Sunday, December 12, 2010

Making Christmas, making Christmas

This is our first Christmas in our new house. And we noticed that immediately following Thanksgiving, all the neighbors had their Christmas lights up and on. We weren't even sure that we were going to put up the tree at all, since we'll be traveling to see family. But low and behold, I came home from work one day to find that Chad dragged in the tree and 2 totes of Christmas decorations.

He put the tree up and followed with a tradition: putting the first ornament on the tree (which is actually 2 ornaments that he hooks together on the same branch). This has been an odd tradition that he started when we first got our tree in 2002.
 
Now that we have a house, I can't wait to get new ornaments for this tree. The current ornaments are rose, white and gold, and were hand-me-downs from my mom. They've served their purpose for many years, but I'd love to do something different. Maybe next year...

Next came a wreath for the front door, which I embellished with a handmade bow and ornaments (ribbon and ornaments from Michaels).
This looked so great on the front door, that we decided to do the same with some garland. (Jayda helped add the bulbs.)
 With an extra string of garland in the tote, I decorated the banister as well. (These polka-dot and striped ornaments are from Hallmark.)
Last, but not least, I had to do a little something in the dining room. (Pottery Barn trees and bulbs. Home Goods wreath.)

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Living [room] with furniture

It has been far too long since I've blogged. We had been waiting on our furniture order from Bassett -- the 6-8 weeks that we were promised turned into 10+ weeks, and were beginning to think we wouldn't receive our furniture!

I first posted about our living room inspiration here. And now the furniture is finally here! A sectional, accent chair, storage ottoman, sofa table, pedestal table and media credenza.
 
Don't mind the stuff on the mantle. That was there temporarily, but is being replaced. We haven't found the perfect main piece to go above the mantle yet, but we'll find something!

We just finished decorating for our first Christmas in this house, so photos will be coming soon!