Christmas Tour 2016
HHello, friends. Merry Christmas and welcome—I’m so glad you’re here for our Christmas Tour 2016. We’ve been living in Seattle for just over a year and we truly love it. Welcome to our home.
Watch the video above in HD or view it on YouTube for full screen.
I’m honored to be part of this holiday blog tour hosted by Lindsay of The White Buffalo Styling Co. If you arrived here from Shauna at The House of Silver Lining, welcome! Their homes are so lovely.
I love touring homes at Christmas. If looking at other houses ever makes you feel like yours isn’t festive enough, know you’re not alone—my home isn’t perfectly finished either. In fact, I almost didn’t get this room ready in time. Since our fall house tour, the kitchen has been under construction for months (we’re about two weeks from finishing!) and we’re installing new flooring and exterior doors in the next couple of weeks.
It’s been exciting but messy.
Lumber and supplies have been scattered through the house and furniture has been displaced. I hoped our projects would be done by the tour, but at least there’s a good chance they’ll finish before Christmas. A few days ago I felt the house was too dusty and chaotic to decorate, but in a small Christmas miracle I went on a cleaning frenzy and managed to set up decorations in the living room and half the dining room.
Three days ago I was literally on my hands and knees wiping construction dust off the floor before photos. My contractor looked surprised when I started styling and photographing the rooms among the mess—he even began picking up tiles and trim to help out. It was a close call, but I finished just in time to join the tour.
I can’t present a whole-house tour this year, but I’m relieved to show one and a half tidy rooms. I love the idea of every room being festive, and I might decorate more and share updates in the coming weeks, but for now this is what I have—so let’s hang out here.
The feel of our home has evolved since we moved in, especially over the past months. Besides the new kitchen, we’ve been painting, arranging furniture, and layering comfy textures to create a cozy winter vibe. One of my favorite features is the rear windows in the living, dining, and kitchen that look out over the Puget Sound and the mountains. A neutral palette and simple layers make this room feel warm and inviting. It was supposed to snow today, so I added a photo showing the yard in snow.
I love this little wire basket of evergreen clippings, pinecones and silver decorations.
Leather loveseat source
You can glimpse the in-progress kitchen through the arch in the dining room—the blue you see is primer. I’m very excited to share the finished kitchen soon.
We swapped our living room rug for a larger, more neutral one this winter. It quiets the space and adds a cozy feel—I’ll share more about it later.
I made these DIY mason jar snow globes years ago and keep them assembled so I can bring them out each year.
Coastal touches reflect family memories and fit our view of the sound. We decorated this little tree with glass whales, sailboats and other special ornaments.
The dining room has been chaotic while connected to the kitchen work, but it was fun to clear the table and style a simple cloche with snow and a quirky reindeer.
I wish we could have baked these cookies, but we don’t have an oven yet. We look forward to winter baking in the new kitchen.
Leather loveseat source
Each year I add a few new ornaments so I can fill bowls or a trough with pretties.
Linen settee source
Rattan daybed source
Lily’s expression during Jack’s antics always cracks me up.
I’m so glad I got this corner of the house pulled together. If your home feels chaotic, start with one cleaner, more festive spot. Savor it—look at the lights, breathe in seasonal scents, and be present. I keep leaving the messy rooms and sitting in the living room because it brings peace.
It’s not about how much we do or how perfectly we do it. What matters is savoring the season and finding joy in counting our blessings.
Merry Christmas from our house to yours.
Be sure to visit Amber at Restless Arrow for the next stop on the tour—her home is beautiful and I can’t wait to see it.
Room Sources:
- It Is Well Sign (discount code noted in images)
- Leather loveseat
- Chunky wool cable knit light gray area rug
- Cotton wreath (similar)
- Linen wingback settee
- Rattan daybed
- Ivory cable knit pillow
- Gray coffee table
- Botanical artwork
- Linen curtains
- Brass floor lamp
- Fireplace paint details
- Leather Moroccan pouf
- Woven wood shades
- Gray velvet pillow covers
- Dip-dyed wood stools
- Wood leaning ladder for blankets
- White velvet stockings
- Galvanized trough
- Copper battery-operated wire lights
- Marble and wood cake stand
- White ceramic houses (similar)
- Navy/gray dresser
- Wood industrial console table
- Navy patterned dining curtains (similar options)
- White rattan round mirror
- Rattan shelf – thrifted
- Dining chairs and ombre wood bead dining light
- Dining room seagrass rug and clock
- White glitter paper trees
- Wi‑fi thermostat
- DIY mason jar snow globes (details in post)
- Ship and whale ornaments (similar)
- Wall color: Simply White Benjamin Moore
- Shiplap wall details
- Ornaments: many found at common retailers
- My Christmas Decor Shop & Gift Guides
Happy Holidays and enjoy the rest of the tour!