Sunday, December 12

Christmas Tour of Homes

It's time for Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes and the Home Tour at Kelly's Korner. Thanks so much for coming to my house!

Here's what you'll see as you approach the front door:


A close-up of the wreath:


I have an artificial wreath that I use every year. I just beef it up with clippings from our Christmas tree and from the yard, as well as a few red berries. This year I added an ornament as well:


Off to the right is the sitting area of the front porch, all gussied up for Christmas. Earlier this year I made Autumn Leaf pillows out of drop cloths. I updated those pillows for the season by putting a Christmas ornament on the reverse side:


Now come on in! When you open my front door, here's what you'll see:


I just love having a foyer. It's so nice to have a place to welcome guests into our home. The antique dresser holds my antique Christmas angels and some of my favorite magnolia leaves:

And the stairway is a happy spot with its lighted garland:


Just to the left of the front door, you'll find my husband's study tucked quietly into a corner. I keep the decorations in here pretty simple--just a bit of holiday cheer to complement the stone fireplace:


To the right of the foyer is our dining room. Since this room is red, it takes quite naturally to Christmas decor, so it's one of my favorite rooms to decorate for the season.


My Christmas centerpiece was nearly free. I simply used ornaments that I bought after Christmas last year and placed them in the footbath that usually holds plants on this table. Look how the ornaments sparkle in the candlelight:


The china cabinet holds Lenox plates I bought in the years of each my sons' births. They're from Lenox's "Trees Around the World" series.


My primitive sideboard holds one of our creches along with an angel and the Christmas carol plaque I crafted last week:


The tea table holds a pretty little pitcher that my sweet husband bought me last Christmas. Doesn't it look pretty holding grocery-store lilies and some Christmas greenery?


And then to the living room, which is the site of the family tree:

Ours is a sentimental tree, full of ornaments collected over the years. I've given each of our boys an ornament every year, so when they leave home, I'll need to get new ornaments to fill in the spaces now filled by their collections.

As for the fireplace, it's the spot for our stockings. I don't know if I'll let the boys take their stockings with them when they leave home or not. . . maybe I should keep these and fill them for the guys every year!


Later this week I'll post some photos of my kitchen and back porch. They're all dressed up for Christmas, too. I wish I could have each of you sit here at the counter and drink a cup of coffee with me. But this virtual visit is the next best thing, isn't it? Thank you so much for stopping by!

52 comments:

  1. I am in love with your home. Honestly! One day, when I can build my dream home I am going to have to hit you up for the blueprints!

    Can't wait to see the rest of your Christmas decor!

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  2. I don't even have words to tell you how much I love your home AND all your decorations. You have done an outstanding job of decorating for Christmas. I certainly noticed the touches of magnolia leaves here and there. Love those and wish they grew where I live now. Thank you so much for sharing. You are so talented!
    Donna

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  3. So many great ideas here to steal...er, I mean be inspired to try! So you just wire on extra clippings to your artificial wreath, huh? Must try.

    Beautiful porch (love those ornament pillows!), love the Christmas Lenox plates displayed in the dining room and the glass candlesticks too.

    Our tree is filled with meaningful ornaments too...I've already given my older three their ornament for their own trees, so I've been slowly filling gaps with pretty ones that catch my eye each year. I make the kids stockings usually, so they can pick from any I've made and am not using.

    You have such a beautiful home. I really do wish I could come have some hot cocoa with ya!

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  4. Your home is stunning. I love all of your decor, so pretty. Such a warm and inviting home. Thanks for the tour. Hugs, Marty

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  5. I think this is one of the prettiest decorated CHRISTmas homes I have seen so far! Lovely

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  6. Absolutely gorgeous! Love the stone work on the porch and fireplace. We also gave our children an ornament every year. I finally realized that once they left home, the ornaments would too. So I started buying my husband and myself one each year as well. Made for a not so bare tree when we became empty nesters.

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  7. Richella, your home is gorgeous and looking so festive right now. Wish I could pop over for a cuppa and see you, it all looks so warm and inviting.
    xxxx

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  8. Richella, your home is so beautiful. I love that foyer. And the magnolia leaves made me smile.

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  9. gorgeous home! Love the arch way into the family room, hard wood floors..all the decor!!

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  10. You have the most beautiful home! Absolutely gorgeous. You have such a talent for decorating.

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  11. Beautiful decorations! Love the wreath on the front door! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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  12. Richella, your home is just so pretty and very inviting. I love your beautiful home!

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  13. Your home and Christmas decor is stunning! Merry Christmas!

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  14. Oh my! Your home is absolutlely beautiful! Your front porch is my favorite no wait maybe it's the staircase! Everything is just beautiful. Have a Merry Christmas!

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  15. Warm, festive, cozy... oh my! Honest to goodness, everything is just beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing it with us all!

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  16. Your home is beautiful! I love your front door and wreath and porch area. It looks so warm and welcoming!

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  17. Beautiful!! I just love the design of your home. You've decorated it so attractively for Christmas. You were smart to make your drop cloth pillows reversable. I also like how you add fresh greenery to your faux wreath. I thought it was totally real when I first looked at your picture.

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  18. I love your home and your decorations are gorgeous!! I love banister!

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  19. Hi there, just found your blog via the tour of homes. Your home is stunning!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Karen

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  20. Your porch is always so lovely & I love your tree! Your home just looks so inviting that I may need to pick Amanda up & she & I need to road trip to your house & seriously have a girls weekend :-) I see you changed the ribbon on the carol sheet, it's beautiful :-)

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  21. I just love your beautiful home and it is even prettier this time of year!

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  22. In every way possible I love your home. It's warm and inviting with, not overdone, and full of love. Another awesome year with beautiful trimmings.

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  23. Wow! You have wonderful taste and design! These pictures of your home look like they should be in a magazine! You do a WONDERFUL job!

    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

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  24. Richella, your home is always a favorite with me. She looks so pretty all primped for Christmas.

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  25. Your home just glows, Richella. :) It's so beautiful!!! Thanks for the comment this morning. I needed the encouragement!

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  26. Your home is beautiful! Christmas is overflowing in your rooms. I can't wait to see more! Carla

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  27. Richella your entire Christmas-y home is one the prettiest and most welcoming I have ever seen. Gorgeous!

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  28. Love the welcoming feeling of your home! Thanks for sharing! I love the decor you used all over the house! Have a Blessed Christmas!

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  29. Like I always say, your home is beautiful. And it's so warm and cozy all decorated for Christmas. I think when my kids grow up, I'll have them leave their stockings with me and they can get new ones for their new homes.

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  30. BEAUTIFUL home!!! What a gorgeous foyer that greets you! And fabulous Christmas decorations! So glad you shared....
    Merry Christmas!

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  31. Richella, Your home is absolutely gorgeous! I love all your decorations but especially your tree. I love a tree that is full of memories. Your porch is fabulous too! I hope you will join my holiday party that starts 12/15 I am now following your blog.
    Happy Holidays to you and your family.
    Sherry

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  32. You house is just gorgeous. It is my dream house one day. If you ever post picture of your whole house, please let me know, I would love for hubby to see it and hopefully get the hit that this is my dream home.

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  33. wow your home is stunning. I would love my house to be as big as yours! your hallway is simply stunning. I love the way you can see your tree from your front door. I am in love with your house!!!

    thanks for sharing.... gosh my home looks so dull compared to yours!!

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  34. Your home is so gorgeous! I love your style and color choices. Yes it is very very cold here, bone chilling. I have the heat on 78!

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  35. Your house is beautiful.I just wanted to curl up on your couch and take it all in.

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  36. Your home is magnificent! Great photos. Love your style.

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  37. Your house is just amazing! I love everything!!

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  38. Well, I sighed after you opened the front door, and then you lost me--I didn't hear a word of the tour...I am sitting over here on the floor next to the tree...

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  39. Your home is so lovely - and cozy. The decorations add such a feeling of welcome and festivity. I love the way your home is laid out. Trying not to covet your entryway!
    ~Adrienne~

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  40. "Beautiful" doesn't even begin to describe your home, Richella. Thank you for sharing it with us!

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  41. I've also bought my children an ornament every year. Guess what? they are in their mid to late 20's and wanted the ornaments to stay home and each year look forward to seeing what I picked out for the new year.

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  42. So lovely and festive...love your dining room - red is my favorite color!! Happy Holidays

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  43. What a beautiful style you have! Thank you for sharing with us. May God bless your Christmas season as you focus on our Lord and His wonderful gift.

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  44. Richella, your home is gorgeous! I love the magnolia along the china cabinet. And the porch...absolutely beautiful!
    Thanks for the tour!
    Merry Christmas!
    Susan

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  45. Excuse me... but holy crap. :P

    I think that just about sums it all up.
    For me as an Aussie... your place looks like something from a movie, a family Christmas American Dream home.

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  46. Richella, your home is so welcoming & inviting, just like you! Love all the woodwork and stone fireplace. just gorgeous. You do a wonderful job with Christmas. have a great one, my friend!

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  47. I'm drooling! This is absolutely gorgeous!

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  48. Love your decorations and love your cross collections - thanks for sharing :)

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  49. gorgeous! i love the wreath on your front door.

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