Welcome! I’m so glad you stopped by for the annual Christmas tour of our home in the Pacific Northwest. This is part one of a two-part tour; I’ll share the second half later. I also post an “aftermath” update once the holidays are over — it’s always fun to see what changes after all the festivities. For now, come on in and take a look around.
Our home sits between forest and sea, and that setting inspired this year’s decorations. I don’t usually do a strict theme, but the forest-and-sea idea came together naturally and felt right for our house.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I keep holiday decor simple and intentional. I enjoy adding a bit of greenery and a few festive touches to create a cozy, magical atmosphere for family time without adding holiday stress. Over the years we’ve settled into this house more and more, and each Christmas feels a little more like home.
As I photographed the house, Jack and Lily—our goldendoodle and labradoodle—kept peeking out the door, curious about visitors. They love meeting new friends, so I had to capture a quick shot of them waiting to greet you.
If you noticed a white and gray rug in earlier summer photos, it’s tucked away for now. Winter in the PNW means wet weather and mud, and I prefer washable rugs during the season. When the weather improves the white rug will come back out.
At the door I used a hanging basket filled with a mix of fresh and faux greenery. It’s rustic and lasts through winter—perfect for low-maintenance seasonal style.
Come on in! I love working with fresh greenery, and it’s abundant where we live. This year I bought cedar boughs from a local nursery—cheap and easy to replace if they dry out. Garland can be messy when it becomes brittle from fireplace heat, so boughs made more sense for us.
For the stairway I tried something different: rope tied around the newel posts with cedar and a simple ribbon bow. It was quick, affordable, and I love the casual look. I may skip full garland from now on.
I’ll keep my comments brief as you wander through the photos. If you have questions about anything you see, ask and I’ll answer in a follow-up post.
I found a vintage sled at a flea market and thought it made a perfect winter accent in the entry. It adds charm and a little nostalgia—maybe we’ll try it out if we get snow.
I use fresh greenery from our yard—boxwood and evergreens—to add sprigs to the table. It’s an easy way to bring seasonal color and fragrance indoors.
The teapot on display is a cherished gift from my husband—bought during an anniversary weekend at a tea house years ago. It’s one of those small treasures that feels especially festive at this time of year.
Instead of a mug tree I put together a hot chocolate station with a tiered stand and a nutcracker watching over the marshmallows. A wooden “peace” banner I made last year made a repeat appearance—when I craft something I tend to use it for years.
Charlie Brown Christmas tunes play in the background to set a cozy mood.
I used downloadable chalkboard art that says “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” I printed it locally and framed it—simple, cheerful, and exactly the spirit I wanted in the hallway.
I made Mason jar snow globes as an easy, low-fuss craft that fits with the casual feel of our home.
In the family room you can see our freshly cut tree—one of my favorite parts of the season. The house smells amazing with fresh pine, and ornaments with special memories make the tree meaningful to our family.
Most items in our home carry memories—vacation finds, gifts, or pieces that remind us of special times. I prefer meaningful, slightly eclectic decor to overly themed or matchy holiday displays.
This year’s tree features a playful mix of animal ornaments from the forest and the sea. We collect quirky creatures with personality and love how they add humor and charm. Many of these ornaments date back to an earlier woodland-themed tree, and we enjoy having them out year after year.
The little felt sea turtle is one of my favorites—a sweet reminder of coastal shops and small treasures found on visits to the coast.
That wraps up the first half of our Christmas tour. I’ll share more photos and details in part two—thanks for touring our home and sharing a little of our holiday spirit.
Thanks so much for coming!
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born…and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
See part two of this Christmas house tour for more photos and details.