including me in this year’s tour. This is the first year that I have not been
knee-deep in our local tour of homes (it has been discontinued). We also have a
lot going on in our life with elder care so I was aiming to tone it down. If
Jenny hadn’t contacted me the decorating would have been very minimal at our
home this year. Christmas for our family is very traditional. I don’t buy new
décor every year or change things up much. For those of you new to my blog we
built our home ourselves and have lived here for almost 30 years. Beau is our
crazy dog. Let’s take a look at Christmas at My House
the stairs is a mix of greens from my yard with a faux berry garland that I have
had for probably 15 years. This mannequin had another life at Berries and Branches here.
Her “vest” is fashioned from a vintage paisley fragment.
The wreath to the right was on my front door for fall. I am big on transitional
holiday décor that can be reused.
The beautiful pine cones that adorn her belt I purchased at
one of my favorite haunts Tancredi & Morgen. This was the only Christmas
décor I purchased this year other than a few wreaths from TJ’s & Home
Depot. The belt is an old relic from my closet and the pin is one of the
vintage ones we used on Jenna’s bridal bouquets.
If you have a mannequin these are super easy to fashion.
All you need to do is wire the greens around her waist and go to town!! It makes
it a lot simpler if you have big branches. You can see her other incarnation in
the post prior to this one.
If you travel through the archway you will reach the great
room. My kitchen on the right is decorated minimally, with more fresh greens
and pomegranates from my yard. Our kitchen got a mini redo last year, with a new
backsplash of Tabarka tile, concrete laminate countertops and we painted the cabinets
tree and more greens, surrounded by vintage wicker bottles that have been
collected over the years.
inspiration from the past, with a nod to nature. I have had this tool caddy
(that houses my olive oils etc) for over thirty years.
so it was really hard to photograph. I think my mantle is the prettiest it
has been in years but it just doesn’t photograph well. The wreath was $15 at
Home Depot. I added a few greens to the outside to beef it up a bit and added a
bow.
this hallway. For a long time, we had an antique door in the opening ( known as
the door to nowhere). After many years passed we realized we were never going
to do the living room addition (we have enough house) so Steve created this arch
and put a French door that opens to the side garden area. For some reason, it
never occurred to me to put our tree in this opening until this year.
ornaments from year to year. Some are made by our kids (now 35 & 32), most
have been collected over the years and hold special meaning for us. There is
something about opening up the boxes of ornaments every year and remembering
where each came from. The tree was so pretty this year with only white lights.
It was very tempting to leave it bare, but I didn’t. The tree is faux by the
way. I know you are probably thinking she uses fresh stuff everywhere and she
has a fake tree,you are right! They are much easier to decorate!
favorite source for quality wrap and ribbon) Tags are made from Vintage
Postcards and printable animal tags found online
collection of belsnickels that I started collecting in 1994. The white one in
the center and my favorite to the right were broken years ago when a mirror
above our fireplace came crashing down.
dining room.
wedding) filled with Trader Joe’s Amaryllis that are just beginning to
bloom.
napkins are from PB as well a few years ago.
The monogrammed napkins are by Trish from Cottage by
Design. Each place setting is marked by a different ornament that we have
collected over the years.
gift from my friend an artist Pat. You can find more of her wonderful art here.
The pot was a gift from one of my husband’s employees many years ago that he
brought us from Romania. The German glitter stars are from the wonderful Wendy
Addison that are at least 10 years old.
many appearances on the Berries and Branches tour. She resides year round in
this spot. Her wings and any other finery only make an appearance over the
Holidays.
couple of snippets. These shutters are from Patine another of my favorite local
haunts. The mini wreaths are from TJ’s.
any of the tours you may have missed.
of Style | Dixie
Delights
12/2: Life &
Home At 2102 | Provident
Home Design
12/3: Simple Details
12/4: The Pink
Clutch Blog | This
is Happiness
12/7: Bless’er
House | The Tale Of An Ugly
House
12/8: Classic Casual
Home | This is Our Bliss
12/9: Primitive and Proper
12/10: Shine Your Light
| Driven by Decor
12/11: Suburban Bitches | Our Storied Home
12/14: Simply Sarah Style | Rough Luxe
12/15: Tour
Highlights
12/16: YOU in our Link Party
Cindy, I'm late for the tour, but didn't want to miss this. Your home is full of exquisite touches. I've added several ideas to my Pinterest boards. Thanks for the inspiration!
So warm and cozy, Cindy!! Truly beautiful home tour with the loveliest natural touches. What a wonderful space to celebrate the holidays! I enjoyed being a part of this tour with such a great group! Merrry Christmas 😉 ~Rachael [www.thisisourbliss.com]
one of the aspects i love about your home is it has a 'sense of place'. it oozes california as does your christmas decor; natural, POMEGRANATES from the GARDEN?!? i could only dream or toss them out the door after the grocer visit.
so much to love, including your paisley pattern, of which i have too 🙂
come on over, we just finished a christmas tour house
xxxxx
Cindy – Everything looks fantastic. I could pour through the details for days! The entry is just a show stopper – I love it!!! xoxo
Oh Cindy, I just love your one-of-a-kind style!! I wish I could pop in and linger through with you to take it all in, and enjoy the coziness! I didn't know I needed a mannequin, I have new search criteria for Craigslist! 🙂 So happy you were able to join the tour this year, you're always an inspiration! Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and sweet Beau!
Cindy,
I love your style. Your home is welcoming and filled with Christmas cheer. Beau is a wonderful communicator with his sweet stare and friendly demeanor. 😉
xo,
Karen
P.S. I'm looking to replace our 12 year old faux tree with something a little smaller, I love your tree. You don't remember the manufacturer do you?
Cindy your home is warm and beautiful and I truly appreciate the way you incorporated your collected Christmas décor from over the years. I wish I could see more of your pretty kitchen. Also–congrats on getting this post up. It honestly looks so normal compared to mine I posted on Blogger. What the heck? I've got a weird font I didn't chose and all these spaces I can't do anything about. Am I the only one who can't figure out how to post on Blogger? hahaha I still praying WLW comes back to us.
I sure loved hearing from you yesterday,
we are technologically challenged sisters–
hugs
Leslie
Cindy….so beautiful and elegant! I am so fond of greenery and how it warms up a space!
Cindy, You never cease to amaze me with your creativity. I'm thrilled to know that you feel as I do…holding on to the great memories of past Christmases to make this one even more special. cheryl
Amazing! The prettiest I have ever seen it. You are so cteative!
Amazing! The prettiest I have ever seen it. You are so cteative!
How inviting! I just want to pull up a chair and join you for an elegant evening of holiday cheer.
And those monogrammed dining chairs…I must put them on my Christmas wish list.
Overall, an absolutely stunning holiday tour full of inspiration. Well done!
It's GORGEOUS! I love, love, LOVE it! So jealous of your mannequin decor – I so want to incorporate that into my home one of these years. Maybe next year, right? Thanks so much for joining in this year – your home looks festive and beautiful!
wow! your home is so rustic and cozy and warm… that kitchen is stunning! i am in love with your unique cabinets!
wow! your home is so rustic and cozy and warm… that kitchen is stunning! i am in love with your unique cabinets!
Thank you so much Cassie. I sure enjoyed your tour as well!!
Gorgeous Cindy! Full of inspiration and natural beauty!
Especially the paintings! A famous local artist did them!!
Beautiful.
Thank you so much Jackie I really appreciate it.
So California! So true and not decorator or overly styled! Your anituques, fresh greens and pomigrantes add to the rustic elegance! So fabulous, rich in layers and traditions ! Thanks for sharing a true California Christmas… Looks like it could out of a Nancy Meyers film! Merry Christmas!
Hi Kelly
I can't tell you how much that comment means to me. That is the nicest compliment you could possibly give. I have participated in a local Christmas tour for years where overstyling was the rule. I am afraid my entry was a bit of a nod to that but I sure had fun doing it. And…I love Nancy Myers! Thank you so much for commenting. You made my day!
Cindy
Yep, I love your tour just as much as I knew I would and maybe even more. Let's start with that manequin – are you kidding me?? I'm in love – now I need to go hunt one down (my husband will think I'm crazy). Also dying over your fireplace mantel, your tree in that beautiful arch, and all of the other gorgeous details including beautiful Beau! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Cindy!
Your husband will think you are crazy I know mine does! You know how much I loved your tour! You are the bomb!!
I'm with Mary Ann: blown away by your creativity! Your holiday home is so festive and beautiful, Cindy. Luvvvvv that mannequin – how fun! Happy Holidays to you and yours!!! xo L
Thanks Loi I always have fun with that mannequin!! Happy Holidays to you, Tom and the pups!!
I KNEW I would be blown away and I am! You are so creative, Cindy. Any guest would be thrilled walking through your front door. Love the mannequin and your table setting…and the painting by Pat (reminds me of the Madonna) with the stars and greenery placed just so on the frame. Beau is a looker! He just wants to be near while you are photographing. Happy birthday, Cindy. Wish I was with you to celebrate 🙂
That is why I love you so much because you are such a great storyteller!! I love that painting of Pat's. You should check out her website and get one of her paintings. Hopefully we will get together over the holidays!!
Gorgeous Cindy! Loved getting a peek in your home with all your pretty Christmas décor. Your entry is amazing! The iron bannister with the garland is my favorite!!
Thank you so much Becky. The bannister was made by a local artisan who since has passed. He said he was never going to do another stairway and one day he showed up with all the parts. He was a great guy!
YOU and I are on the same page!TRADITIONAL……….always the same.Ornaments the kids made in school and one that I made in 2 nd grade!LOve unwrapping the ornaments and recalling who made what!
Merry Christmas………..we finally got our tree decorated last eve……………so that feels good.I had all the GRAND DOGS here which was SO fun!The only BEASTIE missing was BANKSY!Perhaps, on Christmas Day he will GRACE me with his presence.
You DO A GREAT JOB!Love the MANNEQUIN.
PS.We have the same WENDY STARS………I think mine are older then 10 years!If you ever go to her studio YOU have to pass right by me!
I have never been to Wendy's studio but I would love to go sometime. I have several of her goodies. The stars seem to be the ones that I get out year after year. Some of my lettered signs are looking a little sad. They need to be re german glittered! I sure hope Mr. Banksy makes a Christmas appearance!! Happy Holidays!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
YOU NEED TO MAKE THE TREK………with me!IT"S ANOTHER WORLD!
Absolutely in love with your entire home Cindy!!! I don't think I get to see it as well as today!!! Everything is just done so tastefully, I could tell a very great designer lives in your home from the moment you walk in the door! I love your kitchen and all its details including your gorgeous tile! Your tree is my favorite tree of all!!!! And I would love to have a Santa collection like yours!Enjoyed your tour so much! So honored to be included in this tour with you dear! CHEERS!!!!!
Vel you are truly one of the nicest people in blogland. I so appreciate your kind comments. You are so generous and giving. You are one in a million!!
Cindy, wow. Your home looks like something out of a magazine! So real and yet so classically beautiful. I love all your fresh greens and your fake tree is such a good one – I would never have guessed faux. Your fireplace, table and chandelier are all so pretty but I LOVE LOVE LOVE your entry!!!!!! It's amazing, the mannequin and the bannister, and I am so inspired to do something a little more special in my foyer next year! THANK YOU so much for sharing your warm and inviting Christmas home!!
Thank you so much Lisa. You are way too generous with your comments. I am so pleased that you liked it!