Christmas Tour 2016
HHello, friends. Merry Christmas and welcome to our Christmas Tour 2016. We’ve lived in Seattle just over a year and we love it here. Come on in — I’m so glad you stopped by to see our home.
Watch the video above in HD.
I’m happy to join this holiday blog tour hosted by Lindsay of The White Buffalo Styling Co. If you arrived after visiting Shauna at The House of Silver Lining, welcome! It’s always inspiring to see how others decorate for the season.
I love Christmas house tours, but if you sometimes feel your own home isn’t as finished or festive as others, you’re not alone. My house certainly isn’t perfectly pulled together. We’ve had projects in progress since the fall house tour: the kitchen has been under construction for months (we’re close to finishing), and we’re installing new downstairs flooring and exterior doors soon.
It’s been exciting and a bit chaotic.
With lumber and supplies spread through the house, I worried I wouldn’t be able to decorate. A few days ago I wasn’t sure the rooms would be tidy enough for photos, but in what felt like a Christmas miracle I cleaned, dusted, and managed to decorate the living room and half the dining room in time.
While photographing, my contractor thought I was expecting guests — I was just determined to finish despite the mess. He even started picking up trim and tiles to help. In the nick of time I completed the setup and joined the tour.
I don’t have every room dressed for Christmas this year, but I’m happy to share the cozy, simplified corners we finished. I love the idea of every room being festive, and I may add more decor in the coming weeks, but for now this is what I have to share — and I hope you enjoy spending time here with us.
The feel of our home has evolved since we moved in. Beyond the kitchen remodel, we’ve been painting, arranging furniture, and layering textures to create a calm, neutral backdrop. One of my favorite things about this house is the view from the living room, dining room and kitchen windows — the Puget Sound, mountains, and sky bring in stunning light. We swapped in a larger, more neutral rug for winter that makes the space feel quieter and cozier.
I love this small wire basket of evergreen clippings, pinecones, and silver ornaments.
Leather loveseat source
You can catch a glimpse of the kitchen through the dining room arch — the blue you see is primer, not the final color. I’m thrilled to reveal the finished kitchen once it’s complete.
I made these DIY mason jar snow globes years ago and bring them out every season.
Coastal touches hold family memories and complement our view of the sound. We decorated a small tree with glass whales, sailboats, and other sentimental ornaments.
The dining room has been messy because of the kitchen project. It felt good to clear the table and set a simple cloche with faux snow and a quirky reindeer.
I wish we could have baked the cookies here, but we don’t have an oven yet. We’re looking forward to winter baking in the new kitchen.
Leather loveseat source
Each year I add a few ornaments so bowls or a trough can be filled with pretties.
Rattan daybed source
Lily’s face during Jack’s shenanigans always makes me laugh.
I’m grateful I pulled this area together. If your home feels chaotic, try setting up one tidy, festive corner. Sit there, enjoy the lights and scents of the season, breathe, and be present. Stepping away from the mess to savor a peaceful space truly lifts the spirit.
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 head over to Amber of Restless Arrow for the next stop on the tour — she always creates a beautiful holiday home.
Room Sources:
It Is Well Sign (discount code noted in original post)
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 string lights
Marble and wood cake stand
White ceramic houses (similar)
Navy/gray dresser
Wood industrial console table
Navy patterned dining curtains (sold out; similar options exist)
White rattan round mirror
Rattan shelf – thrifted
Dining chairs
Ombre wood bead dining light
Dining room seagrass rug
Dining room clock
White glitter paper trees
Wi-fi thermostat
DIY Mason Jar snow globe details
Similar ship and whale ornaments
Wall color: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
Shiplap wall details
Ornaments: many from a popular retailer
My Christmas Decor Shop & Gift Guides
Wishing you a peaceful, joy-filled holiday season from our home to yours.