Fraser Firs, Balsam Trees, and Chunky Knit Stockings… are your holiday cozy feels going crazy yet? Mine are! We had our first significant snow fall of the season, and no matter if you are a November 1 Christmas Decorator, or wait until after Thanksgiving; seeing snow and needing a few extra layers on, in and outside the house gives me the holiday feels. So naturally Jose and I bundled up, had a podcast or movie playing the background and started pulling Christmas out. But unlike other years I’ve really taken it slow this year. Usually by halloween I will at least have one tree up by that night, but this year I don’t even have a tree up yet. I’ve slowly started to roll Christmas out here at White Cottage Farm & so today’s Holiday Housewalk looks a little different because I’ll be sharing the direction I’ll be taking in our holiday decor instead of revealing finished spaces & showing you elements we will be using. I can’t wait to show you everything when we get it all up, but I also think this disection of the decor can be really interesting to look at & a great inspiration moment. I also hope this shows you some of the real moments and not just the pretty finished spaces we usually see at christmas, but through it all I hope you find inspiration…
One of my favorite places to start designing for a new season is our mantel. I feel like the mantel is a showcased “look book” to what’s to come. It is already an established point of interest for the eye and the room, and anything around a fire place gets bonus cozy points if you know what I mean. We loved the Simple Farmhouse Thanksgiving Tablescape, from last week, and wanted to decorate another simple space. For the Mantel itself, we purchased a set of antique frames from a local antique market and used those as a backdrop to bring the eye up. To complement the frames, we added some old candlesticks we picked up earlier this year, and put short candles on top. Capping off the big texture for the space we used Balsam Hill Fraser Fir Foliage mixed with some real pine stems we purchased from a local greenhouse. I love how real the fraser foliage looks with the real foliage… that’s how you know you got good faux foliage when they can mix well with the real thing!
We recently added lower backed chairs into this space, so we really wanted to utilize that space below the mantel. By using a basked filled with cozy throws, we we placed two Alpine Balsam Fir Tabletop Tree just off center to balance out the stockings. And last but not least… Stockings! You can get excited with pine garlands, and little trees… but can be used throughout the Christmas season and even afterwards for Winter Decor. But stockings… those are straight Christmas to me, am I right. That is the cherry on top of the a savory gluten filled cupcake (don’t mind my attitude- i’m just jealous). These Chunky Knit Stockings are classic, they mimic many of the throws we own and have scattered throughout the house. The chunky knit creates a bulky texture that fill a space perfectly. I think I’m going to keep playing around with this space because I’m not quite happy with it, but I will be showing you the final look with these gold frames and greens soon! And just like that we have our first Christmas Decorated space. Simple, classic, and very cozy farmhouse. The dark green and wood tones brings a soft Christmas feel. I think I like that, given we are having Thanksgiving at our house, this space won’t scream winter wonderland quite yet, but you’ll definately feel like Santa is watching!
In our kitchen and dining room I wanted a clean vibe as well, but in a whole different light. I will be blogging more of these spaces later this week, but I wanted to show you a sneak peek of the area now to hopefully inspire you even more. In the dining room I used many of my vintage finds like my vintage envelope collection mixed with fresh greens and more vintage finds like some silver serving utensils & stoneware plates. I love the cozy vibe that the mixture gives!
In the kitchen I hauled out some vintage and some vintage inspired santa’s to bring some cheer to the space. I mixed in some fresh greens & some other fun elements as well. This space is really coming together & this will be the first Christmas I’m able to decorate our kitchen! Can you believe this is our first Christmas with a kitchen? I’m thrilled!!
I will be sharing all the completed spaces and many more on the blog in the upcoming days, but for this Holiday Housewalk I hope you enjoyed a glimpse at our home & I can’t wait to show you more very soon!! Thank you for stopping by the blog today & every day to see what we are up to & for more Christmas decor inspiration you can go [HERE]. Also, be sure to follow along with Balsam Hill this week as they will be showcasing other holiday homes as well!! Thank you guys for stopping by today!!
I am inspired I love your mantel it looks so classy but cozy, too!!
And your table deco is gorgeous it’s a simple idea with the postcards. But, it’s very eyecatching and inviting.
Looking forward to your finished x-mas deco in and out the house!!
I love how simple but it has an elegant feel. I love the Balsam Hill products. They are so real. I’ve decided to tone down my decor to a neutral one – yes I’m joining the neutral decor bandwagon. I think it’s more simple and when you add the postcards and greens it pops and makes it stand out.
I love your mantel! The fireplace makes the room so warm and cozy!
It looks so magical and lovely with warm and cozy thrown in, just like the meaning for Christmas when Jesus was born.
I love the postcards/letters on the table. I have my great great great grandmothers stamp collection and have sooooo many letters/envelopes from my family back and forth over the years. Dated 1862-1960 ish, most of them were war time letters from all over the world from the first and second world wars. This gives me a display idea to get to enjoy them more than once a year when I look through them.
Thank you! I love seeing your inspirations and ideas.
Your so beautiful…and is your home..
And that blanket..❤ can you share where from?
Where did you find those adorable houses? Everything is beautiful ???
I love love your tablescape as well as your mantel! You come up with the the best inspiration!
The vintage frames with greenery are so pretty. I own a 570′ tiny farmhouse and enjoy using vintage frames that can easily be changed out and be filled with new items through the different seasons.. Hard to believe were already seeing Christmas decor on the blogs when we are weeks away till winter. Oh, my… I just started posting about my Fall decor. I think we should all just put up Christmas trees and decorate them with little glittery pumpkins to cover all the NOV and DEC holidays at once. Not!!!
Just gorgeous…you have a very special talent! Love it!!
Where did you buy the stockings? Adorable! I’m so inspired! Thank you for sharing pictures of your beautiful home!
So lovely, simply yet elegant. All your little touches are quite inspiring, thank you.
I love your space, and really love the frames on the mantel!!!
Love the candles on your dining room table. Where can I buy some like them?
So beautiful and welcoming! I have one of those Santa mugs from my childhood!
I agree with everyone that your decor is beautiful. However, I would worry about the candle flames so close to the greenery above. It doesn’t takes long for those boughs to dry out and catch fire. Yikes! Artificial candles may not be as romantic, but they don’t burn down your lovely farmhouse.
Hi Liz,
Your post is amazing and I was wondering, because I have been seeing them a lot on your Instagram pictures, those pillows with the big pom poms? Where did you get them? I really like them,but I did check your buy your Instagram pictures, but you haven’t updated them for awhile. Please share links and I am sorry to bother you when I know your a busy bee. Thanks!
Hi Liz Marie – I especially loved the mirror and mantel combo with the greenery and candles. We have a summertime Christmas on our side of the world and I’m going to adapt your idea using some NZ seasonal foliage. Thanks, Helen.