Welcome, friends old and new! I’m so excited that the Christmas season is upon us and I have the opportunity to let you into our home to see how we celebrate the holiday.
It’s the busiest time of year for me—hence the lack of posting since before Thanksgiving! It has honestly been the most hectic couple weeks of my life and it feels amazing to finally be done with the house and able to enjoy it.
This past weekend I managed to shop for supplies/decor, DIY and decorate the entire house in two nights. All while making and shipping out a record number of art prints! It’s truly a Christmas miracle that I pulled it off in time.
If you’re visiting for the first time, hello! My name is Jenna and I live in a quiet little town in the foothills of Northern California with my husband and our two cats. We just moved here in February and have been renovating our 1970’s home non-stop—you can see the progress so far on my home tour page.
Without further ado, let’s get this tour started!
I have 75 photos (!) to share so this tour will be split up into two posts. Today I’m sharing our living room and master bedroom, and tomorrow will be our front porch, foyer and kitchen/dining area.
Let’s head down into the living room, shall we?
When choosing a style this year, I had a blank slate to work with. No stash of old Christmas decorations (well, just a few from our Florida home but they were turquoise and I’m on hiatus from that color).
Since relocating from the beach to the rural mountains last year, my decor style has evolved and I’m all about cozy cabin decor with a dose of cottage and farmhouse mixed in.
With vaulted ceilings and large picture windows overlooking the countryside, our home lends itself to that style so this year I was craving a traditional red, white and green storybook type setting.
I’ve actually never decorated with red in my life. I never even purchased any red decor until this season.
It has absolutely won me over.
In my home you’ll find mostly flea market scores, DIY projects and budget buys.
If there’s a way to do it myself, I’m there. Like this cabinet I built a few months ago (my favorite build ever)…
And also the DIY matted photo frames. Everything on the shelf was a flea market/thrift find.
I didn’t have any large plant pots so I wrapped all my potted trees in old collected scarves this year. I love how easy (and free) it is!
The one thing we did splurge on though was this quartz stone fireplace….
Worth every penny.
I relocated my Roman Numerals print from the mantel to this side table. I can’t get enough of classic black and white in any season.
The black and gray sweater pillows are Pottery Barn finds I picked up new on Ebay for a steal.
I love mixing in and repurposing vintage pieces, like this flea market trunk which serves as extra storage + a side table.
I’m a bit obsessed with textiles lately and have been collecting blankets, like this $1 flea market find on Saturday…
And these cable knit stockings (one of which was a no-sew DIY from a sweater, tutorial next week…)
Bows were also heavily incorporated this year. I used a roll of fabric ribbon and tied one onto every banister (the garland was made from evergreen from our front yard, another DIY for next week).
And this “branchler” plaque? Another DIY, of course…
I had a lot of fun decorating my antique cabinet.
This print was another DIY that will be offered as a freebie next week:
Love these cute gift sacks (this one was found at TJ Maxx):
Speaking of gifts, let’s make our way back to the tree…
Every ornament was a DIY in some form. Pinecones, ribbons, and hang tags make for inexpensive and easy decor.
The gift wrapping was all made from kraft paper and leftover scraps of fabric and twine. Almost free!
I found a couple yards of fur fabric in the remnant pile at a huge discount and cut it into the shape of a rug. Perfect present opening area!
Hot cocoa, anyone?
Now that we’re all warmed by the fire, let’s head back upstairs to the coziest spot in the house… our master bedroom:
I recently gave our flat white doors a makeover and I’m just loving the drama of the black. Perfect backdrop for a fresh mini wreath (tutorial on that next week!)
I can’t get enough plaid this year. There’s just something about red plaid, black and white, and pops of green
that make me melt.
that make me melt.
All this room needed was some fresh greenery and a few subtle pops of red.
We like to keep it extra cozy in here year round.
I toned down the red for a calmer, softer vibe for the bedroom.
More scarf-wrapped mini trees. My new favorite thing.
Well, I’d say 51 photos is enough for today! Thank you so much for stopping by and make sure to come back tomorrow for the rest of the tour! And don’t forget to check out the rest of these amazingly talented bloggers in the lineup today:
House by Hoff | Jenna Sue Design | Love Grows Wild | Craftberry Bush | All Things G&D | DIY on the Cheap
And here’s the entire tour in case you’ve missed any so far—huge thanks to Jen Migonis for organizing it!
Monday:
The Happy Housie | Everyday Enchanting | Maison de Pax | Life on Virginia Street | Unskinny Boppy | Setting for Four
Tuesday:
rooms FOR rent | Town and Country Living | On Sutton Place | Design, Dining and Diapers | At Home with The Barkers | Cottage in the Oaks
Wednesday:
House by Hoff | Jenna Sue Design | Love Grows Wild | Craftberry Bush | All Things G&D | DIY on the Cheap
Thursday:
Friday:
Migonis Home | Just a Girl and Her Blog | Fox Hollow Cottage | City Farmhouse | Ciburbanity
See you tomorrow!
Stacy Risenmay says
Your home is gorgeous! I love it all.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Jenny! You can read about that project here: https://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/08/master-makeover-diy-map-chart-antlers.html
Amanda says
Stunning! LOVE your style! Seriously, your home is beautiful. I'm originally from N. CA & your photos make me so homesick, as I'm currently living in Arizona.
Jenny Smith says
Hi Jenna, your home is fabulous! Where did you get your antlers mounted on the wood? I've been looking for something like this. All the ones I have seen so far looks fake and not as fabulous as yours!
Christy says
Hi Jenna, I found your blog a few weeks ago and I really love your style! I'm also from Nor Cal (Bay Area). Anyhow, your decorations are picture perfect! I'm loving plaid this year too and I think I will attempt to recreate your branchlers 🙂 So clever! Also, your antique cabinet is to die for. What a gorgeous piece!
Jenna Sue says
You are too kind, thank you for reading & commenting!
Jenna Sue says
Hah, oh no! Our cats could really care less (Susie just likes to stare at the tree). I'm so glad I could assist you in finding your style though, yay!
Cynthia Myers says
I just wanted to leave a comment to let you know that I have followed your blog for quite a while and if I ever won the Lottery, I would never buy a new house. I would instead contact YOU and have you work your magic. You have such amazing vision and the results are never cookie-cutter. I'm always happy to see a new post on your blog and see what you have created.
Thanks so much!
Kelly B. says
I'm really jealous your cats let you have nice things. and REAL LIVE greenery, too! Our cat was such an ass this year we had to put away our fake tree because he kept chewing on it and puking. womp. I'm so in love with your house.. I've had such a hard time throughout my life identifying my “style” since I feel like I am drawn to so many things and I honestly don't think it was until seeing your home it clicked that THIS is most me. Been using it as a template going forward in how I tweak my own home. 🙂
April says
Love your theme and I'm so impressed that you can carry it throughout your house! I am so not good at that. I love the color red that you chose to use and the cream. I went with more red and white and some black on my tree this year and stepped out of my normal decor. You can see my little TN house on my blog. I love your blog and decor style so much!
http://www.cheathamblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-home-tour.html
loveolympiajune says
Your home is absolutely stunning! I feel like every picture you posted could be found in a magazine. So much inspiration! Thank you for sharing your blog. 🙂
Stephanie
Anonymous says
Jenna Sue, your Christmas decorating is brilliant. I had such a wonderful time taking your photo tour. It put a wide smile on my face. I hope you and your husband enjoy the best holiday yet. Cheers, Ardith
Shayna Orrino says
Absolutely stunning! Can't wait to see the rest of the tour! Question is, when can I move in? Merry Christmas, sweet friend! 🙂
Sonya~At Home with The Barkers says
The addition of the red is ABSOLUTELY perfect! It looks amazing with all of neutral decor. I totally agree too, that fireplace is amazing and worth every penny!! I'll be pinning and sharing. Love it all! ~Sonya
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says
Your home is seriously gorgeous. I love the gray wall in your master. Can't wait to see part 2!!