So last week I mentioned a few extra projects I decided to tackle during holiday preparations—those small tasks you’ve been postponing until they suddenly feel urgent. One of mine was repainting the former kitchen cupboard door I’d repurposed as a shutter above the fireplace.
You might remember I originally painted it blue because I didn’t have primer. I needed something that would adhere quickly and the blue paint was the only option on hand the night we had company. I ran out of time to give the third shutter a white topcoat like the others, so it stayed blue—no big deal at the time.
After living with that blue shutter for a few weeks, it started to feel out of place. I still liked the idea of having one shutter in a color rather than all white, so I mixed my new favorite green paint with a touch of brown toner and, voilà—I now have an aged green shutter that feels more cohesive with the rest of the room.
I haven’t gotten around to painting the walls I jokingly call my “swine walls” yet, and I’m still deciding whether to slipcover the chairs and ottomans in fabric. Even so, the green shutter made a big difference—sometimes small changes are all it takes. Decorating for me is a slow, organic process of using what I already own. Starting from scratch would be simpler, but I enjoy the creative challenge of making things work as I go.
Here’s the mantel with a subtle touch of Christmas. To keep things simple and budget-friendly, I used mostly items I already had: lanterns from HomeGoods, an old garland, Pier 1 apples saved from fall, and clear glass candlesticks to display blue glass ornaments. I finished the look with a natural twig wreath to balance the soft shapes and add a rustic touch—the wreath will carry through all winter.
Some of you asked about the stockings when I shared a photo last week. They’re from Pottery Barn, but I personalized the girls’ stockings by tucking some of my grandmother’s doilies around the cuff. It was an easy, no-sew way to make them feel special and unique.