“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Welcome to my home for the holidays! I had actually started decorating quite a while ago, but I finally got all the finishing touches done last week. Since we just moved into this house a couple of years ago it has taken me a while to accumulate decor for the new spaces. It really does take some time. Decor is ever-evolving as I have found I have already gotten rid of old Christmas items I didn’t like anymore. I would rather have decor that I really enjoy instead of just going through the motion of putting things out that don’t make me happy.

The view from the photo above is from right inside my front door. You can see the open staircase to the second level and going straight through is an open dining room and kitchen together, then beyond that is my favorite room – what we call the sunroom. Back by the front door you can also go left in front of the stairway and that is my living room with the lovely wood burning fireplace. I’ll have to draw the layout for you all soon as that helps me so much when trying to picture a home.

Even though it may not be the most practical of spaces, I have always LOVED a wide open staircase/grand entryway style of home. I just adore having this beautiful garland on my stair bannister this year! I purchased the garland a couple of years ago, but just recently added in the Eucalyptus, the black velvet ribbon and those fabulous bells this year. We have about 5 or 6 different sizes and shapes of brass bells this year at our boutique and we just adore them all! I have 4 strands of them in my home this year – two being here on the stairs.

The underlying garland was a bit of a splurge but it is super realistic looking and has battery operated lights as well.

Opposite of the stairway I have a small alcove where I keep a lovely empire dresser that I painted. I just love this style and have a couple of them in my home currently. This one houses my daughters crafts, coloring books and games for my kiddos. Its a great central space for those items where my daughter can easily grab what she needs.

The pew is one of my favorite furniture items! I had been looking for one for a really long time, and just randomly found this one at an antique mall I stopped at on a whim. It has a really unique shape to it as well as great metal hardware. I toyed with the idea of painting it at one time, but it is in such fabulous shape that I just can’t do it! The pillows on the pew were made by us, as well as those chippy barnboard and grainsack wall pockets.

Most of the decor on the dresser came from our store. That tabletop tree with the mercury glass garland is a favorite. We had a ton of mercury glass ornaments in different sizes and colors this year at our Boutique and they have been super popular! We will definitely be getting more and many other colors for next year as well!

On the wall going up the stairs is where I added this antique arch top glass door. It’s the perfect spot for it as the wall is rather large. This was one of those pieces that as soon as I spied it, I bee-lined it straight over and purchased it. I think this large wall could use a couple other items on either side of the door as well, but I will wait to find some unique windows or something along those lines.

This swag is one I made from multiple different greenery stems. I put them all together, then added the fairy lights and the large brass bell from our Boutique on the top. It is the perfect mixed green swag that could really stay up all winter long. I might just do that!

While decorating this year I realized that some really great greenery stems, garland, and wreaths really go a long way. Adding the garland to the stair railing just adds SO much! And my French market basket next to the pew stays there all year long. I just change out the florals for the season or add a cozy blanket after Christmas as my decor.

I think this year has been the first year where I actually achieved my goal of having our main living spaces all decorated for the season! And man does it feel good. The last few years it has just been a little bit hodge podged here and there in the living room and sunroom. But this year I feel much better about it. The sunroom, kitchen area, and living room are up next! I have something fun I want to do in the living room too so the photos will show you how it looks as a “before” and I hope to get the small “after” project done during the holiday break. More on that in one of the next posts! Stay tuned for the rest from Kristen’s House.

Brass Bells / Mercury Glass garland / Stairway Balsam Garland / Pillows (Seasonal In store only at Timeless Creations) / Juniper Wreath (on mirror) / Swag (Custom by Timeless Creations) / Black Velvet Ribbon