Thursday, December 8, 2016

Christmas Home Tour

I'm so excited to welcome you all here for my Christmas Home Tour, and am very thankful for Marty at A Stroll Thru Life, for inviting me along, as this is the only tour I'm part of. 

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I also want to welcome to those of you coming over from Laura's beautiful home at Inspiration for Moms. Wow, I am in love with her kitchen and the gorgeous countertops as well! 

If you are new here, then you should know I like vintage, antique, family heirlooms, family junk, ha, and everything in between. I also like love color. Lots of it. So come on in and we'll get started. 

First off, no we don't have snow yet here in the North Carolina mountains, in fact we are just recovering from a 100-year-drought and the worst fires in a century, but after I photographed a feature last winter for Romantic Homes Magazine, I had lots of photos that were not used in the spread, so I have been sharing them this year. 

On to this year's decor. For Christmas, I prefer to use things I have saved, or have been in my family along with fresh greenery from the property instead of buying "Christmas" items from a store. I just like things that mean something to me -- especially at Christmas.

We live in a very small house, so every room is multi purpose. The space that functions as our entry is also a music space.


This antique Harden settle was in the original house, but my grandmother sold it when she downsized. Thanks to a thoughtful neighbor, this settle came back home for my birthday, and I could not be happier to have it. 








The 1880s pump organ was inherited and we actually do play it occasionally. The Christmas cards were saved from my childhood.






Next is the living area, which is where we sit and watch DVDs or take naps on lazy Sunday afternoons. It's our family space to just hang out and be together.


I love Christmas trees that remind me of the ones we had growing up, so I bought this Everlands Nobilis Fir from Grandin Road last year and really love that it has that look but with the ease of an artificial tree. 


The Rose kilim, Karabakh, rug from Unique Rug Store is a favorite of mine and definitely sets the tone for this room. 


I made the little Putz-style house several years ago as a replica of the house my dad grew up in here on the property. 


The windows hanging with sheet music were saved from the house. We have also used all the doors that were in the house as well as lots of wood, trim and some of the furniture. I am thankful my grandfather painstakingly bundled and saved everything when the house was torn down. 




I love using faux fur, velvet and kilim pillows -- especially in the winter. 










I never take photos with the lights on, but thought I would add in a few because the rooms really take on a glow that I love in the dark winter months.


















And right across from the living area is our dining space, which is usually where our kids are doing their homework.




I made a runner out of a chindi rug, added an old chestnut board and the yule log my dad made.


I layered greenery from the yard then scattered a few Shiny Brite ornaments and pine cones. 








On the buffet, I wanted to use the Jens Quistgaard Dansk candle holder my uncle brought back from Germany for my mom after he was stationed there in the Army. I was happy to finally find candles online.


They do make me a little nervous when lit, though! 


Simple pine branches in an old vinegar bottle.












The kitchen is next where I have just added some festive touches including candles, linens, and greenery.




My grandmother had this little salt and pepper set still in the box, so I love to bring it out every year. 












I always dig up a little hemlock out of the woods, but they seem to get bigger and bigger every year. This one surprised me:-)




This is all I have left from the huge Christmas cactus I got last year, but was pleased this much lived.




Probably my most treasured Christmas items are my grandmother's vintage Commodore Candy Cane and "spaghetti" angel candle holders. She always had them on her dining room window sill, and I keep them here in the kitchen.


















I made a hot cocoa tray for the first time, and my kids are loving it so much that they have gone through most of the cocoa already:-)






Last is our master bedroom, and I really kept things simple this year.










On the mantel, I really went simple and just added some pine clippings and fur stockings. I really wanted fur stockings but could not find anything online that was in my budget, which is low, low. I ended up finding the one on the left at Pier 1 Imports for about $20, with 10% 0ff, then found the white one at TJ Maxx for $12. I made the brown one out of fur I bought at Walmart, and added the faux Mongolian lamb fur I bought from amazon last year. My kids think they're really cool:-)


A few pine branches are in a Navajo pot, along with my Moroccan mirror and a candlestick from the "old" house here. My dad said it was always on the mantel there. 








That's it for the inside part of the tour, and I'm so happy you stopped by. 

Please be sure to go on over to The House of Silver Lining and see Shauna's gorgeous house then go back and visit each of these ladies from this week's tours. You will surely be inspired. 

You can also see photos that didn't make the Romantic Homes magazine shoot HERE and HERE.





Monday - December 5
Common Ground - Debra
Life on Virginia Street - Sarah
Decor To Adore - Laura
Haneens Haven - Haneen
Hymns & Verses - Doreen
Nesting With Grace - Brooke

Tuesday - December 6
Cuckoo4Design - Julia
It All Started With Paint -Linda
Pink Peppermint Design - Tammy
Remodelando La Casa - Christina
Simple Details - Pam
Decorating Delirium - Jennifer

Wednesday - December 7
21 Rosemary Lane -Barbara
Lynzy & Co. - Lindsay
A Stroll Thru Life - Marty
The Chronicles of Home - Jennifer
Simple Stylings - Summer
Design Post Interiors - Beth

Thursday - December 8
Thrifty and Chic - Alicia
Our Southern Home - Christy
Setting For Four - Heather
Life and Home @ 2102 - Vel
Dimples & Tangles - Jennifer
Our Fifth House - Carmel

Friday - December 9
Making Home Base - Chelsea
Inspiration For Moms - Laura
Far Above Rubies - Anita
The House of Silver Lining - Shauna
Duke Manor Farms - Laura
Rain On A Tin Roof - Jenna


I'll be linking to:
12 Days of Holiday Homes
Home for Christmas
Metamorphosis Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow us Wednesdays





31 comments:

  1. So pretty Anita like all way your home are si cuzy
    Have Blessings Merry Christmas
    XO
    Isora

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    1. Thank you Isora! Merry Christmas to you:-)

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  • Laura @ duke manor farmDecember 9, 2016 at 5:50 AM

    Anita- every time i see your home I never want to leave. it is so homey and cozy. I love your use of color especially all the pink on the porch. gorgeous. congrats on the magazine feature. happy holiday to you and your family.

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    1. Thank you so much Laura, happy holidays to you as well!!

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  • Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeDecember 9, 2016 at 6:44 AM

    Oh wow Anita, you always blow me away with your decor. Your sense of color and pattern create the most amazing spaces with style that is so uniquely stunning and yours. I love it all. Thanks so much for joining the tours, you home is always the most amazing treat and definitely a favorite.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Marty for inviting me along!! It means so very much:-)

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  • Cassie BustamanteDecember 9, 2016 at 6:58 AM

    anita, you know your home is always an absolute favorite of mine- such a happy and unique place. i love all of your vintage touches and special family pieces... this is a home i would feel so happy in!

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    Replies
    1. Oh that's such a sweet thing to say, Cassie! Thank you:-)

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  • Chelsea CoulstonDecember 9, 2016 at 7:47 AM

    Anita, your decor is stunning! Truly. I love all of the color and vintage pieces mixed in. That first shot of your porch with the pops of pink and the snow! WOW!

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    1. Thanks Chelsea!! Yes, the snow makes everything look so wintry, and I can't wait until we get some this year!!

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  • 34476518-b8ac-11e6-91a9-4b22f5c29e0eDecember 9, 2016 at 11:43 AM

    Wonderful spaces and decor.I wish I could visit in person and really see your warmth and coziness "upclose and personal." I love the way you use color in your decor and pieces from your family that are so precious.

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    1. That is so sweet -- thank you so much!!

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  • Anita, it is all merry and bright at your home for the holidays.Thank you for the tour. I so enjoy seeing your beautiful home dressed for the holidays. Like you, I bring out special pieces that were from Christmas past. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

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    1. Thank you Sarah, yes, I love those old things that remind me of beautiful times gone by:-) All the best to you!

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  • The House of Silver LiningDecember 10, 2016 at 8:26 AM

    What a treat touring your home today! LOVE the color and all the pink! You have so many wonderful treasures in your home and reminds me so much of my childhood. Your home gives me all the warm fuzzies! Merry Christmas!

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  • Your porch is so welcoming and I LOVE the tree. The touches of pink are fabulous. Your collection of vintage cards are charming.

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  • I enjoyed your house tour Anita. The vintage decor and touches are my favourite. Your tree is gorgeous and I love the hemlock in the old galvanized tub too! I hope you get some snow soon, or at least rain, to quench the dry forests. Christmas blessings to you and your family!

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  • Liz@ Infuse With LizDecember 13, 2016 at 6:55 AM

    What an enjoyable tour of your home Anita! I guess I'm a "buy from the store kind of gal" but I enjoy all types and aspects of Christmas decorating. I absolutely adore your Christmas tree- that is a real highlight! Your home is so warm and welcoming and full of love.

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  • Oh Anita your home looks amazing my friend! Not only beautiful but warm and inviting as well. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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