decked out for the holidays

While checking out my Pinterest page this morning, I came across this gorgeous, light-filled bedroom, decorated for Christmas, via Traditional Home (surprisingly, the only home decor magazine I don't subscribe to, which explains how I missed it):

I had to check out the rest of the house and it was equally beautiful.  What I love most is that the Christmas decorations blend in with the home's neutral color palette and decor, not compete with it. 

Ivory stockings, fresh greenery and wrapping paper in colors that match the fabrics make this space so warm and inviting:

Mercury glass and more greenery:

Click here to see more of this gorgeous Tudor-style home.

our house at christmas

Christmas seemed to creep up on me this year before I knew it!  We usually get our tree right after Thanksgiving, but I've been so busy with work that we didn't start decorating until almost two weeks later.  I didn't go all out like I usually do, but I'm happy with how the house looks (and smells!)  Come on in!

My mom's childhood ice skates and sled sit with lanterns, spray-painted branches and an antique milk can by the front door:

White pointsettias, mercury glass and a white pine garland greet guests in the entry:

My paperwhites are getting there, slowly but surely:

 

An 8 foot by 8 foot piece of burlap from the local feed store serves as our Christmas tree skirt:

My favorite part of the tree are my porcelain milk bone ornaments:

A little bling on the built-ins:

Fresh greens are everywhere-they make the house smell amazing:

 Clementines add a pop  of color to my kitchen:

Christmas cards hang from black and white striped ribbon:

I'm off to finish decorating a friend's front porch.  Happy Monday!

dreaming of a white christmas

Last year, we got ten inches of snow the day after Christmas (above).  Living in the southeastern part of the country, it was definitely an unexpected, but lovely surprise.  I had a wicked case of bronchitis, but that didn't stop me from donning ten layers of warm clothes and venturing outside to take pics.  With all the window shades open, the house was so bright and warm.  Seeing as Christmas is a little more than a week away and temps are still in the 60's, I doubt Jack Frost will be visiting us anytime soon, but that doesn't mean I can't still dream of a white Christmas! 

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Sarah Richardson's home via House & Home

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Canadian House & Home

Martha Stewart

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Canadian House & Home

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Have a fabulous weekend!

wreath envy

I'll admit, I'm a sucker for a beautiful wreath and this holiday season, there have been quite a few that have tickled my fancy.  Forget the articificial evergreens; check out some of these beautiful options.  Most are surprisingly easy to make yourself!

Erika of Urban Grace used gold spray paint and ticking stripe ribbon to transform a faux berry wreath.  The contrast against the blackboard is beautiful:

Still love these moss wreaths via Elizabeth Anne Designs.  Hung from simple burlap ribbon, these green beauties really pop against the dark doors and add an elegant touch for the holidays:

If you have the time and the patience, this rosebud wreath, made out of pages from an old book (or  Christmas sheet music), would make for a fantastic, jawdropping DIY.  It is, hands down, my favorite wreath this season!

Make a stunning statement by gluing Christmas ball ornaments to a styrofoam wreath-here's an easy tutorial:

I love pine cone wreaths so much, I decided to made one myself.  It's a beautiful way to add a rustic touch for Christmas.  Check out my tutorial:

This bay leaf wreath from Williams Sonoma is one of my favorites.  The leaves dry out, perfect to use for cooking throughout the rest of the winter:

It's not Christmas in the lowcountry without a beautiful wreath of magnolias.  This one is stunning:

This isn't a wreath, but I love how interior designer Holly Mathis used an oversized wooden monogram with some winter greens on her front door:

A cinnamon wreath looks beautiful and will keep your home smelling like the holidays:

What are some of your favorite holiday wreaths?

lantern chandeliers

There's something about oversize lanterns that get my pulse racing...even before we broke ground on our current home, I knew I wanted a huge one over our breakfast table.  Unfortunately, the six months it took to build wasn't enough time for me to find the perfect rustic, vintage lantern, so I opted for a 6-arm wrought iron cheapo from Overstock to go up in the meantime.  Now that our hutch is in and I'm getting closer to refinishing the dining chairs, it's time to hop to it and make a decision. 

Lanterns are timeless and add such a rustic touch to any space.  Here is some of my favorite inspiration:

Brooke Giannetti

Munger Interiors

Coastal Living

Cottage Living

Tommy Smythe

House Beautiful

Tobi Fairley via At Home in Arkansas

Jennifer Flanders Interior Design

My Home Ideas

Atlanta Homes

Pinterest

Canadian House & Home

I love this dual-light Hemingway lantern:

...and this one from Wisteria (it's actually the same one Brooke used in her dining room above):

This arched lantern in bronze/black has always been one of my favorites-at almost four feet high, it definitely makes a dramatic statement, but if I were going to spend $1900 (which I'm not), I'd much rather spend it on an antique:

Do you love lantern chandeliers as much as I do?  What are some of your favorites?