Design & Decor

My Home For The Holidays

December 21, 2018

I finally got the holiday decor up! It took a while due to extended work deadlines, but I got through it and now I can just sit back and enjoy Christmas with my family.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have the use of both my hands this year! Last year was tough as an artist with only one good hand (as I was recovering from finger surgery). This year, I took full advantage of the little time I hand and I pulled out my frosty, vintage decor and decked the halls! 🙂

I’ve always loved the way that these vintage garland hang in my entryway. It reminds me of a long necklace draped over my accent wall. The light silver-blue tinsel and antique bulbs once hung on my grandmother’s Christmas tree.

This year, I decided to hang acrylic snowflakes in my windows looking out on my front yard. I love how it brings the beauty and chill of winter into our front room.

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without mistletoe! Each year I hang my mistletoe (complete with elf) over the threshold of our backdoor so I can steal kisses from my boys when they arrive home from work and school. This too is a family heirloom from my grandmother.

Nate and I found this delicate nativity at a market in Austria a couple of years ago.

My living room is still a work in progress, but I’m really happy with the elements that I’ve been able to pull together, so far.

As you can tell, I painted over the large, vibrant painting that sits on my mantle. This make three paintings on this canvas! I was able to steal a few hours this week to paint the first layer. The other painting was too busy next to my two bookshelves, so I’m going for a more tranquil, soft look.

I decided to play with my garland and drape an asymmetrical design on my mantle. I mixed fake pine and real dried eucalyptus branches together to get this flowing look. I screwed in four screws behind the painting and hung it up using fishing line. It’s strong and clear. It’s sturdy and I love how natural it hangs. I particularly love how it drapes down the side of the mantle and onto the floor.

When Nate and I were first married, I made a nativity for us. It’s simply cardboard covered in solver glitter. I used to put it at the base of of mirror that rested above an old vent cover in our dining room when we lived in Minneapolis. Then I’d place candles in front so the silhouettes would sparkle.

In this house I placed the nativity on the mantle above our fireplace.

These darling reindeer belonged to my Great Grandmother.

I’m so glad Gabe dug out my Christmas village this year. I love having it under my tree. It would still be packed up in a box if it weren’t for his snooping. 😉

Can you believe my popcorn on this tree is 15 years old?! My grandmother and I air popped the popcorn and hand-threaded the garland. It’s still hanging on!

This tree has a mix of thrift store bulbs, my own handmade ornaments and my grandmother’s decorations. So many fond memories are layered in this tree.

Who doesn’t love the floating candles that magically hung at Hogwarts? Well, I’m a huge fan of whimsy, so I went for a magical look with floating snowflakes that dance and twirl above and around my Christmas tree.