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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Christmas Home Tour


Well tomorrow is the kick off to all the fabulous home tour parties that I thought I would link up to. They are all listed on the left sidebar along with the dates. Southern Hospitality, Hooked on Houses, and The Nesting Place are just a few of the many home tour parties that are out there and I know the ooh's and aaah's will be flying!

My decorating scheme for Christmas this year was a little different from years past. Because I redecorated this room over the summer, the previous colors just didn't work for me. So this year I went with a mostly neutral palette with green. I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

I'm sorry if the photo's are a little grainey. When I use the flash on my camera the pics look awful. So I went with warm and cozy instead of merry and BRIGHT!!!!! LOL.


I found these bottle brush trees on ebay. I know that in the rest of the country, these beauties are easily found...but not here!!!!


Here is the finished mantle and garland, although I'm still working on more ornaments.

Crystal bead garlands and silver finials drip from the whole thing.



I made these stockings almost 10 years ago. Please don't laugh at the ridiculously small toe area! (I do enough of that for all of us) I tried making new ones but my husband likes these and changing everything all at once would give him a heart attack!!!

I got this wreath and the garland at Big Lots. I walked in there on a whim, just to see what they had and couldn't believe it when they had these cute wreaths.




I made this runner out of an old table cloth.


This is the first year that I made a centerpiece like this. It works out really well because it's easy to move when my sweetie takes over the table with work stuff.




This was the first year I added snow to the tree. I used quilt batting and then spray glue and a chunky glitter called Diamond Dust. Then I just laid the pieces onto the branches. You may not be able to tell from the photos but the effect is really cool.
This tree has a bird/garden theme.


Silk Paperwhites in pots are a little unexpected.


Glass and crystal snowflakes cover the tree.




It's kind of hard to tell in the pictures, but there are tons of snowflakes of all kinds hanging from the garland.




This picture is for you Dawn!



And last but not least... the kitchen.



I made the curtains and the table cloth. I think I'll use them all through winter.


Well that's it! I guess I'm a woman of few words. I hope the photo's spoke for me. I hope you all enjoyed the tour of my little desert cottage. I'm off now to make a cup of cocoa!

59 comments:

Janee said...

Karen it's absolutely stunning! What a beautiful style you have. I feel like I just visited a little Christmas Wonderland! Thank you for sharing your lovely home and creations. I always enjoy visiting!
~Janee

Debra Howard said...

Wow your decorations are gorgeous! I was just headed off to bed and thought I would check your post right quick. I will be back so I can enlarge your pics and check out all the beautiful decor closer. Great job.
Debbie

Sharing with Sherri said...

Karen,

Every inch of your home is decorated sooo beautifully for Christmas...I could just look at it forever, I had to enlarge every photo and take in every gorgeous inch!! You've done such a wonderful job!!

hugs,
Sherri:)

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Karen, Your home looks beautiful and very cozy! The tree is gorgeous!!! I love the birdhouses and the paperwhites! What a wonderful idea! I'm sure Dawn will love the bird nest :-).

Julia

farmhouse-story said...

this is just a winter wonderland, karen--gorgeous!

alissa said...

absolutely gorgeous! i love the neutral tones. i like your stockings...even the small toe!

Anonymous said...

Karen I cannot imagine all the time you have spent creating your winter wonderland!!! The layering of so many ornaments and snowflakes and pretties on your garlands is stunning. I love the mantel display- wish mine looked more like that- I always seem to have a mental block when it comes to my fireplace mantel.

You are probably 20 degrees cooler with all that Christmas going on in your home! We were there for Thanksgiving and gosh it was warm!

blessings
mary

I will be back- just can't get enough of this!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It all looks beautiful, Karen! I love your trees and garlands. Your tablecloth is great ~ I'd use it through the winter too. Very much like a wonderland as Janee said.

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

Karen everything is beautiful. I have to agree with your husband, I like the stockings. I also really like the table centerpiece. It looks like it was very easy to do.
~Sue

Deb said...

Your home looks beautiful all decorated for the Holidays Karen. I love your mantle with all your collectibles & beautiful handmade stockings ♥

Deborah said...

Fabulous! WOW. Wonderful job.
**clapping of many hands** Deb

Claudia said...

Gorgeous, Karen! Everything is beautifully decorated. I just did two posts on those Big Lot wreaths - I came home with 4 of them!

xo
Claudia

The Feathered Nest said...

OMYGOODNESS KAREN!!! Your home is a gorgeous winter wonderland!!! Every single touch is so beautiful to me....especially the chubby bird in his nest ;) I'm in love the the snow idea on your Christmas tree branches, how cool is THAT??!! I love it all...just breathtaking ~ hugs and love, Dawn

Antiques In Old Town said...

A DREAM CHRISTMAS ! So BEAUTIFUL...I would just sit and drink it in...BLESSINGS Rowann

Sea Witch said...

Wow! I feel like I have been taken on a pesonal tour of your home. You have a stunning home filled with lovely things, thank you for sharing them all with us. I especially liked your shots of the outside blue (dusk) pouring through the windows. What a marvelous backdrop the color blue made for your photos. Sea Witch

Karen said...

Karen! Your home is absolutely stunning! Every single inch of it. I've never seen the garland hung like that - oh the HOURS it must've taken. Your hard work paid off. It is just . . . beyond words.
I know I usually say something funny (HA!) - but I am at a loss for words. It is all so much - I need time to go back over and over and absorb everything. Eye candy to die for!!!
Thanks so much for sharing! OH MY!
Hugs! Karen

Oliver's said...

Just stunning...can you come help me out?

stefanie said...

Oh, Karen, your home is the most GORGEOUS home I have ever seen, I love the colors, If I was you, I don't think I could ever take it down. Thank you so much for the tour, I am soooooo jealous now..lol

ellen b. said...

Karen! I'm so mesmerized by your home and your decor! Love all the white and sparkle. Beautiful!!
Merry Christmas!

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Your home looks so beautiful and the garland you made is so pretty, I bought the same wreath from Big Lots last yr and we both hung them on mirrors that look alike! Your home looks like it should be in a magazine (;
Merry Christmas & Hugs~Kelly

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Your decor is very pretty!

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

I know I am not the first to say this...but your home really does look like it belongs in a magazine. Everything coordinates so lovely!

I have a lot of different color schemes for Christmas.....I have a new collection of vintage..REDS and GREENS so it is a little mismatchy to my true home decor.

Our large tree is traditional and holds all of our family ornaments...when the kids all leave home and take their boxes of ornaments...then I can color coordinate a bit :)

It is very hard to get the perfect picture of a tree..many bloggers have talked about it...you did a beautiful job of showcasing your home and I bet it is even better in person.

Thanks for sharing~Sheri

MaygreenFairies said...

I just knew your Christmas Decs would be fantastic and you didn't dissappoint hun.... GORGEOUS!! Hugs, Mandy x

Nancy said...

Now I call that "Beautiful"!! You did an awesome job of decorating and not only is it Christmasy, but also very cozy. It's just wonderful and I'm sure your family will enjoy it over the holiday.
XO Nancy

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Everything is so dreamy looking and lovely. How in the world did you get this all done????
I love the bottle brush trees too, and they are very hard to find here too. I also found two of the bottle brush wreaths at Big Lots and I was so excited.
Also, I noticed on one of your walls that you have a big ceiling tile with plates above and below.
I really like that look. I have a large, metal ceiling tile that looks so plain and I wasn't sure how to plump it up, now I know. I'm going to try some plates. Hope you don't mind me copying you.
You have extrordinary style. Love it.

Desires of the Heart said...

Hi Karen, Oh my, it's all just so beautiful and restful!! The colors are wonderful that you chose. I, too love the idea of the batting snow. Have a wonderful Christmas!! Linda

The French Bear said...

It's stunning! Love the garlands, and all of the decorations, just so elegant!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Patina said...

Wow, everything looks beautful! It is truely looking like Christmas at your house!

I'm sorry, I just got your message today. That email address has not been working so I haven't been checking it. Well, it finally decided to work.

It looks like you got your bottle brush trees, they look beautiful!

Rue said...

I am amazed! My mom lives in AZ now and as hard as she tries at Christmas she has never gotten the look of winter in her home like you have. Unless you said it, I never would have known that's where you lived. Everything is truly gorgeous. If I have to point out one thing, your tree is wonderful. Beautiful work :)

RUE

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen! Oh, my goodness! What beautiful Christmas decorating in your beautiful home! Your fireplace and surround is just so amazing! It's so elegant and sparkly! There's so much to see. Now, how long did it take you to do all of this? Inquiring minds want to know! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

black eyed susans kitchen said...

This is such a lovely decor for Christmas...it is easy on the eyes and that Christmas tree is gorgeous.
Susan

Suzy said...

Lovely decorations...Thanks for sharing your style!
Suzy

Linda Q said...

Karen, it is all amazing, I just loved seeing it all. Your attention to detail is wonderful!
And thinking outside the box with things to use for decor. Wonderful!
Linda

Richella Parham said...

Everything is just lovely! And I love the way it seems to be snowing in your photos. I can't even imagine how you do that, but it sure added to the Christmas fun!

Unknown said...

You have been one busy busy girl! And boy was it worth it. Everything looks gorgeous. I see you love your "stuff" as much as I love mine! Good for us!

Cyn said...

Karen your home is so beautiful! thanks for sharing!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Everything looks fabulicious!!! I love all the garlands with the snowflakes. And your tree is stunning. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hello Karen,
I just love your green/neutral colour scheme.
Natacha

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

Everything looks so elegant!

Hope to see you next week for the Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash!

Sue said...

This is NOT what I would have expected of a home in AZ. :-) You must have roots from elsewhere in the country! LOL Everything is just spectacularly done! I'll have to come back and spend more time perusing it all. Nice to meet you.
Happy Holidays from Sue

busyascanbe said...

I love your pictures ...how did you get the pretty border around them? Your blog is so nice I am glad I found you!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Karen your home is absolutely gorgeous, the tree, mantle, everything! Love all the snowflakes and your dining room centerpiece is wonderful!
Debra

Elyse said...

hi karen!

happy december!

everything looks so beautiful and twinklie! i love it!

sit with a hot cocoa and just gave around the room for me!

xo
elyse

Elyse said...

ps

"gave" was supposed to be "gaze"

:)

June said...

Absolute gorgeousness everywhere I look Karen. I can't even tell you what I love best. I LOVE it ALL!!! WOW!!!
hugs

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

How lovely! It's like a Winter Wonderland. Thanks for giving us the tour!

nannykim said...

Very Lush--it looks like a snowfall of garland! I like the "snow" on the tree--I did a similar thing last year. This year I went with berries.

http://spindlecottage.blogspot.com/

Lady Pamela said...

Karen, your Christmas home is absolutely my favorite on the whole web. I'm not just saying that. I truly mean it. I would so love to see it in person. Love the bird theme tree, too. Very creative.

Blue Creek Home said...

Your Desert Cottage is beautiful dressed up for the holidays. So many pretty photographs to see. Very romantic!!
I bought 2 of those sweet bottlebrush wreaths from Big Lotts last week too!
Signed up to follow so I won't miss anything!
Rhonda

Jane said...

Wonderful job! Thanks for sharing.

Heather said...

Your home is simple gorgeous!! I love everything, will you come do mine?! Seriously, it's all so beautiful! Merry Christmas!

Jorgelina said...

Hi!!
Everything is beautiful.
Your decor is very pretty!
Merry Christmas

Jean said...

Karen, everything has the WOW factor. I love it all. It is hard to pick a favorite but I so covet your garland with all the snowflakes. It is exquisite. Great job, girlfriend.
Merry Christmas,
Jean in Virginia

Viola said...

Absolutely stunning, Karen!! :-)

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Just gorgeous...perfect! Thank you for sharing your incredibly beautiful home with us on this Christmas tour!

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year...

Tumble Fish Studio said...

If you're monitor appears to be a bit moist, it's from me panting and drooling over your BEAUTIFULLY decorated home. Breathtaking! What a gorgeous blog you have over here!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

What a winter wonderland your house is. Everything is truly beautiful!
Wishing you a very Merry Chrismas and the Best New Year ever!
bunny hugs and friends,
shell

Unknown said...

Hello,

I am having fun looking at your blog! LOVE IT!!

I was wondering if you could tell me the tittle or artist of the snowman on your mantle, I believe it is vintage. I know you make snowmen, but I don't think you made this one that I am referring to...it is the snowman on the far right of your mantle. I believe I've seen these for sale on Ebay, for for quite a bit.

I thank you soooo much!!
Sue

Unknown said...

Hello again Karen, forgot to give you my email addy, I was the lady that asked about your vintage Snowman, thanks again!! Sue

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