Growing up, my mother decorated (and still does) over the course of about a week. I enjoy drawing out the design process, because it mimics my personal design philosophy, "Don't make it to look like you did it all in a day." In fact, I was still doing a little tweaking around the house tonight. This year I blended my traditional decor, with a little whimsical (and y'all, I'm NOT a whimsical person!) and pieces of the outdoors. After all, the best decorations are the ones you find outdoors.
The Outdoors
 |
| Nearly every home in Mountain Brook has a decorated mailbox. I joined in on the fun this year and strung together juniper branches and magnolia. |
 |
| I finally did it up right this year with the wreath. I have always half-heartily displayed one that was the rear end of all my Christmas decor. This fall, I found this "Joy" gem at the Tennessee Valley Fiddler's for only $17! The rest was found at Garden Ridge (a very dangerous 3.5 miles from my house!) Though I went out of my comfort zone and did the whimsical theme (I am very simple & fresh) it has become one of my favorite creations! |
The Foyer
 |
| This year I took an old galvanized pail from our wedding decorations and filled it with fresh juniper, (that my mom and I nearly froze our tails off retrieving!) holly from our tree in our yard and magnolia leaves. |
 |
| The staircase is pre-lit garland strung with my "re-purposed" tree ribbon from several years back. I found the stockings for $2 a piece last year at World Market and the cones are from our wedding decor as well. I filled those with fresh greenery from our yard as well. |
The Living Room
 |
| Rather than putting away all my everyday treasures that adorn our mantel, I decided to leave them out and adorn them with pine garland with berries that I score at Hobby Lobby. |
 |
| I grew up in a house with an artificial tree (mainly because everyone in my family was allergic to the real deal), but Chase and I always get a real Frasier Fir. Our living room has to be one of the best smelling rooms in our house! I'm not the biggest fan of themed trees, but those that reflect nostalgia. (Schnauzer not included in decor...he's a permanent fixture. In this spot. All day. Rescue dog my tail!) |
 |
| I strung together the gathered juniper branches with floral wire and created a swag above my kitchen sink. I treated it to a few silver and white snowflakes, since that will probably be the biggest snow we see in Alabama. |
 |
| Simple centerpieces of cranberry wreath and candle for the breakfast nook. |
 |
| I continued this year using garland and silver berries to sit atop my china cabinet. |
 |
| I added a little glitz to the garland using glittery reindeer from Garden Ridge. |
Merry Christmas y'all! Join me tomorrow for a quick season in review as I make my return to the Five Times Fast!
3 comments:
Alice... you're alive!!! Love your tour, especially the kitchen window swag. Love Kelly and Nester, too. :)
Alice your home is beautiful. I managed to stumble upon your blog through a friend's blog that's linked to my sister's blog! I enjoy reading it so much. It's so good to "hear" your voice in your post's. Merry Christmas!
Gorgeous!! As usual, I'm completely impressed :)
Post a Comment