We finally put our Christmas tree back up a few days ago, even though boxes and general chaos still surround us. We knew we wouldn’t be completely unpacked before the holidays, but taking an hour to decorate in our new house for our little one’s first Christmas felt perfect. We found a great spot in the corner of the living room, right by the sliding doors to the sunroom and the doorway to the kitchen.
On the back of the fireplace in the living room I hung my favorite Pottery Barn wreath, a thoughtful gift from John’s mom a few years ago. I keep picturing the green bookcase next to it with a roaring fire someday—everything will feel cozier once we get that fireplace double-sided and working.
The other side of the fireplace, which faces the eat-in part of the kitchen, has its own festive display.
Yes, the mix of paneling, dark brick, and red tile is a lot, but it still feels homey. For now I’ve embraced the contrast by hanging our stockings (John and I share one, while Clara and Burger each have their own), arranging a few feather trees, and adding some ceramic fruit and birds. A cardboard snowflake wreath adds a playful, handmade touch until we can prime and paint to brighten the space.
While unpacking I found those silver zebra-patterned plates from Crate & Barrel and decided to perch them on the mantel. Why not—after all, it’s the kitchen side of the room. They add a bit of holiday sparkle and give my eyes something shiny to land on instead of the darker finishes.
Those little metallic plates really lift the mantel, and they’re an easy, no-commitment way to brighten the space during the season. We’re excited to paint and fully refresh this area down the road.
Speaking of painting, we also tackled Clara’s room over the weekend. It felt great to be back in our painting clothes and to head in a fresh direction from her previous nursery. We’ll take photos and share the new look soon.
Update: You can find a curated list of our favorite holiday decor picks—many priced under $15—in our holiday decor roundup.