Christmas Tour Recap - Kitchen & Porch

Here are a few more pictures of my house decorated for the tour. Things were kept pretty simple in the porch and kitchen, but I love the way it feels at night.

I think I'm going to be sad to take it all down after the holiday!

House Tour Recap - The Trimmed Tree(s)

The tree is up and decorated! It looks so pretty at night and smells amazing! I used a collection of ornaments I've gathered over the years. Most are silver, glass, white and blue ones. A common theme for me not just at Christmas time!
I have my favorites, like the long glass tear drops and the little bottle brush balls (Dollarama!), but mostly I just love how they all look together reflecting off the white lights. Is there anything prettier?!
I know the pictures are dark, but with the flash on it just doesn't look as pretty! Believe me, I think I took about 50 pictures just of the tree!



There are also a couple of little trees upstairs. This one in a spare bedroom was wrapped in feather boas and decorated with chandelier drops leftover from the light fixtures in the kitchen, and old earrings. So easy to put together, yet so pretty.



Another tree was in the office/sitting room. It was simply wrapped with a string of blue and white pompom balls we had fun making one night. Did you make those when you were a kid?

I'll be linking up to the Holiday Home Linky Party over at Thrifty Decor Chick tomorrow! Head over there to check out everyones beautiful Christmas trees!

House Tour Recap Part 2

I think one of my favorite rooms to decorate at Christmas time is the dining room. Last year, although I loved how it looked with deep red ornaments against the traditional wallpaper, it didn't suit the rest of the house. I've since lightened up the room with soft blue patterned curtains and painted out some of the furniture white. It was fun to decorate this year because the end result reflected my personal style so much more.

I set the table for the house tour. A simple dinner for two, complete with fresh flowers, greenery and candlelight.

My favorite part though, was the little vignette on the sideboard. I spray painted a branch white and placed in a vase with "snow". Then, hung some of my favorite tiny glass ornaments on the branches. Around it, there are vases filled with jingle bells, silver strands of pearls, snow and candles. I think it's a bit whimsical!

The sill on the piano window and my new painted cabinet are draped with

 fresh cedar and mercury glass ornaments.

one mishap of the night. ALL of my battery operated candles in the windows were burned out by the end of the night. That's what you get for cheaping out on them!

And of course, my little manger scene found a home in the dining room with a simple little pine tree.

I'll be back tomorrow with more to share!

To my fellow bloggers, I'm linking up to Rhoda's Vignette Linky Party. Better late than never!

House Tour Recap

The House Tour came and went without a hitch. I'll admit it was a lot of work, but I just love decorating for Christmas so it was fun! I wasn't nervous at all, until I left the house in the hands of the lovely hosts sent by the Summerset Manor and realized it was all out of my hands. What if I didn't have enough decorations? What if people didn't like it? I let it go and enjoyed a lovely night, visiting the other homes on the tour.

It is so fun to see how other people decorate and see such creative ideas. I saw one tree, so full and beautiful, that I couldn't believe it was possibly real! Our last stop was the Lofts on 359 Water. I loved everything about it. The wooden beams, the shutters on the endless windows, the light fixtures, the hardwood and concrete floors. And, I can only imagine what the view must be in the daytime. I wonder if they will let me move in?

I am humbled by the positive comments received in the guest book and from people on the tour. I am still blushing. I know I love it, but it is nice to know that others appreciate it as well!

Here is a little sneak peak. I will post more pictures throughout the week. I tried really hard to capture everything, but really pictures never are as nice as in person:) I hope you like it!

The wreath on the front door made by my sister Julie and I (inspired by Centsational Girl). It almost didn't make it after blowing off the door during a wind storm that afternoon.

My mom rescued what she could and we put it back together at the last minute!

The fireplace mantel, topped with fresh cedar and pine. I love white feathers too and added a few feather trees. I wrapped a feather boa around an old wreath and hung it from the mirror.



There is more to come over the next few days. Come back and visit again!