Welcome to the Merry & Bright Christmas Home Tour. If you’ve been following along, you have just come from my friend Marci with Lemons to Lovelys and if you haven’t visited her gorgeous home yet, definitely swing back around and check it out. She’s awesome.
While we cannot forget the Reason For The Season, decorating for the holidays makes everything seem so magical. Extra twinkle lights and giant bells seem to beckon Jolly Ol’ St. Nick to make his Christmas Eve visit.
Jingle All The Way
Bells are definitely a theme, again, in my house this year. I love the whimsy they add to any space and I say, the bigger the better. I am using these oversized bells from my Curated Collection with Purple Rose Home as my focal point for the mantel. When I was planning my mantel decor, I wanted to give the illusion that the garland was blanketed over the corner, similar to a cozy blanket draped over the edge of a bed. The bells are used as the anchor that hold it all in place.
Adding different layers of texture to the garland really give it interest and dimension.
Traditional Christmas Colors
While I have been so drawn to greens and blacks during the decorating process, my house would not be complete without pops of red making an appearance. I am definitely a traditionalist when it comes to the holidays and for me, Christmas is red and green.
Holiday DIY
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little holiday DIY. I searched and searched and could not find any buffalo check ornaments that fit the bill, so my problem was quickly solved when I created these easy plaid wood disks. You can find a full tutorial for them right here if you’re looking to add a little buffalo check to your tree. My tree box is simply plywood pieces covered in wallpaper and strips of black Kraft paper were lettered with “Twas the night before Christmas” and then tucked neatly into the tree. You can also cut strips of your favorite wrapping paper and substitute traditional ribbon for paper ones like I did here.
Be Our Guest
The guest room is decked out for the holidays, also, and ready for guests. Budget-friendly pillows and a chunky throw really cozy up the space and ready your visitors for a comfy space.
Master Magic
The master bedroom got some Christmas magic, also. Lying in bed at night with the lights twinkling definitely make for sweeter dreams amid all the farmhouse charm.
Tablescape
I was looking for something simple for my table this year and trees wrapped in Kraft paper and little white houses adorn a chicken feeder for the perfect amount of winter festivity that you can keep up long past Christmas has passed.
Thank you so much for coming along on my Merry & Bright Tour. I hope you enjoyed seeing all my baubles and bells that I added for the holidays and I’m sure I haven’t made the last additions so be sure and check back.
Next on the stop is Kellie at Gratefully Vintage. Be sure and check out all her amazing inspo.
XO
Kristi
Sarah Sofia Knepp says
Kristi, I absolutely love all your layers and textures, especially your bells from your Christmas Home Collection! I need to get these! I love your DIY solution to buffulo check ornaments on the tree. Every detail is beautiful! So much fun being a part of the Merry & Bright Home Tour with you! XOXO, Sarah
Kristi Bissell says
Sarah this has been so great. Thank you so much for organizing!
Debbie says
Kristi,
Your home is absolutely beautiful I love how warm & cozy it is!!
xo,
Debbie
Kristi Bissell says
Thanks so much Debbie. This has been so fun doing this hop with you.
Kellie says
Kristi, first of all, I love your DIY ornaments. I am going to check out that tutorial. Your whole tree is decorating so stunningly!! The bedrooms have just the right touch of Christmas cheer. This tour was fun to do with you, girly!!
Kristi Bissell says
Hi Kellie, thanks so much girl. This has been such a fun blog hop with everyone.
Linda says
Kristi…Definitely the cutest Christmas tour ever. I love your style. You are a very clever gal. Love, love, love!
Kristi Bissell says
Linda, oh my goodness girl, that is the sweetest comment ever. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Sue says
Your home is gorgeous! Really love the garland on your stairs it is amazing! I have a hard time with garland on my stairs so I just end up either not doing it or doing it badly. Need to work on that skill!
Also the bells are so pretty and I love how you have displayed them. Your whole home is just perfect for the holiday season.
Sue
Kristi Bissell says
Sue thank you so much. I appreciate your sweet comments. I don’t always decorate the stairs but thought I’d give it a try this year.
Marci says
The ribbon on your tree looks absolutely amazing!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!
Kristi Bissell says
Marci thanks so much!
Amy says
Is the green striped “ribbon” on the tree actually paper? If so, a whole new world just opened up for me!!! lol Your home is beautiful!!
Kristi Bissell says
Hi Amy, YES it is. Right? I have used paper for so many things this year. What about using wrapping paper, too. Just cut it to the width you want it to be. Thanks for stopping by.
Carmen says
I just did a merry and bright home tour too and thought I somehow missed yours, but then realized it’s a totally different one! Regardless, this looks amazing!! So gorgeous 🙂
Kristi Bissell says
Awww thanks so much Carmen for stopping by. I will definitely have to check yours out too.
Mark Schreck says
Where is the antique barn( in central Kansas)that you mentioned in your blog regarding the cabinet that houses your ironwares? Enjoying your gift and talent of decorating ! Nice work!!
Kathy says
What a lovely home and perfectly decorated! Did you make the Frosty sign over the fireplace? Thank you for sharing.
Kristi Bissell says
Hi Kathy. Thank you so much. I did not make the sign. It is from http://www.ohsweetskye.com. It’s my favorite new Christmas purchase this year.
Cynthia says
Hello Kristi, Love your home tour. Absolutely beautiful. I have had as many as 36 tees up in our home, all full size and all different themes. I Love decorating for Christmas. I am looking for the bells that you have on your mantle. I am having a terrible time finding them in Canada. I live just outside Toronto and have been to more flea markets and antique places than I care to mention. Where did you find yours? Thank you
Kristi Bissell says
Wow That is an impressive number of trees. It must take you until Easter to take them all down. My bells came from a flea market in Canton, Texas a couple of years ago. Check also with @purplerosehome. She sold them last Christmas so may have some left. I’ll keep my eyes open and let you know if I find any.