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Christmas Country Home Tour 2020

Welcome to my Christmas Country Home Tour! I’m so happy to have you join me today to kick off the first day of Jennifer Rizzo’s Holiday Housewalk. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Holiday Housewalk 2020 - Blogger Christmas Home Tours

 

Every year I look forward to this special week filled with blogger homes that are dressed in all their festive delight. You’ll find so much talent and creativity throughout the tour and it’s an honor for me to be included.

White Ornaments and Ribbons on a Green Christmas Tree

 

My tour was slated for Friday but due to a last-minute shuffle, I’m on the schedule for today. If you’re doing the tour from the start and working your way through each home, then you landed here courtesy of another Jennifer who blogs at Dear Lillie. Her home is amazingly beautiful and I’ve admired it for years!

Holiday Housewalk 2020 - Blogger Christmas Home Tours

 

Let’s get this tour started in my cozy (i.e. small) sitting room which was the first room I decorated after getting the tree up. The tree is always first because it sets the stage for everything else.

Christmas Decorations in a Small Sitting Room

 

I’m using a combination of real and faux greenery this year. I miss the scent of a real Christmas tree but they’re too messy for me. So, a few real greens will need to suffice.

Christmas Country Home Sitting Room

 

I found these pine branches during one of my early morning runs through the forest preserve. They were laying on the ground so I scooped them up and ran the rest of the way home with them. I knew they’d look wonderful in my Pottery Barn artisan vase.

Christmas Evergreen Branches in Earthy Artisan Vase

 

A rustic wooden bowl holds a few pieces of greenery and painted paper mache ornaments on the coffee table. I found the ornaments a few years ago at Home Goods and haven’t seen them anywhere since then. Good thing I bought two dozen of them at the time – they weren’t very expensive.

Old Wooden Bowl with Christmas Greens and Paper Mache Ornaments

 

The ornaments feel Scandinavian to me and I’ve always loved the way Nordic homes are decorated for the holidays

Painted Paper Mache Christmas Ornaments

 

My pedestal reindeer bowl holds metallic ornaments and a few faux greens. Faux greens are easier to manipulate into place as opposed to the real thing. Their branches are bendy. That’s another reason why I prefer faux Christmas trees, too. You can bend and move the branches for better ornament placement.

Reindeer Pedestal Bowl with Metallic Ornaments and Greenery

 

My big cow painting is still in her place, along with the cow lamp. To keep the farm animal theme going, I added my little sheep planter and filled it with greens and more metallic ornaments.

Cow Painting in Cozy Sitting Room

 

SHOP THE LOOK

 

 

My vintage mantel also takes up residence in my cozy sitting room. This year I wanted birch logs with lights to mimic a fire.

Black Vintage Mantel Decorated for Christmas with Stockings, Greens, and Birch Logs

 

Well, let me tell you – real birch logs are expensive. So I asked hubby to grab branches from our wood pile and dry brush them with white paint to mimic birch. Fairy lights add a finishing twinkle.

Black Vintage Mantel Decorated for Christmas with Stockings, Greens, and Birch Logs

 

New to the Christmas decorations this year is a trio of white ceramic light-up houses that I found at Country Naturals, a local store in Geneva.

White Ceramic Light-Up Houses and Christmas Greenery on a Black Vintage Mantel

 

White Ceramic Light-Up Houses

 

White Ceramic Light-Up Houses and Christmas Greenery on a Black Vintage Mantel

 

Let’s head into the dining room for the next part of today’s Christmas Country Home Tour. The dining room is adjacent to the entryway. I split this space into two sections – the entryway is on the east side and the dining room is at the west end. The room is long and awkward since it sits in the center of my circa 1875 house. I have to deal with traffic patterns and lots of doorways.

Country Home Entryway with Christmas Wreath

 

The dining buffet has a few festive vignettes and holds part of my white ironstone pitcher collection.

Dining Room Buffet Decorated for Christmas

 

Christmas trees are my first love when it comes to holiday decorating. I found a small wood platter at Crate and Barrel to keep small green trees neatly coralled.

Mini Christmas Trees on a Wood Plate

 

I chose a wood and dark green theme for my Christmas table setting this year. I’ll share more close-up pics of the table setting and centerpiece on Wednesday.

Christmas Country Home Tour - the Dining Room

 

The dining room used to be the living room but due to the weird traffic flow, it made more sense to use this as a dining space. One of the first things I loved about this old home is the window at the bottom of the stairs.

Christmas Country Home Tour - the Dining Room

 

The tobacco basket under the Antiques sign serves a dual purpose. It’s decorative, but it also hides the thermostat. Why do they always put thermostats in the middle of the wall where it becomes an eyesore? The basket is easily removed and replaced when you need to adjust the temperature.

Country Style Dining Room with Christmas Decorations

 

More Christmas trees housed in a white enamelware serving tray decorates the console table A new felt snowman joins them for a little winter wonderland vignette. He stole my heart when I spied him at Cocoon – another small boutique in Geneva.

Green Bottle Brush Christmas Trees with a Felt Snowman

 

My newest Cedar and Balsam candle smells just like a Christmas tree. And when the candle is all burned, I’ll have a pretty vase left to use. I found it at Cocoon, too.

Cedar Balsam Christmas Candle

 

This year I kept the decorations fairly simple. I figured a lot of people wouldn’t be over so it’s mostly hubby and me left to enjoy them.

Dining Room Set for Christmas

 

This is the first tree I put up this year. It’s tucked into a corner of the entryway side of this room. We live on a corner lot so everyone driving or walking by can see it through the double windows. I’m sharing my second true during the second part of my Christmas Country Home Tour which is next Tuesday.

Green Christmas Tree with White Ornaments in Country Style Dining Room

SHOP THE LOOK

 

The tree wears primarily white ornaments, frosted pine cones, birch bark ribbon, and floral picks to give it a more realistic look. It took a couple days to complete. I kept eyeing it and adding to it until I felt like it was done.

Natural Green Christmas Tree with White Ornaments and Ribbons

 

A rustic bark and twig star is the finishing touch. I’m short, so hubby always gets to place the tree topper – just like the abominable snowman on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I should start calling him my “bumble.”

Natural Green Christmas Tree with White Ornaments and Ribbons

 

I hope you enjoyed my humble Christmas home tour. Next up is Annie at Zevy Joy – another blogger who continually inspires me. You’re going to love what she’s done this holiday season!

Holiday Housewalk 2020 - Blogger Christmas Home Tours

 

Each day this week, visit Jennifer Rizzo’s blog to find the links for the bloggers who are featuring their holiday homes. You won’t be disappointed!

 

 

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56 Comments

  1. Now I want to wrap everything in adorable village boxes! SO cute! Also, I love love those ornaments you found and I bet you could DIY some with paper machier and white paint pen. They’re soooo pretty! Beautiful home, as always!

  2. Jennifer,

    Your home is so lovely and I love all the local antique finds. Your house is amazing and so is your talent. Thank you so much for being part of the Holiday Housewalk 2020.

  3. Yay, my favorite time of the year is here! I always look forward to this holiday house walk and seeing all of the great decorations! Love your tree this year! I have birch logs by my faux fireplace – you’re right, they are expensive. I got mine on a really good clearance at Crate and Barrel one year after Christmas.

    1. Hi Tamara! I always look forward to it too. I love the variety of homes and decorations that are included. Good idea to get your birch logs after the season is over. Hope all is well with you!

  4. I also enjoyed your home. A warm wonderland of eye candy waiting to invite you to enter. May I ask where you purchased your buffet? You have a nice collection of cow and sheep art which I have as well.

  5. What a beautiful tour, Jennifer!! I absolutely love how you created a faux fire with the birch logs. I’m sharing this on FB today ♥️ Merry Christmas early!

    1. Thanks so much, Julie! I’ve seen the log idea elsewhere over the years so I can’t take credit for it. Although I can take credit for the faux birch log idea. I think everyone else uses the real thing. 🙂

  6. Jennifer, you’ve got me inspired! Tomorrow is December 1st, time to get after it!
    I thought your “birch” logs with lights idea was brilliant!👍🏻
    Cathie
    Vancouver, BC 🇨🇦

    1. Thanks, Cathie! I couldn’t bring myself to pay the price of real birch logs even though they’re so pretty. 🙂 Have fun decorating your home for the holidays! You live in a beautiful area.

  7. Beautiful home and Christmas decorations! I like Bumble vs honey or sweetie pie:0) I just may have to try that one on this year. The paper mache houses are so darling and that snowman! I enjoy the season just to admire all the trimmings everyone chooses to make their home special. Makes me happy.

    1. Thanks, Lori! Women all over America will be calling their hubbies “Bumble.” LOL. I too like to see how everyone else decorates for Christmas. Enjoy the season!!

  8. Jennifer, your entire tour is PERFECTION! I love the birch log idea — Brilliant! Can’t wait to see the rest of the tour. Happy Holidays to you and Bumble!

  9. I think this may be my favorite Christmas tour of yours… it’s soooo enchanting and I loved each detail and vignette so much. I’m totally smitten and charmed!
    Enjoy the holidays in your beautifully decked home!
    xo Shannon

  10. Your description perfectly describes your Christmas home; COZY! It looks like a Christmas decorated New England B&B.I love it!
    And I agree, the idea of painting the logs was brilliant! I must admit that I have cut birch logs in half to look like more because they are, indeed, so expensive! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous home. I am constantly encouraged with your ideas and evolving decorating style. Mostly I love your transparency and allowing us to get to know you, your precious family and your inspiring life.
    Blessings on you and yours this time of year as we celebrate the Reason for the season!
    PS: Praying for the arrival of your newest rocking baby.

    1. Thanks so much, Deb!! Funny you mention New England. In the recent issue of Country Home Magazine there’s a spread on a New England home and I thought, that’s the style I’m aiming for! Thanks for being an encouragement to me. Baby Cove was born on Thanksgiving Day – I plan to share a pic of him on Friday. 🙂 Hope you enjoy this holiday season!

    1. Thanks, Cindy! I get asked about those ornaments a lot. Cassie Bustamante (first comment) had a great idea about making your own. I may have to try it. Enjoy your holidays!

  11. Your home is absolutely stunning. I love your elegant rustic vibe this year. Gorgeous. Those Scandinavian ornaments are so beautiful and I always love seeing your fabulous cow painting.

  12. Jennifer, I love all your vintage and rustic finds. A perfect country Christmas tour! What a clever hack for the birch logs. Love how that looks with fairy lights.

  13. Thank you, Jennifer, for the lovely Christmas tour. Your home is gorgeous and so cozy and inviting. Wishing you the merriest Christmas and a joyful NewYear.

  14. I enjoyed your tour and always enjoy your home and talent for decorating. Thank you and have a great day!

  15. I love visiting your home, and this Christmas tour is no exception. There’s so many different things to take in. I’m scrolling up and down the post, enjoying each area of your home:)

  16. This is lovely. I became obsessed last Christmas with sheep when I saw a photo of vintage sheep under a Christmas tree in a magazine. Sheep are the perfect animal for Christmas (shepherds watching their flocks by night, and Jesus being the Lamb of God) Anyway, I spied sheep ornaments on your tree and 3 sheep framed art. Are there sources for that? Thanks for sharing.
    (love the cows too–grew up on a Midwestern farm)

    1. Hi Trudy! When I decorated for Christmas, I didn’t even think about the parallel between sheep and the Christmas story. Thank you so much for pointing that out though. You just gave new meaning to my decor!

      The furry little lamb on the tree is from Joanne’s a couple years ago. The glass lamb ornament is from a local shop. The black and white sheep art is from Kirkland’s. I have a sheep oil painting that my daughter found at a vintage resale shop. The sheep planter is also from a local store but you can get it on Amazon, too: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Co-op-DA7782-Planter-Distressed/dp/B06WD5RQKV/

      You’re lucky to have grown up on a Midwestern farm!

  17. Everything is so beautiful and cozy Jen! I love your little white Christmas houses and your tree is gorgeous! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas season.

  18. Jennifer your home looks absolutely gorgeous! I love all the neutral colors, bowls of ornaments, bottle brush trees – all of it! That first shot of your tree is perfection!

    Sheila
    xo