I'm Dreaming of a Toile Christmas

Well hello there, welcome to my house. I have always wanted a red front door and I love this color (it is Crabby Apple by Sherwin Williams). Please notice my side lights that I just frosted, you can catch the tutorial here. My green wreaths are a year round staple, I just change up the bucket according to the seasons. Sometimes it is a bucket with flowers, sometimes it is a cute sign. Depends on my mood.



As you come through the front door you are met by a favorite black bench I found at a local antique mall. It is simply dressed with small trees, a santa tassel on a lamp, a paper star and garland and lights draped over the mirror.



Next you come into the living room and I have my Christopher Radko tree. If you aren't familiar with Christopher Radko, not only are the ornaments beautiful and highly detailed, but there is a precious story about their beginning. Click here to read it. I LOVE Christopher Radko ornaments and have been collecting them for 15 years. I usually limit myself to one new one per year. Here are a few of my favorites:






Next is my mantle, which I love!! In our old house we had a fireplace, but it was "fake"--no chimney, so I love that I can have a fire!! You can also see more of my love of toile via transferware.



Here are some closer shots of some of the elements on the mantle:

I just get cheap garland and add in stuff. I love the light colored eucalyptis. I love the dimension it gives the garland. Sometimes I think that all that greenery can get a little dark. The light color helps break it up a little. I buy a "bush" from Hobby Lobby and cut it all apart. I have some glass bead garland I bought 1/2 price a few years ago that I throw in, add some lights and call it a day. I also love pepperberries, but OMG that stuff is expensive. Last year I bought a garland of it from H.L. when it was half price and just cut it all to pieces and spread it all over the house, in garlands, silver cups, anywhere I needed some color.


This is the wreath above the mantle (if it is square, is it still a wreath?) I found the "Fa La La" at Big Lots for $6. (Then I saw someone trying to resell it at an antique store for $17--can you believe that??)



This is one vignette on the built ins around the fireplace.

In the kitchen I have several small arrangements and some ornaments on the french doors.






This is the inside of my glass front cabinets. I have photos from my wedding, my parent's and my in-law's weddings. The glasses are the ones we used to toast at the wedding (our initials are etched on them).

From the kitchen you circle around in the dining room. It is pretty simple in here with most of my nativity sets and more garland and greenery.







Here are some trees in the kids' rooms.

Oldest daughter's room (blue and green theme)


Step-son's room (lego theme tree) and random decoration






Moving downstairs, here is the fireplace and mantle in the den:



I love these plates. If my house caught on fire I would want to save these. I had my girls' done when they were about 2 years old. My step-son joined us last year (when he was 4) so he and I went and did one for him too. LOVE THEM!!




That's about it, if you want to see some other places in my house that have been Noel-ed, check here.
Thanks so much for stopping by, come see me again!!

I am linking up to several tour of homes blogs, be sure to stop by there and see all the great ideas and inspiration!!




http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/12/10/hooked-on-holiday-house-tours-party-time/

I am so excited!! Heather at The Gift Closet featured me today! I'm becoming a real blogger! Whoda thunk it?