Becolorful

The January Door

 

The Christmas decorations are finally all tucked away for another year but the house is looking sparse and cold. It needs to be zhushed up a bit. I'm one of those women that likes to change things up through out the year so I look forward to these seasonal updates and one of my favorite places to do this is at the front door. The problem is what to do in January. I'm not a fan of keeping my holiday decor up until spring and Valentines is still too far away. So what's a girl to do to in the gray Midwest this time of year?

 

Well, a boxwood wreath is casual yet elegant and timeless.

etsy

 

This magnolia wreath is sophisticated possibility. I've always thought that  simple unadorned greenery was a smart look for a winter door but these leaves dial up the style factor.

HGTV

 

I remember my grandma used to make pine cone wreaths and I know she gave me one but this updated version, painted a soft gray, gives this perennial look a fresh vibe.

 Slice of Southern Pie

 

Berries are appropriate all winter long and add a dash of color.

 

etsy

 

Then again, I've always been a fan of something a bit unusual or whimsical and I have also been known to hang a clock on the front door,

but,

this elaborate New Year's Eve rendition is over-the-top spectacular.

 

Angela Holt Designs

 

Just look at the detail work. Amazing. I'd  be tempted to keep this up all year long.

 

An easier DIY might be this popsicle stick snowflake.

 

Ballard Bunch

 

Monograms are definitely trending and this quirky framed version is cheerful and unexpected.

Inspiration Thief

 

Lately I have been drawn to the idea of going with a winter citrus theme and I am rather obsessed with this particular wreath but I doubt it would show up on our yellow front door.

etsy

Perhaps I could use more greenery and fewer lemons. Something more like this -

 

Livingreen.com

What do you do for a little January flair? Please feel free to share you ideas and thoughts. I love hearing from you.

xoxo,

p

Skipping Christmas

 

 

It's a bit of a strange Christmas for us. There isn't anything wrong. On the contrary we are feeling very fortunate but it is just going to be an unorthodox holiday this year.

The season began like it has every year for us with a family get together here at our Linden house but this year we have the added joy of knowing that there will be one more person, a very little and probably very active person, at the table next year.

(Liz and her "littlest brother" Adam) 

James and Sumi were here from Seoul this summer so they couldn't join us for Thanksgiving and won't be here for Christmas either.

 

We miss them most of all this time of year. James, you would have loved flying drones with the guys. :D

A few days after the rest of the family polished off the Thanksgiving leftovers Rosie and I headed south for two weeks for what we are calling a new chapter in our book of life. We aren't leaving our home behind but we are looking forward to some additional adventures in a warmer climate.

 

 

 

 Being away the first half of December and knowing we would be celebrating elsewhere this year made it hard to justify a week's worth of decorating effort for only a few days of enjoyment. So, I did the unthinkable and didn't decorate.

I feel like I'm skipping Christmas.

The lights and the music are my favorite things about the holiday season and I must admit that I miss sitting in the glow of our tree this year but I am trying to get my fix from the single small tree I put up in the kitchen window and by revisiting my pictures from last Christmas.  

I never posted our holiday flair last year, so, at the risk of appearing like a cheater, which I am, I thought I would share some of those images today. 

My color scheme was pink, coral and red and I carried it throughout the house.

In the library

 

and on the living room mantle.

 

I created a garland of ornaments that were colorful by day

 

 

but felt magical by night.

 

 

I like a more casual holiday style in the kitchen and these folk art Scandinavian candelabras come out year after year. The first one belonged to my mom but years ago I bought two more to fill up these windows. 

 

 

The "gifted" chandelier is a look I have done for several years now too.

The small tree in the kitchen window hung with Sticks ornaments is one of my favorite things to pull out at Christmas time.

 

 

Last year was the first year for my black and white dining room. This is an easy room to pop with color but the pink/coral/red theme seemed to work especially well here.

 

A spray painted candle holder from the discount aisle at Hobby Lobby, some inexpensive globe ornaments and a hemmed piece of fabric turned tablecloth and this space came together for under $25.00

 

 

 

 

Years ago when I was selecting furniture, window coverings and rugs I would think about what the room would look like at Christmas because the only options seemed to be red and green or gold and silver. I love it that we are only limited today by our imaginations. So, when I painted our family room coral the thought of Christmas never entered my mind. Surprisingly enough, though, coral makes a great backdrop for December's decor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The decorating has always been a big big big part of the season for me but this year, and ONLY this year, I am keeping it simple. It has been a nice break but I'm already planning my color scheme for next year.

:D

Blues and greens?

 

or  raspberry and tangerine?

 

I'm a fickle one and I have eleven months to decide.

Lol

From our home to yours 

Merry Christmas!

xoxo,

p