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Christmas Around Our Home 2020

December 2, 2020

It feels like the first Christmas in our home, but it's really our second. Last year, we spent December living in a hotel while the big parts of our renovation were underway--replacing windows and walls and flooring. We moved back in on December 23rd and threw up a tree and some garland on the framed-in fireplace and bare drywall and made the most of our first Christmas in this home. A true Don't Wait moment.

This year, I started finding a spot for all of our Christmas decor that we've collected over the years. It took time--I started 2 weeks ago--but there's something about seeing sentimental things that you've celebrated with over the years, in a new place that really makes it feel like home. Like all things, I'm sure it will evolve over time. Next year, maybe we'll expand the decor upstairs--Christmas sheets have always been the dream for me. Like, I have it so together, I'm changing the sheets for a holiday!

The Exterior

But onto to the christmas tour! Let's start outside. We hired our lights out (and rented the lights even, so I'm not sure what exactly they are), but it's like a Hallmark movie every time we pull in.

This week, we hung wreaths on all the windows with tartan ribbon and it's so rewarding to see the way they pop against our new exterior.

By the front door, we put two small 4' trees in baskets (and I couldn't find my holiday doormat soooooo)

In the entry

I hung a very wispy strand of pine garland with velvet ochre ribbon going up the staircase. At first I was a little bummed with how thin it looked, but then it grew on me so much it feels charming! We kept the entry table simple with a wreath and bells on the mirror, Willow branches for our sweet dog who recently passed and a beautiful nativity I purchased last summer in Cancun!

The Living Room is our main hangout area so we definitely wanted it to feel festive, but we also really wanted it to be livable. We just found a seating arrangement that works well for our room, so we tucked the tree into a corner (where the olive tree usually lives.) This year, we fluffed the tree and wouldn't you know it, it made a big difference. Haha. We lost a lot of ornaments in the fire, but I was pleasantly surprised with how many we still had--and luckily the ones we've collected through our travels weren't at the cabin. I placed a large white bowl on the coffee table to collect Christmas cards this year, as opposed to hanging them on a wall, so we can look through them while we're lounging.

I went asymmetrical with the garland this year to balance the tree on the other side of the room and I just love the playfulness. Besides some greenery and bells, textiles are a great way to add coziness to your space all winter long! So I focused on adding a few throws throughout the room.

Christmas Tree

The Kitchen/Breakfast Nook

This area is open to the living room, so I didn't feel like I needed more decor to feel the holiday spirit, but I always love to refresh the china cabinet seasonally. I layered in some ceramic houses and candlesticks and hung some bells on the door. In the breakfast nook, I hung a wreath on the two large windows, with some ribbon bows at the bottom and nothing feels more like Christmas than a bowl full of oranges, right?!

The Dining Room

I had a smaller (unlit) tree from our last house that I put in the corner of the dining room and wrapped the train around it. The girls LOVE the train, so it's nice that they can plan on it all day long and there can still be conversation happening in the living room. The floors are heated and toasty in the dining room and the train runs so smooth on the floors.

On the fauxdenza, I set up my tree collection, I've been adding to a little bit each yeah. This year, I added the ochre bottle brush trees--I guess the color unofficially became my holiday color this year with the ribbon too!

On each of the doors, I hung a wreath by navy ribbon. I love the way it picks up the curtains and the navy couch through the arch into the living room.

We didn't have any ornaments leftover, so I tied a few bows on the tree with three different black and white striped ribbon and strung a strand of cafe lights. She's so sweet!

The Music Room

With the brick-colored walls and Christmas music always coming out of here through the piano or record player, this room didn't need much to feel festive. I put a few branches on the coffee table and a candle.

We added this beautiful credenza last month on the other side of the room and it's the perfect spot for our record player, a bowl full of faux snow balls and a couple more trees. I scored that massive vintage screen printing screen at an antique shop awhile back and I love it leaned against the wall here.

Needless to say, it's feeling festive over here. And we hope wherever you are this year, you're finding ways to add cheer into your life and home--whether it's lights, a tree, some ribbon, a warm conversation or just a really cozy throw.

Sources: 

Entry Sources

Living Room Sources

Breakfast Nook Sources

Dining Room Sources

Music Room Sources

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  1. Looks beautiful! Also my brain read faux snow balls as snaux balls and I thought you coined a new term???? haha I thought it was very clever!

  2. That nativity set...!! Would you be able to share where it is from?

    What a dream your entire house is. Thank you for all your inspiration!

  3. You did a beautiful job decorating this year. It’s as if I can pick up on the feeling of warmth and love throughout your home. It’s just lovely!

  4. You have shades in the breakfast nook now! Can you please post the source information? Did I miss it on another post? They look great!

  5. Your living room is right where I want to be on Christmas morning! Heck, I'd even be happy in the dining room or front porch! Everything looks fantastic. Great job!

  6. Beautiful! Definitely feeling the Christmas spirit, It's a Christmas wish to have a house so beautifully put together and that is ours. Just so inspiring, thank you.

  7. Ooooo!! Love it all! Love the tartan ribbon outside and the ochre - who knew ochre was a christmas color? Well it is now. Curious how you hung the exterior wreaths? Same as the hooks in the dining room? Looks magical, well done!

  8. Your home is absolutely stunning. I see something different every time I look. Thank you for sharing it. A very blessed Christmas season to your beautiful family ❤️

  9. Gorgeous! Everything looks like it really fits in with the house decor. But what about the kiddos? Anything in their rooms or playroom? I hope you have at least one singing Christmas stuffed animal or something for them! I mean that is what Christmas is all about right? Happy birthday Jesus and Santa for the kids right? Also, any other good wreath suggestions? Love what you did with the outside but $1200 on wreaths? Ouch! Wish that was in the budget.

  10. I absolutely love everything that you’ve done here! Everything you and Chris do is well thought out and beautifully executed. So much inspiration and so much love under one roof. Your family is truly blessed. Happy Holidays to you and yours! ✨

  11. I just want to say how much I love your living room. It’s a beautiful balance of feminine and masculine... modern and classic. It’s feels warm and inviting despite its grandness. Well done!

  12. Just chiming in to say that I love your living room! The pieces look like they were collected over time, not at all like a catalogue. I also think the layout is really clever, it somehow makes both the window and the fireplace the stars of the living room. Your decorations are putting me in the mood for Christmas playlists on a loop! Happy holidays Marcums!

  13. I think you house would be perfect for a giant wreath on the outside on the dark siding extension between the front door and the garage (what is this window, not sure you have ever described it on the blog). One really large wreath would work because it would draw the eye away from all the different window styles and roof lines of the house and would draw the eye away from the McMansion aspect of the house!

  14. Love what you did with most of the room of your house. You guys really did a great job. But i’m having trouble with your living room, all the pieces there together isn’t working. The mismatch couches, masculine side chairs, unproportioned coffee table and cube ottomans. Please don’t get me wrong, I love your house. I’ve been a fan for years of you guys. There is just a big disconnect with the living room. It doesn’t have that big impact like the other rooms. And I think a chandelier will help tie up everything and curtain will help soften and will warm (cozy) up the room.

      1. I think the living room looks cozy and collected. A Beautiful space but what's most important is that Julia and her family love it! Dear Gino, I would try to be more careful about voicing harsh opinions about someone's personal space. I think it can come across quite hurtful, even if it might be well intentioned, as there are few topics as personal as your own house. Wishing everyone a dose of positivity for the coming new year!

  15. It’s all so inspiring, perfectly traditional, and fresh!! Question- is any of the Garland faux? I’m having the hardest time finding some that i like! Any tips would be so helpful!! Thanks!

  16. Your decorations are wonderful - I love the non-traditional ribbon colors layered over the somewhat neutral foundation of ivory and greenery.

    It's our second Christmas in our new home - and our decorations are a bit more complete also.

    Last year was just a small ceramic tree. This year is a brand new skinny tree that doesn't get in the way of Momma's walker but holds my collectible ornaments. And I'm knitting stockings for the mantle - never had a fireplace while living in FL!

  17. Stunning! The exterior looks like a Christmas Card. I would love perfectly strung lights on my roofline without all the hassle. How did you go about hiring this out (i.e. landscaping company)? Also, if you don’t mind me asking, was it costly?

    1. Last year, we used a landscaping company and it was much more expensive. This year, we found a husband and wife that were passing around a flyer! They did awesome!

  18. I love the incorporation of the non-traditional Christmas colors, like the navy and ochre. I feel like that look can carry on through the winter beyond the holidays. Never would have thought of using those colors but I am feeling drawn to them - especially the navy ribbon the wreaths! Thanks for the "outside the red and green box" inspiration!

  19. Did you post pictures of the entry, nook, dining, and music rooms? I've opened this post on two different devices and am only seeing the living room and exterior photos (along with product links for all spaces). If not - would love to see them!

  20. looks so beautiful! i'm inspired now to put bows on my wreaths ... Question - are you guys shooting these photos yourself? the photos look so good! I really need to learn how to shoot my own photos.... xx

      1. Hi! I love your house and i’ve been a fan for years. I love what you did most in your house. I’m just having trouble with your living room. It is a bit disconnected with the other rooms and the pieces isn’t working together: the mismatch couches, masculine side chairs, small coffee table and leather ottomans. I think you guys can do better.:)

      2. Respectfully, I disagree. The living room looks SO collected, yet cohesive and cozy. Major inspiration for sure!

  21. Your home has NEVER looked better! It was made for christmas time! :) hope your family has such a joyous holiday season!

  22. Beautiful! May I ask which color is the velvet ribbon along the fireplace and staircase? It looks orange, brown, and rose in various photos. Thanks!

    1. Is the amazon listing for the ribbon named ochre? The closest shade I can find is the listing “golden yellow”. So inspired by you to use the same shade around my home!

  23. All you need is snow! And this being Idaho, just wait a moment or two. Once it does snow, this driveway is longing for a video swooping up to the house and then in thru the doors. Sigh, just like a movie indeed. With Christmas music of course!

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