Christmas looks a little different at our house this year. We have a new home with a fireplace + mantle (a stylists dream), my style seems to be evolving (all by itself) and I’m using a darker + moodier (still colourful) palette than I ever thought I would!
I can’t wait to share it with you as part of the #itsacolorfullifetour hosted by the most colourful, creative and stylish Jennifer from Dimples and Tangles + Jewel from Jeweled Interiors.
If you have come from DIY Decor Mom … WELCOME!
As most of you know, we are slowly renovating our new forever home and while half the house is still stuck in the 1990’s, I focused on the areas that we have started updating, so today I want to share our living and dining room with you, including my Christmas tree and mantle decor.
I feel like my tree needs an introduction, like one of those choir singing, spotlight shining with red velvet curtains opening type introductions. That’s how much I love my tree this year!
I love tartan and plaid at Christmas (or anytime), so when I saw these decorations it was love at first site and I decided to create a tree to compliment them.
I pulled the colours from this bauble and ran with it …. red, white and blue with some gold sparkle.
Of course I had to finish it with tartan wrapping paper and pretty satin bows.
I haven’t had a mantle to decorate for a few years, I was so excited to have one this year, especially after our fireplace makeover, and it didn’t disappoint.
I decided to do a big asymmetrical garland and bring in the colours from the tree. Christmas is in summer in Australia so I chose flowers that bloom during our Christmas like magnolias and blue astrantias.
It compliments my tree beautifully and I absolutely adore it.
Side note; I get asked at least once a day what I used and how I’ve secured my garland. I used a base garland, one of those flexible ones where you can bend the wired foliage, and secured it to my mantle with three 3M plastic hooks. Then I layered it with a couple more garlands which I kept in place by bending some of the wired foliage around it in a few spots. Lastly, I poked multiple picks and flowers into it to make it lush and full. It really is much easier than it looks!
Since I went all out with the garland I had no room left for stocking holders, but what’s a fireplace without stockings right? I made this stocking hanger from 2 very simple stocking holders and a curtain rod I had laying around. It was super easy, very affordable and I think it looks great!
I also made the stockings with remnants of fabric and satin ribbon trim. I downloaded a pattern online and changed it slightly to create a longer and skinnier stocking. I lined them with pretty florals and ginghams, then trimmed them with satin ribbon which I left long at the ends to tie into a bow.
The whole living room came together beautifully and I’m really happy with it.
These little Nutcrackers are probably my favourite Christmas decorations this year, they are so sweet and in the perfect shades of blue and white.
Everything gets a ribbon bow at Christmas time!
The dining room adjoins the living room so I kept a similar colour palette with red, white and blue.
Buckley, my beautiful reindeer, is the centre of attention with his gorgeous gold antlers and floral display.
My plate stack is not too high this year, as I said earlier, Christmas in Australia is in summer and it’s usually hot and humid. We usually don’t feel like eating a huge meal and often end up having seafood and salad.
I had to use the baby blue gingham chargers because I am totally in love with them, and the sweet little red truck plates add the touch of Christmas I needed. The red dinner plate is a great connection to pull the colours together.
I love the large scale gingham chargers on the smaller scale gingham tablecloth, the rattan placemats break them up enough so that you don’t go cross eyed.
I restrained myself with the foliage on the table this year, there is enough going on with Buckley, the apple wreaths on my cabinet and the living room decor. I’ve also learnt to leave a little room on the table for extra drinks!
This is probably one of my simpler Christmas tables, but I love the combination of patterns and colours, what do you think?
Around the corner from the dining room I’ve created a little forest with sparkly trees and my dream home …
I want my builder husband to build me this perfect pink house to live in.
Actually I wouldn’t mind living in a forest of sparkly Christmas trees either!
I’m also a sucker for a pretty bell, this one is the perfect blue. I painted this mirror with paint I mixed myself and coincidentally the bell is nearly exactly the same shade.
Okay, that’s about all I’ve done so far. I’m still working on my pink tree and cocktail station, yes I said pink tree, I don’t mean pink decorations, I mean PINK TREE, stay tuned for that one!
Now, pop over to BD Interior Design and continue on the #itsacolorfullifetour. Everyone has gone to so much effort and I’ve been so inspired by how creative everyone is!
PS. Skipper says hi!
Meet 
Every little kid loves a special box to stash their treasures.
