Happy Monday! Welcome to those of you coming from Number Fifty-Three. I’m really honored to be a part of Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours: a week long tour with over 50 bloggers and their Christmas decor. You can see the whole schedule here.
This year I opted for the less in more approach, while still trying to stay true to my style.
My 4-year-old son has always done well with leaving things alone, but my daughter, who is 1, is a different story. Milly loves to get into anything and everything, which makes it hard to decorate at her level and impossible to do any decorating while she’s awake!
I wish I was better at reusing decor, but I tend to have fresh thoughts every holiday. Luckily the stockings I made last year made the cut this season.
I love decorating, and I usually have a pretty strong idea of what I would like to do. With that being said, I think it’s really important to give the kids some say and decor of their own. In their corner of the living room we placed a little Norfolk Island pine, and they helped me make these DIY cluster ornaments.
I took a small tree I already had, placed it in a pot on Xander’s dresser, and decorated it with ornaments he has received as gifts. He really enjoys pointing out the loved one who gave him a specific ornament.
When I think of the holidays, gatherings with family and friends come to mind. I love to bring out entertaining items that have sentimental value. The copper ashtrays above are something my grandfather brought back from Africa while serving in the military. They make great coasters and the stars have such a festive feel.
The gold and black cardholder and the candle snuffer were my grandmothers. Puzzles and card games were always on the agenda at holiday get-togethers, and there is nothing more cozy than candlelight.
I already have a lot of greenery in our home (my husband might call it a problem) but I moved some of my plants to other areas of the house to make room for seasonal things. While I don’t like the smell once they’ve bloomed, I love to watch paper whites grow and look forward to planting bulbs every winter.
Adding a sheepskin, some greenery around the dining space’s chandelier, and a mercury glass gazing ball to my plant cart are simple touches that can stay all winter long.
Julia Konya says
I enjoyed the glimpse into your home for Christmas. I love how many colors you have on your tree and all the other touches throughout your rooms.
Lindsay at The White Buffalo Styling Co. says
Beautiful job, Gwen!!! Thank you so much for joining us and I love your colorful, festive home!
Jesse @ Scout & Nimble says
I love all the natural elements you added in your home, Gwen! So so pretty! I tried to decorate my littles bedrooms and they both at bedtime wanted the items removed! lol…they are so set in their ways, but they did love decorating the tree. I am so going to definitely copy your ornament clusters…those are fabulous! 😉 Jesse
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha! That sounds like something my son would do. Bit of a control issue, wonder where he gets that from. 🙂
Bethany DeVore says
I love all the bright colors and greenery! Looking forward to seeing your tree! I'm right there with you, I definitely feel like I have to reinvent my Christmas decor every year to fit my style.
Chernee Vitello says
Love your holiday mantel. The antique mirrors are beautiful! Happy Holidays!
Best
Chernee
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Chernee! And thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back to visit. Have a lovely week!
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
Gorgeous Gwen 🙂 I think understated works so well. You have just the right touches to make it look festive and your home and furnishings are already so beautiful! xo Kristin
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
just love the living room and fireplace! it's just perfect!
sarah m. dorsey says
Love everything Gwen!! It all blends seamlessly into your existing decor!
Megan Gordon says
Beautiful! I love the plants and all the festive touches.
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
Beautiful, Gwen! I love all of your sweet sentimental accessories!
Denise @ frazzled JOY says
Love everything!! I love the little nativity under the tree, and I especially love that it is in reach and view of the children. 🙂
Roeshel says
Wow! Lovely and inspiring! Beautiful style!
Jennifer BNHblog says
Great tour! Ah, the little scratches… : ]
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha, I know!
Brittany Cramer says
beautiful! your home always amazes me, you pair everything together so effortlessly and perfectly, especially with all those gold accents 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, lady! That means a lot coming from you!
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
Everything is so sweet! I love all of the colors and greenery you have in your home 🙂
michelle@decorandthedog says
I feel like less is usually better than more for the holidays! Love your place!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Michelle!
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
I love your home and how you decorated it! Your mantle and the tree with the ornament clusters are awesome! 🙂
Anneke at This, That and Life says
Decorating when the kids are little is SO tough! You've done a beautiful job Gwen!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Anneke! Yes, I didn't really realize how difficult it would be until I started.
Sarah {Lacquer and Linen} says
I love all the subtle Christmasy touches in your home, it's so homey! That little tree in your sons room is super cute!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Sarah!
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
Beautiful, Gwen! You were a busy bee yesterday 🙂 Lovely styling and I think this is one time of year when no one could fault your addition to fresh greenery! Wish I had your green thumb! Love the sweet nativity next to the kiddie piano 🙂
Laurie from Laurie Jones Home says
Your home looks beautiful and your christmas style is for sure you (well at least what I think you are from stalking your blog!)
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, that's sweet, Laurie! Stalking welcome. 🙂
Restoration House Interiors says
Love all of the little vignettes! You did a great job! Can't wait to see what all of the other talented ladies do as well and feel SO blessed to be a part of this holiday series! See you on Wednesday! Have an amazing Monday!
Melissa@daisymaebelle.com says
What a beautiful tour! LOVE your modern look! Merry Christmas! Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by, Melissa! Have a wonderful week!
Dear Emmeline says
The tree with cluster ornaments and the wood nativity are my fave! I have little ones as well so I know what you mean about watching it with the low decor!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for reading! I'm glad someone else can relate. 🙂
Angela Santaniello says
Your plants, styling and attention to detail is just perfect! I'm loving every little bit of your tour. 🙂
Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Angela! It was an honor to follow you. 🙂
Jenna LaFevor says
Oh my goodness!! Your whole mantel / fireplace – I'm dying!!! Its gorgeous!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Jenna. I appreciate you reading!
Tania @ Run to Radiance says
I love the greenery everywhere! So pretty. 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Tania!
Anonymous says
I like you're bringing back satin thread baubles, makes me nostalgic. Your (very nifty) ashtrays would make good inner ornaments with a Command hook and ornament hook MacGuyver business in the back. Easy to remove afrer the season.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks! I found those at a thrift store this summer and was really excited to use them! That's a great idea for the coasters too! Thanks for reading!
Amanda @ Our Humble Abode says
I have serious envy of your house plant collection. And your decorating skills. And your house. Everything about your decor makes me smile.
themakerista@gmail.com says
You're sweet. Thanks, Amanda!
Summer Hogan says
I love the greenery on your light fixture and love the trees in the kids room. I had to decorate my son's room too 🙂 He wouldn't have it any other way!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks Summer! I know, Xander was really excited about it too. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and thanks for reading!
Emily Morris says
Love Xander's little Christmas tree in his room! Where did the kids wooden nativity set come from? I'm trying to find one that's wooden and simple for Julia.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Em, check out Holztiger on google. Kind of pricey but great quality!
Brandyn | Southern Distinctions says
Love the simple touches in your holiday decor. Very beautiful! That brass deer is a "must have".
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Brandyn! I appreciate you reading!
Christy Malia says
Gwen, your style and creativity is amazing! A true gift. Love your blog.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Christy! I appreciate you reading. Hope you all have a great Christmas!
Karen Simon says
very festive and elegant.
you should upload your great pictures here and make some e-cards out of it – it is super fun :
https://www.christmasstories.smart.com/en/ie/
I will stop by again, soon !
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Karen! I appreciate you reading!
Clotee says
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
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Clotee! Have a Merry Christmas!
Danitra Marie says
I love the foilage! You are so creative. Thanks for this post.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks for the kind words, Danitra!
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Richard C. Lambert says
I need to carve out the time to actually DO the clean out. Thank you for the St. Basil print-out — your link to the sermon really changed my perspective on how much I own, and I so appreciated it. (Also ordered my BIS journal when it was released, and I am sooo excited to use it.)tours on kaanapali