This is Jordan’s and my first Christmas in our home and it’s the first time in the years we’ve been together that I actually put some time into decorating. As the months pass, I’m getting more and more confident in my style and my ability to create beautiful little vignettes around my house that bring me joy as we go through our days. I loved coming up with some crafts and ideas to do this Christmas, as well as figuring out how I could use some decorations we already had to bring in some pops of red or coziness. And you know what? I LOVE how it turned out! I’m sitting on my couch staring at my mantle and my glowing Christmas tree as I write this and I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.
But can I be honest with you? I came super close to not sharing any of it with you all because of something I’m a little embarrassed to admit: I am REALLY insecure about photography.
It’s not something I’ve ever tried my hand at or learned much about, and as a result, my perfectionist self about has a heart attack any time I try to compose a shot or use a camera. I bought a DSLR camera this summer about when we found out we were pregnant, and I’ve yet to really figure it out. It’s on my list of things to learn so I can grow my blog and document our kids’ lives, but at the moment, it’s pretty low on that list as we prepare for baby’s arrival in just a few months.
Even though I’m nervous, even though I struggled to figure out exposure and focus and anything that has to do with shooting in manual, I’m opening my door and letting you all in. I’m deciding that maybe inviting people into my messy, imperfect life is more important than waiting until I have it all figured out and picture perfect. And isn’t that what hospitality is really about anyway? Opening our doors and inviting people into a place where they feel free to be broken, free to be themselves in all of their messy, imperfect, and joyful glory? I’m not perfect, my house isn’t perfect, and I hope that makes you feel free to not be perfect either.
Anyway, after the longest and most randomly philosophical disclaimer in the history of disclaimers, I present our 2015 Christmas home tour!
Our 2015 Christmas Home Tour
In case you missed our original home tour, when you walk in our front door, our whole house is pretty much open. It’s one of the biggest reasons we bought this house and I love how inviting it is.
This little nook across from the front door is one of my favorite spaces to decorate for the seasons, and I loved adding a pop of red on the window, some pretty books for more Christmas color, and this silly little sign Jordan’s mom gave us in honor of our deep love for snow days!
To the right of our front door is our dining room, one of my favorite spaces in this whole house. I just added a few pops of green and some pretty white and birch accents here, although I might make a prettier tablescape if we host a dinner of some sort these next few weeks.
Our little wine rack in the corner from a local flea market also got a touch of Christmas cheer with a little tree from the Target dollar section!
To the left of this front door is this little living space I shared about this summer when we redid it to have a brighter, open feel with pops of blue and green. I didn’t change too much here, besides adding a few little holiday touches and replacing one of the original gallery wall prints with a free Christmas printable I found on Pinterest.
In between the entryway and the living room is another little space I love to change up: a chippy, vintage shelf I got at a local flea market. I created a paper wreath from an old thrift store book and frame using this tutorial and then added some red beads and a few more red books we already had to make it pop.
Another favorite nook of mine is this antique sewing table next to our kitchen. It’s been in Jordan’s family for years, and the typewriter combined with a little Target dollar store tree made another fun Christmas vignette!
Finally, my favorite spot in our whole house this Christmas: our living room. I wish we had a big mantle I could fill with Christmas pretties, but sometimes function is more important than prettiness and our TV takes priority on our mantle. I’m choosing to view that as a challenge (instead of a limitation) and loved finding some more neutral things from around the house to throw on the mantle and give it a more Christmassy feel. I made the bunting out of the pages of an old hymnal I got at a thrift store and they add some pretty character to it too.
Our tree was one big thing we bought new on Thanksgiving weekend, along with a few pretty little ornaments from Ikea and the dollar store. We don’t have all that many personal ornaments on it for now, but I’m excited to accumulate some over the years and add to our collection. One of my favorite touches is the little guy atop the tree: a silly thrift store sock monkey we threw on the top of the tree when we were first married that’s become a tradition. I love the touch of quirkiness he adds to our tree and his brown, white, and red coloring actually kind of inspires all our Christmas decor!
Our couch also has some Christmas spirit with a few little pillows from the Target dollar store. I love sitting on the couch and looking at the Christmas tree and mantle as they sparkle!
The only spot with some holiday decor in our kitchen is the top of our ladder shelf (which of course has a little sock monkey who sings and dances).
And last but not least, it wouldn’t be a Christmas home tour without our favorite reindeer. Olive is a big fan of all our Christmas pillows and decor (or at least of how comfy they are for midday naps).
Thanks for sticking with me, folks! I hope you feel as cozy and merry in your homes as we do in ours!
P.S. I found a lot of my inspiration on Pinterest and saved it all to this Christmas Ideas board full of fun decor and craft ideas plus some fun recipes and other Christmas printables and goodies. Make sure to follow that if you love Christmas cheer as much as I do!
Follow Lauren @ Sobremesa Stories’s board Christmas Ideas on Pinterest.
So pretty! I always love seeing little glimpses into homes this time of the year! 🙂
Alexandra @ My Urban Family recently posted…When Your Partner in Crime Lives Far, Far Away
Thanks, Alexandra! Me too…I love seeing people’s homes at any time of the year. I think I’m just nosy 😉
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
So many pretty decorations! It definitely looks cheery and cozy!
Jenn recently posted…Weekending Highlights
Thanks, Jenn! That’s exactly the look I was going for 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Oh my gosh Lauren!!! Your house is BEYOND adorable! I’m so jealous/inspired by you! I’ve said this before but I love that globe and that map in your dining room. I would like to implement more travel in our home! My office is travel themed but I would like to buy a globe like this. Gosh, I just love your home.
Chelsea recently posted…Happy Birthday Inspiration Indulgence! A Letter to My Readers PLUS a Target Gift Card GIVEAWAY
Thanks, Chelsea! 🙂 I love that map/travel theme so much. You’d be amazed what kinds of things you can find in thrift stores, ebay, etc related to map stuff. So much goodness! Thanks for all your sweet words!
I love all of the globe and map elements!
chelsea jacobs recently posted…My Favorite Christmas Traditions!
Thanks, Chelsea! They’re one of my favorite motifs to have in our house!
Lauren! Your home is gorgeous! I absolutely love your style! 🙂 The little hymnal pages is such a cute, crafty idea – so much character! Also, I love how your Christmas decor goes with the globe and map hanging on your wall. I love the little travel accents too. Such a cozy home!
Gina recently posted…What I Learned in November
Aww thanks, Gina! I got that old hymnal for $1 and have used it for SO many projects. Sheet music is one of my favorite crafting supplies! Thanks for your sweet words!
pretty, pretty! and I’d much rather have fun snapping images than aim for perfection. enjoy …
Linda Stoll recently posted…The 11 Best Christmas Gifts Ever
Thanks, Linda! I completely agree!
Lauren, you have nothing to be worried about with your photography! Your house is also super cute! I love the rustic decor and the simplicity, yet festive look. Seriously, your house looks like a pinterest board all on its own (:
Amanda recently posted…Christmas Gift Guide for the Health Nut
Thanks, Amanda! Your encouragement means a lot 🙂 I actually like how these pictures turned out, which is kind of fun to say! 🙂
So pretty Lauren (as always)! I love what you said about the mantle- viewing it as a challenge and not a limitation. That’s been my approach in our home lately and I’m finding that I’m loving the results! Thanks for sharing!
Kelsie recently posted…Meaningful Gift Ideas for Anyone on Your List
Thanks, Kelsie! It’s a hard perspective to take but it makes it much more fun to decorate spaces with unique “challenges” of their own. I’m excited to see what you’re doing with your dining room!
Girl, this looks amazing! You have an amazing eye for decor! I love what you have done with your family’s home 🙂
Erin @ Very Erin recently posted…How to Save Money Shopping Online + A Giveaway
Aw thanks, Erin! I’m quickly learning that decorating is a passion of mine and it’s been fun to use the blog to grow that 🙂
So cute!!! I didn’t decorate our house our first Christmas in our home, which was last year, because I was super sick, but I’ve been excited to decorate this year!
Amberly recently posted…Be More Intentional with Your Gift Giving
If I were sick I would have totally abandoned all hopes of decorating too. 😉 You need to share some pictures of whatever you come up with!
Love the Christmas tree and love the ladder. You do a great job 🙂
And I only have a camera phone and am pretty awful at photography. You are doing fine! 🙂
Kristin C recently posted…Mug-spiration Monday *Vol. 22*
Thanks, Kristin! I love how it all turned out. And thanks for the encouragement…I’ve hardly used my DSLR camera but I’m excited to start watching some Youtube videos and trying to learn more!
Your house is gorgeous. It looks like it should be in the pages of a magazine. It looks so cozy, too!!
leslie soto recently posted…Hello Monday.
Thanks, Leslie! You’re so sweet 🙂
I love all your decor! It doesn’t look out of place and fits your beautiful home so well. I really like that “Please Snow” sign. I’m not a teacher, but I work at a school, so yes! Please snow. 🙂
Crystal // Dreams, etc. recently posted…4 Books I Want to Read or Finish in 2015
Thanks, Crystal! We folks in the schools sure do love our snow days 😉
I love that corner shelf & everything going on there! I have such a wanderlust in my heart, and globes/maps appeal to me. We recently put up a vinyl cling of the United States map for our children’s playroom (mostly for my enjoyment, but also a learning tool)! Your house is so cozy and inviting, except I wouldn’t want to enter out of fear of messing it up! I guess that’s the mom in me. Thanks for the tour, and Merry Christmas!
Well thanks! 🙂 We love anything map related too. That’s such a fun idea for a playroom! We want to do something like that for our kids too so they have a heart to travel and see the world. Ha and our house gets PLENTY messy…don’t you worry! I’m sure we’ll have to childproof it eventually but for now we seem to mess it up sufficiently on our own 😉
First, I was insanely jealous of your first photo. Before I even read anything I was like, “man, how does she get her photos so crisp. I wish mine looked as beautiful as hers” and I kept thinking that throughout the post, so don’t even worry. You have a natural knack for photography!
Second, could you PLEASE come decorate my house????? We just bought our first house this year and I’m ever so slowly trying to make it feel like a home. I love all of your great finds and you are so talented when it comes to decorating!
Rebekah recently posted…Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more FREE printable!
Aww Rebekah you are so sweet! That one picture is my favorite (hence it being the featured image). I really do appreciate the encouragement. I have a lot to learn but I’m trying to let myself be a beginner and not freak out that it’s not all perfect! Decorating a home is so fun but can definitely be overwhelming. I bet you’ll come into your own and find a style you love before you know it!
Love your home! The decorations are adorable and chic! They look lovely!
Thanks, Christy! 🙂
Your home is beautiful! I need to post some photos of ours and put it up.
I am a huge fan of your Christmas pillows because I am a pillow person too. Love the paint colors too!
Autumn recently posted…day 68: weight loss progress and tools
Thanks, Autumn! You should share some pictures! I’m super nosy and love peeking into other people’s decor 😉
In love with your decor, Lauren! It seems so you! 🙂 I can’t wait until next year to be able to afford more decor!
Summer @ Coffee With Summer recently posted…CWS Happenings // Vol. 13 (And GIVEAWAY)
Thanks, Summer! I loved trying to create things from what we already had this year (aka grabbing every red or green book off our shelves and moving it around the house). Gotta make it work somehow, right? 🙂
Everything is adorable!! You found those pillows in the Target dollar section??? My target hardly has anything Christmas…maybe I missed out on it? But I love them. My livingroom looks like the North pole threw up in it because I have a bunch of random stuff I’ve collected over the years with no real theme or inspiration. I love how simple but pretty your decorations are. Also..where did you get the blanket ladder?
Thanks, Kelley! We did! Different Targets have such different selections so we snatched those up when we saw them. Ha we have lots of random stuff too. This is the first year I’m trying to really choose what I like and fits well and stick with that! The blanket ladder is from a local flea market that has all sorts of cute vintage and repurposed stuff. I know that’s not super helpful…but you could look at places like that near you!
I LOVE all your Christmas decorations, and you shouldn’t worry at all about photography – these photos are great!
Callie recently posted…Holiday Tea Recipe: Cranberry Orange Spiced Tea
Thanks, Callie! 🙂 I appreciate the encouragement. It’s a fun and challenging new skill to develop since it reminds my perfectionist self I have to work to get good at certain things. I’m glad you like how it all turned out! 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Oh my goodness!! Your home is so lovely, Lauren!! 🙂 You and I have very similar styles (but I didn’t decorate our current rental home as beautifully as you did, haha!). I love that pillow in your first image – and your dining room looks wonderful!! I wish I could come over for supper! 😉
Hannah recently posted…What’s On My Nightstand: Current Reads
Thanks, Hannah! Our dining room is one of my favorite spaces in the whole house. I love that map! 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
For someone who struggles with photography, you did an amazing job taking these photos! I love your home; it’s so thoughtfully put together! I can’t wait until we buy a house next year and I can actually decorate it the way I want from start to finish! I hope we get a home with lots of natural light, because our apartment only has windows on one side and trying to get photos indoors is a NIGHTMARE
Chelsie recently posted…Gift Guide for the Makeup Lover (Drugstore Edition)
Thanks, Chelsie! You take gorgeous photos so I appreciate that 🙂 I hear you on that one…our house does get pretty light in some places but it’s usually while I’m at work, so I always struggle to find good times to get photos. The blogging struggle is real, ya know? 😉
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Everything about this is perfect! I love how subtle your decor is! It’s seriously so cute. And you should definitely not be self conscious about your photography at all!
Shannon recently posted…Trader Joe’s Holiday Haul + Reviews
Thanks, Shannon! 🙂 These photos turned out better than I had predicted, so I’m pretty happy!
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
I love the subtle little decor that you have.
How cute!
xoxo, Jenny
Thanks, Jenny!
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
You have such a gorgeous home! I love seeing how others decorate for the holidays.
Thanks, Keating! We love our house so much! I agree…I love getting a peek into people’s homes at pretty much any time of the year!
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Well Lauren, I am officially 100% jealous of you… because your house is gorgeous!! Everything … decorating to your tree to your puppy! What a beautiful space to spend the holidays in! My place is super small (and not technically mine!) so I can’t do what I’d like to do… can’t wait til I buy a house. I looooove that reindeer cushion true!
Haha you are so sweet 🙂 We really love our home and have had a lot of fun turning it into a cozy space we love! And yes, that cushion was one of my favorite Target finds ever!
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Hi Lauren, Your house is beautifully decorated! It makes me want to go home and snuggle up to my Christmas tree with some hot chocolate! Thanks for sharing!
Krista
kristalenaemorris.blogspot.com
Thanks, Krista! 🙂 It makes me want to do that exact same thing, which isn’t always good for my motivation to actually get things done. I think that’s all right this time of the year though 😉
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Your photography is lovely 🙂 I love how you’ve decorated your house in such a simple, but beautiful, manner. I love Christmas but it’s so easy to get into the tacky side of things, but you’ve done an amazing job!
Hannah recently posted…Holiday Gift Guide: The Coffee Lover
Thanks, Hannah! Those are exactly the words I’d want someone to use to describe it so I appreciate that 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Your home is so pretty! I am in love with the different color schemes for the christmas decor.
Ashley recently posted…Stocking Stuffer Ideas: $15 or under
Thanks, Ashley! I love Christmas decor too!
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
I love your home – it is beautiful and looks so warm and inviting! I especially love your sock monkey! 😉
Dana recently posted…Holiday Traditions
Thanks, Dana. The sock monkey is one of my favorite parts too! 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
That sock monkey is the perfect inspiration! I might just have to bring mine out now for the holidays 🙂 Your home is beautiful, and the photos? Girl please! Keep on snappin’ because your photography is great!
Cami @ Wife is a Journey recently posted…Newlywed Christmas Cards from Minted + Our Christmas Cards
Hahaha we do love that little sock monkey 🙂 You are so sweet! Thanks for the encouragement, Cami!
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
So pretty! Love the look you put together for your home!
Rachel recently posted…Christmas Gift Guide: 5 Picks for Him
Thanks, Rachel! 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Your house looks so perfect for the holidays! I’m such a fan of finding pretty thrift store pieces so I feel like your style is so lovely. 🙂 You dog is pretty stinking cute too!
Kelsey | http://www.abalancingpeach.com
Kelsey recently posted…Where to Invest for Newbie Photographers
Thanks, Kelsey! I love thrift store pieces too. And our dog is such a sweetie! We love her to pieces 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
It looks so cozy!! I love all the throw pillows! I am always on the hunt for new ones!
Thanks, Katie! Target is the best place to go for throw pillows. One of my favorites!
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Love your subtle holiday decor throughout your home. Your vignettes are amazing. Also, don’t be scared about your photography – it looks like you’re getting the hang of it to me!!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with all of us!
Cassie recently posted…Anthropologie Gifts Under $30
Thanks, Cassie! I love how all the little vignettes turned out. 🙂 I’m learning a lot as I go, so thanks for the encouragement with photography stuff! It’ll take time but I’m sure with lots and lots of practice it’ll start to feel easier.
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
I love your home tour! It is so cozy and inviting! Beautiful
Lexi recently posted…Winter Bucket List
Thanks, Lexi! 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
Your house is gorgeous! I love your decorating skills and your photography isn’t half bad! I’m right there with you about being insecure about my photography and that’s something I’m going to start working on in the new year!
Susannah recently posted…Faith and Fellowship Blog Hop
Thanks, Susannah! I’m working on the whole photography thing…I’ll get there one day, right? It’s high on my list of things to work on in 2016 too. We’ll have to share ideas of how to improve in that area!
Lauren recently posted…Five on Friday: Sick Puppies and Holiday Cheer
I know I’m looking at Christmas decor at the complete wrong time of the year, but I was browsing your blog and wanted to see the house, so here I am! I love your decorating style! The best part is everything seems realistic and budget friendly. Can you tell me where you bought your couch? We recently bought a sectional, but within months the cushions are pilled like an old sweater. I thought about slipcovering, but I think I need to start fresh! I would love a white couch, but that won’t work with pets, so this gray is perfect. Thanks!