Good morning everyone! I hope this weekend left you all feeling rested and well. I know the holidays can leave everyone feeling a bit harried sometimes, so I hope you’ve all gotten a good head start with all your holidaisical whatnots. If not, let’s just say you’re in good company with us ;} I wanted to start out by saying thank you, once again, to our wonderful participants from last weeks first ever Week of Giving at The Handmade Home. Weren’t they amazing? Be sure to check out the giveaways that are still open, and pay these fabulous companies a visit in search of your holiday finds. They’re definitely one of a kind!
Today, I thought I would kick the week off by touching on sharing some of what we’ve been up to around our home for the holidays. Along with a few little go-tos that always work for us. I know you guys have been at it, too, and I’d love to see your decor! {Be sure to leave me a link in the comments section, if you’re up to it!} But starting it off, I decided to mix it up a little this year by creating this handmade “Joy” wreath.
I had fun filling our little centerpiece to the brim with mini avalanches waiting to happen fun ornaments!
We always go for the real McCoy when it comes to those trees. After wanting to claw my eyeballs out for the third year in a row when our ‘pre-lit’ tree was no longer lit after the first year of usage, {I guess we just had bad luck} and in realizing our children really love the idea of choosing something, and then asking us if it’s dead, and musing/mourning over the fact that we murdered a tree {Don’t tell anyone, but I think they’re still trying to catch on to this whole Christmas bit} we thought we should make a tradition of it…And I have to admit, we adore that smell.
I wanted to mix up our colors by bringing in some peacock hues, contrasted with rust + silver + grays. So I caved for the first time in a long time, and stocked up on some blues, greens and contrasting copper tones this season. I think it was time for a little update…
We made this little barn door piece for our mantel, to bring in more of that color. {I’ll finally be getting around to our how to, tomorrow!}
I created some more stars (this time with cardboard and twigs) hanging them from our inner windows for a little christmas-sy ensemble.
And mixed in a little modpodged wood, attached to old mantel stocking hangers for a personalized mantel. Here’s where I cheat: someone asked me recently how I keep my children from pulling on their stockings, and causing a massive avalanche. I confess: I keep a {somewhat anal retentive} eye out, but for the idea of keeping things from budging: a dab of hot glue underneath keeps it secure, and then pops right off. The stocking holders hold everything back in the greenery department, and {fingers crossed} ever since I started using that lil trick, there have been no ornamental losses. Or serious injuries. Hot glue is my answer for everything. I’m like that guy about the windex. Except for me, it’s hot glue. Need stitches? Hot glue! I probably just totally jinxed myself. Sey. Lah. Veey. {That’s Southern for that’s french for such is life.}
My living room changes colors {just like everyone elses-sorry I’m such a dork} in different times of the day. Thus the warm vs. cool shots. Its bothering me, but I’m too tired and lazy to go back and re-do. So now you get an awkward explanation instead. Woot!
Keepin’ it real with the forgotten remote and our creepy elf.
Each room has its own little subtle touch.
The kids love their little trees.
And poinsettias are an effortless way to throw a little christmas on the table…or in the corner…
Here’s to hoping you have a wonderful, blessed holiday season…and lots of fun decorating for it! What are some of your easy old faithful go to kinda tactics that you use each year? Spill it. ;}
Have a wonderful, non-harried Monday! {Here’s to me trying, anyway!}
Be sure to click around if you’re looking for our star garland or gift tag freebies!
Jenny@EvolutionofStyle says
What a beautifully festive home! I love it! Great touches in every space without being over the top. Classic and elegant.
paige says
love it all!!!
jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof says
Ashley, everything looks beautiful! I love the stars you made from cardboard & twigs! They really add to the room hanging from the windows, great idea! The little tree in your kids room is adorable 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Catherine says
Your home is beautiful for the holidays!! Love the joy sign and the stars. We just had a DIY disaster here on the weekend with about a ton of willow, so maybe I’ll make some stars to use it up!
xo
Catherine
cassie says
it looks amazing! i seriously love everything about your home! gorgeous!
Maury @ Life on Mars says
I love your use of non-traditional colors! Everything looks AMAZING.
Cherie says
Beautiful! An alternative to tree homicide is to purchase your pine root ball and all, then plant and enjoy outside for years to come! If you don’t have the space you can always donate to your local tree/land preservation society!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I’d thought about that one, Cherie. May have to look into it next year! ;}
angie @ seriouslyahomemaker says
oh my lands! what a beautiful home! i absolutely love every room and will now defer to you as my inspiration. have a merry christmas, ash!
ashley @ the handmade home says
thanks sweet lady! the very same to you and yours! ;}
Pamelotta says
I love it all! Every decoration seems to blend effortlessly into your everyday decor. Really classic.
I tried my hand at the wreath project you did for your dining room. What a fun project it turned out to be and everyone who sees it loves it! Thanks for the idea!
Here’s the post I did about it.
http://www.pamelotta.blogspot.com/2011/12/crafty-christmas-project.html
Krista@TheGatheringPlaceDesign says
LOVE, LOVE….LOVE! Your home is amazing, and your Chrismtas touches add even more:)
Seriously Sassy Mama says
Everything is old-faithful when it comes to Christmas in my house. i have ornaments and figurines that I have had since I was a child. I had something new every year. Always the same ornaments on the tree. One of these days, I am going to have to get a bigger tree. Oh, and always colored lights!
Melissa B says
Love it! Especially the color combination! So inspiring….
Anna @ agoodhome says
I use mercury glass and a few little green ornament twiggy things every year. I’m not even sure where/when I got the twigs, but I love them! I added some burlap stockings this year for some more texture. Here’s the link! http://agoodhomeblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-stockings-anyone.html
Isabella says
Love it! Everything you do is simple, but amazing! 😀
Alison Logue says
Your house looks beautiful, and I love your Christmas decor. I really like how you’ve brought Christmas to the entire house! I especially love your mantel and the wood stars in front of the windows. 🙂
I get so excited when I see The Handmade Home show up in my email inbox every day. Your blog is one of the ones I most look forward to. I really like your style and sense of humor. Keep on doing what you do! You inspired me to start my own blog a few weeks ago. Here are my Christmas posts. Hope you enjoy!!
http://www.pigandpaint.com/2011/12/christmas-time.html
http://www.pigandpaint.com/2011/12/add-sparkle-to-your-christmas-cards.html
ashley @ the handmade home says
Alison! you just made my night. so sweet!!! can’t wait to check out your awesome blog!
Rachel P. says
You are so fabulous & totally inspiring! Love your Christmas decor! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Linda says
Your home is so cozy and inviting! I adore your daughter’s room – how beautiful:)
Laura says
Your home is beautiful! So inviting, especially at the holidays!
Melanie says
Your home is unbelievably gorgeous. Such talent for decorating and making things so beautiful. 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
oh my goodness. thank you, melanie!
Becky says
Your house looks great! I love how you have added simple touches throughout the home. It really adds to the fun of the season without going completely overboard…nice job! 🙂 Here is our holiday decor for 2011: http://www.diynewbies.com/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas/
jenni Horne says
Just lovely…all of it. It’s got to make your hearts sing. I know our simple yet personal decorations do.
Terri Longtine says
I love it all!! But the best was when I got to the end and saw your star teetering on that twig on the top! It made me chuckle! How did you get it to stay? Not the hot glue!?! I think you have started something…it may just be the womans answer to duck tape!! You are such a rebel Ashley! Love, love, love your blog!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
haha Terri! The idea that I’m a rebel made me laugh. and then I said to myself, “self, a rebel you are indeed.” what? I need rest. anyway, no hot glue I was just too lazy to trim the top, and our kids like it as high as it can go. so there the star stayed!
Jennifer says
everything is so very beautiful; I need to make myself some of those stars. next year! 🙂 i’ll start earlier next year! (so I say to myself every year…)
Michelle says
It is so pretty! I love the stars in the windows!
Happy Christmas!
Courtney says
ashley – your house looks so beautiful! great job!
Amanda R. says
Your house and decorations are amazing! Love it all!
Ali says
Hi!! I am a new reader (found you at the Nester’s party) and I am IN LOVE with your home. It’s so beautiful…all of it! I’m ezpecially in love with your kid’s rooms. They both are PERFECT!!! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 🙂
~Ali
ashley @ the handmade home says
thank you sweet gal! ;}
Kim says
I wandered over to your site via Pinterest and am so inspired by your style of decorating! Actually, what originally caught my eye was the rug in the photos with your full sized Christmas tree – may I ask the name of the manufacturer? I have been searching a new rug for my great room and love the unique design on yours!
Thanks you and Merry Christmas!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Kim! It is a rug from West Elm, that I purchased about five years ago. I’m pretty sure they no longer make it, but you may be able to find something similar. it’s one of our favorites and they have great rugs! sorry I couldn’t be more help than that :{ Have a wonderful Christmas! ;}
amy says
Hi Ashely, love your blog! You.are.brilliant! Keep up the fabulous inspirations. Looking to find some storage units like the awesome ones in E’s room and your living room. Any ideas?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Amy! – do you live anywhere near me? because I can tell you where Emerson’s came from. It’s a flea market here, but a lady sells them. The other one in our foyer came from a friend…its a genuine antique piece. It was bright red when I spied it, and we did a trade for a piece that I had. ;} Sorry that’s probably not much help!
amy says
Alas no, or I would snab up your house in a heartbeat! I am in WI. I will have to scour the flea markets. Thanks! Have a great day!