You're here! I've been expecting you. You are my FAVOURITE kind of holiday visitor; you can't give me your cold and you're physically incapable of eating all of the snacks that I put out which I really want to keep all for myself. Welcome virtual guests to my 2019 Christmas house tour.
If you've ever bought a cartload of food for a party, all of which is appealing to you, you know what I'm talking about. You put the Ruffles & Dip out and begrudge every handful of chips that someone smashes into their mouth.
Who am I kidding. I buy the Ruffles & dip for the party and then don't put them out when people come over rationalizing there's already too much food. But really I just don't want them to eat any of my Ruffles & dip. I want them for me.
Although that could be just me, what with my interest in potato chips. Mind you, I feel the same way when someone eats the Italian blue cheese I put out, the cured meats or the specialty crackers. And the bacon wraps??? I never EVER put out all of the bacon wraps at a party. I hold several back in the freezer and when someone asks if there are any more bacon wraps I emphatically say NO to their face, while whispering "not for you there isn't" under my breath as I walk away.
Like I said, you aren't going to eat my chips or my bacon wraps so you're welcome to take a look around and stay as long as you like.
Welcome to my house and its Christmas decorating for 2019.
Christmas Decorating Ideas.
My collection of Christmas trees (most given to my by my friend Anj) on top of my hardware cabinet in the kitchen along with the famous white truck everyone loves.
On the island I have a live tree that's significantly bigger than I thought it was when I bought it. The top has a bronze glass bird with a feather tail and the rest of the ornaments are a few from my collection of antique ornaments.
If you have leftover greenery, put a few branches in bottles, jars or vases. You really don't need to do anything other than stick them in there. Don't worry about adding anything else. A few evergreen branches in a vase are casually elegant all on their own.
This was the day I was waxing my amaryllis bulbs. You can read my full tutorial on how to make your own waxed amaryllis bulbs here. I started them late this year so these won't bloom until after Christmas. I'm also doing a bit of a trial this year, soaking half of my bulbs in water with fertilizer and the other half with no fertilizer. I'll update my waxed amaryllis post with the results once I know them.
The filthy range of a Christmas cook.
I change things up every year for Christmas, but these wreathes are always here on my cabinet doors. The one thing I did change on the wreaths this year, was to attach 2 antique sleigh bells to each wreath.
Yup, I know. You LOVE deer heads. Yup, I know. You HATE deer heads. Moving onto the dining room ...
I've had a tall white imitation tree in this corner for about a decade now. Possibly more. I still love the white tree but let me tell you, an imitation, completely flocked tree will leave your house looking like you left a room full of puppies and feather pillows together for the day. That flocking gets EVERYWHERE and seems, as far as I can tell, to literally jump off the tree.
Margaret watches over everything because she has nothing else to do on account of the fact that she's a painting. My saddle sits on my rickety saddle stand, with 2 baskets set in front. The baskets are filled with dry beans that I still have to shuck this winter.
I'm also making sleigh bells to hang off of my doorknobs. I bought these antique bells years ago to do this, but never got around to it. This year I'm DOING it.
I mean, I took these photos a week or so ago and the bells are still sitting exactly there on the dining room table, but I'm fairly sure I'm going to do them this year. I think. Once I've watched all the Hallmark movies, I will do them.
For the season I took up all the Turkish scatter rugs I had running down this area because I really like how the floors look leading up to the tree at the back in its wicker basket.
My living room that still hasn't been done over has one peaceful corner. This is it.
The rest of the room is a mishmashdisaster.
First thing in the New Year I'm going to round up all my interior designer friends to ask them why I can't get my house to feel Christmas cozy during the rest of the year. I mean there has to be something we can do to make our homes feel like they do at Christmas without resorting to leaving our lights and garland up.
I know it has to do with lighting and layering. But I want EXPERT advice. I'll pass it on of course, once I get answers.
Like I mentioned earlier, I have antique Christmas ornaments which I've been collecting for years and years. Many of them were broken in the great tree toppling of 2005. One of my readers heard about it and gave me a box of her antique ornaments which she didn't use. The two most noticeable ones are the 2 big balls on the tree below. One light blue and one light pink.
And of course there are dried orange slices. You can read about how to make them here. I made them 3 years ago and they're still perfect. As they age they get darker but they're still beautiful and look like stained glass when they're in front of a light.
Also new this year is the massive antique pot that I have my tree in. I bought it at a flea market this fall knowing this is probably the only thing I'm going to use it for. But I HAD to have it for one reason. The old riveted repair on the bottom of it.
That one thing is what sold me on this pot. That and the patina.
Back to that thing I do where I hoard and hide party food. Of course it only stays hidden for a week before it shows up in my back fat.
But I'm not alone in that, right? Do you do it too?
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
Your house looks just wonderful! Your decorating is getting more assured all the time. The good thing about being a virtual visitor is that I can keep coming back without calling ahead at unseasonable hours to admire it and you won't mind!
Very cool. Like in a dream.
Yay, thanks Karen for replying so promptly at this busy time. I'm going out now to purchase the oranges. Have a lovely Christmas. A bit different here, much of Australia is burning and we had our hottest day on record here yesterday. Our thoughts are with the fireys.
PS, Totally rendered my giant brick wall after your encouraging post. Very happy. Where can I share the pics?
Have you ever gotten your amaryllis bulbs to bloom the next year? I've tried several times and failed miserably. No blooms, just leaves.
When I read "On the island I have a live tree..." I immediately thought (even though I was looking at the pic of the island) that you actually have another house on an island off the Washington coast - I don't know how that thought came to my bed. And what not a house on Barbados but in the Pacific North West - perhaps because I saw a House Hunters episode from Tacoma the other day?
I do like deer heads. Is yours from Christie's?
I don't have a Christmas tree this year (because of a blind dog and not enough space and moving anything confuses the dog) but I still felt the need of a live Christmas tree. So I cut down a weeping nootka that I planted myself almost 10 years ago and that grew absolutely gigantic and huge and furry (very unlike the one I pictured, with a limb here and there, very minimalist). I did not realize how huge it was (and heavy) until it was on the ground. I cut off the top 6 feet and we stood it up in the office behind my cube. I think this is the first time there is a live Christmas tree at work.
Looks beautiful!
Hi Karen, your trees look so beautiful in their fantastic containers! How do you do it? I would like to put mine in an old Medalta crock, but wonder how to brace it ( I wouldn’t want a great tree toppling of 2019 😜). Any suggestions ?
Your exuberant decorations even brought a thin smile to the lips of this grinch Karen! I must ask though why you need to wax your amaryllis bulbs. Are they... hairy?
SNORT!
Comment of the year!!!
I paused (and snickered) at that line, too. Wondered if it was a euphemism of sorts...;-)
Way back in the dimness of time (the 50’s) my grandma used to stuff dates with firm butter cream icing then roll them in icing sugar... we loved them! Now the thought makes my teeth hurt but good memories of Christmas’s past. 😍 Thank you for that and for all you do. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Karen, your house looks warm, welcoming and pretty spectacular. Ours doesn't! Months of tearing off part of a roof and rebuilding a chimney, building a fence has meant utter chaos. I am fixated on your kitchen floor. Ours is the same and we yearn for that high gloss. What is the secret? Happy Christmas to you and your family.
I would hoard the treats except I haven't MADE them yet and guests are coming this afternoon and oh sh...t that's why I'm here reading the blog. To make me feel good about the fact that I have done nothing to make my house look holiday. oh, wait. I picked up some scraps of branches from the hardware store's tree sale area. That counts, right?
Wonderful holidays to all and yes, let's roar the '20s!!
Your home is lovely and always looks cozy! If I could find a frame, I would paint me a 'Margaret' !
For the first time in 3 years, I didn't manage the Christmas Pledge, and looking at your photos (and my wreck of a house), I remember why it's a brilliant idea. Lesson learned, universe! Lesson learned!
When I get home, I'm going to rip a couple branches off the pine tree outside and stick 'em in a vase just so I can say I decorated a little (I have the wreath on the door, if that counts, which it doesn't, since I only took it down from last year in October - and even then, it was just inside where we hang our coats!).
Happy Holidays, Karen!
Your home is lovely as I knew it would be! Love all of it including the deer. I covet your truck tho. I bought a large bag of potpourri just because it included a red truck. Yours is the Cadillac of trucks I must say. Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
I, for one, love that deer! I decorate mine seasonally! And u don’t need any interior designer for help. You are so great at doing the mix! So warm and comfortable! Merry Christmas!
Hands down, my favorite Christmas House tour of the year! Love, love, love your style. Thanks for letting us into your home. And for bringing me to a Christmas party where I finally stuck to my diet!
You haven't seen a lot of house tours this year? ;) And congratulations for keeping your hands off my Ruffles and dip. ~ karen!
You don't need to consult an interior design person; your house exudes Christmas. It is as unique and individual as you are and it isn't dripping with the latest fad Xmas doodads (thank goodness). Thank you for inspiring us all.
Thanks celestial. I do like a classic Christmas. :) ~ karen!
ADORE your simple trees and the space included. It's easier to see the beautiful ornaments. The irony of the deer head was not lost and brought a smile even though I don't like them. My neighbor would be very proud - he hung a white lighted deer upside down, by one leg and then put a strand of red lights puddling underneath. North Florida is quite the hunters paradise. He has no kids and of course I thought it was horrible, but still I smiled and assume he has huge Christmas balls, if you get the drift. (I do buy and then hide the dates!) Merry Christmas!
Yes. Um, the hanging deer with blood lights is a bit much even for me.🤭 (And I once shared a bed with Jerry Springer. (long story)) ~ karen!
Lovely. Just lovely. Thanks for sharing with us today and all the days you post.
It’s a joy to read your blog
Merry Christmas!
Thanks Su. :) Marry Christmas. ~ karen!
Thank you for the tour! And the laughs of course 😂. Your house is amazing, especially now...and I might have mentioned I’m not a fan of ...well...you know....this time of year 😳. You make it look like it should be like, old fashioned and cosy and tasteful😉.
Thanks for your blog, your Instagram and everything you do to make us laugh and dream. Have a wonderful, happy healthy holiday season with your family and friends and best wishes for the New Year! And the 20’s. We get to live through the 20’s.....we should all try to make them roaring again! 😜😍
LOL!! We should make them roaring! That's an inspired goal. ~ karen!