Yay! It's that time of year! Time for the Christmas home tour! In the interest of full disclosure, if you're new here I have three little boys under 7...the areas of the house that aren't in the tour are intentionally left out because they are full of real-life craziness! But I did manage to get a few areas picture worthy over the last few weeks!
Last year I decorated the front porch with a magnolia leaf wreath and garland but this year I decided on something a little more colorful to accent our red front door.
I've shared the tutorial for the DIY Ornament Wreath already and will have the tutorial for the Ornament Garland coming up later this week.
Moving along inside you can see the recently rearranged sitting room. We had originally put a Christmas tree in the front window but decided against it in favor of the tree in the living room (coming up soon!) This room has just a few subtle holiday touches, mostly greenery and some of our fragile crystal pieces (this is the "grown up room" that our three young boys don't often go into).
The kitchen is open to the living room and if you've seen my kitchen before you'll know how much I love seasonally decorating my island. A large antique lantern is flanked by poinsettias and a rosemary tree complete with holiday lights. (Tip: the small lights used to add bling to wedding bouquets are perfect for lighting small plants like this and battery powered so no cords!)
The living room is my favorite place in the house right now. I'm a lover of all things neutral and this room feels so serene to me.
{Tutorials for both of these pillows can be seen here}
The mantel features the same boxwood wreath I used in my autumn mantel decor but a boxwood garland and mercury glass and metal accents bring a little more holiday shine to the room. I was also gifted some antlers that you can see throughout the house nestled in the boxwood garlands.
The tree is my favorite ever. I wanted something with a lot of varying textures but keeping with my neutral theme. I made most of the ornaments on the tree including the DIY decorated glass ornaments with the Silhouette Cameo (that post has an awesome coupon code if you're a Silhouette lover!), wrapped yarn ornaments and glittered dollar tree ornaments. I think all together the tree cost me under $20 to decorate this year!
You can also see our Elf on the Shelf landed there the other night when he came back from reporting at the North Pole. 😉
And then of course some other small vignettes around the house:
[email protected] Porch Musings says
Simply lovely Christmas, Melissa.
Merry Christmas!
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Pat!
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Melissa, I'm just amazed how you can get so much decorating done with your 3 boys! Everything is beautiful and your home is filled with the wonder of Christmas.
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Jane-honestly it's a matter of picking up everything they knock down each day!!! We make it work though! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
[email protected] Things Beautiful says
How lovely everything looks, Melissa! I love the simplicity and elegance. I'm swooning over those pillows, too! Blessings to you!
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Janis! I have a tutorial for the pillows coming up on Friday!
Atta Girl Amy says
I love how serene everything is Melissa -- something I'm sure you appreciate in a house of boy-filled chaos! Everything is so beautiful. Did you make those button pillows on your sofa? And your red front door is gorgeous. I'm looking forward to the tutorial.
Melissa Riker says
Thanks Amy! I made the pillows and have a tutorial coming up Friday for both! I definitely think my crazy boys influence my desire for "serene" decor!!
[email protected] This Top That says
Happy Holidays sweet Melissa. Your decorating touches are perfect. Just love your festive door and the wreath. I also like that joy pillow- did you make that? Thanks for inviting me over!
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Laura!! I did make the pillows and have tutorials coming up on Friday!
Marie Thomason says
Hey Girly! The house looks amazing!
Melissa Riker says
Aww, thanks Marie-You need to drive over and hang with me!
Chelsea says
Everything looks wonderful, Melissa! I absolutely adore your front porch the greenery with red and silver is so festive and beautiful.
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Chelsea! I love my neutral inside but my front door was screaming for come color out front!!
Jessica @ Decor Adventures says
Hi Melissa,
The red on your porch is perfect with that door! It looks so welcoming. Glad you could get some fabulous photos for the tour.
And I'm so jealous of your working fireplace. Maybe I can come over and we can do some crafts in front of it? 🙂
Melissa Riker says
lol I would love that Jessica! We could pair up to work on some projects for Brittany and make a weekend of it!
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says
Love the silver and white - it's stunning! And your cute little elf on the shelf - ours is named Hot Tamale!!
Kelly
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Kelly! Our elf is oh-so-creatively named "Elfie" (named by the 1,4, and 5 year olds last year-not my fault!!) He's currently residing in my blender after tonight's exhausting trip to the North Pole! Loving your Christmas Tour too-you never disappoint!!
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
Melissa I love a neutral palette too... it's so inviting! Love your Christmas decor... so thrilled to be on this tour with you!
Melissa Riker says
And I with you Maryann! Glad to find another neutral lover like myself...it really took me years to realize that is what "called" to me in my home. You're one of my inspirations!
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says
Love your front door decor! Your home is beautiful!
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Jennifer!
Courtney says
Gorgeous wreath! Lovely home.
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Courtney!!
[email protected] says
This is all lovely - I love all the greenery and I'm just digging those pillows. You have me wanting some new pillows for our couch.
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Kim! I have the tutorial for the pillows coming up on Friday!
Doreen says
I'm in love with your front door - just beautiful!
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Doreen!
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says
So beautiful -- love how fresh and lovely everything looks. Your front door could be a picture in a magazine! Gorgeous!
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Julie!!
Thistle says
Melissa,
You are amazing! I love your eye for detail and your incredible sense of style. I LOVE that JOY pillow!
Thanks for inspiring me today!
karianne
Melissa Riker says
Thanks Karianne! I have the tutorial for both pillows coming up on Friday!
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Melissa, just beautiful. I love the fresh and natural way you have decorated. I don't know how you do it with 3 little boys in the house. I got a giggle when you called your living room "serene"... you certainly need that, I'm sure! I adore the pillows! Thanks so much for sharing your serene and fresh decor! It is... ALL IS CALM... ALL IS BRIGHT!
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Yvonne! I do have to disclose that my children attempt to destroy the tree daily (with help from the cats and dog!) but I try to keep it together! It's all about enjoying life's different seasons right?!
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
I just love your home....it is so serene! I can't wait to try out the Cameo that I just bought!!! Your tree is just fabulous!!! I love how you incorporated all of the greens! Thanks for all the inspiration!! Merry Christmas!!! -Christy
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Christy!! I just got my silhouette and it's definitely going to be my new addiction!
Heather says
I love all of the festive touches you added to your home Melissa! The button joy pillow is adorable! Fab home tour! Merry Christmas!! ~ Heather
Suzy @ Worthing Court says
Melissa - your Christmas home is just lovely. I especially love your burlap and silver tree. Great job!
Melissa Riker says
Thank you so much Suzy!! My tree is under constant attack from kitties and little boys but I can tell it's a survivor!
Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says
So pretty! LOVE that joy pillow! Merry Christmas! Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle
Melissa Riker says
Thanks so much Melissa!! Merry Christmas to you too!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
It's all so gorgeous Melissa! I especially love the ornament garland around your front door! Pinning, and thanks for sharing at my link party!