The cleanest my house will ever be is about 15 minutes before I throw a party. I don’t know if you’re like me, but I go into a bit of a tizzy before I entertain. My family can usually see it coming, so they either hide, or get out of the house altogether. I guess it’s that “party adrenaline” that kicks in, and I go into cleaning overdrive. That’s what I did in getting ready for my cookie exchange this past weekend. Lucky for me, it’s just in time to participate in Jennifer Rizzo’s Holiday Home Tour linky party. 🙂
Some of these photos you’ve seen before if you’ve read my blog before, but there are some new ones in here as well, since I took advantage of my cookie exchange cleaning frenzy and shot some new ones.
We’ll start with the exterior and work our way through. Thanks for stopping by!
When you enter our home, the great room is the first thing you see, and the Christmas tree is the obvious focal point.
I Christmastized the basement for the cookie exchange, and got creative with a lot of free greenery from the yard.
I took some red ribbon and wrapped my ottoman since I haven’t figured out how I want to redo it yet. A good solution for now anyway.
And since I’m a crazy woman, I repainted my half bath with leftover paint (Benjamin Moore’s Mountain Laurel) from my kitchen evolution, and added a fun rug for some holiday flair that will work even after the holidays are over. (More on this evolution later)
Never mind that the mirror fell off the wall and shattered into a thousand pieces the night before the party…
But, it was all fine – the cookie exchange was a lot of fun, with lots of great sweet treats! I’m going to have to spend a lot of extra time in the gym to work off all of these yummy treats!
Thanks again for stopping by!
Happy Holidays!
Linking to:
Nesting Place – 2011 Holiday Home Tour
Thrifty Decor Chick – Christmas Tree Party
23 Comments
modern jane
December 12, 2011 at 11:57 amEvery detail is perfect. What a beautiful home you have!
Mariaelena
December 12, 2011 at 12:27 pmEverything looks great Jenny!!…I'm sure your cookie party guests enjoyed the beautiful decor…my annual cookie swap is on the 20th…hoping the new counter installation goes off without a hitch this Thursday..lol…and I (I mean my family) can totally relate to your pre party cleaning frenzy!!!…we are all the same…haha…now you can sit back and enjoy the holidays and your beautiful home…xo, Mariaelena
Colleen
December 12, 2011 at 1:39 pmit looks beautiful!!! I had a cookie swap too and it was so much fun!
Janell @ Isabella and Max
December 12, 2011 at 1:54 pmGorgeous, you home looks very inviting and beautiful for the holidays! Janell
Andrea
December 12, 2011 at 3:46 pmIt all looks so pretty! I love your entry =) Glad to hear I'm not the only one that goes into a pre-party frenzy!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
December 12, 2011 at 4:02 pmYour home is stunning and all of your Christmas decor is beautiful. Love the tree, so pretty. The cookies looks amazing. Hugs, Marty
pam {simple details}
December 12, 2011 at 5:07 pmSo pretty, Jenny! The greenery on your barstools is a great touch, and the red ribbon, clever and easy – my favorite!
janet
December 13, 2011 at 4:36 amYou have a beautiful home..I love the wreaths on the front doors..Your tree is gorgeous and lastly the cookie..I love them and have been know to eat several dozen on my own..LOL..
Merry Christmas..
curlysusieQ
December 13, 2011 at 11:39 amJenny, your house is so warm and inviting, tastefully decorated and makes me think of the houses here in Triple Crown. I especially like the way you decorated your family room. Merry Christmas.
Jennifer Rizzo
December 13, 2011 at 8:54 pmYour tree is gorgeous and I love your mantel!
susie
December 14, 2011 at 1:42 amOK…now I need a cookie!!!
Your Holiday Home looks amazing friend, thanks for sharing all your Season's Greetings with us!
Smiles,
Susie
A Vintage Vine
December 15, 2011 at 12:11 amJenny, it is wonderful, every little detail is perfect! Love the backs of the barstools, and the food looks delish!
Andrea
December 15, 2011 at 3:55 pmJenny, your house looks amazing! Love all the wreaths and greenery. And seeing all these cookies made me want to bake, RIGHT NOW!
Miranda
December 15, 2011 at 7:13 pmI am in love with those cranberry wreaths on your front doors. Where did you get them?
Lily
December 16, 2011 at 4:06 amLove how you've used all the greenery in your seasonal decorating, looks so classic and festive!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light
December 16, 2011 at 12:59 pmJenny, I'm dreaming of living in your beautifully decorated, nice clean house instead of the wreckage I'm currently calling home! I do that same Tazmanian Devil cleaning right before a party too! My family is SCARED and they get out for fear of being given an assignment!
Your tree in front of the big windows is beautiful, and I love the fresh greens everywhere, especially the swags on the barstools! Just lovely….enjoy it all!
Stacy Curran
December 16, 2011 at 8:11 pmOmg absolutely beautiful!!!I I'm so jealous 🙂
Stacy
Lana Austin
December 17, 2011 at 8:02 pmYou have created a fantastically ELEGANT Christmas decor theme with a playful/fun edge, too!
PERFECT!!!
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/Hugs,
Lana
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
December 21, 2011 at 9:37 pmyour home looks beautiful! love all the red accents and those red wreaths!
resham
December 23, 2011 at 12:14 ambeautiful home! I live in an apartment….hopefully someday I will have a big house…for decorating!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
arrielle_p
May 21, 2012 at 6:17 amWhat a very beautiful and lovely holiday home you have posted in here. Thanks for the tour up! 🙂
philippine real estate
Bella Michelle
October 3, 2012 at 8:13 pmYour house is just gorgeous!!! I am looking though holiday posts as our house is slated to be on the Symphony Guilds Home Tour and I need ideas!
annewalker
December 1, 2013 at 6:44 amYour home is pretty wonderful! I'd love to have an actual tour to see those magical decors and tree for myself.. Have fun and happy holidays!
Anne Walker
Christmas tree decorating ideas