Today I'm going to take us all back in time to the year 2011. The very first Christmas house tour I published 13 years ago. This will be my photo by photo 2024 commentary on the whole event.
I would like to interrupt today's regularly scheduled post with this brief announcement.
There are 2 days until my annual Christmas Eve party and I still haven't planned out, bought the ingredients for, or decided on a menu. As of now the menu looks like this: store bought cookies and hairbrushes.
There may not be any food, but there'll be plenty of Christmas decorations for everyone to look at. Here's hoping the 3 foot tall antler on the mantle distracts everyone from their hunger pains.
I'm happier with my Christmas decorating this year than I ever have been before. I'm not sure why. Every year when I step back and look at everything, I feel like something just isn't right. I like it. But I'm not certain.
That feeling when you answer your front door and you're not wearing a bra? It's that same feeling. Everything might look fine to a stranger, but YOU know there's something making you want to cross your arms over your chest and scowl.
This year though ... I think I've done it. It may not be the way you'd decorate for Christmas and in fact, it wasn't the way I decorated last year ... but that's the great thing about Christmas decorating. It's a month long opportunity to reinvent the style of your house.
For me, it all started with a pinecone ...
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
And in closing, a special note for the holidays from the fella:
Drink just enough to get through it, but no so much that you end up hitting someone.
Nancy
Looks great Karen..love those big pine cone ornaments on the white tree..tell the fella thanks for the wonderful holiday advise..I assume this will also work for both Christmas and New Years Eve..right??
Jane
I sincerely need to know more about those jars with little trees and a hint of glow. You my dear are a Christmas Tease.
Lou Cinda
It looks FABULOUS!! Many details...and it is ALL in the details....magazine worth!
Now on to the food.....
Hope you have a Merry and Blessed Christmas! (And a wonderful party)
Lou Cinda
Love the fella's quote...
JulieB
It's beautiful. If I had accomplished that, I'd probably keep it that way for years. :) I can't wait to see how you made the little trees in jars. I didn't notice them until the close-up shot. Then my jaw dropped.
Patti
Oh, Karen! It looks beautiful!
I hope that your Christmas Eve party is everything you wanted and more! We put so much pressure on ourselves to make everything perfect, but at the end of the day - everything works out! Enjoy yourself!
susan w
oops not "better candles" battery candles
Karen
LOL. Nope.
susan w
The feature that makes everything looks so lovely is that the visible parts of the house are clean and clutter free. If I did this now it'd look like I was working in the yard and clipping got stuck to my clothes when I came.
Of course artful arrangement makes a big difference as well.
Jar lights - better candles buried under the epsom salts? It's such a cool toned light rather than flame toned.
hmmmm
Karen
Nope.
kelliblue
Gorgeous, cozy, homey and Christmassy, all wrapped up in brown paper and twine - love it! I am hitting my local dollar store today and hope to find even a fraction of the fun stuff you've found.
I also really want to know how you did the trees in the lit ball jars - so FAB!
Kristen@PrettySweet
Really beautiful!! I love the greenery swags and pinecones. Really stellar outcome - no wonder you're so happy with it!
paula
Karen, your house looks absolutely gorgeous. So full of personality and special touches. LOVE the fella's advice too, it's spot on. Merry Christmas.
Stephanie
I really don't appreciate the way you keep flaunting that rolling pin. Otherwise, I love it all;)
A very Merry Christmas to you and your family. I've enjoyed your blog tremendously and can't wait to see more in the new year.
Jen A
Nnext year for the glowing marshmallows in the mason jars?? Karen, Karen ... The season for giving is *now*. You won't feel right without sharing the secret. It will be the spiritual equivalent of rancid lard in almond chocolate bark.
Your home is gorgeous.
Jen
Jen
I think you nailed it. So, much room to breathe - the words light and airy come to mind. You turned on the Christmas ambiance.
Its not stuffy or claustrophoic or overly done... it's just right.
Merry Christmas Karen!
Karen
Thank you Jen! Merry Christmas. ~ karen
Thera
Love those lit up jars as well and the Skinny Tree!
Tracie
Your house just takes my breath away....I love everything. I can't wait until next year so I can copy you from this year...I don't mind being a year behind! I do think it's torture that we have to wait til then for your beautiful craft tho, :(
Elise
Ahh those lighted ball jars! You're such a tease! =) Can I fly you down to Florida to decorate my house?
Barbie
I LOVE those ball jars too! Can't wait to read about those! Lovely decor! Understated and elegant, creative and inventive, Cozy and warm. Like I said just lovely.
gogothrift
can't believe we have to wait until next year...you're such a tease : )
love how you fearlessly mix silver and gold...you're my hero (seriously)
Karen
gogothrift - LOL. I know people have issues with mixing silver and gold, but there's an entire Christmas song that revolves around it so I'm not worried. ;) ~ karen
Linn
Absolutely stunning! I am so attracted to the monochromatic color scheme even though my favorite color is red. Go figure!
Sally
Beautiful, beautiful. Good luck with the food.