Even though I Coach pulled the Christmas boxes out of the attic on November 1, it’s taken me a little while to finish the decorating. Since this is my blog and I’m not doing any formal holiday home tours this year, I’ve been free to decorate on my own terms — which is my favorite way to do things.
Fun little fact: I like to take my time with holiday touches.
Instead of presenting one large, all-inclusive tour this year, I’m sharing the house room by room, in small doses. I’ve already detailed my Christmas mantel, so check that out if you missed it. This season I mixed earlier holiday pieces with a few new finds to create a simple, cozy winter look with subtle Christmas accents.
Everything I bought this year had to pass my winter-decor test: will it still work as winter decor after the holidays are over? If the answer was yes and I loved it, it came home with me. If not, I left it on the shelf. My plan is to leave most of these pieces up through the winter months, so versatility mattered.
I’ll take down the Christmas trees in January, but with a new baby and cold weather ahead, I wanted some pretty, comforting decor to linger through the season. Realistically, I probably won’t have the time to dismantle everything right away anyway. The trick: decorate for winter and sprinkle in just enough Christmas to keep the room feeling festive through March.
One of the two DIY projects I completed this year is a framed chicken wire Christmas card holder, and I absolutely love how it turned out. I’d wanted a decorative card display for a few seasons, and after finding a helpful tutorial from Lolly Jane, I knew this design would be perfect for our space.
My version measures 5 feet long by 2 feet tall. I followed most of the tutorial but adjusted the corner angle and size to fit this wall. I used my new favorite small-project staining cloths — they make finishing little wood projects so easy — and I attached tiny gold clothespins to hold the cards. It’s cheerful and practical.
I plan to keep the card holder up year-round and use it to display family photos and other favorites, much like I’ve done on the side of my fridge in past years.
Last year I made the glittery Christmas subway art using my cutting machine and double-sided adhesive paper. It’s a simple project that adds a little sparkle without overpowering the room.
When I was sourcing winter art for a white frame in the corner, I couldn’t resist a delicate buck watercolor from Craftberry Bush. Her work is so lovely and versatile that it fits naturally into a winter-themed room, and I can see myself using similar pieces around the house.
I also added a ruffled burlap tree skirt this year — and full disclosure: I didn’t make it. I bought it because it was an affordable, pretty option that saved time. Sometimes it’s worth skipping a DIY when you find exactly what you want.
Alright, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves for the rest of the room (but maybe not completely — I’ll sneak in one more detail!).
One small new ornament made it onto our little tree this year — a Tennessee Smokey ornament my mother-in-law gave me. As a University of Tennessee grad, I love this personal touch among our collection of sentimental ornaments.
The living room is cozy and inviting — perfect for wrapping presents, sipping hot chocolate, or working on the blog while rocking the baby in the new reclining chair. The recliner is my Christmas gift this year; I wanted something that rocks but still reads like a stylish club chair instead of a bulky leather recliner, and this one checks both boxes.
So, how do you approach decorating: strictly Christmas, or a winter-forward style that stays up until the first signs of spring?
Sources:
Joy Pillow – Target (sold out, but a similar option was available)
Sparkle Snowflake Pillow – Target
Buck Watercolor – Craftberry Bush
White Tree Garland – Target
Blessed Pillow – DIY stenciled drop cloth pillow
Stenciled Curtains – DIY
Rug – RugsUSA
Burlap Ruffled Mini Tree Skirt – Amazon
White Glittery Bottled Brush Tree – Target
Blanket basket – Target
Burlap monogrammed stockings – Mint Julep Monograms
Red Christmas Beetle – Craftberry Bush