Welcome to our home, and one of the last stops on a great week-long blogger Christmas tour of homes. And, if you’re visiting from Myra’s blog for the first time, I’m happy that you’ve found me and hope you’ll be a regular around here.
I just love the way the house feels at Christmas—don’t you? But, there’s something about that feeling, the smells and twinkling lights that just don’t come across in photos. So, you’ll just have to do your best to pretend I’ve invited you over for cookies and hot chocolate, or whatever it is the perfect holiday hostess would make if she had time to clean her house and actually have anybody over. . .
My goal was to keep it simple this year, so I only decorated a few areas and didn’t try to bring Christmas into every room and corner. (It kind of makes me feel better about January and taking all of it down, too. Know what I mean?) I followed the scheme of our house, using lots of greens, golds, a little blue and of course, some black and white. I focused mainly on the living room and entry, put up one (artificial) tree, brought in some fresh garland and wreaths to make up for the fake tree, let the kids do their own thing with their rooms (they did!), and called it a day. Less fuss, more enjoying. In theory, anyway.
Okay. On to the pictures.
I’ve always liked the look of layering on walls. I hung the wreath over the botanical grouping by removing the middle one and hanging it on a nail.
As I suspected, blue and white works everywhere, for every season.
My first attempt at live wreath making is hanging on the front of the cabinet doors. I’ll share more about that next week.
See the snowflakes on the glass lamp? That was some terribly tangled garland I ordered from Etsy. The tangling ended up working to my advantage.
One year, I’m going to not be such a tightwad and buy a real tree skirt. This year, I used a painters drop cloth I found in the hall closet, instead. No gifts go under the tree until Christmas Eve, unless I feel like rewrapping them. And, I don’t.
I changed up the art that was on our countertop with a free printable I found on Pinterest.
We’re leaving the office as a dining room (although I still work here, too) through Christmas.
Sometimes, it only takes a little decoration to feel like a lot of Christmas. Hope you enjoyed the tour.
{You can see our Christmas decorations from last year here.}
The tour’s not over yet. Click over to see Stacy’s house from Not Just a Housewife:
And, finish up with Cassity at Remodelaholic:
Thanks to Chris of Just a Girl for getting this whole thing organized. In case you missed anything this week, start at her house, and she has links for each of the bloggers who participated there.
Also, linking to the Nesting Place #IDHTBPTBBChristmas tour.
Jen says
December 13, 2013 at 8:30 amLooks beautiful!
Kristin | the Hunted Interior says
December 13, 2013 at 8:47 amAdore every detail my friend. You my dear are a talent. Merry Christmas love!! Xo
Emily Clark says
December 13, 2013 at 3:11 pmSame to you!
Myra @ MyBlessedLife.net says
December 13, 2013 at 9:11 amEverything is just stunningly beautiful! :) Merry Christmas, girl!! :)
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
December 13, 2013 at 9:15 amBeautiful, Emily! You always do things up right and this didn’t disappoint. I love your new house & you have made it your own. Merry Christmas, my friend!
Bethany/ Rose & Ruffle says
December 13, 2013 at 10:09 amSo beautiful & festive! Just magical! Merry Christmas! =)
Laurie at Laurie Jones Home says
December 13, 2013 at 10:52 amYour home looks so beautiful!! I felt the same way about decorating my house this year, only a few rooms and lots of greenery for the same reason, cleaning it up in January! I also agree about how magical our homes look at night with the lights twinkling. I’ve spent almost every evening in front of my fireplace enjoying the tree! I hope you and your family enjoy the holiday. (I think your mantel is my favorite of your Christmas decorations this year!!)
Kristin @ bliss-athome.com says
December 13, 2013 at 10:59 amSo beautiful Emily :) Your home just shines and I love all the natural touches :) Oh, and I spy an faux antelope :) You know I love it! xo Kristin
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
December 13, 2013 at 11:09 amSo elegant and timeless and pretty, Emily! I love the versatility of your dining room/office. Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us!
Linda says
December 13, 2013 at 2:48 pmI just love your home! Thank you for sharing! Would you mind telling me where you found your black and white striped blanket and throw in your living room? You are the third blog I have seen today with that blanket and I LOVE it! Merry Christmas!
Emily Clark says
December 13, 2013 at 2:59 pmIt’s the famous $20 throw from IKEA :)
Bethany @ Dwellings By DeVore says
December 13, 2013 at 3:23 pmEverything looks beautiful! I love your simple, natural holiday decor! I’ve scaled down my Christmas decorating over the last few years and I’m always happy about that decision when January rolls around :)
Stacy Risenmay says
December 13, 2013 at 4:10 pmI love all the black and white with the greenery! Stunning :)
Gwen, The Makerista says
December 13, 2013 at 5:14 pmPerfect. I love it all!
And I agree about not having a ton to put away in January. It’s kind of a depressing month around here anyways. I actually leave most of our decor up until February, it just makes me sad to loose the lights and warm feeling during the dead of winter.
Mary Jean says
December 14, 2013 at 7:26 amI LOVE the simplicity of using fresh greens throughout! It’s
just beautifully done!
Brandyn | Southern Distinctions says
December 14, 2013 at 10:05 amI love natural Christmas decor. It’s a great way to bring life indoors during the winter months. All your greenery is beautiful and I’m in love with your dutch door!
Kim @ Sand & Sisal says
December 14, 2013 at 10:46 amLovely home tour Emily! I appreciate how you’ve kept it all uncomplicated and understated with the emphasis on the beauty of the fresh greenery. Very classy!
Jessie Giovenco says
December 14, 2013 at 8:35 pmLove!!! Where are the glass “jars” in the entry from? Love those!
Emily Clark says
December 15, 2013 at 12:24 amThanks, Jessie. I got one at Crate & Barrel and the other is just a glass hurricane from IKEA that I turned upside down.
Lisa Mende Design says
December 15, 2013 at 9:10 amYour house looks beautiful! I can’t imagine how hard you worked to get it all done with 5 kids and twin babies. You are a wonder! Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
Emily Clark says
December 15, 2013 at 2:41 pmThank you, Lisa! Merry Christmas :)
We need to make a point to get together in 2014!
amy says
December 15, 2013 at 8:15 pmCan. not. handle.
Just so beautiful. I LOVE your style.
Emily Clark says
December 15, 2013 at 9:28 pmThank you. At first, I wasn’t sure if you liked it :)
Jen says
December 15, 2013 at 8:15 pmGENIUS idea to place the wreath center of the gallery wall. Such a simple addition, yet so cheerful! Of course, the rest of your home truly shines as well!
Merry Christmas to the Clark family!! <3
Emily Clark says
December 15, 2013 at 9:28 pmThanks, Jen! Merry Christmas to your family. Glad we finally got to meet this year :)
Brooke @ All Things Thrifty says
December 16, 2013 at 2:11 amLove everything about your home! Stunning!
Hollie says
December 16, 2013 at 8:53 amYour house is absolutely beautiful! You have a way of making your decor look so effortlessly stylish. I love your blog! Do you mind if I ask where you got the white bust/statue that’s on your piano? Thanks! And merry Christmas! :)
Emily Clark says
December 16, 2013 at 9:10 amSure–I actually found it at a local consignment store. I’ve seen several of them lately–or maybe I’m just looking??
sherry hart says
December 17, 2013 at 8:14 amEmily…your home is so pretty! And your blue and white collection is really growing! I have a hard time finding larger ones…..Nothing I like better than some pretty greenery in a blue and white jar!
Leslie says
December 17, 2013 at 4:03 pmTrying real hard not to covet your home, but I adore your style! So eyecatching and creative and well done and…perfect. Love it! Merry Christmas!
jennifer says
January 16, 2014 at 2:08 pmHi Emily. I love your blog. Thank you for sharing the wonderful, inspiring, and resourceful ways you decorate your home. I have recently acquired some cute little animal statues/busts. They are bronze or pewter. they are dark. I am thinking of painting them white. I like them fine dark, but I would like to incorporate more white details like I see in on your shelves. My question is, can I go with white or should I stick to the creamy color that goes with the trim in our house. I personally like the look of white trim, but not planning to repaint anytime soon. Is your trim white like it looks in the pictures?