Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Holiday House Walk


Welcome to the Tidings Holiday Housewalk


hosted by Cathy of My 1929 Charmer and Judy of 20 North Ora.


It's a good thing you didn't stop by at the beginning of the month 


because the guest room was in total disarray.


Christmas is now spread throughout the house and we're ready for company.


I don't add many new decorations each year - I prefer to use old things in new ways.


One new item this year is the fabulous wreath I won on a Giveaway from Linda of A La Carte.


The wreath, from Tree Classics, is much larger than I expected so it ended up outside and I love the added lights on the porch.


We recently combined two pieces in the entry (yes, I know the colors don't match up, but they will in 2016) and I love the cabinet doors open to show off a colorful display of dishes.


After several days of open doors I realized they were just too much with all the Christmas decorations so I closed them.


I love this little tree in the shopping cart, but when Lulu's sitter came by, with her dog, to get the house key - 2 dogs and 3 people in the entry was too much.


 I simplified the entry for Suzanne and Vinnie.


The little rocker takes up a lot less room in the entry than the shopping cart.


We'll take a quick peek into Steve's kitchen before he notices.


I don't decorate much in here because I don't want to upset the chef (I might have to make my own dinner),


but a few little Christmas touches don't hurt.


Now we'll step into my favorite room in the house - I love it even more at Christmas.


Wrapping the window seat cushion in an old quilt softened the room up for the winter.


I change up the centerpiece on the table each day


and our new red and white chairs are perfect for Christmas.


I found a fun hand for my collection at Decor Steals, but I didn't realize how big it would be.


I tried it in a bunch of places and think it's fun on the lower shelf of my favorite side table.


In the living room, my normal primary color palette works perfectly with Christmas.


We bought a pencil tree last year and


I love that it takes up so little space in the house.


These 3 ornaments (all gifts) epitomize our lifestyle and are my favorites -


a beach ball, flip flops (almost the only thing Steve and I put on our feet) and art.


This time of year we have a fire each night


and I sit in my chair doing some type of needlework.

The guest room is the most decorated room in the house


with Christmas


in every corner.


Meet Henry, my latest Maileg pixy, who chose the guest room,


or I should say "Lulu's room" for his hangout.


I don't usually put Christmas decorations in the bedroom,


but I couldn't resist adding a few touches to the armoire.


One of the reasons that I don't go overboard in every room is that Steve likes the decor minimal.


He has been known to move things just to tease me, but he denied having anything to do with this scene - poor Olaf looks like he had a hard night.


I think I have found the culprit - what is Lulu planning to do with Olaf?


Thanks for visiting my 1928 California cottage.


Don't miss out - visit all the houses on the Tidings Holiday Housewalk


 Cathy at My 1929 Charmer


Judy at 20 North Ora


Susan and Bentley at Ash Tree Cottage


Kris at Junk Chic Cottage


Kathy at Kathy's Cottage


Jo at Anne's Attic


Tina at Cherry Hill Cottage


Pat at On Crooked Creektt



Becky at Sweet Cottage Dreams

47 comments:

  1. Your home is California Dreaming Christmas delight. I love every single nook and cranny you have filled with Christmas cheer. Now you know how much I love your color since I'm a color lover myself. I took a sneak peak so Steve wouldn't' know I was in his kitchen! Thanks so much for joining Judy and I for the Tidings Holiday Housewalk...it would not have been complete without you.

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  2. Oh Carol your beautiful beach cottage all done up for the holidays is beautiful. Love Steve's kitchen for the holidays too. Little Lulu is too cute lounging after all your hard work to get all the decor done lol! Looks so charming, inviting and cute cute cute for the holidays. Just swooning over all the pictures this morning.
    Happy Week my friend.
    Kris

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  3. Carol - Love your beach cottage all year round but Christmas is especially wonderful. That Lulu is a hoot. Everything looks so gorgeous. Thanks for joining Cathy and I on this tour,

    Judy

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  4. Carol, I love your decorations. That pencil tree is just right. You know the window seat view is my all time favorite in your home. Your house is full of light and seems welcoming. Blessings to you , Steve and your children, for a very merry Christmas. xoxo,Susie

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  5. I just adore the way you have so artistically designed each room with so many intriguing Christmas touches. The whole look is so cheerful and full of fun. Love it! Merry Christmas to you and give that darling Lulu a big kiss from me.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  6. I do wish I had your organizational skills. What divine patience,,,, and so very lovely!

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  7. Carol,
    What adorable Red and White, done right, Christmas decor, dear friend!!!
    I absolutely love your elves throughout the house!!!
    Your wreaths, ladder, cart and pencil tree
    all filled with festive decor makes my heart happy!!!
    LOVE the red and white chairs!!!
    Cute little stockings gently speak of the Season!!!
    Thank you for sharing your lovely California at Christmas home with us!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  8. A wonderful tour. I especially enjoyed seeing all your table decorations.

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  9. What a warm beautiful Christmas home you've created Carol! I love all the unique pieces but my favorite photo might be Lulu on the bed. Cracks me up how much we spoil our fur babies, I'm right there with you :)

    hugs,
    Lesle

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  10. Again I love it all. I used to have a pencil tree and my kids called it the anorexic tree. ha ha

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  11. I love all the color in each room and pinned a few ideas for next year. We just got a pencil tree and it sure fits better in our smaller house. Love all your rooms, but especially the living room with the cute pillows.

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  12. I think your husband might've married the wrong woman if he likes decor to a minimum! Ha Ha! With him being a painter, you would think he likes more of it not less. Artists are usually very visual people with a need for lots of expression. I loved the little artist palette ornament hanging on your tree. Perfect for your house! I enjoyed the tour. Your Maileg items are my favorite.

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  13. Carol, everything is so, so beautiful. I love your elves, but I think my favorite is your entryway. I think the rocker was the right choice. I love red and white at Christmas and the rocker just pops. Happy Days!

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  14. Everything looks so cute!! Love all the red things!!Like you said your color palette goes well with Christmas decor.

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  15. It is beautiful! I love your touches!!! marsha@tubbslanefarm.com

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  16. It's always a treat to see what you've been up to! Your Christmas home is SO charming, Carol. I love every detail...from Lulu on the bed, right down to your sweet tree ornaments!

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  17. Carol, I love your cottage decorated for Christmas. It is just adorable in every way with so many sweet ideas. Thank you for sharing. Now I will visit more of the house tours. Happy Christmas to you and Steve!

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  18. OH, the Divine Miss L.....this is HER room, don't cha know? teeheheee

    Carol, that entrance looks fantastic. I really love how you combined the two pieces, and the colors look great, but I can envision what you've got planned come the new year. ENJOY THE COUNTDOWN!

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  19. I never, ever tire of touring your sweet cottage...and I find new things every where I look...like the SUN SEA SAND pillows in your dining room...and the JOY in the bedroom...the stripe and plaid pillows on the bed.. I love all the pixies...(I ran over to their site to check them out..sooo cute)
    I love all the red and white...and the little red kids rocker. You are so good at putting it all together....
    On my way to a grand's basketball game....
    xoxo

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  20. Carol,
    I smile the entire time I read your blog. The little green ivy heart wreath tied with green striped ribbon is just the cutest. I want to make some for my house. Your combination cabinet in the entry is calling me name. I love it.

    Merry Christmas,
    Judith

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  21. I love your sweet Christmas decos. I sat here with a smile on my face as I read your words and looked at photos.

    I love the hand sign.

    With the lovely way you have with decorating you would never know that Steve likes the decor minimal. It all goes together so well.

    I love seeing his artworks in your home. You both have wonderful talents.

    Happy Christmas to the both of you and thanks for sharing your home with us here in blogland.

    FlowerLady

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  22. Bright white and ravishing red, my favorite color combination! Your decor is so bright and pretty. I love the feeling of light in your home, just what everyone needs in the dark of winter. The vignettes and cozy feeling of your decor, all just lovely!

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  23. Your home tour is just so fun! I am still waiting on my Pixies and hope they make it before Christmas. The little pencil tree is really cute! Your wreath looks great. I got my trees and wreath already and I love the white tree. Not unpacking the green tree as the other one was already decorated and I'm not redoing it. My wreath awaits a place to shine! So glad you won the wreath, they seem like great products. I know your off on your trip soon, Enjoy!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  24. Carol, I loved your tour and your wonderful cottage. It is such a charming space and I love the colors you add throughout. Love the pencil tree and the wreath you won is awesome. I love so many things I have to go back and tour it all again. Your talents are incredible. Great tour!! xo

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  25. Oh Carol, your cottage is truly magical all decked out for Christmas!! I adore all your special and fun Christmas decor in every corner and room of your home.
    Mary Alice

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  26. Carol, there's not one more thing you could do to make your cottage more perfect! I adore that you make so many of the colorful fun things you have there. Again I say...your house needs to be in a book. Why don't you write it? I'd buy it!

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  27. Carol,
    Short and sweet, I adore your cottage 365 days a year but your Christmas tour is outstanding in festivity and just leaves me smiling. Love what you've done this year. Oh that adorable Lulu ... Love her!!! Love you.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  28. Your decorations are beautiful and look so good in your Cottage. Looks like Lulu is enjoying herself and helping you. Great job Carol.
    Mary

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  29. You know I always love you cottage but at Christmas I love it even more! So festive and charming! I love every single nook and cranny that you have decorated to perfection! Thanks so much for welcoming us into your sweet cottage! Have a lovely week!

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  30. I don't know how your house can get anymore darling than it already is, but somehow it did! Maybe it's because red goes so naturally in your house. Merry Christmas to you, Steve and Lulu!

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  31. What you can do in your little cottage never ceases to amaze me! I need to get a bulldozer and start over in my little dollhouse.

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  32. I so enjoy seeing all your colorful decorations, Carol, and those pixies look right at home! I hope Lulu was just teasing you.

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  33. Beautifully presented Christmas Cottage Carol! I love it all. I think Lulu may have been bitten by the 'elf on the shelf', little mischief makers! May you enjoy your upcoming holiday away! Blessings, Cindy

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  34. I'm shocked and happy to see Tina and Becky on the list for the tour. I'll have to jump over and take a looksee :)

    Carol, your Christmas decor is enchanting and I would expect nothing less from you. Lulu is just an added bonus.


    xoxo,
    rue

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  35. All very lovely and festive and you are right..your color palette and Christmas decor are perfect together at this time of year :)

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  36. Carol , it doesn't matter the mood I'm in , but when I look at the picture's of your home , I'm soooo happy with a smile on my face . I love ALL of your color's and your vignettes look like something from a magazine , but better !!
    If I came to visit you'd have to politely tell me to go home , I wouldn't want to leave ,ever .lol
    Lulu is just the sweetest baby , she look's so innocent.haha
    Thank you for sharing delightful beautiful cottage.❤️😊 Tammy

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  37. Perfect as always, Carol! Merry, merry Christmas my friend! :)

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  38. Everything is a sheer joy to see. Your home tour is like visiting a special Christmas store or Christmas display window. Lulu on the bed photo cracks me up.

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  39. Carol, your home is full of such fun and whimsy! I love it! Lulu cracks me up photo bombing your pics! What a sweetheart! Every corner of your home is thoughtfully collected and it is magical. The big white cabinet is awesommmmme! What a great find!

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

    Becky

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  40. Your home is so Christmasy. Great job. Thanks for the links.

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  41. Hi Carol
    I may have already commented, but I'm back again for a second look. This time I enlarged all the photos so I could get a real good look at everything! I love everything about how you decorate your home, but it looks even more special at Christmas! Rhondi xo

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  42. Sweet Olaf! I have to say I am in love with all your seasonal decor. This tour was truly a favorite! May this week be Merry and Bright for you.

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  43. Isn't every room Lulu's room? I had never seen a poinsetia the colour of the one we can see in the first picture.
    Have a nice Christmas!

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  44. Your decorations are lovely. There are so many things I want to comment on, I don't know where to begin :-) The little rocker and the three ornaments are wonderful touches of whimsy.
    Amalia
    xo

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  45. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
    Warm winterhug to you from Titti

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  46. I hope you are enjoying the merriest of Christmases Carol!

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  47. Oh Carol! I loved it all. Your home is always so bright and cheerful no matter the season and I love that. You do such a great job making it a beautiful, inviting, happy and dreamy home. Thank you for the tour.


    Hugs and Kisses,
    ❤️Ana

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