Since we spend most of our time in the living room, that is where I focused my Christmas decorating attention. I would probably do that anyway, but my Christmas decorating is scaled back this year since we just moved into our house this fall. While I love the Christmas season, it feels like it came early this year! I have been more focused on working on the house and getting settled and I feel completely unprepared for moving furniture, putting things away, and getting bins of decorations out.
There is comfort in knowing that Christmas will come no matter how much decorating I do and don’t do and that this season is about so much more than what is material. So, as I shared before, I’m doing what I can do and enjoying what I can enjoy.
You got a peek at our tree last week when I shared where I hung the advent stockings this year…
I originally thought I would put the tree by the fireplace, but I felt like it might look a little squished there and it would mean getting rid of a chair for the holiday season. This isn’t a big room, so losing one chair is a big deal if we have people over. So, I decided to put the tree in the corner between the kitchen and the back door. We moved the dresser into the dining room and it fits in that space perfectly.
I would probably remove the things off the wall normally, but since I just hung them there a couple of months ago, I’m not ready to start taking things down!
Our tree is the 8′ Noble Fir from Balsam Hill and it is a beautiful tree. Since our ceilings are 8′, the fit is just a tiny bit snug! I need to find a good solution for a topper that will fit, but I just left the tree un-topped this year.
I usually try to add a focal point to the tree with garland, ribbon, or, as was the care last year, dried hydrangeas. But, this year, I kept it simple and just hung the ornaments. And, of course, it still looks festive and pretty, showcasing ornaments that are handmade, collected over time, and gifted.
silver Wallace sleigh bells | handmade polymer clay ornaments
I’m hoping we’ll have a new fireplace mantel next year, but I’m going to work with what I have for now. Until I figure out how to hang something on this brick, an antique print is leaned up against the wall and I draped four garlands (two different varieties) across the mantel.
eucalyptus garland | chunky knit stockings
I finished it with some other faux greenery sprigs I’ve used through the years, dried orange slices, and some whelk shells I collected from Isle of Palms.
Since taking these pictures, I did add some birch logs to the antique andirons. We need to get this fireplace checked out by a chimney sweep before we start using it. We are also considering putting gas logs in when we have the gas run for the range. I like the idea of a woodburning fireplace, but I think I like the convenience of gas logs even more.
The furnishings in this room are still in flux, but it looks nice and cozy for this Christmas.
I love how the tree lights reflect off of the glass of the framed indenture. (You can read about that HERE.)
I’m already excited when I think about how this room will look in a year or five years. I just can’t help it. That’s how my brain works. But, as is the case with all of our homes when we first moved in as well as our first Christmas celebrated there, memories are being made along the way and they are just as sweet in unfinished rooms. Sometimes, they are even sweeter since the focus is on the things that really matter.
Very pretty! I love your tree and even though the room isn’t where you want it to be, it looks warm and cozy. An inviting space.
I took inspiration from you and made my own version of salt sought ornaments. Mine are up on my blog right now. I would love to know what you think. Merry Christmas!
For some reason, the colors in this house are brighter, more vivid. Do you think it’s the lighting? The blues show up beautifully!
Everything is so festive! I love it!
The things that really matter. That says it all in a small sentence of why we all love you.
Just a fyi:
Hot glue works for hanging things on brick, even outside. So you could hot glue a hanger and put your artwork on that. It also pops off with a screwdriver.
Merry Christmas.
If you get glue hairs from glued object just run a hair dryer across it and they will disapear.
If you brush the molds with cinnamon you don’t get the white residue.
If you’re referring to the “gingerbread” salt dough ornaments, they actually turn white because the salt rises to the top as they bake. I sort of like the look, though!
So beautiful, it looks like you have been living there a long time. The room looks so lived in and cozy. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
I just love this house. It’s so cozy…
Cozy was the exact word I used when I saw your fireplace area! I’d love to sit there with a mug of tea. I love a good fire going myself but was tired of the cleanup. Go with gas logs. That’s more time for your hobbies.
We also loved the look, smell and crackle of a real wood burning fireplace. First it was buying and storing the wood. Then it was cleaning up after said wood logs when they dropped their dried little bark thingies while making the trip in the house. Of course you also needed kindling to get things going. Then it was “it’s your turn to get up off the couch and throw a log on the fire.”. Next, we went with a gas starter. Needed all the messy wood but no kindling to get things going. It was an improvement. But still “it’s your turn to get up off the couch and throw a log on the fire.” We now have a lovely set of very realistic gas logs and can remain on the couch
I have a friend who burns a large candle(s) in her fireplace….or I have also seen her place a large poinsettia inside the large cavity of the fireplace.
Both are very festive.
Yes, I thought about the poinsettia, but they are poisonous to cats, so I didn’t want to go that route. The candles are a great idea! I’ve seen that before, but didn’t think of it. Thanks for reminding me.
Check out “brick clips” at Home Depot or Amazon for hanging paintings on brick 🙂
I looked at those, but I don’t think my bricks are exposed enough. Jeff told me today that he had some masonry screws and a bit! What?! So, he hung it for me today. 🙂
You are beyond talented and inspire me to rethink my Christmas decorating. I know I’m going to find out that it’s not as easy as you make it seem.
I love your focus here ❤️. It’s so true that along the way we are making memories, whether we feel ready or not! ?. A blessed Christmas to you and yours Marian. ?
Marian, It all looks great you did the best with what you had this year. I really tried to order your wrapping paper and pouches from Society6 and you never got back to me on how difficult it is to place orders (even before the holidays started) with Society6 ? ?
Love it all, but the things that keeps catching my eye are the little brass bells that you hung on each of the chunky stockings. I’m in a real “bell mood” this Christmas — I’m tying them onto everything! — and these are just THE perfect touch to an already charming room.
Lovely and cozy. I am the same way, as far as enjoying this year and planning for Christmases to come. We haven’t been in our new to us home, so I’m enjoying the decorations that are up, but the people I share them with matter the most.
Merry Christmas
Love it ….actually, I like the tree best as it is instead of with a theme. To me, they are supposed to reflect family memories, and sometimes I feel that gets lost with all the hoopla of making them themed. Not that the others aren’t pretty …. they just don’t look personal.
Your Christmas tree is beautiful! I love all your decorating ideas. I’m so busy stocking my retail spaces that I haven’t even started decorating my house! ? I was very late last year also. Since I live alone there is no one to disappoint but me. Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas with your family!
I just noticed your leather sofa in your living room. Was that a purchase or a find?
Source, please?
lu, please don’t bother asking Marian any questions because she refuses to answer any of them ! !
Irene, I just sent you an e-mail and I’ve responded to you twice about the ordering issue on Society6. Maybe my messages aren’t going through? In my e-mail, I suggested reaching out to Society6.com customer support about the issue. I don’t have any control over the ordering, manufacturing, or shipping, so I’m not sure there is anything I can do. I have been able to place my orders successfully, so I’m not sure what problem you’re experiencing.
Irene….WOWSA!!!! It’s busy season and she has workers coming in all doors at all times…cut some slack.
……..lu, the leather sofa was bought while she was in her PA home. It was moved to Jeff’s office while in MN…I think there was no room or a best place for it in the Mn home. I think, I remember it was from Pottery Barn??? She saved points and coupons and did a splurge. anyway it was quite a while ago. She had a post all about it. Maybe if you type in “leather sofa PA home” in the “search this blog ” area you might find it…..anyway it was a long time ago. Hope this helps.
Wow Irene. I’d like to gently ask you: are these manners how you were raised? You are not entitled to a personalized reply from everyone on the internet. And even if you were, this is not the way to respond. Moreover, Marian actually did give you an answer; before displaying this kind of rudeness, you should have gone back and checked your previous comment first, where you would have seen it. I think you owe her an apology.
I totally agree with you, Irene people important or not have others to respond to as well not just you… I saw your previous posts and thought she was responding. Perhaps, manners and a better attitude would help you. Have a Merry Christmas ?
It is the Brooklyn sofa from Pottery Barn. I bought it several years ago, but I think it is still available.
It looks lovely! Lee Valley (and other hardware stores I’m sure) sell brick clip fasteners that hook onto your bricks.
If your bricks are normal size bricks….go on Amazon and look for “brick clips”. Major game changer! I can hang anything anywhere on a brick fireplace. Good luck!
Even if the room and fire place are not your first choice, a lot of people would be happy to have their homes look like yours. We all know that it will change in time and that you will design it in your very own taste. We will wait to see the transformation. The tree is nice, but how to finish the top? Right now is has green rabbit ears; in your next message you will show your clever solution. Just have fun.
You can buy brick clips. I usually get mine at Lowe’s. They work great.
I was so happy to see a blurry kitty in one of your photos. Glad they’re finally back home with you!!
Beautiful room! I agree with you that the convenience of a gas fireplace outweighs the beauty of a wood burning one. How do I know this? Because I’ve had both before! We currently have a wood burning fireplace because my husband loves them, but we don’t have fires nearly as often because it’s a lot of work and clean up involved when we do have a fire. I wish we had compromised when we built our house and installed a gas fireplace inside and a wood burning one outside where the mess wouldn’t really matter.
I love how this space has come together in such a short time, I especially love the warmth of the books in the shelves on either side of your fireplace. Books add so much texture, color and a lived in feeling. Do you really need a tree topper? Maybe just tie a bow and let the tails cascade? I’m glad you didn’t add ribbon on the tree itself, I know a lot of people like to wind ribbon around a tree, but I like the focus to be on the ornaments, so your tree in a winner to me!
Marian, your tree is so pretty! I love how you have decorated your fireplace mantel. How nice that Jeff was able to hang your picture. Your home is so cozy and you have added so many of your personal touches to it. Enjoy your beautiful home and your lovely Christmas decor.
Beautiful room, I love everything about it! Tree is awesome and love your bell collection. Merry Christmas!
You have created a beautiful, comfortable home in a short time!
Your house looks beautiful! It’s amazing to me how much you’ve already accomplished in such a short time. Can’t wait to see your remodeled kitchen. Was just in Gettysburg this past weekend and always think of you and your family when we’re there. So happy for you that you’re close to your family once again. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Everything looks beautiful, Marian. So glad you have such a great attitude. Your boys, I would assume, are not nearly as interested in “finished” rooms as “Christmas”. Have a wonderful holiday season!
You have that talent for making all the rooms you style appear so inviting and beautiful. I appreciate your willingness to enjoy the season and do what seems doable after a recent move, to decorate for Christmas.
I always walk away from your posts with lots of inspiration and ideas. Thank you.
Karen B.