Happy Christmas Tour 2017

Michelle Meyer

6 years ago

This year we’re starting the happy Christmas tour in the kitchen, and of course I have a few plaid accents. I don’t know how to decorate any other way. With all the plaid patterns available these days, it’s impossible for me to pass up. As you scroll through you will notice a hint of plaid in almost every photo.

This may sound goofy, but it wouldn’t be Christmas without our gingerbread house. It’s always a show stopper when someone walks through the kitchen and randomly presses the button on the front. We all laugh as it lights up and plays a tune from the nutcracker. Somethings never get old.

My kitchen is on the small side, making decorating a challenge. If you have a container that can serve double duty, it’s a keeper. The dough bowl is handy for a spur of the moment arrangements like this one. Tucked inside are pine branches, a moss cover sphere, walnuts and fresh apples.

Taking center stage on the coffee table is an arrangement of fresh pine and cedar branches. I added a poinsettia stem to the center that broke off while I was watering. The arrangement smells wonderful and fills the house with clean woodsy scents.

Here’s a tip – if you want to add a poinsettia stem to an arrangement, snip off a stem at the base, remove the bottom leaves and sear the cut end with a lighter. They should last at least week if not longer.

Get a load of that sunlight. The family room is the brightest room in the house making this my favorite room to photograph. Sunshine always makes me happy and brings out the best colors in the room.

Peaking through the back ground are the snowy pinecones I shared with you last week and the mantel with a fresh bay leaf garland.

Covering the chalkboard is a bay leaf wreath decorated with a single plaid ribbon, with just enough room to write, ‘Merry and Bright’. The green leaves make a beautiful addition to the navy wall.

In the foyer the mercury glass trees are decorated with yards of ribbon. Keeping the look casual, I allowed the ribbon to unwind in a free-form fashion around the trees.

Remember the cup rack I put in the foyer at the beginning of this year? Instead of hanging coats and scarves on it, I decided this would be a great spot for stockings. Just for fun, I add three sleigh bells, an antler and a wreath to form the shape of a tree.

The last room on the tour is the living room, with a magnolia garland crowning the bookcase. I will probably leave the garland up, long after the tree is packed away. I just love the warm inviting feel it gives the room.

The Christmas tree was featured last week in a post but since then, I made a few changes. During the Thanksgiving feast the family requested that I add some of the old ornaments to the tree which I happily complied. Secretly, I was testing them to see if they noticed and they did!