Every year I say I’m going to do less when it comes to the holidays...I’m going to decorate fewer rooms. But then I go and decorate even more rooms than usual! I guess I can't explain it any other way other than the Christmas spirit overtakes me! (Visit our CLJ Holiday Shop for some of the decor that inspired me.)
It's just that the difference is so stark between a room that has Christmas decorations and one that doesn't and the feeling that the rooms that are decorated have are undeniable. We’re flock to them. This year, I didn't decorate the playroom. While the girls are usually up there most of the time, now I find them hanging out more in our main living areas that are decorated. The family is more together already! And it makes our house feel so cozy.
Decorating Our Modern Brick Colonial Home for Christmas
Gold Nutcracker | Monogram Doormat | Urn Planter | Light Up Topiaries | Garland | Bow | Ribbon | Door Wreath | Window Wreaths
We did go extremely classic on decor this year (as I was loving in my holiday trend report). I think that has really helped the Christmas vibes. It doesn’t feel trendy or overdone.
Bow | Door Wreath | Doormat | Shop The Backyard
Christmas in the Front Entry
Flameless Pillar Candles | Garland | Ribbon | Bells
Hanging Bells | Tabletop Tree (similar) | Velvet Ornaments | Ribbon | Mini Wreath (similar)
Christmas in the Study
Vase | Greenery | Ribbon | Flocked Tree (similar) | Bird Tree Topper
Christmas in the Kitchen
Wreath | Faux Stems | Gingerbread House | Brass Footed Bowls (similar) | Red Taper Candles | Shop The Kitchen
Everything just feels like this the way it was always meant to be. And it's so incredibly homey in a time of year when everything is so busy. It’s just such a sanctuary—all these little Christmas spaces.
Ribbon | Greenery | Wicker Hanging Bells
Gingerbread Mugs (similar) | Small Gingerbread House | Nutcracker Salt & Pepper Shaker | Medium Gingerbread House | Platter (similar) | Red Rimmed Plates | Bells | Large Gingerbread House | Trees | Shop The Kitchen
Christmas in the Dining Room
Striped Tablecloth | Garland | Ribbon | Taper Candlesticks | Taper Candles | Bow Plates | Stemmed Glasses | Napkins | Flatware
Christmas in the Living Room
Someone recently asked me, "What's my favorite space to decorate for the holidays?" I wanted to say the mantle because it's so iconic, but I usually dread decorating the mantle... (ha!) It's like there's more pressure to make it so symmetrical and perfect? I do love how it turned out though. It feels classic and not overstyled. There's a little more character to it.
CLJ x Pottery Barn Kids Stockings | Candy Cane Ornaments | Cedar Garland | Pine Garland | Eucalyptus Garland (similar) | Bells (similar) | Ribbon
Brass Bell | Christmas Tree | Ribbon | Christmas Tree Candles | Vintage Toy Ornaments | Decoupage Ornaments | Velvet Ornaments | Star Tree Topper (similar)
I do a couple of trees every year around our house, but we have one tree that is full of memories. Whatever places we go throughout the year, I say, "Let’s all pick out an ornament!" We can reminisce about all of the trips we’ve had as a family. It's a tradition going on 15 years now—it started when Chris and I were on our honeymoon, and now we have 15 years’ worth of ornaments on that tree. It evokes such great memories.
Wreath | Ribbed Pillar Candles | Santa Match Box | Mirrored Tray | Vase | Evergreen Stems
Christmas in the Bonus Room
Bottlebrush Trees (similar) | Tabletop Tree | Wreaths | Tartan Throw Blanket | Darla Pillow | Frame TV Art | Flocked Tabletop Tree (similar) | Ribbon | CLJ x Lola Blankets in Raisin | Howie Pillow
Garland | Ribbon | Gallery Wall
Nativity Set (similar) | Garland | Mirror | Wreath
Christmas in the Primary Bedroom
Bow | Pine Garland | Mixed Garland | CLJ x Lola Blankets in Corduroy | Tabletop Tree (similar) | Velvet Ornaments
Christmas in Greta's Room
This year we moved the bonus room tree into Greta's room, since the piano is in the corner of the bonus room. And wow, it feels so magical in this moody, modern, traditional room!
Christmas Tree | Tree Skirt | Decoupage Ornaments | Ribbon | Bow Tree Topper | Window Candles | Outdoor Wreaths
Marble Vase | Red Berry Stems | Bells (similar) | Bottle Brush Trees (similar) | Christmas Tree Painting (similar)
Green Taper Candle | Taper Holder | Shop Greta's Room
Christmas in Faye's Room
CLJ x Pottery Barn Kids Faux Pine Wreath | Marble Trees | Shop Faye's Room
CLJ x Pottery Barn Kids Dollhouse | Tabletop Tree (similar) | Nativity Set (similar)
I love how the pine green velvet and chocolate brown toile colors on Faye's bed are picked up again in these plaid sheets for an evergreen bedding look that can extend past Christmas!
CLJ x Pottery Barn Kids Hanging Advent Calendar
Christmas in Polly's Room
Merry Christmas Banner | Ribbon | Tabletop Tree (similar)
Polly's room got some whimsical touches throughout (red bows for all the bunnies!) and our cozy Pottery Barn Kids chair in the corner.
CLJ x Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair | Plaid Floor Lamp | Shop Polly's Room
And that's the whole tour!
Do I know on Dec. 26 I'm going to be excited to undecorate? That’s what happens every year. And yet I can’t even imagine feeling that way this year!
Go back and see how we've decorated in past years:
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Oh it’s going to be a very gloomy January this year so let’s keep the decor up longer! We’ll need all the light we can get!
Gorgeous! I love Christmas and your decor is just so cozy and dreamy! Would you mind sharing what type of hook you used to hang the Window Wreaths? (outdoor windows). Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Do you have a favorite outdoor string lights for the roofline?
A local company hangs our outdoor lights. We rent them from that company every year. But I like a mix of red and white.
Absolutely gorgeous. For the past two years we have hired people to decorate our house and it isn't even close to this!!! I'm in awe. Can you please - for the sake of all of us mere mortals - break down how many people it takes and for how long to decorate at this level? Bonus points for how you stay motivated, especially when it's time to clean it all up? And when do you do it? All at once? Over time? etc etc. I need ALL the details!!
I love the traditional, natural look of your Christmas decor! So beautiful. Greta's room is so perfect for the tree!
Really beautiful, I just wish everything wasn't plastic / faux!
I'm so envious of all of you with green thumbs :)
Stunning!! Every space is welcoming and cozy and full of cheer!