Greetings, friends! It’s been a stormy evening here — the internet went out and the lights kept flickering, so I was worried I wouldn’t get this post scheduled. I’m a bit of a procrastinator, but fortunately the connection returned just in time. If you’re seeing this on Friday, I managed to get it up, even if I had to scramble to finish.
First, a big thank-you to Lindsay of White Buffalo Styling Co. for organizing a lovely tour and including my home. If you’re joining from the tour, welcome — and if you haven’t visited her roundup yet, it’s worth checking out for links to other homes on the tour.
This is my second tour this season, and I saved a fresh batch of photos to share a few new angles and close-ups you might have missed the first time. If you want to revisit the earlier post after this tour, you can find the first part from earlier this week — and I also have an aftermath post showing what happened in the days after the tour.
I had hoped to finish decorating the bedrooms and the front porch by now — but life and work (including book deadlines and holiday events) kept me busy, so I only managed a few areas. You’ll still get a peek at several rooms, including a small glimpse of my office.
Confession: unlike many bloggers who display Hunter rain boots filled with greenery by their doors, my porch still has pumpkins where the boots would be. I might even be the neighbor who leaves a crunchy wreath hanging a while longer — guilty as charged!
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s continue the tour.
Jack has been keeping an eye on the window and is always thrilled when visitors arrive. He loves company!
In our gathering room — the space between the entry and dining room — I used birch branches collected from a nearby wooded area. They’re tucked into a tall planter and I added a few ornaments to give them a holiday touch. I thought the simple, natural look suited the room well.
My husband recently repainted our dining table, so it looked fresh and welcoming for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. I seem to get inspired to make small updates to this room every holiday season — over the years these little changes have added up. Our house isn’t perfect, but every small improvement makes it feel more complete. A fresh coat of paint can really transform an old table while keeping its character — we left the leaves natural and I love the result.
We only add a few touches of Christmas here and there, which makes the house feel festive without feeling overwhelming. I’m more drawn to winter decorating — candles and fresh greenery are my favorite accents.
In the evenings, especially during dinner parties, we light all the candles and the room becomes cozy and magical.
String lights around mirrors and tucked into glass jars add small points of sparkle throughout the rooms.
The paperwhites are filling the air with a lovely scent. I enjoy having plants and greenery around the house, and I love how mirrors reflect the flicker of candlelight to amplify that warm glow.
Small trees in galvanized buckets are a simple favorite each year. I usually pick them up at local garden stores or Trader Joe’s and place the buckets from our farm store for an effortless, rustic touch.
I’m waiting to see how long it will take Jack and Lily — our one- and three-year-old doodles — to notice the tree full of tiny animal ornaments. So far they haven’t discovered them, but in past years Jack has had his share of ornament mishaps. We’re hoping for a more civilized holiday this year.
I had the chance to restyle the mantel recently with a sparkly “Merry Christmas” banner while working with Pottery Barn. It was a gloomy, dark day when I took the photos, but I love how the banner adds a festive shimmer to the fireplace.
We’ve used the white quilted stockings for years — they feel classic and cozy on the mantel each season.
I also tried the banner in my office and liked the look there. I moved the Nespresso into the office recently and it’s been handy for quick coffee during busy days — perfect for those urgent caffeine moments.
Thank you for stopping by today — I’m so glad you visited. The next stop on the tour is my friend Traci at Beneath My Heart; she has a beautiful home and is a wonderful host, so be sure to say hello there.
If you missed it, you can view part one of my Christmas house tour for more photos and details.
For questions about hanging garland, wreaths, or stockings without nails, I’ve shared my method previously if you’d like a how-to.
Check out my coffee table book, The Inspired Room.