Friday, December 1, 2017

Holiday Home Tour 2017

It's the most wonderful time of the year, no doubt, and, like most of you, I've been busy gussying up my little cozy house, getting it all dressed and ready for Christmas. 

It seems a ton of work at the time, but isn't it all worth it when it's all said and done?

One of my favorite things about decorating my home is sharing it with all of you, dear readers. 


Admittedly, I kept things pretty simple this year as opposed to years past. 

Many of the Christmas bins never even made it out of the shed!

I still think I've succeeded in filling my home with just the right amount of holiday cheer. 

I kept the mantel especially simple this year, just using my usual lanterns and twinkle lights and adding a Christmas wreath over the mirror. 

Easy peasy. My favorite. 


I did my usual pillow swap out, bringing out my reindeer pillow and adding some red velvet and fluffy white pillows. The combination feels very wintry to me, yet fresh and not too heavy.


A trio of playful Santas keep company on the hearth, and the stockings were hung on the bookshelf behind the chairs. As lovely as it is to hang the stockings on the chimney with care, we use our woodstove as our primary heat source, so it's much safer to keep them on the bookshelf. 

I don't think Santa will mind.


I left the little sunflower bench in the corner next to the sofa, but dressed it in a red velvet runner for the holidays. It's a perfect spot to stack colorful wrapped gifts!


The dining room has been decked out with trees, trees, and more trees. These three bottlebrush trees on the table make me smile so much, and they are joined by three more mini trees gathered on a cake stand on the bench under the window. 


A lit tree on the bar adds a nice warm glow in the evenings, along with the candles in all the windows and the scented candles I usually have lit in the evenings. 


My kitchen is always bright and cheery, but even more so now that the door has been freshened up. Again, I kept things pretty simple in here, with a couple of cute snowmen and a candle in the window. There's so much red in my house it feels festive already, not much needed at all to get into Christmas mode!

There are a couple of other Christmas touches on the other side of the kitchen, I'm not sure why they didn't make it to the camera, clearly I'm getting old and forgetful!


In the master bedroom, things were kept even simpler, staying with the calm and serene color palette in this room. I added in a fluffy pillow for that warm and cozy feeling, which I absolutely adore. Add the candles glowing in the windows in the evenings and it's all I can do not to crawl straight into bed as soon as I get home from work!


On the dresser, a little Christmas Tree twinkles in the evenings, joined by a sparkly snowman. I have the timer set on the tree so that it is on about the time I usually go to bed. It's the perfect way to end the evening. 


See what I mean? Very simple, yet very festive. There are a few other touches here and there...a small lit tree in the guest bath, my usual light up snowman in the hallway, a few odds and ends. But all in all, very scaled back compared to years past when I went all out and then some!


The tree is always the most labor intensive part of our decorating. I've been collecting ornaments since I was a child, so the memories truly come flooding back each and every year when we open those ornament tins. 


Add a cozy fire, a good book, and a cup of great coffee and my weekend mornings are pure perfection. 

I love to curl up in my chair next to the fire and enjoy the cozy home I have created, filled with laughter and love. 


Usually I have a little furry friend or two curled up with me on the chair, which just makes things even more perfect. 

I wonder what Santa will bring Little Miss Molly this year for her first Christmas in her forever home? 

Either way, as you can see, she's settled right in and has taken over the house. 

We are truly blessed, no doubt about it. 

There are often times when the bills seem overwhelming, work is too busy, there's too much to do and not enough time to do it.  But then I stop and look around and realize how lucky I am and it all comes back into perspective. 

I hope you take some time today to count your blessings. That's what the holiday is truly all about. 

The twinkly lights are just a bonus!

58 comments:

  1. Oh how pretty. Everything looks so ready for Christmas and so beautiful.

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    1. Thanks, Marty! The house may be ready....but I’m not!!

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  2. I think your decorations are just perfect! Cozy and snuggly!

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    1. Thanks!! And hopefully not too much to put away at the end of the season, either!! :)

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    1. Can’t wait to see your cozy home all decked out, Ellen!

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  4. Very pretty, such great little touches like the reindeer pillow. I pulled a boxful of things to donate today so someone else can enjoy them this season. I am trying to scale back a bit too.

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    1. I’ve been holding on to things to give me daughters when they buy their first homes. Good thing I have plenty of storage space, Carole!

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  5. Warm and cozy - beautifully done! And that is one lucky rescue pup.

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    1. I actually think WE are the lucky ones, Karen Ann!! :)

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  6. It is all simply lovely & comforting. I'm keeping my decorating simpler this year also.

    Happy Christmas holidays ~ FlowerLady

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    1. I think as we get older we are definitely wiser about things, Lorraine - we think ahead to how much work it will be to take it all down at the end of the season!!

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  7. Love seeing sweet Molly. She has the best home to live now. What a beautiful Christmas she will have with all of you. Love all your decor. So beautiful. I am too embracing less this year. I have a tiny house now so less is more is my motto with the decor. Plus it gives me more time to really enjoy the holidays. Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. That’s a great way to look at it, Kris! More time to enjoy the holidays is always a good thing!!

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  8. Your decorations are perfect... not too much to clutter up the place. Just perfect!

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    1. I’m no minimalist, that’s for sure, but I do like things neat and tidy and the idea of less clutter absolutely appeals to me!

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  9. Miss Molly is so cute. I haven't got a thing done yet. I'm wishing I never got rid of my skinny Christmas tree though. I love what you've done! I'm loving simple more all the time. Lots of the blogs look cluttered with holiday decor I think.
    Brenda

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    1. I love my skinny Christmas tree - it’s perfect for my small space. I bought a pencil tree for my parents this year on a deal through Michaels, I think, for $39 - it’s perfect for their very cluttered home. It was easy to squeeze into a little corner and Mom is so happy to have a tree again.

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  10. I have come to love a simpler decorating style for Christmas too so a lot of my bins did not make it upstairs this year either! You have done just enough to add to your coziness and it looks great. My simpler décor may not look that simple to others, but to me, I have all the things surrounding me that I want for now. What could be better?

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    1. That’s the best feeling, isn’t it, AnnMarie? To surround ourselves with people, pets, and things that we love!!

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  11. Oh girl....are you sure you don't want to open up a b&b? Im willing to make a reservation. I'm rather sad to a point for this year. We are going south for Christmas and I am not decorating my little cozy log cabin. Although we are taking a little tree with us. Your home is just stunning and I imagine that your clients for weddings are just sooooooo pleased. Let me know if the b&b idea suits. I'll be the first. Oh and did you decorate the green monster???

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    1. Ha ha, Cindy, if only I had time to open a B&B!! I did have a dream when I was young of opening one in Vermont.....hey, maybe some day!! No, I didn’t decorate the green monster - never though of it, to be honest. I don’t think I”m having any overnight guests over the holidays....however I am getting some upgrades for the guest room from Country Curtains before they are gone completely out of business. You know there will be a blog post coming at some point about that!!

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  12. Your home always looks so inviting and cozy. Like you, I've kept the Christmas decorating quite simple this year. Seems a lot of us are on the same wavelength. I'm sure whatever Santa brings for Molly, she will love it!

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    1. I don't know how I missed replying to your comment, Melanie, so sorry about that! I hope you and Brian had a wonderful holiday with your son and the kitties!!

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  13. Oh, so beautiful. I like the cozy and serene feeling in your house, with just enough Christmas cheer! I think that a lot of us are all feeling a the need for a more cozy than extravagant holiday this year...might have something to do with all of the nasty things we hear in the news lately. I think that by making our homes feel like a serene and cozy cocoon, it makes us feel safe! Thank you for the tour.

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    1. I think you are exactly right, Vickie - our home is our sanctuary from this crazy world!

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  14. Hi Debbie, Your Christmas home does look very pretty and peaceful. Am glad you can take the time to enjoy it. Nancy

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  15. So gorgeous, Debbie. You're right, it's a lot of work, but worth it in the end. I'm hoping to end today, and sit back and enjoy it, not unlike Miss Molly. ;) Your home looks very special.

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    1. I think all our homes are special, Rita - that's what inspires us to blog about them, isn't it?

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  16. It's just beautiful!! You have just the right touches in every room, and I still love your dining room...in every season!

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    1. Me, too, Henny! I think that the dining room was a big part of why I fell in love with this house! So much so that I even bought the previous homeowner's dining room table with the house - it was just perfect in there!

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  17. Your home is beautifully decorated for Christmas, Deb. The twinkle lights throughout add a cozy feel and the fire in your fireplace begs one to sit and enjoy. Thanks so much for sharing your Christmas home tour!

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    1. My twinkle lights stay up all year, Vickie, and are lit every single night - I think on the inside I'm still a 13 year old girl. I like everything sparkly!

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  18. Everything is just beautiful and festive! I always enjoying touring your home. xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Donna! Too bad I can't take you on a tour of the lower level....at least, not unless my daughter learns how to be a much better housekeeper!!

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  19. It looks wonderful, Debbie! So warm and cozy. I hope you enjoy the holiday season.

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    1. Thank you, Courtney - I know you'd love to be up in your cabin for the holidays!

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  20. Simply perfect! I love how the tree reflects in the picture over the sofa too.
    Lisa

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! That's actually my TV - I have often thought about figuring out a way to camouflage it, but it has yet to happen!

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  21. Love your Christmas decorations. Maybe not as much as you use to put up, but since I'm a fairly new follower this looks good to me. I love bottle brush trees. So difficult to find now. I have a few small ones, but would like more.
    Molly is looking so good! I'm sure Santa will find her!
    Take care

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    1. Oh Santa is definitely coming to little Miss Molly, without a doubt! She's such a sweet little thing, we just love her to bits! I'm happy you found your way to my blog, Jen, I enjoy reading your comments!!

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  22. I love it all....simple is not at all a bad thing. I did mine pretty simple this yr also by only doing the living room. For yrs I did the kitchen, hall and bathroom. The rest of the rooms are upstairs so since the kids are grown I don't do a small tree up there anymore. Things change as we age....nice job.

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    1. I have a small tree downstairs in my daughter's family room also, Pam, but since she's 26 I make her do her own decorating! The tree is definitely the most labor intensive part of my decorating, but it's still my favorite part!

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  23. Your home is so lovely, Debbie! The living room looks so cozy...I can just imagine it at night!

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    1. Most nights it's pretty hard to get up out of my cozy chair next to the fire and make my way to bed, Linda!

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  24. As a regular reader I am very familiar with your lovely home / and it is beautiful this year as always.

    Talk about our blessings...Puerto Rico, Harvey ( most of them still not recovered ) and now the California fires raging once again..in new areas...oh yes, count our blessings where we are and pray for the others / weather-wise things seem to be getting much worse though we have climate change deniers in our highest levels of government :(

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  25. Love your decor. Very warm and cheerful, and it is just the right amount. I especially love the bottle brush trees on your dining room table. I'm with you: I've simplified Christmas decorating over the years and some bins never make it into the light of day at my house either. Happy holidays Debbie!

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    1. I think the thought of taking it all down at the end of the season keeps me from overdoing it, Heidi! Heaven knows we all have enough to do without adding extra!! Happy Holidays to you as well!

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  26. Greetings Debbie !
    I have tried leaving comments several times, but for some unknown reason, I can have trouble getting the comment box to load ?
    Today however I am successful, and just wanted to say your home is dazzling. Love, love, love the red pillows and accent pieces, and the twinkly lights make it all feel so cozy and simply magical.
    Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and all the blessings of a healthy and happy New Year !!
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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    1. How bizarre, Jo - I don't know what's up with that. I do know I have trouble leaving comments sometimes when I go in through Explorer, I have much better luck with Firefox or Chrome. Weird!!

      Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I hope you have a wonderful New Year and health and happiness in 2018, Jo!

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  27. Debbie, I've been meaning to stop by sooner, but now that everything is ready and waiting for Christmas, I finally have some free time to visit you and see your lovely and cozy house decked up for Christmas. I love everything about it because it is cozy feeling and not overly decorated; and I love little Miss Molly on the chair. This will be Sadie's first with her forever home, too. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas with your family

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    1. Carol, I'm glad you're here, thank you for stopping by and your sweet comment! I hope little Sadie had a wonderful Christmas - I'm sure Santa spoiled her just like my three got spoiled!! Wishing you a very happy new year in your cozy home, Carol!

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