Since everyone is running laps around me in the blogging world with their Christmas tours, I thought it might be time to share a few pictures of our home. Be warned, the pictures were taken late afternoon on a cloudy day (with my i-phone) and the colors might look a little off.
Let’s start with the outside. Our window boxes received a few branches from the cypress and magnolia trees just to fluff things up and make the exterior more festive. I also placed wreaths on each of our front windows and used gold ribbon to hang them. Would you believe I did not make a single wreath or garland this year? Even though they are both super easy to make, I decided to make it even easier on myself, so I bought them.
Welcome to the home of the nosiest dog on the planet! She’s up there with that “who’s here” look on her face, haha.
The jars and lanterns were already on the mantel and I just added the cypress garland and votive candles. I took this picture the other morning before I added the magnolia.
Here it is with the magnolia and all of the candles lit. I love to light all the candles at night and turn on the Christmas lights! Do you?
I picked up the snow for the lanterns at Pottery Barn. Last year I added black and white striped ribbon and evergreens to the lanterns.
Here’s a picture of our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I swear it wasn’t this small at the tree lot. We keep laughing about it, but have decided that less really is more. Maybe one day we will get around to adding the ornaments. At least the lights are on – my favorite part anyway ;).
I also added this tree topper, haha! Last year’s ribbon is making a reappearance after all.
A few leftover lemons from the wreath and boxwood…
The rest of the living room is pretty simple. A cypress garland on the banister, and a few festive cuttings in a vase, and my little deer from a few years ago are the only changes.
I’m not a fan of fake stuff during Christmas, but I do like this faux garland with lights that I picked up a few years ago. This year I put it on our china cabinet for added light in that dark corner.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without paperwhites! I forgot to give them a shot of vodka to keep them from getting leggy, oops!
That’s about it friends. Thanks for letting me ramble! Hope you enjoyed the mini tour!
All of the blog tours are absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't enjoy them more, but your simplicity and timeless look is always so refreshing and beautiful! You'll be running laps around everyone when it's time to put away and organize for 2015! 🙂
Thanks Pam! That made me laugh out loud.
Clean and simple is the way to go. I love the fresh greens approach and that's what I'm doing in my home too. I did not put out all of the Christmas decor that I own because I also decided that less really is more.
Pretty Rene!! I love how simple and refreshing it is and I also like how there is not your traditional Christmas red. I love the green, white and touches of black. We used real garland this year (cedar) and slowly finding out that my children can't stop sneezing. Whoops. It's looking like we might be taking it all down :(. Your decorations are a perfect example of less is more! Love it.
Oh no :(. Sorry to hear that Fran. Maybe they will outgrow it? Thank you!
i love all of your natural touches and love the black and white ribbon!
You and I come from the same school of Christmas decor…keep it simple! Touches of greenery, fruit and lights! Once you dime the lights and light the candles with some Christmas music playing it's all good:) Merry Christmas Rene!
Looks beautiful! Simple is my approach to Christmas decorating as well. My tree is about 4' and I love it! It has a wonderful scent and adorned with lights and special ornaments! Enjoy the season.
Yes, it smells amazing the minute I walk in the door.
So classic and cozy! I love the simplicity. Merry Christmas!
It looks beautiful! I'm with you- not a big fan of artificial stuff for Christmas decor.
It all looks so beautiful! I love your simple touches, Rene! 🙂
Your home looks beautiful Rene. Classic and elegant! I bet is it lovely at night looking in from the outside. Your windows are so pretty decked with the wreaths and looking in on a beautifully lit home. Your home has a very welcoming cozy feel to it. I love your Charlie Brown tree and hello sweet Mattie Gray!
Great tour rene! Everything looks so natural and elegant. I love the lemons on your wreath, such a fresh idea!
I loved the tour and your home is truly stunning!
Simple and beautiful – perfect in my book Rene. And I'm jealous of my Southern friends and your magnolia leaves – they always look so pretty.
Rene, your clean and simple approach to decorating is so refreshing. Love the combination of the greenery with lemons and the magnolia leaves in the vases is stunning. Hope your family has a wonderful Christmas!
love this! Simple and pretty! Your home is always so pretty and inviting!
Everything looks so pretty, Rene. Your tree doesn't look "Charlie Brown" to me! I love it. Are the candles in the lanterns battery operated? I have three battery-operated candles by Luminara that I just love. Two are in our dining room windows and one is on the mantel. I'm going to buy another one for the mantel. They look so realistic and are on a timer, so the candles are "lit" when I get home from work. So cozy! Enjoy the holiday,
Claudia
So so beautiful! Love the wreaths on the windows n