Farmhouse Christmas Inspiration

1. reindeer figurine  2. burlap ribbon  3. chenille throw blanket

4. birch LED candles  5. free lyric printable  6. stag head wall art

7. centerpiece box  8. stag throw pillow  9. flocked pine spray

Last week, I shared my vision for a calm and cozy farmhouse-inspired Christmas. Here are a few items currently on my wish list to help bring the look home. What are your inspirations this holiday season?

Christmas Eve Mini Holiday Home Tour!

As I've mentioned in my posts about our Christmas wreath and DIY ornaments, I let the dream of "peace on Earth" guide my holiday decorating this year. I especially loved how our Christmas tree turned out. When we got out our old tree, which was a hand-me-down from Mr. Q's grandparents, the lights on the top two sections wouldn't function, so it was off to the city on the day after Thanksgiving in search of a new tree.

I've always been really impressed by the awesome things KMart comes up with at Christmas time, so we headed there first and picked out a tree from the Jaclyn Smith collection. It's a 7 foot "Clearwater Slim Cashmere Tree." While the slim shape stands out in the store, it's a perfect fit in our townhouse where space is at a premium. The tree is a little taller than our old one, and a lot more realistic-looking - it has a mix of branch shapes and sizes.

Eliminating red from my Christmas color scheme was the first step toward streamlining my design, and while focusing on "peace on Earth," I was drawn to earth tones, white, and sparkling metallics. The gold tree skirt (also from KMart) really helped to ground the theme (get it?).

I do have my own method for decorating a Christmas tree: I start with ribbon, then add large bulb ornaments toward the center of the tree (along with a few Scentsicles). I used burlap, gold, and silver embroidered ribbon in layers. Next, I add what I think of as "anchor" ornaments - in this year's tree, these were my grandmother's crochet snowflake ornaments and my Smith and Hawken mercury glass pinecones. 

I add more bulbs to the outer branches in a spiral pattern - this year, I used matte gold and champagne, shiny silver, and clear bulbs with a snowflake design. Then, I add special, one-of-a-kind ornaments, like our wedding cake ornament, lighthouses from North Carolina, and our brass and pewter travel ornaments. 

This year, we bought some new mini glitter ornaments in a range of earth tones, as well as gold glittered pine cone ornaments, while we were at KMart, then headed to JoAnn Fabrics and Michaels, where we picked up clip-on dove ornaments, sparkling gold floral picks, and an adorable little church ornament with a bottle brush tree. My last steps when decorating are to add 3-D elements like poinsettias and floral picks - I just stick them into the branches - and, of course, candy canes (this year I used the Hershey ones with a chocolate stripe!). I'm really pleased with the way our tree turned out - to me, it's the perfect mix of rustic and elegant, peaceful and beautiful.

Merry Christmas! Past tours: 2014, 2013, 2012.

Linking Up:

Weekend Snapshots at Her Heartland Soul

clicks of note: if you say that you love me...

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.

• I'm definitely going to be watching The Voice this season - did y'all catch Morgan Frazier's audition? It's a little late, but I'll be linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Lushana Bale Photography via Ruffled

• Gorgeous fall bouquets from Bridal Musings.
• Ruffled features a bright bohemian wedding.
• At SW, a beautifully bold Oklahoma wedding.
• SMP features a must-see boho lace wedding.

SMILE.

• October desktops: Sarah Hearts, Smashing.
• The Everygirl's 3 ways to style a modern desk.
• From PopSugar, 30 costume ideas for BFFS.
• At the TED blog, Elizabeth Gilbert on creativity.

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE.

• Apt. Therapy's 5 things to do in a new city.
• Lia Griffith's cute moving announcements.
• Dreamy! Nancy Meyers' Pinterest boards.
• Do you deal with seasonal depression? 9 tips.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up my October favorites and participated in the last Sunday Social, which was all about blogging.
• Two years ago I put together some casual high school reunion outfit ideas.
• Three years ago, I shared honey gold and camel wardrobe ideas for fall, rounded up ponytails that are pretty enough to be wedding hairstyles, and recapped the #Septemberstories Instagram readers' challenge.
• Four years ago, I shared a peek at our cocktail hour, our outdoor wedding party portraits and couple portraits.

clicks of note.

get your week off to a colorful start...

• I hope you all had a great weekend! I spent time with some of my best friends this weekend - one my childhood friend's husband threw her a surprise party with a bonfire on Friday night, and on Saturday Breeze and I had brunch downtown, wandered around the farmers' market, and ended up exploring the science museum. It was time well spent because I feel recharged and ready to take on another week.

LISTEN.

• Mat Kearney's new song "Air I Breathe" is so lovely - hear the whole thing and watch the lyrics video here. I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• Magnolia Rouge features this dreamy shoot inspired by nature.
• This Snippet + Ink fête with outdoor pews and lace = perfection.
• At Style Me Pretty, a garden wedding with a beautiful bouquet.
• This Tallahassee soiree might be the ultimate Southern wedding.

SMILE.

• Pretty tech desktops from Design Love Fest + West Elm.
• LeBron James' Trainwreck 2 idea (with no Bill Hader).
• Let's make these tie-dye s'mores from Studio DIY tonight.
• From Vogue: summer camps for adults are now a Thing.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I participated in a Sunday Social about fall and college, rounded up my favorite Colonial home features, and recapped my late summer in Instagram.
• Two years ago I rounded up some olive and moss green wardrobe inspiration for fall and styled a classic preppy gameday.
• Three years ago I shared neutral wardrobe inspiration and home decor ideas and daydreamed about a mod-influenced citrus wedding.  
• Four years ago I shared inspiration for a destination wedding in tropical shades.

clicks of note: if you truly wish to be...

get your week off to a colorful start...
WATCH.

• I don't care how stressed out I am, the Muppets will always make me smile. This video has me wishing the powers that be had chosen Josh Groban to play Willy Wonka instead of creepy Johnny Depp. Linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• China pattern fans rejoice: the new White House set.
• Are you loving the brass kitchen hardware trend too?
• SMP features this elegant multicultural wedding.
• At SW, a creative, beautiful equestrian center soiree.

SMILE.

• Desktops from Card Store and Going Home to Roost.
• If I ever start my own school it will have rainbow stairs.
• How cute is Lia Griffith's jellyfish beach party garland?
• Beautiful paintings inspired by Searching for Sunday.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared a TV flashback themed Sunday Social post, rounded up lemon yellow picks (including my favorite scent) and inspiration for a rustic lemon wedding, and shared a typical day in my life as a teacher.
• Two years ago I shared my past and made predictions about my future.

clicks of note: we're home...

get your week off to a colorful start.

LISTEN.

• One of the great mysteries of the music world to me is that Matt Nathanson isn't a household name yet. "All We Are" came up on my Pandora and I realized I'd forgotten what a lovely song it is. I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• Jennifer Blair photographed this perfect beach wedding.
• DIY marbelized ribbon from Oh Happy Day - so pretty!
• Style Me Pretty features an elegant Rhode Island wedding.
• SW shows off a simple, lovely Memphis restaurant wedding.

SMILE.

• Digging a painted geometric welcome mat from The Crafted Life.
• Lovely Indeed's new series is so clever... art and style combined.
• Thrifty Decor Chick shares ways to fit storage all over the house.
• Vogue presents a history of the coolest French It Girl hairstyles.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared a Sunday Social all about the 5's, joined the Literary Junkies link-up, rounded up beautiful bridesmaids in white, let Mr. Q take over the blog for a day, and recapped my April in entertainment.
• Two years ago I recapped my entertainment favorites from April and my spring in Instagram photos.
• Three years ago I shared my big goals for the future and wardrobe inspiration featuring Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango.

Christmas Eve Holiday Home Tour

Last year I didn't share our Christmas decor until after Christmas, so I guess I'm doing a little bit better!  This year, I was inspired by our summer vacation to Colonial Williamsburg and decided to do a classic Virginia theme for our Christmas decorations.  I was especially inspired by our state bird, the Cardinal, bright Christmas poinsettias, and plaid and gingham fabrics and trim.

Come on in!  You can see more shots of my cardinal and plaid wreath here.  I was inspired by some of my favorite bloggers' home tours to add a little flair to our banisters this year - Dollar Tree garland looks pretty great paired with plaid ribbon and poinsettias!

Here's our tree!   In addition to cardinals and plaid, I tried to stick to a gold and red color scheme with a few bits of pewter.  The Santa blanket is a little cheesy, but it was a gift from Mr. Q's grandparents when we started dating so I bring it out every year.

I really love it when my gift wrap matches my theme - it's the Type A side of me coming out, I guess.  The plaid gift wrap was a Big Lots find, and the plaid tissue is from the Dollar Tree!  It doesn't take a lot of money to have a really pulled-together Christmas look, but you do have to be willing to shop at several stores for all of your pieces.

Here's my little tribute to the holiday decorations at Colonial Williamsburg, which use a lot of beautiful fruit - mandarin oranges, apples, and pomegranates make a cheerful centerpiece.  Did you notice that my table runner and throw pillows match?  That's because they're all made from the same Big Lots tablecloth!  I used The Happy Housie's envelope pillow tutorial.

I have a little snack station set up on the counter for today's guests.  I've got Christmas plates and napkins (thanks again to Big Lots!) along with Chex Mix, cocoa, and some other munchies.  I made the wee little votive holder by rolling a glass jar in a mixture of Epsom salts and white and gold glitter - I used the same "snowglobe mix" in some Mason jars filled with pinecones that I've scattered around the house for a little extra cheer that will last all winter.

Merry Christmas, friends!  May your holidays be full of peace and joy.

Linking Up:

Share It Link Party at The Winthrop Chronicles

Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

Wildly Original at I Gotta Create

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Kojo Designs

clicks of note: and tell you everything i'm thinking...

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.

• For some reason, my summer country phase has stretched well into fall this year. Thomas Rhett is one of my favorite newcomers on the country scene, and I could listen to "Make Me Wanna" on repeat. I'll be linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos... come join us!

SWOON.

One Love Photography via Style Me Pretty

• 6th St. Design School shows off House Seven - right up my alley!
• Elisabeth Millay shares a gorgeous mauve plantation wedding.
• A lovely vintage-inspired wedding at Heart Love Always.
• SMP features a blush Pasadena wedding with romantic details.

SMILE.

• Dear Lillie has two pretty new holiday printables.
• The Sweetest Occasion rounds up fab hostess gifts.
• Definitely going to add a post to #wearefamily2014.
• ALL THE THANKSGIVING IDEAS on my Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I featured my favorite acai and plum purple pieces for fall, gave a shoutout to some of my favorite Instagrammers,
• Two years ago, I shared cozy cabin-inspired wardrobe picks, my decorations for our family's Thanksgiving dinner, my November blog loves, and outfit inspiration for tailgating at the Commonwealth Cup.
• Three years ago, I rounded up barn wedding inspiration:  a traditional, rustic celebration, a cedar and teal color scheme, and a colorful, modern party.  I also shared Thanksgiving tablescape and centerpiece ideas and my apple-cranberry pie recipe.

home envy: colonial interiors

Last month, when we got back from our vacation in Williamsburg, I shared some of my favorite features of Colonial homes' exteriors.  Today, I've rounded up a few features I noticed inside Williamsburg's homes, government buildings, and shops that look just as beautiful in modern home interiors.

Robert Webb via Homes of the Rich | Elizabeth Roberts Design via Remodelista

I was so impressed by the beautiful black and white marble flooring in the entry of the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg.  Classic black and white patterns look great in stately homes as well as in smaller doses in urban spaces.  

Cote De Texas | Kathleen Walsh Interiors, LLC via Houzz

House Beautiful via Attic Mag

Butler's pantry from Southern Living

Another Governor's Palace feature I loved was the butler's pantry just off the entry.  The open shelves inside held an assortment of antique bottles and pitchers.  I love open shelving in modern kitchens, and though it's a touch often associated with farmhouse decor, it's just as appropriate in a Colonial home.

 

via Liz Marie Blog | Tobi Fairley

Columbia Cabinet Works | Sara Gilbane via Attic Mag

Throughout the Governor's Palace, Delft tile and pottery were integrated into the decor. These classic Dutch earthenware designs are charming, and Delft pottery is still manufactured today.

Margot Austin via Decor Happy | Country Living

Windsor chairs were introduced in America in the 1720's, and the classic style is easy to find.

Chinoiserie reading nook by Simplified Bee | Annsley Interiors via Decor Pad

A style known as "Chinese Chippendale" became popular in America in the late 18th century, and I fell in love with two emerald-green chairs I spotted upstairs in the Governor's Palace. I love the idea of painting this style in a bright neon color for a fun, modern look in an office or on a patio.

Gild and Grace

The Governor's Palace also boasted some beautiful wall paneling.  This is an interior feature that looks very luxe but can be DIYed as well to match any decor.

Todhunter Earle Design via Boxwood Cottage

Let's talk plaid... done with too heavy a hand, a solid-color plaid or checked fabric can look like a bad 80's flashback.  Done in small doses on a few coordinating pieces, the design is so cozy and welcoming.

David Mitchell via Alicia B. Designs

Talk of the House

Yvonne McFadden LLC via Houzz

No Colonial home tour is complete without a master canopy bed.  Like plaid furniture, canopies can sometimes cause '80's deja vu, but today's versions are much less frilly princess and much more modern escape.

Wick Design via The D Pages

Benjamin Moore

Cynthia Palampore duvet cover from Pottery Barn

Finally, palampore prints are a simple and easy way to bring some Colonial style into your home.  In the 1700s these designs were exported from India and were very expensive.  The most popular designs represent plants and flowers.  Today, palampore patterns are a staple at some of my favorite home goods stores, from Pottery Barn to Pier1, on everything from throw pillows to shower curtains.

Do you have any Colonial or historical touches in your home?  What is your favorite decorating style?

Thanks to Wikipedia for helping me learn about Colonial designs!