We’ve decorated and our new home is looking extra festive! I hope you feel inspired today with our traditional Christmas decor ideas for your home this holiday season.
We’ve reached the coziest month of the year, friends! Our home has always been at its cozy peek at Christmas. I’ve always said I think our home is the most beautiful this time of year. Decorating this year has looked a little different. In case you missed it, we moved this past August into a new home, a new fixer upper! You can read about our move and see all the before photos of our home here, and see the final before and after of our colonial here.
Today, I’m sharing a few photos of our new home decorated for Christmas. This year I was determined to use only what we already had on hand. We knew we wanted to purchase a new tree for our family room, as our old tree was starting to look very tired. Aside from our purchase of a family room tree, everything I’ve used are things I purchased in years past. I will try to link things the best I can, considering.
I’ve never been one to change all of my decor from year to year. My family has always loved unpacking our ornaments and special items from family each Christmas season. Instead of changing the decor each year, I prefer to move things to different rooms and use them in a new way. I like to swap ribbons and use fresh wrapping papers. It makes each year feel fresh and allows you to use those items that have become traditions for your family year after year.
Just off the foyer is our formal living room. I’m still hunting for the perfect coffee table for this space. We hosted Thanksgiving this year and this room was the perfect size for the 18′ table we used. I contemplated placing a tree in this room, but decided against it. I really just wanted to keep things simple this Christmas. We’re still settling in but maybe next year I’ll be motivated to put one in this space. The foyer and this room are painted in Carrington Beige by Benjamin Moore at 50% saturation. I love the warmth in this room!
As I’ve mentioned many times, I like to purchase pillow covers that can pull double-duty. I used these covers this fall and I’m carrying them right into the New Year. I love browns, golds, and greens at Christmas.
Off the formal living room and kitchen is our formal dining room. I have not touched this room in terms of design. After the holidays I plan to paint the wainscoting and walls. The wallpaper is in wonderful condition and is pretty, just not quite my style. I’m thinking I want to go with a very warm and moody color in this room, possibly a burgundy or dark green for the walls and a warm white for the wainscoting. For now, some garland and our mini potted tree work perfectly for a festive touch.
Our kitchen is a complete 90’s flash back, and I won’t lie. I’m kinda loving it! It’s very nostalgic. We do want to renovate and update a few things, but I’m finding the kitchen is super functional as is. I’m looking on the bright side until we tackle this room. I almost removed the plastic hooks stuck to the tile above the mixer when we moved in. It turns out they’re perfect for hanging Josh’s grandmother’s platter and a couple copper molds, ha! They’re not the prettiest hooks, but they’ll get the job done this Christmas.
From our kitchen and breakfast nook you look into our family room. This room has a little ways to go still. We did build some built-in cabinets and shelves. I also painted the walls in White Down by Benjamin Moore. We hope to give the fireplace a facelift in the new year as well as scraping the textured ceiling. The carpet has been new surprise. In our previous home we removed the carpet and installed hardwood floors before we moved in. The carpet in this house was in great condition so we opted to keep it for a bit. I’ll admit I’m getting anxious to extend the oak hardwoods into this room, but the carpet is quite cozy on the feet. Charlie has been begging us to keep it.
Our tree this year is a cheap alternative to the European Fir by Balsam Hill that I’ve wanted for years. It was a killer good price and it looks like it could be Balsam’s twin. You can find our tree here. With a few mercury glass and special ornaments from our travels and some velvet ribbon, the tree is ready for the big day! I’ve linked the burgundy ribbon below.
I’m still trying to figure out the best configuration for furniture in this room. I’m currently using things from our previous house, which we love. I just couldn’t see the point in purchasing all new furnishings. I will probably tweak things here and there as time goes by, but for now it’s perfect.
One of the first things I did this Christmas season was to hang garland over the mantle. I really dislike this mantle and I found the garland and stockings really help to cover it up a bit. Again, the fireplace will hopefully look very different next Christmas. The garland that I used here is from Hobby Lobby. I purchase it two years ago for $25. The Star garland is linked below.
You can find my post on our new built-ins here. I’ve had a blast styling the shelves. I’ve added a ceramic Santa here and there. After receiving a vintage Santa that I always loved as a child from my grandmother when she passed, my mom has purchased me a Lenox Santa each year to add to my collection. I have them sprinkled throughout our home. They’re one of those things that I really look forward to seeing each Christmas season.
Our tree feels a bit bare this year, because I haven’t been able to put any gifts under it. I’ve always loved seeing packages wrapped in pretty paper and ribbon. This past weekend I wrapped several gifts and placed them under the tree. I had a sneaking suspicion that Audrey would try to open them. It turns out that she likes to untie the ribbons and remove the tags. With very little memory left in this head of mine, I had a grand time trying to remember what gift went with which ribbon and tag. Christmas morning might have some surprises!
Our sunroom has been a welcomed new addition. I have always wanted a sunroom and this one has not disappointed. It needs a little updating, but it’s been the perfect spot for coffee each morning. Currently, it’s extra cozy with the glow of a Christmas tree. This tree is decorated in our White House ornaments. Our beloved neighbor from our previous home passed away last Christmas Eve. He gave us all of our White House ornaments. We carried on the tradition by purchasing this year’s ornament. This tree will always remind us of our dear friend, Mr. Buchanan.
That’s the tour for today! I’m so glad you stopped by to take a look at what we’ve been up to. I hope I wasn’t too late in posting and you’ve found inspiration for this Christmas season. Later this week I’ll be sharing Audrey’s room and our Playroom reveal. I hope you’ll join me back here. Until then, have a wonderful week and Merry Christmas! 
Your home is truly lovely, thank you for sharing. I did much of the same this year, using what I had in different ways. I was even able to sort through and donate many things. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Thank you , Jill! It always feels so good to rid ourselves of the extra things we are not using. I’ve found keeping things simple is my favorite way to celebrate. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I was so excited to see your blog post in my email this morning. And it did not disappoint. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. I get so much inspiration from you.
Thank you so much, Ruth! You are always so kind and encouraging. I hope you have the very best Christmas season!
The mantle placement is bizarre but it does look better hidden under Christmas!
It really is! It looks completely out of place. I really had hoped we would change it out before this Christmas, but it just didn’t happen. It’s a project I anxiously await in the new year. The garland does do wonders! 😂
I like how you decorate your home with what you enjoy having, without following trends. Your new home lends itself to be filled with warmth and joyful festivities. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you so much, Velia! I gave up on trends a long time ago. It’s much too costly and exhausting to keep up with. I always look forward to seeing our Christmas keepsakes each year. Having those items around year after year make the season that much more special.
Everything looks lovely. I can see your style even in rooms you may want to update, but it looks great while you wait. The home has great bones and I think it is gorgeous.
Thanks, Sandy! I’m trying my best to be patient. I know it will all come together with time. It’s been really nice to just sit with it a bit and give myself plenty of time to decide what to do in each room.
Your wooden furniture is divine, if I want similar what do I use when I look for it? What kind of wood/stain would you search? Thank you! Your home is so inspiring! So much cozy 🙂
Aw, thanks Amanda for your kind words! I really don’t search any particular stains. I’ve always loved antique furniture, and always keep a lookout for things when I’m out shopping or browsing FB marketplace. I have several European pine pieces, darker mahogany, and oak pieces. I try to mix some painted pieces in there as well for balance. I don’t exactly have a method for teaching or buying… I just kinda know when I see something that I think will work well.
Your new home is very lovely! It looks like you decorated it forever! I love all the garland! As someone looking to move in the future, your home is a wonderful example of making each home your own! Thank you!
Thank so much, Carla! I’ve been collecting pieces and items for many years now. I love that it looks like it’s always been here. That’s a great compliment, thank you. Slowly but surely this house is beginning to look more and more like my style. I’m certainly enjoying the process.
I always get excited when I see a new blog post from you! You and your home are SO inspiring. You create such a warm, inviting and much loved home. I drool over it!
Merry Christmas!
That means the world to me, Shelley! I’m so glad these little posts give others inspiration. It’s become more of a hobby than a business these days, so I’m glad you’;ve stuck around. Have a wonderful Christmas!
I love the warmth and inviting feel to your new home, especially decorated for Christmas. I too used what I had this Christmas and it felt good.
Have a lovely holiday season.
Karen B.
That means so much to me, Karen. Thank you! It’s so freeing to be satisfied with what we have. I find joy in using my yearly decor. Our bank account loves it too, ha!
I just love your taste and style, home feels so cozy warm.
Thank you so much, Cheryl! Have a wonderful Christmas!
I can see why you bought this home. The windows, the light, the flow of rooms. Your classy touch is just what this home needs. It’s incredible.
Thank you! It has great bones. The natural light is wonderful in this house. I’m very excited to make it my own as time goes by. I’m slowly planning projects, but enjoying the process along the way.
Simp,y Stunning🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻
Thank you so much, Kathi!
Your home is just lovely! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thanks Carla! Merry Christmas!
You and your family are so grateful and positive….how refreshing….the home is lovely
Thank you, Mary! I’m not always as thankful as I should be, but I do know that God has blessed us so much more than we deserve. I’m so grateful for all that he has given us. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you have the most wonderful Christmas season!
Such a beautiful home and lots of space. Loving all your special touches and traditions. You did a fab job on the mantle!
Thanks Cindy! It feels a little more like home with our Christmas decor. The mantle looks so much better with a little garland on it.
I look forward to seeing your home every year at Christmas time. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much, Madeline! I hope it didn’t disappoint. It looks a little different this year compared to years past. have a very Merry Christmas!
It looks very cozy and inviting! I look forward to seeing more of your updates. Thanks for sharing and Merry first Christmas in your new home!
Thanks, Friend! I’m excited for a New Year and working on a few things around here. I’m trying to decide on just what to do first. There are endless projects around here. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
I look so forward to your posts. Your new home is simply stunning, especially with your beautiful style and decor. Your style looks so curated as though you have taken years to put it together, one piece at a time. I love that you are traditional and reuse/restyle your pieces in different ways. Such a blessing that you share your talents with your readers.
So pretty!!!! Love your chandelier in DR!