December is a kind of trifecta for me, because it marries together my love of three different things - Christmas, home decorating and style. Though I still love rustic design, I remember going through a phase where I could not get enough country home inspiration. I watched one or two decorating shows on country style decorating, subscribed to two country decorating magazines, including Country Living, and fantasized about living in a log cabin someday, surrounded by everything I loved about this rustic, country style. One year, when the Christmas season began, I watched one of my decorating show favorites and they decorated a home for the holidays in what they called an old-fashioned country style. I FELL IN LOVE, and was determined to recreate as much of that look in my own home as possible. I began my quest, and it certainly was not a hardship to walk around store after store, decked out in all their holiday finery. I was looking for barn red and a warmer, lighter green instead of the traditional Christmas colors, and that year, they must have been "in," because I was lucky enough to find them almost everywhere. The only problem was that my budget was limited, and I knew there would be no way I could do everything I wanted. But I already had a few pieces that would suit the look I was after, and I hoped that at least this year, less would be more. I found a lovely table runner that had both colors, a wreath for the door, barn red candles for my lantern and pillar holders, and two small Christmas tree print pillows with those same colors. And believe it or not, just adding those items to the ivory-ness I already had was more than enough to transform my family room/living room area. I used an ivory duvet I already had, and a smaller wreath in my bedroom and my Christmas decorating was done! It was so nice to come to, as the song says, and I loved that I had managed to create the look I wanted in a simple way. What I did... (1) Decide on the theme I wanted for my holiday decorating - country. What theme do you want? (2) Choose a simple color scheme - for me, it was barn red and a lighter green. Which colors will you use? (3) Choose a few, simple pieces in those colors and the style I want, so that every room was touched by Christmas, without breaking the budget. Candles and throws, in the colors and style you prefer, can be an inexpensive items to decorate with when your budget is low. Ever since that country Christmas, my decorating has been simpler. Though I don't always have country style in mind these days, I am grateful that I learned how powerful a more simple look, and less expensive buying experience, can be. How do you decorate for Christmas? Have you started yet? Stay tuned for a post next week with more simple holiday decorating tips ideas. See you tomorrow! Love, Jeanine
14 Comments
12/4/2020 11:15:08 am
I have lived in this apartment for five months now, so my decorations are relatively simple. I've got a winter painting hanging on the door, as well as two different styles of Santa Clauses. I have a tiny potted evergreen, with a few ornaments (two of which are ceramic ornaments painted by moi), and I have a few other pieces that are designed to give a Christmasy feel to my apartment I've been painting a bunch of snowhumans. I'm giving away some and putting some out as decorations. Well, a few are actually Valentines. But decorating for Christmas is a work in progress for me. Not a whole lot this year. For next year, I'm going to crochet a Christmas afghan to put on my bed! I see Christmas as lots of fun. Plus red and green are complimentary colors, so that is cool.
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12/4/2020 11:37:40 am
You're welcome, Alice! And thank you for your kind comments. You know, there must be something about recent moves, because I have not done a lot of holiday decorating this year, either. In fact, I haven't done a whole lot of decorating period. But it is all gradually coming together. Your decorations sound great. I love that you are using your own art!
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Oh Jeanine I'd love to see your decorations, they sound wonderful! We use whatever we feel fits us. LOL This year we added green garland intertwined with red poinsettias. Our family room valance has 5 deep red pleats with gray inserts and we hand plaid stockings up that match the red perfect. After we put our second tree up, thanks to Rusty, we went to Hobby Lobby and got some purple rope beads and sparkling purple snowflakes to add to our existing ornaments because purple is Alex and Lia's favorite color.
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12/4/2020 02:49:20 pm
I'm enjoying the subtle decoration approach. It helps that I have nice big windowsills that make great homes for plants. Since I can't go outside to tend to gardens, I can still have a garden on my windowsill! The plants bring some life and nature to Christmas!!!
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12/4/2020 08:22:06 pm
I'd have to do silk plants since I am so allergic, and I used to do that. But I like subtle, too, these days! 12/4/2020 08:20:47 pm
Martha, that is so sweet that Lia already knows her favorite color! Well, a lot of my favorite decorations are in storage at the moment, so not very much is decorated for Christmas. But I do love them when I can put them up!
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12/4/2020 03:01:24 pm
I love the huge ornament you can sit in- and would love to make one for passerby's to sit in and take a picture- and maybe put some sanitizer on a table outside to be Co Vid friendly! wouldn't that be awesome- although a great theme would be for me to do a Christmas dog house and have others be able to walk in it for a photo op.....oh my! Ok, I may need to plan this for next year as my ideas are grand!
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12/4/2020 08:23:19 pm
Oh!! A Christmas dog house. What a wonderful idea, Pamela! I love it.
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12/4/2020 03:09:49 pm
I feel like the only person who hasn't started decorating but now I can use your tips. Love the idea of throws and candles in a thematic approach. I am wearing a Christmas top I thrifted. Does this count as decor? :-)
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12/4/2020 08:25:05 pm
Well, there's no rush. I think a lot of people are probably not as into decorating this year because so few people will see it. And yes, if you are decorated while inside your house, I think that counts. :)
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12/4/2020 10:26:59 pm
Jeanine, wow! So many great ideas! We are in a small home, so I use seasonal pillows and throws that can easily be stored. I also have a 20" Christmas tree, in a box, in storage, that has gradually acquired lights and ornaments over the years. When I bring that from storage, I switch a silk orchid arrangement into the Tree Box. This year, I'm inspired to find a pre-lit wreath for the front door. We'll just see what I come up with! Thanks for the inspirations!
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12/5/2020 11:41:39 am
You're welcome, Kebba! Your decorations sound great. Throw pillows are such a great solution for a small space or a small budget. And I love the idea of a pre-lit wreath.
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12/5/2020 10:24:50 am
These are some great ideas. Over the years I've collected different decorations so that I have a variety of looks in my decor.
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12/5/2020 11:43:09 am
Oh, thanks! That's neat, because it means you can go by whatever mood you're in or are wanting that year, when it's time to decorate.
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Hi, I'm JeanineAuthor, hygge lifestyle blogger & connoisseur of delight writing about how to create a hygge lifestyle, with hearthcraft, comfy capsule wardrobe tips and cozy home decorating ideas. More here.
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