Thoughtful Christmas Home Tour
Remember the reason for the season with this beautiful, thoughtful Christmas home tour.
There have been some sad and heavy things in the world lately… but there’s hope.
This season is not about twinkling lights, presents, Santa Clause, or even “good cheer;” it’s about hope. And I wanted to breathe that hope and peace into our home this year. I’m not sure I accomplished it (or even that it is something that can be “accomplished”), but it was a joy to try.
If you’re visiting from Cherished Bliss, welcome! I love Ashley, and I was so honored when she asked me to join this tour she is hosting with Country Living.
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I started with a simple green and white front porch to welcome others into our home (including you!)… So come on in.
The centerpiece of our entryway is the staircase, which I decorated simply with some DIY cedar garland and lights (update: tutorial here). Our winter woodland Christmas tree fits perfectly in the curve.
I wanted a reminder of the reason for the season, though, and I decided that a vision of the angels singing Glory to God in the Highest was just what I needed. I used thrifted sheet music for the angel wings (update: see tutorial here) and made this little “in excelsis deo” sign with scrap wood.
The view down the stairs is one of my favorites. Our diy boot box is still working hard, and I have tutorial coming soon for the little “Wishing you PEACE, JOY, and LOVE” door hanger (update: see tutorial here).
We finally hung a new light (the chandelier that was previously in the entryway of our last house), and I love how it transforms the living room.
So let’s head down there. The mini tree at the bottom of the stairs was the first tree we ever bought – long before we had kids – and it’s fun for the memories.
I wanted to keep the room simple and bright with touches of greenery.
I swapped out the blue ottoman that was in here with the one from our bedroom so the visual focus could be on the greenery. I love this little linen ottoman with its hidden storage.
I also love my little rope mirrors. I hung them here with these these little cedar wreaths I made (seriously, SO easy! tutorial coming soon) and I love how the mix of real and artificial greenery throughout the room tricks the eye into thinking it’s all real.
Of course I had to use the beautiful tree we got last year. It’s so realistic looking that I thought a simple adorning with elegant neutral icicle shaped ornaments was all it needed. And I finished it off with my diy ruffled tree skirt.
I don’t exactly (or at all!) have my Christmas shopping done, but I have some little ornaments and twine ready to adorn the packages when I do.
The other side of the room has our fireplace and is open to the family room.
Remember when we redid this fireplace and built these mantels? I wanted to keep it simple and elegant, and I just love the touch of mercury glass, red berries from our yard, and the reindeer candlesticks.
And on the other side of the fireplace is our family room. We have big changes coming here soon (plans to build bookcases and create a spot to hang the tv, freeing up floorspace)… In the meantime, I wanted a comfortable, kid-friendly atmosphere.
I added another visual reminder of the joy of Christmas right over our little game table.
I know my kids are young, but my 5 year old has been having SO much fun with Scrabble lately (when mom is there to help him spell and the baby is not there to eat the tiles!).
And I love our nativity above the gray armoire.
I hung a larger diy cedar wreath above the mantel on this side and, with another touch of mercury glass, hung our diy sweater stockings using my favorite stocking hanging trick.
Now that you’ve had the tour, I want to add what I keep telling myself each day: it’s not at all about the prettiest house,the finest gifts, or the best decorations… it’s about the hope and peace available to us because of the joyous gift of Christmas. I pray you and yours find that this season and always.
Now for more beautiful home tours, continue the tour with Kelly from Live, Laugh, Rowe.
Celebrating the Savior,
Don’t forget to visit all the homes on the tour!
MORE DIY HOLIDAY DECOR:
Rachel your home is absolutely stunning! I think my favorite part are those angel wings…I can’t believe you made them. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home.
~Emily
Rachel, your home looks absolutely stunning and beautiful! The angel wings were my favorite. I love that you focused your tour on the message of hope. Have a wonderful Christmas season. Take care, Tara
Your home is beautifully decorated for Christmas…thanks for sharing! I really love your staircase….gorgeous!!
Absolutely gorgeous! I’m in love with that huge mirror over your mantle, LOVE!
Anna 🙂
Lovely your home and all your decorations,i bet your kids love that stair case don’t they,i admire you and all you do.
you are on point! Hope. And let us be vigilant and keep our eyes on Him, for the time is near.
Please share the angel wings sooner than later as I want to incorporate it this season.
Have a blessed celebration of the Messiah’s birth.Merry Christmas.
Rachel- complete and utter gorgeousness. Happy Holidays
Love your tour. What font did you use for in excels is deo?
Rachel,
Your beautiful home is even prettier with all of your holiday touches. The front porch is so festive and I love your staircase and angel wings. Simply perfect!!
Jane x
beautiful, rachel- love all the grays and the natural touches, and i adore how you hung the stockings! i always wait to hang ours because i want to decorate the mantle with things other than stocking holders!
Thank you so much, Cassie! I’ve just always been too cheap to buy enough for the family – ha! So glad you enjoyed the tour. 🙂 xx
I don’t even know where to being! You home is absolutely stunning! XOXO
Oh, thank you, Norma! xx
Your home is absolutely stunning! I love all the sweet touches and all the beautiful green tones. Gorgeous!!
Thank you so much, Kristin!!
Stunning, Rachel! Your photography makes it all even more beautiful. Love the natural freshness of your entire home!
STOP EVERYTHING. THE WINGS!!! WHHAAAAT THE CRAP!!! Rachel. I’m in awe. Your entire home is gorgeous and I want everything… but… THE WINGS! Lawd have mercy! Also that brass lamp on the desk has me all heart eyes too. xoxo
Your home is decorated so lovely for Christmas!
Stunning and welcoming as always. AND you display my favorite game! (Just wait until the little darlings start to beat you at games for real!)
I just have one question: I know you have three kids and all, but is there a guest room for me when I come live with you bc I just LOVE YOUR HOME. 🙂
Hope you are well, my friend. Life is nutty here, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Love and blessings to you this holiday season,
T
Absolutely beautiful Rachel! : ) I always love your details and how you pull everything together! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us!!
Haha, Rachel made me laugh. I agree. The wings are awesome. HOW? Please, do tell.
So elegant. Loved taking your tour. x
Rachel! Holy cow! You always amaze me with your gorgeous home and fantastic photography! I’m in complete awe of those angel wings, and can’t wait to catch the tutorial! Pinning everything!
Stunning stunning and more stunning!! I love it all Rachel, and I can never quite get over your amazing photography. You must radiate sunshine because your lighting is so beautiful! I wish I could fly you up here to give me a crash course:) Merry Christmas my friend!
Love the angel wings. Looking forward to finding out how to make them. Thought I would make copies of Christmas carols to make them.
Absolutely gorgeous Rachel! I love the simplicity of it all and I am in awe of those angle wings too. Merry Christmas!
RACHEL! I can’t even. Every single photo. #Christmasgoals #photographygoals. You are amazing!
Oh Chelsea, you are SO kind! Thank you so much, sweet friend. Big hugs.
Oh Chelsea, you just made my day. Love you, friend! Thank you and merry Christmas! xx
So chic and stylish Rachel! I love all of your festive holiday decor ideas – your home is so inviting and warm! Love those angel wings 🙂 Happy Holidays my friend!
You are so sweet, Heather, thank you!! Happy holidays to you, too! xx
It’s beautiful! I’m wondering where you got your white nativity set?
Thank you so much, Jeanette! The nativity set is actually metal, so it’s a light silver color (hard to tell in the pictures, though). I got it last year from pickyourplum.com. They don’t keep a regular inventory, but I’ve seen them come up a few times, so hopefully you can catch one. Hope this helps!
Thanks so much for replying Rachel! I will watch for it there. Any chance you can remember what it was called? No problem if you don’t. I signed up again for their emails so I will know if they have it again. Merry Christmas!
Great! I believe it was just “Small 12 piece nativity scene set” or something like that. I hope you find one!
I love everything. Your house is so bright and beautiful!! And I love that beautiful green wreath hanging on the old window on your fireplace!
I just came across your blog via Migonis Home and subscribed. Stunning! Your style is timeless and beautiful. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Carrie, you are so kind. Thank you! So so glad to have you here. 🙂
You just infuse beauty with whatever you touch! Such a lovely tour!
You are so kind, Cami. Thank you!!
Your home is just stunning! I love the color palette of the warm woods contrasted with the white walls–and all the greenery looks beautiful with it. I too use lots of cedar and evergreen from around my yard for Christmas decorating 🙂 Have a wonderful Holiday!
You are so kind, Megan. Thank you so much!!
Just love your house,it’s beautiful.Were did you get the gray and black stockings on fireplace they are so cute?
Thank you so much, Karen! I actually made them from sweaters I found at the thrift store. You can get the full tutorial here. Hope this helps!
I would buy the 72″ Cat Tree by Go Pet Club in black.
Gorgeous. I love the new mantels decorated for Christmas.
Thank you, Katie!