Day 1: 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Tour of Homes!

Hello friends!

Welcome to the first day of the 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes! 

I’m so glad you’re here, and am excited to kick off the tour by sharing my home.  It’s going to be a great twelve days of beautiful homes, so come on in, sit back and enjoy!

Mother Nature knew you were coming, and brought some Christmas snow just for the occasion.  It definitely makes the wreaths in the window look even more festive.  As my son put it, “wreaths are our thing.”  Suffice to say, I’m a wee bit obsessed it’s a recurring theme.

Come on in!  Don’t mind the giant, curious dog.

If you’re new here, the fireplace is a newly completed DIY project – a year in the making and the longest project ever.  Was it worth it?  Yes.  Will I do masonry again?  No way. Ever.
Suffice to say, it’s been a lot of fun dressing it up for the holidays.  Finally.

 

 
On to the dining room. 

The centerpiece is simple with candles and greenery from the yard on a silver tray.

I wish I could take credit for these cute Santa napkin rings – I actually picked them up at a garage sale earlier this year.  An easy DIY though.  So cute.

I think this is one of my most favorite Christmas decorations.  It was made after my great-grandmother died over thirty years ago, using her costume jewelry.  I love it, even in its faded glory.

 
Holiday decorating in the kitchen is pretty limited to (you guessed it), a wreath on my kitchen island.
 
Christmas cards are starting to trickle in, and I decided to make my sliver of a chalkboard wall into a holiday card gallery wall.  So fun – holiday cards are one of my favorite parts of the season.
 

Our basement is where we do most of our holiday entertaining, so let’s take a peek.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the wreath hoarding.

I’m proud to say that I actually made the wreaths that are hanging on my barstools.

 

We even swapped out the Indiana Jones movie poster for Buddy the Elf.  Love him.

I have been meaning to add a chalkboard to this unused niche, and I finally got to it.  Now if only I could get my chalk letters more to scale…

Since this is the entertaining space, we added a second tree down here this year.  You need a tree to enjoy with friends and family, right?  I love that it’s small, simple and easy to decorate.  There’s something to be said for simple when it comes to the holidays.

 
Finally, in the backyard, we added some real garland outside to make it a little more festive.
 
That wraps it up for me – don’t miss Day 2, tomorrow at Shine Your Light, and you can follow along on Pinterest too!
https://www.shineyourlightblog.com/
 
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61 Comments

  • Reply
    Cyndy Aldred
    December 9, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Oh Jenny, your home is so beautiful and so beautifully decorated for Christmas! So many wonderful ideas!! I love all of your chalkboard signs and wreaths! I'm a wreath girl myself and you can never have enough, right! Thank you so much for sharing your home with us. Absolutely stunning!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 3:14 am

      Thanks so much, Cyndy. It's nice to know I'm not the only wreath-obsessed woman out there. I'm a collector, not a hoarder. There is a fine line. 😉

  • Reply
    Kris @ Driven by Décor
    December 9, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    First of all, there is no such thing as too many wreaths (coming from a fellow wreath-obsessed gal). Secondly, your house is gorgeous! I love all the little details but my favorite is the christmas tree made from your grandmother's jewelry. It's the pieces with sentiment that really make the holidays special!

  • Reply
    Andrea
    December 9, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    I agree with Kris, you can never have too many wreaths! Love that you added Buddy the Elf to the mix also. That tree made of your grandmother's costume jewelry is amazing. I can see why it is your favorite. Such a great tour. I think I'll pick up a few more wreaths today!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 3:11 am

      How can you not love Buddy, right? And the jewelry tree is always such a sweet reminder of my Granny. She was an amazing woman.

  • Reply
    Sonya Barker
    December 9, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    Your home is gorgeous! I LOVE your basement! Such a beautifully decorated home for the holidays! ~Sonya

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 3:12 am

      Thanks so much Sonya. The basement is what sold us on this house – we love it and use it all the time. Tanks for stopping by!

  • Reply
    Andrea
    December 9, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    Beautiful! Your fireplace is amazing! I need to find one of those now showing frames for our theatre room. Buddy was a perfect choice for this time of year…..we sure love our Buddy!

  • Reply
    Lisa @ Shine Your Light
    December 9, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Jenny, your house is SO beautiful to begin with – all that fabulous architecture and the details! I love it all dressed up for Christmas, your pretty wreaths and festive touches are all so lovely and cheerful! Thanks so much for sharing it!

  • Reply
    pam {simple details}
    December 9, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous, Jenny! I love the piece made from your Grandma's jewelry, how fortunate that you have it, I'd be tempted to keep it up year round. : ) Your basement looks so festive, the bright colors and greenery against all your white is so fun and lively! Enjoy the season, my friend!

  • Reply
    Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
    December 9, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    beautiful! i love the tree you made from jewelry as well and LOVE those red ribbons on the windows! beautiful! oh, and the elf poster. 🙂

  • Reply
    Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door
    December 9, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    Your home is absolutely beautifully Jenny. You are so good with the details and I love all of your wreaths. You can never have enough I think. 🙂 Happy Holidays!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 3:09 am

      I agree with you on the wreaths! Especially at the holidays, right? 😉

  • Reply
    Leslie at Lekalia Interiors
    December 9, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    That sweet jewelry tree is the best thing ever! Love!

  • Reply
    Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles
    December 9, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Wow, Jenny…Winter Wonderland! Your basement is to die for, and I love how festive it is! Not to mention your FIREPLACE….Love love love with that giant chalk art! And, I'm definitely storing away your chalk wall Christmas card idea, how fun! Thanks for the lovely tour!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 3:08 am

      Thanks Jennifer! I'm a smitten kitten for chalk art (and zillions of wreaths). Must incorporate more chalk art once the holidays are over!

  • Reply
    Laura@Elegant Nest
    December 9, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Such a beautiful home to enjoy the holidays. I absolutely love the jewelry tree…so festive and sentimental…perfect for the season! Thanks for sharing…

  • Reply
    Jennifer
    December 9, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    How do you clean your chalkboard walls? We just painted one wall in my daughter's room as chalkboard and it is driving me crazy with not being able to get it really clean.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 3:06 am

      Magic Erasers! 🙂

  • Reply
    CYNTHIA CRANE
    December 9, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    Oh, my goodness! Your home and holiday decorating is stunning! So many wonderful decorating ideas – thank you so much for sharing. And your fireplace project – Fantastic! I happen to have a fireplace EXACTLY LIKE YOURS – only mine is brick, the ugliest EVER – until I painted it white when I moved into my house a year ago. But my dream is to do a stone facing like yours …. someday! LOL! Congratulations on a fabulous job!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 3:06 am

      Thanks so much Cynthia. A corner fireplace definitely made the project more of a pain. Square corners would be a dream from everything to stone work to the woodwork involved with the mantel. I curse you corner fireplace! But, at least with a brick fireplace, you would have a great foundation to work with, requiring fewer steps!

  • Reply
    Lisa Rozario
    December 9, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    You have a beautiful home and love your paint color choices. And it is perfectly decorated for the holidays and looks warm and inviting. Look forward to the rest of the series..

  • Reply
    the cape on the corner
    December 9, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    what a bright basement! love all the chalkboards.

  • Reply
    Stacey {steward of design}
    December 9, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Your home looks wonderful! How lucky for you to get snow, what a perfect backdrop. And I love the wreaths, especially the ones you made that are on the bar stools. Adding the Elf movie poster was a great idea. We love that movie.

  • Reply
    Mary Jo
    December 9, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    I love your Christmas decorating! The pretty chandelier and simple table arrangement are just lovely! Also I can really feel the spirit of your great-grandmother in that beautiful piece that you made with her jewelry, I love that.

    p.s. In awe over your fireplace. I redid mine with paint over the summer and it was traumatic, haha.

    xo Mary Jo
    http://MagicalMined.blogspot.com

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 3:02 am

      Thanks Mary Jo. The fireplace was definitely one that we will never forget, but at least with a brick fireplace you wouldn't have to go through as many steps to prep the surface for stone. That is one upside. 🙂

  • Reply
    Gwells
    December 9, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    Absolutely stunning. The wreaths are the perfect touch everywhere. Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply
    Vel Criste
    December 9, 2013 at 6:03 pm

    Your home is absolutely stunning Jenny!!! love that brooch tree too!!! And your basement is just the perfect place for a holiday party! great job!

  • Reply
    Jen C
    December 9, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    Jenny! Your home is stunning! My favorite thing right now is chalkboard subway art so I'm loving your chalkboard Christmas signs, but I love your new stone fireplace, your paint colors, etc. I wonder how hard it would be to change a gas fireplace from being based on the floor to raising it to have a hearth? We have that classic cookie cutter home with no character and it desparately needs some interesting details.

  • Reply
    Design Amateur
    December 9, 2013 at 7:17 pm

    Love your house. I noticed the wreaths on your front door were hung with Command Hooks. Is that how you hung the ones on the windows? How about the inside ones, especially the chalkboard print on the fireplace stone? I need more wreaths.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 3:00 am

      I should own stock in Command Hooks. I used them for all of my wreaths. The chalkboard print above the fireplace is hanging from a screw though. I'm thinking my house is bordering on being the crazy wreath house. But is that a bad thing? 😉

  • Reply
    Andrea
    December 9, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    You have such a beautiful home, and you did an amazing job with your Christmas decorations!! Thank you so much for taking us inside!!

    XOXO,
    The Glam Pad

  • Reply
    Deidra Brown
    December 9, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    Hello Jenny I am so glad that I found your blog. I love your home and the decor. I hope to continue to read and follow your blog everyday. Great Taste!!!!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 10, 2013 at 2:57 am

      Thanks Deidra! I'm glad you found me!

  • Reply
    Linda {Calling it Home}
    December 9, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    What a beautiful home you have. Looks so festive for Christmas. Love the dog shot 🙂

  • Reply
    BlueClearSky Elizabeth
    December 9, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    Very pretty! What a great space to entertain in the basement as well and so beautifully decorated. Thanks for the tour and Merry Christmas!

  • Reply
    Laura @ Top This Top That
    December 9, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    Everything is so beautiful and festive. Happy holidays.

  • Reply
    Crissy @ House of Marlowe
    December 10, 2013 at 9:21 am

    Really beautiful! My favorite is the Christmas tree made from your Grandmother's jewelry…. such a treasure! Merry Christmas!

  • Reply
    Becky Fettig
    December 10, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    Really beautiful home! I was wondering how you keep your wreaths hung onto your front doors? Are your hooks attached onto the lead glass windows? My husband won't let me use any nails on our wood front doors, but I see you have a different idea 🙂 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

  • Reply
    Carrie @ Cosy Carolina Interiors
    December 10, 2013 at 7:01 pm

    Wreaths are sort of my thing, too! 🙂 Your home looks beautiful. I especially love how bright your basement feels!

  • Reply
    Calypso In The Country
    December 10, 2013 at 8:48 pm

    Your home is so pretty! I love all the wreaths and that special jewelry tree! Your dog is so sweet to greet us!
    Cheers! – Shelley

  • Reply
    Eclectically Vintage
    December 10, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    Anyone who is a fan of Buddy the Elf is a friend of mine! Your home looks amazing!
    Kelly

  • Reply
    SHERRY HART
    December 11, 2013 at 1:31 am

    Beautiful home and decorations Jenny! Thanks for the tour:)

  • Reply
    Albertina M. Cisneros
    December 11, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Wao!! It's so beautiful!! Every detail is so amazing and festive. You did an amazing job. And how wonderful you all get to enjoy it. I'm here from The Little Black Door.

  • Reply
    Stacey
    December 11, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    Wow! Very impressive! I am drooling over everything! Visiting from Little Black Door.

  • Reply
    Sarah
    December 11, 2013 at 11:17 pm

    Amazing! Where did you find the movie poster holder with lights around it? I love it!

  • Reply
    Nasir al Din Nasr Totah
    December 12, 2013 at 5:01 am

    Nice interior designs. Thanks for hosting this post to all. I like it a lot.

  • Reply
    Cathy Wall
    December 12, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    Just lovely! Your home is very festive and your decorations perfect. My favorite is the same as yours, the tree from your great grandmother's jewelry, how clever and sentimental! Happy Holidays!

  • Reply
    queenbeaz
    December 12, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    The chalkboard designs around the Christmas cards is such a smart idea! Yes, the snow really enhances the outdoor decorations. 🙂

  • Reply
    Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted
    December 12, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    Beautiful! I especially love the apple green and red decor. Question~is the chalkboard art on the bar mirror a poster or is that an actualy chalkboard?

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