Back here for the final installment of the holiday home tour. This house really couldn't be more different from the home I shared last week. This time around, it's all about a classic, timeless Christmas vibe. And I'm extra excited to share this one with you guys because I actually began designing on this house when it was just slab and studs back in 2016. So in addition to all of the holiday loveliness, the finishes and much of the furniture have the Tara Lenney stamp on them.
It starts at the front door. Well, doors. The entire front of this home is doors, which is a pretty incredible first impression. My clients typically do live greenery inside and out, but with the home tours this year being in early November, those greens would have been a fire hazard come Christmas. So I found these inexpensive wreaths from Hobby Lobby to do the trick. The ones on the outer French doors are mostly evergreen with little sprigs of cranberry. And for a show stopping twist, the center wreath is 100% cranberry.
It's bold and rich and lovely. They're all strung up with inexpensive floral wired plaid ribbon and topped with a little knot, which looked more buttoned up and tailored than a bow, which would have been too fussy for this house. The whole ensemble (all 5 wreaths plus ribbon) only set us back about $100.
The color palette for this home year-round is simply layers of neutrals. Grey, white, greige, wood. So introducing color at the holidays needed to be done in a strategic way to compliment the home (and not drive my homeowners bananas). We stuck with pure cranberry Christmas red and evergreen. This is one of my favorite tricks to making a holiday display look next-level.
A nice little spot by the front door to set your coat or take off your shoes. Pillow made by yours truly!
It just doesn't get much better than garland and lights.
My clients usually put this vintage sled by the front door, but as I was walking it down from the attic it actually whispered to me that it would be much happier right here and out of the cold. I brought a little tree to keep him company.
I don't actually talk to the decor, guys. Mostly.
The "JOY" marquee in the background was something I picked up at Target a few years back, but they have a red version and white version this year. Run and get it. Run!
Hydrangeas + eucalyptus + holly sprigs from my front porch + Target dollar spot sled = Christmas.
This cotton blossom wreath lives here year round. I found the Merry Christmas sign at a flea market and draped it across (using wire). They were made for each other. The wooden window behind it is also a flea market find.
More of our red accent color starts to appear in the family room. Don't be afraid about mixing more traditional items (like the needlepoint Santa pillow) with more contemporary ones (printed Joy pillow). If you're working within the same color family it will usually work!
You just want to cozy up right there and drink hot chocolate, amiright?
Oh how I love this kitchen. Let me count the ways. The island that's longer than an NBA player. The quartz counters. The pot filler. The 6 burner professional gas range. Swoon.
Every time we come here my husband asks me why we don't have this kitchen. I told him that I asked but they said we couldn't live here. Clients.
We received about 9000 compliments on that little truck and airstream trailer. Once again, Target for the win. You can buy the truck and trailer on sale this week!
Best way to add cozy factor in the winter - throw a sheepskin on it.
Every plant is an opportunity to tuck in a little bit of Christmas.
You don't have to go over the top to give a room the Christmas spirit. Here I added garland to the four poster bed and hung a sweet sign via a command hook. Beautiful and totally temporary.
Oh, and put a tree in the corner. I suppose that also helps the room say "holiday." I love this tree because it is so dad gum pretty on its own, it only needed about a dozen ornaments. I picked it because it had our cranberry accent already built in with a light dusting of "snow and ice". Subtle and yummy and pretty.
And, of course, my favorite way to be merry.
Stay thirsty, my friends!
And if you just can't get enough of this house, check out this article and this link for more photos. Merry Christmas, guys!
