The week of our Christmas Tour of Homes for 2018 has arrived; and I can hardly wait for everyone to see all the beautifully decorated homes we have in our tour this year! Please grab a cup of coffee or tea and take the time to go inside each of these 22 creative homes this week. The list and link to each home is listed at the end of this post.
“May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve.” ~Unknown
Entry
Now let’s take a stroll into our condo. This is the first time I used my reversible porch sign.
I usually wear my Minnie Mouse Santa hat at least one or two times every Christmas season, so I keep it in a handy location.
LIVING ROOM
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Mr. Cottage thought it was about time for a new Christmas tree. We found and bought this one from Home Depot. I really love the warm white lights versus the clear that we used to have.
In addition to a new tree, I went with an entirely new look. We have lots of memorable ornaments which I’ll continue to use, but I added the two new sets of ribbons, the red and the black & white buffalo check.
I was thinking ahead last year when I went to Hobby Lobby and bought everything for the topping of this tree at 90% off, all for a total of under $9.
I have all our dog and family photo ornaments in one location on the tree. It’s hard to see, but I was able to find a few animal ornaments with halos and wings. Our German Shorthaired angel is just above the red ribbon in the center, and there’s Miss Molly in the lower left.
Most of these packages will be sent to Texas this week. You can read more about the painted tree collar here.
Our new black and white buffalo check pillows came from Michaels and they have such a soft furry back to them. They look perfect in this room.
My new sheep pillow looks perfect on Mr. Cottage’s chair.
If you’re looking for a great faux garland, I’ve had really good luck in finding faux flowers, garlands, plants, etc. in smaller, local boutique/or floral stores. What a great way to support your smaller shops in your area!
I bought this sign last year after I had already decorated for Christmas, but I just love it on top of our mantel for Christmas.
When you don’t have a real mantel to hang stockings from, a ladder makes a great substitute.
DINING AREA
We won’t be celebrating any Christmas meals at our house this year, so I kept the dining table rather simple with the deer and tree on my DIY thick wood tray.
KITCHEN
I placed our reindeer painting on the end of our cupboards. Last year it was on the mantel.
You can see more about this BELIEVE banner here. I used to put greens around our chandelier, but I keep trying to simplify things here and there and hanging glass ornaments works for me.
Simple feathers, pinecones and buffalo checked ribbon.
I couldn’t find the sign and size I was looking for, so I took our small boxwood wreath and added it to one of my tobacco baskets.
Duck tape works wonders inside of cupboard doors to hold the ribbon for your wreaths!
Thank you for visiting; but before you leave, please click on the following links for lots of Christmas inspiration. Merry Christmas from our house to yours!
MONDAY
White Arrows Home| The Chelsea Project| Our Prairie Farmhouse|
Noting Grace| The Red Painted Cottage
TUESDAY
Celebrate and Decorate| Rain and Pine| Savvy Apron
WEDNESDAY
Curly Crafty Mom| Camelot Art Creations| Follow The Yellow Brick Home|
Mom Home Guide| Twelve On Main
THURSDAY
County Road 407| Art and Sand| Simple Nature Decor| Sweet Parrish Place
FRIDAY
Deeply Southern Home| First Day of Home| Life on Summerhill|
Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry| The Aspiring Home
These are the parties I link to.
Kat White says
It’s all so festive. Love the deer painting and the tree topper is fabulous. Very whimsical and such a deal. Enjoy the holidays.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Kat, Thank you for stopping by and leaving a sweet comment! 🙂
Judy says
I love your new tree. Its so pretty. I always enjoy everything you do in your home. Thanks so much for sharing. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Judy, Thank you so much for your visit and your sweet comment! Wishing you a Merry Christmas! 🙂
Nicki Parrish says
I love your new tree, and I love the way you added the two different ribbons! So pretty Carol! It has been wonderful to collaborate with you for this Christmas tour of homes! Thanks so much for all of your hard work you put into this.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Aww, thank you Nicki! Your words mean a lot to me and so glad we worked together on this! 🙂
Sandi Magle says
I’m loving the quote about searching the skies…and I love the ‘air’ you have this year in your decorating. The checks and limited color palette just makes everything your eyes land on—special!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Aww, thank you for your sweet words, Sandi! Wishing you a Merry Christmas. 🙂
Debbie - MountainMama says
I love the way you used buffalo check in both your decor and your decorations, Carol – everything looks great!!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Debbie, Thank you so very much. The funny thing is I made our buffalo check valance over 5 years ago before it became so popular. I also made matching cushions for our dining chairs. 🙂
Susie | Chelsea Project says
Such a lovely tour. Love all of your special elements, especially the vintage. Love the tree with the red and black/white combo. I’m tucking this idea away for later. Thanks so much for sharing.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Susie, Thank you for your lovely comment and for being a part of this tour! 🙂
Tammie Price says
This is all so beautiful! The black buffalo check with red is perfection. I love the ribbons on your Christmas trees. I am so happy to be a part of this with you. You, ladies, did such a great job putting this blog hop together. Again, thank you for including me.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Tammie, Thank you for your sweet comment and for being part of our tour! 🙂
Jen @ Noting Grace says
Carol – what a stunning holiday home! You drew me in immediately with your entryway. But can we talk about that tree? I believe I looked at that for about 10 minutes studying all the goodies! It’s an awesome color combo! And that cute mini tree in the olive bucket blew my mind! I may have to use this idea sometime!
Thanks for having me be a part of such an amazing tour. It’s one I look forward to each year!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Jen, Thank you so much for all your sweet and kind words. This is the first year I decided to put the mini tree in the olive bucket, and we’ve had that tree for years. I’m so glad it worked. I seriously didn’t have a clue what I was doing on the big tree, but somehow it all came together. LOL
Pat M. says
Your new tree is beautiful and you’ve done one of the best jobs of putting ribbon on the tree that I have seen in all of blogland – and I’ve been looking at a lot of ribbons on Christmas trees.
Your home, while small, is cozy and very well decorated.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Aww Pat, thank you for your kind words! I’ve never put ribbons on a tree like this before and didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Maybe that’s why it seemed to take hours putting our tree together. 🙂
Joy says
Loved your tour Carol! Your tree was perfection and I want your “Twas the Night” print! Love how cozy and welcoming your home is. 🙂
cabray47@gmail.com says
Thank you so much, Joy! I now enjoy sitting in our living room and just enjoying it. So glad my tour day is over! 🙂
jeanie says
Oh Carol, I love every single bit of this. It’s so cheerful and welcoming. The deer painting is terrific and I love the plaids too. You do ribbon well. Some do, some don’t. (I never seem to have room left on my tree for ribbon!) And I love your tiered tray with the sheep. Oh, gee — I love it ALL!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Jeanie, Confession time, it’s my first time doing ribbon like this! I had it in my head but had to make it a reality and somehow or another I guess I pulled it off. LOL I bought that painting from Kirkland’s last year because a friend, Melanie Underwood, painted that specifically for Kirklands to have it reproduced. You can see more of her work on Etsy at Sunshine Girl Designs.
maria says
Carol, your home is so charming. I love the lettered garland and the basket is my favorite. looking to buying some for my new home. I heard they’re easy to make. Thanks for a well-organized hop. Maria
cabray47@gmail.com says
Thank you for your kind words, Maria! I’m assuming you’re referring to the tobacco basket. I bought mine, but I wove baskets and did art shows with them for many years. I could have easily made mine, but chose not to. If you go back into my tour, there’s a few baskets in the side shelving by the TV that I made. I loved weaving, but I enjoy painting more! 🙂
Sherry Cole says
Carol, your home looks beautiful and I love the new decorations. I love anything buffalo check and it looks so pretty with the pop of reds. What a great idea to get greenery from local florist. I really appreciate all of the hard work that you did to organize this tour. It has been wonderful!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Thank you so much, Sherry! I know buffalo check is so popular now, but I made my buffalo check valance 5 years ago after we moved here and before they became so popular! 🙂
Linda says
It looks great! I really like your tree and the big checked ribbon. A very festive home.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Thank you, Linda! 🙂
Clearissa Coward says
Love, love your condo. I did my kitchen in buffalo check as well. Your home is festive, inviting, warm and cozy and yet still classic. TFS
cabray47@gmail.com says
Clearissa, Thank you for your kind words! 🙂
Crissy says
Carol, thanks for organizing this great tour for us! I’m thrilled to be joining and meeting a great new group of ladies. Your condo is beautifully decorated. The whimsical Christmas tree with that gorgeous ribbon is my favorite. You and I are also on the same wavelength, it seems! I made a reversible porch sign for the fall, but unfortunately, the Christmas side has yet to be completed. My husband also made a DIY thick wood tray that is remarkable similar to yours. Nice to meet another Texas blogger friend.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Crissey, Thank you so much for joining us on our tours this year! Wow, we are on the same wavelength! I don’t actually live in Texas, but our son and family does and I try to get there at least a couple times a year. I have met up with many of my Texan blogging friends when I fly into town. Last time we met in McKinney, but our son lives in Midlothian. My DIL drove me and it’s always so great to meet our online friends in person.
Lauren says
Your home looks so beautiful and festive! I love your new Christmas tree decor — I will have to try to shop the sales after Christmas this year! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas, and thanks for hosting this tour!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Lauren, I’m so happy you joined us this year and I’ve gotten to know you. Thank you for your sweet words, and good luck in hitting those sales! 🙂
Kristin says
It’s all so gorgeous my friend! I love the red gingham bow on the wreath, the way you wove your ribbon on your tree and that you were a Minnie Hat during the season! You are the best!! So many special details you added into your decor that make it all so gorgeous!! Love touring with you!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Thank you, Kristin! I’m thrilled you were able to join us this year. And I will wear my Minnie hat to the mall with my hubby, I do it every year! 🙂
Cindy@countyroad407 says
How cute are you that you’ll wear a Minnie Mouse Santa hat?! So cute! Love the tour and how gorgeous is that tree?! Well both trees. You need to show us how to do the ribbons like you’ve done. I love it. If you come to Texas again this season, let us know! Merry Christmas.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Cindy, Every time I wear my Minnie hat, my husband just rolls his eyes, yet he’s the one who bought it for me when we were at WDW in December years ago, LOL. I have to admit I surprised myself with the ribbons on our tree because this was my first time trying to do this. I watched two videos and they both said different things, so I plowed in and didn’t follow either one, just did my own thing. I try to get to Texas a couple times each year and right now I don’t know when I’ll be going back, but I will let you know. Merry Christmas!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom says
Wow! What a gorgeous home! I just LOVE your tree with the pops of red and buffalo plaid. How you did the ribbon and the topper is just excellent. I can see you love Hobby Lobby just as much as I do! I really love the Twas the Night Before Christmas sign and your 2 tier shelf (I recognize that mini tobacco ornament in it from Hobby Lobby!).
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
cabray47@gmail.com says
Thank you Carrie! It doesn’t help that we don’t live far from Hobby Lobby. LOL
Linda says
Beautiful Christmas decorations!!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Thank you, Linda! 🙂
Amber says
Carol everything looks so bright and festive! I love your use of buffalo check this year and your reindeer painting is too cute! I just read your post with the amazing nesting dolls, and the little tree in the olive bucket looks great!
Thank you so much for having me along for the tours. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Amber, I’m thrilled you joined us this year! Thank you for your sweet comment and wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 🙂
Cecilia says
Your tree is beautiful and I love your sign! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm–pinning!
cabray47@gmail.com says
Thank you, Cecilia! 🙂
Erin- Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry says
First, thank you so much for hosting. Your home is beautiful! I love the two different ribbons on the tree (and the tree stand!) and all your little touches throughout. That Night Before Christmas sign is adorable! Thanks for allowing us to take a peek into your home this season.
cabray47@gmail.com says
Erin, I’m thrilled you were able to join us this year for our tour. Thank you for your sweet comment and wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 🙂