandinavian dream? I’m so glad you’re here today. Grab a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and let’s get started!
A Classic Christmas Tour
Fall decorating has always been my favorite. I think because the walls here were (some still are) gold. We’ve finally painted the dining room and family room so this year I’ve actually enjoyed decorating for Christmas. It’s insane that a paint color can change my whole attitude and my outlook on things.
The Dining Room
This year the dining room is all about the casual elegance of our family at Christmas time. You’ll get to see how we do things around here. A little bit country and a little bit rhinestone. AKA – We are happy with chicken nuggets and candlelight or campfires. But that’s only at Christmas time. The rest of the year we are as laid-back as they come. 😉
With the Christmas decor I think this maybe my favorite room. It sits at the front of the house so it gets the most sunlight. Our breakfast room table is in the back where the house faces north so in the winter months it’s a bit dark for me. Either way, it screams we are celebrating the birth of our Savior when you walk in.
I adore how the silver tray wreath takes center stage! I knew back a few months ago when I made it (DIY here) that I’d love it even more during Christmas. I originally had a huge bow with long streamers on top of it but all that did was take away from the wreath. So away it went. Less is more in this case which is an amusing phenomenon because my life motto has always been – if two candles or two Advil work, then 3 or 4 work better! LOL – Am I alone in this?
Anyway, in this case one centerpiece works well and this one couldn’t be easier. Use garland that you would usually hang around the door or on a mantel but don’t let the typical length trouble you. This light up garland (affiliate link) was a little long so I simply curled it back around on the ends. I then added the mercury glass pieces I found this summer at an antique store and dollar store ornaments. There are mercury glass trees (affiliate link) and light up angels tucked in there too. I like the look of rustic elements mixed with elegant touches. See – chicken nuggets and candlelight. 😉
There’s no need to break the bank to get a classic Christmas look. The garland on the mantel and on the table can easily be made using FREE greenery. Here is a DIY if you’d like to make one for yourself. And don’t forget about your nearby dollar store. It’s crazy what you can use with just a little creativity.
The Family Room
Besides the dining room we spend a lot of time in the family room. We watch old classic Christmas movies like Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. or The Bishops Wife with Cary Grant. Watching them makes me want to get outside and enjoy the cold weather and lights. The house alone in Holiday Inn makes me want to watch it. It’s my favorite house of all time. One day if the Mister and I ever build a house, it’s going to be very similar! 🙂
On this side of the room we usually have two chairs with a table but because I love redesigns, I decided to change things up. I was left with a big blank wall, perfect for a Christmas collage. The Mister whined mentioned the holes more than once. That means he didn’t like them. I smiled and mentioned we had left over paint and assured him I would repair the holes in January. That is if I don’t decide to keep a collage on this wall. I like it!
The other side of the room has the fireplace which makes me the whiner this time. I like the stone but the mantel is so dinky and uneven it’s hard to decorate. The fresh wreath hung above in the tobacco basket was another super inexpensive classic Christmas look that you can do yourself. Click here for that DIY!
We have used most of these decorations for years but something we have that’s new is this framed vintage Christmas card. The Mister’s sister gave it to him last year. She found it in the Christmas treasures when their mom passed away. It’s now one of our treasures and truly a classic.
I used to dread Christmas decorating but last year I gave a lot of it away. Now I take my time and use only what I want instead of trying to use everything. It’s been so much easier and less stressful. Except that darn tree. I think I’ll continue to lose hair and sleep over that thing. Ugh.
I hope you enjoy this season. If not, take your time and play some Christmas music. Go out to eat with friends you haven’t seen in a while. Have a party or go ice skating. You could watch the movie Elf. My goodness that movie makes me laugh and then I’m definitely in a happy mood. Or you could take the long way home. Every time I leave the house and come home at night, I drive a different route just so I can see all the houses lit up.
Now for the best part – A weeks worth of Christmas Tours!
Click below to see each days tours.
MONDAY
White Arrows Home| The Chelsea Project| Our Prairie Farmhouse|
Noting Grace| The Red Painted Cottage
TUESDAY
Celebrate and Decorate| Rain and Pine| Savvy Apron
WEDNESDAY
Curly Crafty Mom| Camelot Art Creations| Follow The Yellow Brick Home|
Mom Home Guide| Twelve On Main
THURSDAY
County Road 407| Art and Sand| Simple Nature Decor| Sweet Parrish Place
FRIDAY
Deeply Southern Home| First Day of Home| Life on Summerhill|
Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry| The Aspiring Home
What beautiful home. That wreath of the silver trays is to swoon over. I have never seen such a gorgeous wreath. Thansk for sharing your home on this beautiful tour.
Maria
Author
Thank you Maria. I had saved a picture of a wreath similar to that for about 7 years then finally gathered enough trays to make it. I’m very fond of it. 😉
So pretty and I do love your classic touches! Those silver trays are just gorgeous!
Author
Thank you Stacey. Hope you are enjoying your Christmas season. Looking forward to seeing you next week so we can catch up!
I LOVE your silver platter wreath, it’s gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your beautiful tour:)
Author
Thank you Tanya. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it. Merry Christmas!
Love your decor this year! That dining room looks really pretty, I do love the new paint color! Thanks for joining us this year for the Christmas Tour of Homes!
Author
Thanks Nicki and it’s my pleasure to join in. I feel honored to be included. Enjoy the rest of the season!
Everything is merry and bright for sure! I love it.
Author
Thanks Lisa! Glad you hopped over today. Merry Christmas
You had me at the tarnished silver! I love love love the way your trays look as a wreath! And your home is so welcoming and cozy! Happiest of holidays to you, my friend!
Author
Awe, thanks Jen. That makes me smile. Merry Christmas
Let me start by saying that that silver tray wreath is just the living end. It’s so unique and elegant. Beautifully done. And the rest of the tour is equally beautiful. What a lovely space to enjoy the holidays! Thanks so much for sharing.
Author
What a sweet compliment Susie. Thank you. I’m ready to host a party! Hope you enjoy your holiday as well.
Beautiful!!! Like you, I only used what I really wanted to this year – basically a bunch of small lit trees, and the big tree. Not much else! I love surrounding myself with all those twinkling lights – it makes it feel like a magical forest!
Author
Me too. If I could have a plain tree with just white lights in every room, I’d love it! It is magical. Merry Christmas!
Cindy, I just love your silver tray wreath in your dining room! It’s stunning and simple at the same time. I got rid of tons of Christmas items last year and now only keep what I really love. As it is, there’s still a few items we love, but decided not to put up this year. I love your idea about framing the old card. I’ve got quite a few of them and need to go through them again. My mother saved everything. I’m so glad you decided to join us again on our Christmas Tour of Homes 2018!
Author
Thank you Carol for asking! It’s an honor! I’ve loved all the inspiration and enthusiasm from everyone. We have some talented bloggers out there!
I loved your tray wreathe until I saw that simple framed Christmas card! Adorable idea! Your home is beautiful and made me feel very peaceful. Why is it men don’t like holes in walls; I lived in my new house (’79) for 18 months with nothing on the walls caz he wanted to paint first. I learned to hang small things on common pins! Today (no husband, have a SO), I just go for it! Still using common pins, too!
Author
LOL Kathy! I try and make the holes as small as possible. But since a lot of my stuff is large and heavy, it takes more. But have you used Monkey or Gorilla Hooks?! Those things work great! One hole even for a heavy mirror! Thanks for stopping by and the nice compliment. Merry Christmas.
How sweet that you were gifted the framed card.
I’m in awe of the wreath and I love your centerpiece. I would love to do something like it, but we eat all our meals at the dining room table and the head chef does not like to have anything between us while we are eating. If I could figure out a way to remove it easily and get it back on the table, I would copy your idea.
Author
Well we don’t want to make the head chef unhappy! It’s so easy. Just attach the balls to the garland with twistie bag ties and all you’d have to do is pick it up and move it. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. You’d be happy, the chef would me amazed… it’s all good. 😉
That silver tray wreath is one of the prettiest things I have seen and it looks beautiful the way you have styled it with the greenery on the mantle. Your home is so beautiful! I also love the diy wreath. Thank you so much for joining us at Christmas Tour of Homes!
Author
Awe thanks for saying that Sherry. I am grateful to have been included and thankful for each and every new visitor and comment. You are so sweet. Merry Christmas!
What a sweet post, Cindy! I love your sense of humor. This line made me laugh: A little bit country and a little bit rhinestone! I fell in love with your dining room. That fireplace and the silver wreath are absolutely beautiful! I hear you on trying to simplify, though. It’s hard to get motivated when you feel like you have to use it all. I’m glad to be on this hop with you! Merry Christmas!
Author
Glad I could make you smile today! I’ve already planned that next year is going to be totally different and much more simplified. Fingers crossed I can stick to it. :/ Hope to hop with you again Crissy! Thanks for stopping by.
It looks amazing. My favorite thing has to be that card. How adorable. The platter wreath is stunning.
Author
Thank you Katie. The card is darling and I’m glad my SIL thought of it. 😀
Cindy your home is lovely. You have truly shared the spirit of Christmas. The tour of your home is so inspiring. Love everyone inch of your home.
Author
Terrie, You are so sweet! Thank you. That makes my day! So glad we are new friends! Merry Christmas 🎄 ❤️
I have never seen a silver tray wreath, but it is just gorgeous! I agree, you don’t need to add much to it for Christmas decor, it is striking on it’s own! Enjoyed doing this fun holiday blog hop with you! 🙂
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Author
Thanks Carrie! I love looking at it each day. ❤️
I love your “Chicken Nuggets and candlelight” mentality 🙂 Your home is beautiful, and I love the silver plate wreath. What a cool idea! Thanks for sharing your home with us!
Author
Awe Erin, thank you! Hope you are enjoying your Christmas. ❤️