Welcome to our holiday home tour!
There are two things that I should never be called:
1. late for dinner
2. a liar
*This post contains affiliate links. The wreath was kindly given to us this year by Lynch Creek Farms. As always, all opinions, bad puns, and poor grammar are mine all mine. Read our full disclosure policy HERE.*
Welcome to our 2016 holiday home tour, friends. We are thrilled to be the finish line for the Evolution of Style and 11 Magnolia Lane “12 Days of Holiday Homes” tour.
Usually, the saying goes, “save the best for last”….well, we might as well be honest from the starting gates, or in this case, the front door. Prepare to be underwhelmed, because this year’s holiday theme is “understated”. And I think we did a pretty darn good job at sticking to the theme.
Lynch Creek Farms “Bah Humbug” Fresh Wreath
Probably the BEST element of our home decor this Christmas is the fresh wreath that graces our front door. This was sent to us by Lynch Creek Farms, and it’s called the “Bah-Humbug”. Isn’t that completely apropos for our Bah-Humbug of a house tour?! I love it.
This is the first time I’ve ever had a fresh wreath for our door, and I’m kind of in love with it! The smell, the non-plasticized look of it…the fact that there is no high maintenance zhushing involved, trying to get one of our cheapo fake wreaths looking like it’s plump and au natural.
I feel like it’s kind of ruined me for wreath selection from this point forward. Kinda like that one time I got to fly first class. At any rate,
“Welcome to our holiday home tour. Prepare to be underwhelmed!”
Wreath | Rug | About our tree
Here’s our family room this year. Our Christmas mantle
is the epitome of “simple”. The sign was made by my talented friend LZ of the Summery Umbrella. She’s got a beautiful Etsy shop with all kinds of fantastic handmade signs.
Check it out. We didn’t even put ornaments on the tree this year. How’s that for understated?
As I write this, the kids are snuggled on the couch by the fire watching Home Alone.
We did put our Fontanini nativity set out this year. That’s kind of a pre-requisite.
The train set being taken out is not optional here, either. The kids would overthrow the household-government if we attempted to leave this thing in the attic. And seeing as we are barely in control here anyhow,
we decided to not pick that battle. Plus, we all love our little ceramic village and the train. It’s mesmerizing. And the buildings were all painted by me or my Mom (a way cheaper option than buying a Department 56 set).
Other rooms in the house got little touches.
really little.
You probably didn’t even see anything in our powder room above, did ya?
A sprig of rosemary.
A tiny pine cutting. WOW, right?!
A super simple vignette in the dining room.
The guest room got a bit of greenery, just like last year.
Here’s the mudroom (which is TOTALLY staged btw…if you looked in there right now, you’d see dirty floors and a pile of laundry as tall as our 10-year-old. Told you I was honest 😉
The bedrooms got the bare minimum. I put the little ceramic tree that my mom made for me as a child out in our room, and the kid’s rooms got two Christmas decorations each.
A little pre-lit Christmas tree,
And a Christmas canvas that lights up at night. You can see it in our oldest son’s room on the far wall.
Thanks for sticking around regardless of the dearth of holiday decor, guys. Despite our meager decorating measures, our hearts are bursting at the seams with excitement for the holidays, just as they are every year.
So happy holidays! May the snow be plentiful, and the adult beverages even more plentiful.
And since I didn’t even get Christmas cards made this year, I’ll share last years’ with you. We’ll pretend it’s because we’re being very green and “recycling” this year 😉
If you’re wondering about the sources for any of our holiday items seen in this post, we’ve tried to gather them all below.
Below is the full line up for the Evolution of Style & 11 Magnolia Lane
“12 Days of Holiday Homes” Tour
TRUST me when I tell you there are some GORGEOUS homes for you to see!! And tomorrow, you can link up your OWN holiday home for all of us home decor enthusiasts to peruse! It’s a lovely way to host a virtual holiday open house, without the dreaded clean up after the party is over 😉
Sunday December 4
Amy from 11 Magnolia Lane
Amanda from The Tale of an Ugly House
Monday December 5
Kelly Elko
Jen from Stylehouse Interiors
Cyndy from The Creativity Exchange
Tuesday December 6
Cassie Bustamante
Rachael from This is Our Bliss
Wednesday December 7
Heather from Southern State of Mind
Erin & Tricia from The Suburban B’s
Thursday December 8
Paige from The Pink Clutch
Becky from This Is Happiness
Vel from Life & Home at 2102
Friday December 9
Pam from Simple Details
Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick
Saturday December 10
Julie from Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss
Cindy from Rough Luxe Lifestyle
Kris from Driven by Decor
Sunday December 11
Heidi from Home by Heidi
Shirley from Housepitality Designs
Monday December 12
Erin from Sunny Side Up
Heather from The Heathered Nest
Lisa from Shine Your Light
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Sue says
I laughed when I saw the powder room decoration. Love your underwhelming Christmas decor. Was your kids alright was a lights only tree?
Calypso in the Country says
Underwhelmed?!! You’re crazy – your home is beautiful!! Love it all
Jenny says
Sometimes less is more! Less to take down when the holidays are over, and the older I get, the more I appreciate a more simple, classic look. Thanks for joining in this year! If it makes you feel any better, we haven’t done anything with Christmas cards this year either – total slacker here. 😉
Emy says
The tiny touches in the bathroom are my favorite. Andthe tree without ornaments is breath taking!
Becky says
I love it! I’m all about simple decor in general and the same with Christmas decor. Your home is gorgeous and the little touches are perfect! Merry Christmas!
Shirley @HousepitalityDesigns says
Underwhelmed must have a new definition in the dictionary these days, for your home is the definition of majestic simplicity…. a true breath of fresh air… breathtaking I say! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Vel says
With such a beautifully-decorated home already, who needs to go overboard?! Wish I could do that! LOL! My hands just itch to decorate around the holidays! LOL! Everything is still very lovely Heather, so honored to share this home tour with you! Cheers!
cindy hattersley says
Heather
I wasn’t underwhelmed at all. I have done holiday homes for years and I really wanted my own home to be “less is more” as well. I am tired of everything over the top. I am enjoying a simple Christmas at my house. If I weren’t on the tour it would be even simpler. Christmas cards…nope…didn’t do them either!! Happy Holidays relish the understated goodness of your decor.
Lidy@FrenchGardenHouse Antiques says
Your home looks beautiful! I love all the simple, elegant touches, clean, classic and beautiful. Sometimes less is more, and each space in your home speaks Christmas beautifully. Wishing you cozy, warm and memorable days with your family, Heather.
Cassie Bustamante says
your home is beautiful and i love all of your simple touches- i am not underwhelmed at all!
Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says
Girl, I have to tell you that I have never seen rosemary used quite so creatively–you are inspired! Seriously, though, thanks for keeping it real for us. Your home is lovely, and just the right amount of decor since we have to take it all down in January, right?! Thanks for sharing! XO, Christy