Hello everyone and welcome to my Christmas home! I’m so excited to be joining 26 talented ladies as part of Marty’s (A Stroll Thru Life) Home Tour Series. Welcome to those of you coming over from Kim’s beautiful tour yesterday at Shiplap and Shells.
If you’re new here, you can read about our home and property history in THIS post.
At Christmas, I really strive to create not a department-store tree or a designer room, but simply a feeling of Christmas past. I fondly remember getting the Sears Wish Book and looking at the beautiful dolls and dreaming about what I might get for Christmas. My mother didn’t decorate every square inch of our home, but she always put up a beautiful tree with Shiny Brites, Jewel Brite ornaments, red velvet balls and red cardinals, tinsel garland and lots of icicles. (Yes, the single strands are called icicles – even now that’s what is written on the packaging.)
I remember one year she made several beautiful faux greenery arrangements for candles with snow-covered holly, and I loved seeing those all lit up through the house. Every Christmas was so magical, and I have always looked at those memories and tried to recreate that feeling of coziness, warmth and love.
For us, the living room is our main living space, so it needs to function well, but I still want it to look pretty. It is very Victorian in style trimmed in the mouldings from the Victorian house daddy grew up in here, and furnished with mostly antiques, heirlooms and hand-me-downs. It’s the perfect room for an old-fashioned Christmas, and that’s what I’ve tried to create.
I kept all the warm tones from fall with rust and red velvet pillows and added great grandmother’s colorful afghan, a plaid throw for a table cover, and a crocheted table topper.
My daughter gave me the gold kilim pillows last Christmas, and I was excited to use that color for this season as well.
A mosaic candle holder and candles poured in depression glass containers add light to the coffee table where plenty of books are ready for reading on those cold, winter nights.
I made the little house out of cardboard and cereal boxes about eight years ago, which is a recreation of the house daddy grew up in here and where all the trim, doors and beadboard, etc., came from. The windows are from the old house and the Chinese Ancestors were inherited.
The late 1800s oil lamp is on loan from mother, and the little 1970s Nativity is from my childhood.
I love this faux tree because I like to have it up at least a month. This is the unlit Nobilis Fir I bought from Grandin Road in 2015. I love that it has the open look and shape of a tree growing out in the woods and has room for ornaments to hang and be seen.
For the mantel, I gathered cedar and white pine then formed a swag to hang over the antique print. I also used cedar and white pine to hang from the oil lamp holders and to decorate around the 1921 Sessions clock. I made the red velvet mantel scarf several years ago from upholstery fabric I bought on clearance. The early 1900s Perfection Kerosene Heater was on the property, and I have lit it with a candle. It is fully functional, but I’m quite sure I would never put kerosene in it and light it!
I made the stockings several years ago from upholstery remnants for the three children, but need to add one for my new son-in-law.
I decorated the tree with a collection of handmade ornaments my mother bought for me a couple years ago. I also used vintage Shiny Brites, Jewel Brite angel ornaments from my childhood, wrapping paper fans I made in college for my mother’s tree, great grandmother’s glass beads, red and gold bows I made, and icicles.
I also used a combination of clear and colored C-7 LED bulbs. Now, I’m still not a fan of LED Christmas lights, because of the blinking, and the warm clear ones give off a very chartreuse glow, (especially when people use lots of them), which I don’t care for. Most of the color ones give off a blue – almost black light glow, which I don’t like either. Combining the warm clear, and not too many, with the color ceramic bulbs helped to lessen some of that strange glowing, but certainly not enough to look like incandescent bulbs, sadly. There is just nothing like an incandescent Christmas light, so I hope LED technology catches up to create that look.
An afghan made by my maternal great grandmother just seemed to add some more Christmas cheer to this room.
I usually display the doll my grandfather had sent from Paris to my mother during World War II, but this year I decided to use a set of the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls mother made for my girls. There’s a local connection too, so it just seemed right.
Raggedy Ann was created by Johnny Gruelle in 1918 in memory of his daughter Marcella who had died from Diptheria at age 14. He added Raggedy Andy in 1920. The Gruelle family came here for summers, so my grandparents and dad knew them well. They still have a family home here. The time period also seemed to fit so nicely with the setting here of the old house and my daddy’s family history here in the early 1900s as well.
The glow of colored bulbs on a humble tree with glittering icicles and cozy lamplight makes me feel like I’ve stepped back in time where there were no black-Fridays, no shopping hauls, gift guides and pressure to buy more- spend more in order to celebrate something that could not be farther from all of that.
While I enjoy the cultural history of Christmas and try to recreate my childhood Christmases for my own kids, it’s really not about any of that. It’s about a little baby in a very smelly cattle stall wrapped not in pretty velvet bows but in strips of cloth who came to bring hope to a dark world. That is what I celebrate. And that is what I hope my family remembers about Christmas.
I’m so glad you came by today! My kitchen tour will be next, but first be sure to go by and see all these talented ladies all linked below. Next on this tour is Shelley Calypso in the Country, and you will absolutely love her beautiful home! Thanks to Marty for all the hard work she does throughout the year to coordinate these tours!
I have a new video on my channel showing some behind the scenes and a tour as well, so be sure to check that out and subscribe while you’re there!
A Stroll Thru Life – StoneGable – Thrifty and Chic – Southern Home and Hospitality – Worthing Court
Tuesday December 6th
Our Southern Home – This is our Bliss – The Stonybrook House – A Pretty Life In The Suburbs – Up To Date Interiors – Shiplap and Shells
Wednesday December 7th
Whispering Pines Homestead – Shelley- White Arrows Home – Designing Vibes – Decor to Adore – Clean and Scentsible.
Thursday December 8th
CitrineLiving – Pasha is Home – County Road 407 – Simply2Moms – Southern State of Mind – Chalking Up Success
Friday December 9th
Hymns and Verses – Eleanor Rose Home – Dimples and Tangles
Yes your home takes us away from black Friday’s and constant stress of buy, buy, and more buy. Millions of dollars spent on items to impress. Items that are thought to Bring joy when the true joy of Christmas is the greatest gift ever given…That humble child sent to bring the joy of love to all. I love the story of the Grinch because the Who’s down in Whoville had Christmas without gifts and tags, trees and feasts. They knew the real meaning of Christmas. LOVE your use of the sweet boughs and items from the woods to accent your family decor. And candles…their glow cannot be matched by electricity. I love your two oil lamps always lit on your dining table so homey and comfy. Can’t wait for your kitchen tour. Thank you for all the work you give to bring us so much pleasure. God bless!!
Author
Thank you so much!! Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with all the pressure I perceive from all that and need to step back and focus more inward on what I already have and the real meaning of it all☺️ I appreciate your kindness and encouragement, thank you❤️❤️
I so look forward to your posts, and enjoy your Victorian inspired decorating style. I too decorate in this fashion. I especially love your Christmas rooms. I have the exact Christmas tree, and love the way ornaments can hang and be seen properly. Gods blessings to you and yours, and wishing you a healthy and happy New Year.
Author
Thank you so very much Leta!! Blessing to you as well❤️
Always so warm and cozy the way Christmas should feel! I look forward every year for your tour! Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing and bringing back the simplicity and meaning of Christmas!!
Author
Thank you so very much Linda! Merry Christmas to you friend❤️
Your home is so rich with color and meaningful decorations. I loved seeing all your pretty treasures…and I’m impressed that you made that house! Thank you for sharing your lovely home. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Shelley
Author
Thank you so much Shelley, and Merry Christmas to you as well!!
Oh wow Anita, your home is so beautiful, but I have to say, that video stole my heart. I love it and your beautiful music made it even more special. You are such a talented and lovely person and I love having you share your home with us each season. Thanks.
Author
Thank you so very much Marty, and thank you so much for all of the work you do putting all of this together☺️ You are a jewel❤️❤️
Such a wonderfully happy room. I adore your Raggedy Ann and Andy and the mantel scarf is gorgeous! Truly a delight to be on tour with you!
Author
Thank you so much Laura!
Your home is always so lovely through every season. I always look forward to your home tour. Thank you for sharing with us.
Author
I appreciate that, thank you very much Briana☺️☺️
Your home is made for Christmas! I love the red and the cozy, warm feeling you have created. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas season!
Author
Thank you so much Jenn!! Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas as well☺️☺️
Oh, Anita! Beautiful, Special, Awesome, filled with wonderful memories and items from your Mother and GrandMother, special times, all just so personal. Your Christmas decor amazes me, LOVE, love, love everything!!!!!!!
Hi Anita, I so enjoyed your tour! I love watching the process, from the woods to the decorating. Such a treat and better than a Hallmark movie!! Isn’t there some thing so joyous about adding all of your own unique little touches to make your surroundings special for your family?! I love busying myself about the home making it special for those that live here. Blessings to you friend during this Christmas season.
Author
Thank you so much Carol☺️❤️☺️ Yes I love doing those things, and nothing makes me happier than being able to be home and just taking care of those little details☺️☺️
Anita, thank you so much for all the time you put into decorating and taking us on tour through your beautiful home! The color is so rich and just what I think of for Christmas. I look forward to it every year.
Author
Thank you so very much Judy☺️ I appreciate your kind words☺️❤️
Your home for the holidays makes me so happy Anita. I fondly remember our Christmas trees, as a young child, full of bright lights and icicles. My nana used to make all the granddaughters mini crocheted afghans for our dolls and my mom made me a Raggedy Ann for Christmas one year. This really warms my heart. You have such a gift. Merry Christmas!
Author
Thank you so much Kim!! Oh how wonderful!! Funny enough I never had a Raggedy Ann! My grandmother made a Charlotte rag doll (Little House books) for me but never RA🤔
Oh how beautiful Anita! It’s like your home was made for this season…it’s so cozy and festive and inviting! You’re so talented!
Author
I appreciate that Jo-Anna – thank you!!
What a feast for the eyes and beauty for the soul. I have always loved your home but the Christmas
Tour is just stunning! Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Brenda
Author
Thank you so much Brenda, and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well☺️☺️☺️
I love that plaid wrapping paper with the black ribbon…so classic & pretty! Such a fun home tour this week. Happy Holidays friend!
Author
Thank you so much! I save ribbons off of anything I buy like blankets or throws etc., just to use for Christmas gifts☺️☺️
Love your pretty home all decorated for the holidays! Your collection of nutcrackers is amazing. AnnMarie has a collection as well. So fun touring with you this week. Merry Christmas!
Your home is mesmerizing with all of its rich history and beautiful photos, and I really enjoyed the video. Merry Christmas Anita, from one pianist to another!
Author
Thank you so much Kathy!
Beautiful! It really sets a mood.
Author
Thank you so much!
Your home is almost from another time period. It takes you back like you said to simpler times. I love the story about Raggedy Ann and Andy. I didn’t know that before. Thank you for sharing your home. Merry Christmas!
Author
Thank you so much Lori☺️☺️ Merry Christmas to you as well🎄🎄