I’m so excited to be welcoming you into my home today to take you on a tour of our house all decorated up for Christmas! You guys, I’ve had so much going on lately that I’m not gonna lie – I wasn’t just decorating here and there over the past few weeks with lovely Christmas carols playing in the background. I was big-time scrambling to get my house decorated and photographed in time for this post! The good news is that all of my decorations are ones that are quick and easy and can be done if you’re scrambling for time too (because seriously, who wants to spend weeks decorating for the holidays anyway??).
There’s also a full source list at the end of the post if you have questions about paint colors or where I found something and I’ll also link up some sources for my holiday decorations (includes some affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here}) as I tour you around.
Ready for my tour? It actually starts before you’ve even pulled into the driveway! While I always decorate the outside of our house for Christmas, this year I dressed up our mailbox too with a simple DIY greenery swag and classic plaid bow that fits with the quaint New England setting of our home – I love that it’s something a little different from just wrapping a garland around the mailbox post:
Now that you’re here, let’s hurry up and get inside because winters in Connecticut are cold! We’ll go under the arbor and down the walkway to the front door:
This is the fourth Christmas we’ve spent in our house and I’ve decorated our front door in a similar way each year. We have TONS of evergreen trees and bushes in our yard and I take advantage of it by clipping them to use on our door (and inside our house too!). You can find the details of how I make my front door swag {here} (it’s super quick and easy!) and you can find the bells that I use {here}.
If you look closely, you’ll see that the bells have the most beautiful detailing:
I also took advantage of what’s in our yard to fill our planters that I found {here}) – I simply packed them with dirt, and stuck in branches of a few different types of evergreens. I finished them off with a few magnolia leaves (unfortunately I had to buy those – I wish I had them in our yard but no such luck!) and a couple of pine cones attached to wood dowels that I found at HomeGoods. I like a natural, semi-untamed look to my planters so adding branches quickly without overthinking it is the way to go:
If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you’ve probably seen my trio of lanterns a time or two before since I use them every fall and winter, making a few changes throughout the seasons. For Christmas, I added some plaid ribbon to them and filled them with a mix of inexpensive silver and gold ornaments from HomeGoods:
Did you notice how boringly plain my doormat is? I actually have a super cute one on order but it didn’t make it here in time for my pics – I’ll show you once I get it!
Oh, and one more thing before we step inside! Did you notice the window that we passed as we walked up to the front door?
My youngest daughter loves to get crafty so I let her loose with chalk ink markers (one of {these}) to decorate our bay window – they’re great because the drawings come right off with water or a wet wipe when you’re ready to remove them (test your own windows first before using!). Definitely a fun way to get your kids in on the holiday decorating! And of course, our little buddy always has to be in on the action too:
OK, I’ve kept you guys out in the cold way too long jabbering about holiday decorations – in we go!
Before we head into the dining room, we’ll take a quick peek around the entry way – for the chest of drawers in our foyer, I simply filled two of {these vases} with boxwood clippings from our yard and some red berry branches (round mirror can be found {here} and {here}).
In between them, I filled {my favorite wood bowl} that I use time and time again with some HomeGoods ornaments and jingle bells (from Restoration Hardware years ago) strung on plaid ribbon:
Now let’s hop on over to the dining room:
I went for a soft, light and bright look this year using pink poinsettias, white plates with gold and silver accents, and oversized ornaments adorning each plate:
I tied a gift tag around each silverware set and added a little sprig of greenery:
I kept things simple with the centerpiece and added five different silver and gold trees that I scored at HomeGoods. Actually, most of this table was created with HomeGoods finds including the plates, gift tags, ornaments, and ribbon.
On the chandelier above the table, I layered evergreen branches so that they encircle the base to make the space even more festive:
The other detail that I added is the wreaths on the back of the chairs:
I made these wreaths years ago (you can find the tutorial {here}) and have used them every year since, simply changing up the ribbon each time:
And as a final touch, I added a small stack of presents to the chair in front of our plate wall (it’s seemed so empty ever since our Halloween skeleton friend left it!):
Ready to tour through one more room?
We’re heading to my home office – you might remember this little sneak peek that I shared a few weeks back:
I took down the large piece of art on the lower right of our gallery wall to leave room for our annual advent tree with mini galvanized buckets that we fill with daily treats for our girls
While my daughters have outgrown some of our holiday traditions, I don’t see this one going anywhere anytime soon – they love it and check the daily bucket as soon as they get up each morning!
That wraps up my tour for today – thank you all so much for stopping by! I know there are a ton of Christmas home tours this time of year and I’m so appreciative and honored that you came by for a visit! I’d love if you stopped over for the second part of my house tour {here} where I’m touring you through our kitchen, master bedroom, and family room:
Front porch: lanterns | stone planters | bells on door dec | cute doormat that’s on the way | ribbon on lanterns and planters
Foyer: Paint color is Benjamin Moore White Dove | Round layered wood mirror (also available {here} | Vases | Wood bowl | Chest of drawers – no known current source
Kari says
It’s gorgeous! There are so many things I love about your home. The front door bells are so beautiful – I’ll be researching those and your dining room is so lovely. Can you dish on the prints in the dining room? There are 2 large vanilla and black prints in your dining room that caught my eye. Where did you find those? Simple and elegant. Thanks for sharing your holidays with us.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Kari! I got those prints at Arhaus probably about five years ago – I’m not sure if they still cary them or not but they are nice neutral ones that look good in pretty much whatever room you put them in!
Lisa | Shine Your Light says
So pretty and festive Kris! I love all your natural touches and fresh greens, that is my favorite way to decorate for Christmas too. Your whole house is so warm and welcoming. Enjoy it all decked out!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Lisa!! I’m still working on the decking of the other rooms – ha!
Randi says
Kris well done!!! I know you e had an insanely busy few months! Your Christmas decor makes you believe just the opposite. Everything is peaceful and beautiful! I love all of your gorgeous details especially those bells that welcome me inside! Merry Christmas my dear friend! Xo❤️
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Randi and Merry Christmas to you too!!
Haneen says
Kris, I love it all! Your photos are beautiful! Love your daughter in the window! Love your porch! And you’re a great writer!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Haneen! Your little guy would probably have a field day using one of those chalk markers on a window!!
Design Chic says
It all looks gorgeous, Kris, inside and out! I have a bowl of Christmas balls, but now I want to find bells to add to it – that looks amazing! Happy Tuesday!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much! Happy holidays sweet friend!
Julie says
Wow, it all looks just beautiful! I really love all of the texture with the subtle colors. Gorgeous!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Julie!
Bree says
Kris, I love every single detail!! You are so, so good! I love so many things like the pink poinsettias and aren’t you so lucky to have access to all of that beautiful greenery in your back yard. I’m also mildly obsessed with your bells…they are perfect and a nice deviation for the typical front door wreath! Merry Christmas to you and yours…hope you all enjoy your gorgeous home for the holidays because it’s absolutely stunning!!!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much for your sweet words – they mean so much to me! Merry Christmas!!
Maxine says
It’s just lovely, touches of natural with beautiful ornaments…
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much Maxine!
Tamara says
Kris I LOVE LOVE LOVE your dining room! The pinks and metallics are so stunning and compliment your space just perfectly! You are so talented and I truly love your classic home! I’m so happy to be with you on this tour! Love you! xo
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Tam – and right back at you friend – so fun doing this with you!!
Garden, Home and Party says
Kris,
So pretty. I love the Christmas bulbs in the lantern on the front porch. The pale pink of the Poinsettias is the perfect accent in your pretty dining room. I’m always inspired with an idea or two of yours that I will copy cat here in my home. 🙂
Can’t wait to see the rest of your lovely home.
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Karen – I appreciate your visits and sweet words so much!
Mattie says
I love checking out your blog and always look forward to the next post! You have a gorgeous home! I love the tree in your office with the small buckets. Can you please tell me where you got the stickers? I have an 18 month old and want to start a tradition for her and think she would love the small buckets to pick things out of for our advent calendar. Can’t wait to see more!
Thanks!
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Mattie! Thank you for your sweet words! The numbers on the mini buckets were cut out of sheets of scrapbook paper from a scrapbook paper booklet that I found at Michaels a few years back. Wish I had an easier source for you!
Kelley Nan says
Kris, as always, you have inspired the heck out of me! I totally agree with wild and free stuffing of the urns but now, I am wanting mine to have bows! Those bells on your door may be as iconic B for the season as the door knocker on your office gallery wall. Amazing. While I miss your “friend” in the dining room, I’m glad he didn’t take away from your gorgeous table. You rocked this, Kris. I adore you and each idea you have.
Kris Jarrett says
Kelley, thank you so much – I appreciate the love and support more than you know!
Jamie says
It’s so gorgeous, every detail! You did an amazing job. Happy holidays!
Hugs, Jamie
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Jamie! Happy holidays to you too!!
Shauna says
Kris, if you put a for sale sign on your front yard I’d want to buy your home right up!! It has the cutest curb appeal!! You are such a lucky girl being able to trim all that gorgeous greenery straight form your yard to use in vases and your front door! That’s definitely my favorite part of your tour. Everything looks wonderful and I’m so happy your poinsettias didn’t have a tragic death like mine did…haha! You always have the best little tips for decorating!
xoxo
Kris Jarrett says
Give me about four and a half years (when my kiddos are both out of HS) and it’s yours – ha! I feel super lucky to have such a lush yard this time of year but not so lucky in the summer when it grows out of control! Thanks for your sweet words Shauna!
Jennifer - Decor Gold Designs says
Kris! This is so pretty! I am in love! Your porch is my favorite. I am crazy about that wreath on your door and your lanterns. I love everything you shared today and honestly I always love what you do. You are so talented my friend! xoxo
[email protected] Charm says
I love that your daughter is becoming as crafty as you! Your house is beautiful, as always! Happy Holidays!
Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says
Kris, I love every detail from the mailbox on! What a gorgeous entry with all that greenery and those beautiful bells. Such a unique touch! Your dining room is stunning as always and that advent tree in your office is just precious. Love it all!
Cheers!
Shelley
classic•casual•home says
I just love the happy/elegant/festive exterior of your home. So pretty, Kris.
Rugs and beyond says
A very good a nice detailed description. We use to wait for Christmas to celebrate it with full panoply. All the information you have given are pretty awesome and useful.
Beth Q says
I ordered the bells from Amazon today!! Thank you for the link. I have been looking for something just like those bells…your home is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing
Kristen says
I love it all! Your porch is so perfect and I love the advent tree! You did a wonderful job like always!