Hello!! Welcome to my Christmas Home Tour Blog Hop with some of my most amazing friends. If you’re new to my blog, thank you so much for dropping by. I’m so excited to be joining an amazing group of talented ladies this year sharing their Home’s Christmas style with you. You should have just come from my friend Chell’s home at Cambridge Home Company and if you haven’t visited her site yet, be sure and hop back around. It will blow you away.
{This post contains affiliate links but all the opinions are mine.}
Today I’ll be taking you through my living room and showing you how I “Christmafied” it. I’ve always wanted to go with a beautiful neutral white color theme that so many of you do for the holidays, and do it so well, I should say, but in the end, my love affair with the traditional colors of reds and greens always win out.
I’ll begin here with my fireplace mantel which is my most favorite thing to decorate for any season because there are no limits. You can check out the differences between the Christmas mantel decor and my fall mantel here.
ADDING LAYERS
I wanted my mantel this year to really “pack a punch.” It is, afterall, the first thing that catches your attention when you walk in the front door and adding layers of texture was the way to do it. It all started with these giant jingle bells that I found while shopping in Canton, Texas, at their once-a-month trading days. I saw them and it was like “Be Still My Heart,” and I knew they were coming back to Kansas. My only regret is that I didn’t buy more. They were going to be the anchor to last year’s garland. In fact, as you’ll see in my upcoming posts, jingle bells really took on a life of their own in my house this holiday season.
As I started hanging the garland and bells, I didn’t think that it was going to make enough of a statement standing alone so I just kept adding layers. And by “layers,” I mean I added the dusty miller stems to soften the green and I snuck over to my neighbor’s magnolia tree to “borrow” some of his magnolia stems and included those in as well. (Don’t worry, I did have permission to do this.) And I can’t forget the gorgeous clock customized by Aimee Weaver Designs. It’s my new favorite thing about the Holiday season.
As far as the garland goes, here’s a closeup of what I’m talking about…
KEEP ADDING
Still not happy, so I got out my trusty book page garland and hung that along with the greens. I really like the texture the paper gives. Next, I incorporated the metal Christmas banner, the cute buffalo check and plaid bunting that my ever-so-talented momma made and, of course, hung a strand of beads because it wouldn’t be a garland without BoHo Beads. BAM! This was definitely the look I was going for. I just kept adding and adding until I was happy with the end result. For me with this garland, more was definitely more.
DECORATING CHALLENGE
Decorating this year has definitely proven to be a challenge. And I’m not just saying for the Christmas season, but all year through. The remodel of our home has been ongoing for longer than I care to even think about, but we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Half the photos that I’ve posted this past year have been tiny snippets of only certain areas that I can decorate because the “behind the scenes” is total chaos. SO, if you see a wall with no trim or baseboard or wires showing where they shouldn’t be, just know that’s real life in my house and it’s okay because nothing is ever perfect, even after the remodeling is over.
THE TREE
Ahhh, the tree. I was lucky enough to be able to work with King of Christmas this year and showcase one of their gorgeous flocked trees. I have to tell you, I’ve never been happier with a tree that I’ve had. This is there 7.5 foot King Flocked. Take a look…
The flocking is so thick,
it makes me think of what a tree would look like
freshly cut from the forest after a huge snowfall.
FAMILY AFFAIR
My favorite part of this year was having everyone get in on the fun really making it a family affair. Since our kids have flown the coop, I am usually the one that does the decorating solo, but this time I had some great help which makes it fun family time for everyone. My sweet grand little Audrey Rose is my “mini me” in every sense of the word. She was such a great help, not to mention there were a lot of giggles and tickles as we were getting the project done.
DETAILS
Don’t forget to add the smallest of details when you’re decorating as well. They can pack the biggest punch. This sign from Hello Hoffman has become one of my favorites this year. And, as always, a stop by Target’s Dollar Spot is a great inexpensive way to add some fun detail. I picked up several of these little trees there this year and placed them everywhere. This Pom Pom BoHo Bead is also a part of my newest Christmas Collection.
Unscheduled Visitor
Oh, and when an unscheduled visitor decides to photo bomb your Christmas Home Tour shoot, just go with it.
Thanks so much for stopping by on this first step in my Christmas Home Tour. Sign up for my mailing list so you won’t miss my upcoming Christmas tour posts.
Next stop on the Blog Hop is Lindsey from Revive and Design. You are going to love what she’s sharing!!!
You can also start at the beginning of all of the bloggers right here:
Wall Clock – Aimee Weaver Designs
Merry Everything Pillow – Hobby Lobby
Merry Pillow – 13th & Market
Pine Tree Pillow – 13 & Market
Chunky Throw – Artizen Home
Holiday Wishes Sign – Hello Hoffman
Bead Garland – The Boho Beads
Glass House Lanterns – Hearth and Hand Target
Bunting – DIY
Jingle Bells – Canton Trading Days
Thankful wood cutout – Start at Home
Lindey says
What a great space! You have nailed it once again Kristi! I love all the details. 🙂
Kristi Bissell says
Thank you sweet Lindsey. You Rock!!!
Chell says
OH MY GOODNESS I LOVE IT ALL! your home is so inspiring and your little helper is the cutest
Kristi Bissell says
Thank you my Sweet Friend. I love you so much and am so grateful for all your support!
Christina says
How do you ever leave that perfect winter wonderland you’ve created in your home?!
Kristi Bissell says
You are the sweetest C. Love you so much!
Kristi
Kathy Schmidt says
Where are you located?
Kristi Bissell says
Hi Kathy, Thanks for stopping by. I am in Central Kansas!
Eileen says
Beautiful!!
Kristi Bissell says
Thank you so much Eileen. I appreciate you stopping by!
Kristi
Martha says
On Kristi, just beautiful!! Audrey is such a doll babe, and your fur babies are darling as well <3
Kristi Bissell says
Thanks Martha! You are the sweetest ever!