Can you believe that it’s time for another holiday home tour? This is always one of the highlights of our blogging year, because we always have such great participants, and this year is no exception. Lynch Creek Farm is still sponsoring our tour and providing participants with one of their beautiful wreaths, garlands, or centerpieces, but we’ve changed things around a bit this year. We’ve started a week earlier and we’re sharing all of the tours over seven days instead of twelve–we learned that you guys are ready to start decorating and it’s better to share the inspiration early!
If you’re visiting from Jen at StyleHouse Interiors, then welcome. She is always one of my favorite stops on the tour with her clean, light palette and insanely fabulous decorating style.
Before I get started with the tour, as our special gift to you, you can download our free 2018 Holiday Planner here–it’s 22 pages of holiday organization! Just put in your name and email address below and we’ll send it to you right away:
Now, on to the tour…
Welcome to our MCC (Mint Chocolate Chip) House. It got its name because it’s painted brown and green outside; it’s a rental so we’re just living with it. We’re a military family and a new house every year or two is the norm but our family is living apart for a couple of years. We opted not to move our son during his senior year of high school, so now he’s in college, my husband is stationed at Ft. Riley, KS, and our daughter I are in the MCC House. We’ll reunite with my husband this summer–finally–yay!!–but in the meantime we’re living in this petite 1400 sf house and enjoying all of the quaint quirks that come with a 100+ year old house.
The living room, dining room, and kitchen are all open to each other, and then my kids’ rooms are downstairs with a shared bathroom/powder room.
Every spare inch is used and we have lots of pieces of furniture that serve more than one purpose. Harley, our golden retriever rescue, is solely decorative but he is a sweetie!
Our flocked tree was a splurge but I love it; we had the same artificial tree for about twenty years before getting this one last year and I’m thrilled with it (all sources are below).
Most of my pieces are vintage, thrifted, or estate sale finds. When you move so frequently, you can’t have expensive furniture–we only get reimbursed pennies on the dollar for damages and there are always damages.
Fortunately, I’ve always had good luck finding pieces that I love that are also relatively inexpensive.
This year, I chose the Bah Humbug wreath from our sponsor, Lynch Creek Farm. The black and white striped bow works perfectly with all of my blues and whites and it smells absolutely heavenly. I may move it outside but I love having a wreath on the mirrored closet door. We’ll be giving one away next week so stay tuned!
Additional Sources: Frosted Sugar Pine 9′ Pre-Lit Tree, Silver & Gold Ornament Set, White Matte & Glossy Ornament Sets, Rocking Horse: HomeCentric, Bergere Chair, Bergere Chair
The dining room seats four (six if you pull up the counter stools to the table), but that’s just the right size for us at this stage of our lives. The rocking horse was a recent find at HomeCentric and I love it, so that’s why it floats between the living room and the dining room.
We use the vintage china cabinet as a bar, and yes, there is even some china stored in the bottom!
{ See more of the dining room here | and see more of the kitchen here }
My daughter’s room is probably my favorite room in the house right now. She’s fifteen and loves to dance, so her tree is Nutcracker-themed. She just finished five performances this past week and we have seven more to go–phew!
We made the tree skirt out of some of her dead pointe shoes layered on top of a practice tutu. Finally–something to do with all of those shoes!
| Vintage Vogue Gallery Wall |
Harley and our rescue kitty, Brontë, follow me around the house and like to pose for photos in every room.
Our son is away at college, so his room is much neater than it has been in the past. I’d rather have it messy and occupied, though, but fortunately he’ll be home in a few weeks.
We used to have two twin beds in here, but I sold one on Craigslist to free up some much-needed floor space.
Some of the ornaments on his tree were my mother’s and date from the 1950s.
The foot locker belonged to his great-grandfather during his service in World War II.
That’s it for this year’s tour–you can see our previous house (4000sf so a BIG difference in size!) here and our Savannah house here. I love how the same decorations look so different in different houses.
Be sure to head over to visit our friend Amanda at Dixie Delights; she’s next on the tour and she’s got fabulous Southern style that you won’t want to miss!
Here’s the rest of the lineup for the week; please stop by and see everyone on the tour:
11 Magnolia Lane | Dixie Delights | Summer Adams | Style House Interiors
Sincerely, Marie Designs | Sincerely Sara D | Just a Girl and Her Blog | Most Lovely Things
A Stroll Thru Life | A Blissful Nest | This is Our Bliss | Pink Peppermint Design
Southern State of Mind | Housepitality Designs | 2 Ladies & A Chair | Southern Hospitality
CitrineLiving | Setting for Four | The Pink Clutch
Maison de Cinq | The Heathered Nest | Home by Heidi | Rough Luxe Lifestyle
Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss | 11 Magnolia Lane (Amy) | Quarters One | Evolution of Style
HI CHristy, great tour! Is that fireplace original? I love the cast iron insert. In fact, I am obsessed with fireplaces these days! laura
Hey, Laura–I belive the fireplace is original, but since this is a rental I can’t say for sure. The cast iron insert/stove was here when we moved in, too. Sadly, it’s not vented correctly and we can’t burn wood in it, which is such a disappointment, but fortunately it doesn’t get too cold here in North Carolina. Thanks for writing and have a great holiday season!
Christy
I love how you turn every home into such a warm and inviting place full of charm, plus oh so chic. Your christmas decor is stunning and I am totally in love with all those Pointe Shoes.
Thank you so much, Marty! I’ve realized over the past year and half that I really like living small, but I still need to get rid of a lot of stuff! I’m the opposite of a minimalist, I guess (maximalist?). So happy you could join us for this year’s tour–I’m looking forward to seeing your house all decorated for the holiday!
Beautiful, as always!
Thank you, Shand! I can’t wait for your day and I’m so glad you could join us!
Beautiful Christmas home.
Thank you for showing.
Thank you so much, Maureen! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Wow you are amazing Christy! I love what you did with your darling 100 yr old home, old homes have the most charm ❤️. I am dying over your daughters pointe shoes ???! Each detail is so thoughtful and meaningful. Thank you for the service your family has given us! Merry Christmas my friend!
Thank you so much, Jen! I will admit that most days I dream about a big kitchen and level floors, but our house is just right for where we are and what we need right now, and it’s a sweet space. Thanks for writing and for joining us again on the tour, my friend! XO Christy
love your decorating style….always looks so comfy & inviting no matter where you live!!
That’s so kind of you, Marti. Thank you so much!
Christy
Christy!!! Wow!!! Every tree looks amazing! i especially love the pink one and those old point shoes. as a former dancer and ballerina, my heart just swells when i see that pile of “fabulous dances” from the dancer that once wore them. what a stunning home tour. thanks so much for including me in this and for hosting! xoxo
Yes, she refuses to part with any of them; they are all friends and she’s written the different roles in them so she can remember what she wore when. We just picked up six more pairs that will hopefully get us through the end of Nutcracker season! Thanks so much for the lovely comment and I am so very glad you joined us again on this year’s tour!
Christy
The MCC house is always beautiful Christy and you have made it joyfully beautiful for your family and friends to enjoy for christmas….beautiful trees and so many charming details of the season…..merry christmas christy!!! … So happy to be participating on this most wonderful tour again this year.
Thanks so much, Shirley! The only drawback to the MCC House is that we can only squeeze about ten people in it at a time so we’ve had to put our Christmas party on indefinite hold, but I know that time will come again. 😉 So very glad you’re able to join us on the tour again.
XO Christy
Beautiful, cozy and sweet. Lots of thought and care in your decor. Loved it all but especially the kids’ rooms!
Thanks so much, Lori. I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving and were able to be together!
Christy
Excellent HOME TOUR! LOVE SEEING THE PICKWICK CANDLE FROM KANSAS CITY 😉
Beautiful ?❤️❤️
Thank you, Mara. I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving!
I just love your home Christy! All of your antique pieces are stunning. I’m in love with the old Santa boot with the greenery, so adorable! Thank you for sharing your warm home with us. Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much, Amanda! That boot was my mom’s and she put a bite mark in it so it’s one of my favorite pieces of Christmas decor. So glad you could join us again on the tour.
Christy, your home looks just beautiful all decked out for christmas! I love how cozy and warm it is, and adore your daughter’s sweet ballerina tree! Such a clever tree “skirt”! I can only imagine how hard it is to have your family living apart this year…..THANK YOU to your husband, you and your family. Military life is definitely a family affair. I hope you will all be together soon! XOX
Thank you so much, Lisa. We are fortunate that we will all be together for the holiday even though it will just be for a short time. There are so many soldiers who are deployed and can’t get home at all. Someone always has it worse. I hope things are starting to look up for you and yours; you’ve been on my mind!
XO
Christy
Your home looks so beautiful, Christy! You are my hero for moving so frequently and STILL managing to set up a gorgeous house everywhere you go. 🙂 Love all of your trees and festive touches. Thank you so much for keeping us all organized this week!
~Abby =)
I definitely only did about half of what I normally do this year, but of course the house is half the size! In hindsight, it was kind of nice to be forced to take a bit of a break. We’re so glad you could join us on the tour this year, Abby!
Merry (early) Christmas!
Christy
I love your home Christy! And thank you all for your service to our country. I admire that you set up a beautiful home no matter where life brings you. I especially loved the family touches and pieces you shared this year. xo
Thank you, Amanda! I will confess that I took a little bit of a break with decorating this year and did the bare minimum; I figured it was a trade off because we always have to decorate so early in this business. Thank you for the kind words, and for joining us again on the tour!
Merry (early) Christmas!
Christy
Christy, it all looks so festive….including harley. enjoy the holiday season.
Thanks so much, Laura. You, too!
-Christy
This is just gorgeous and I can’t believe this is a rental! it looks so warm and cozy and your holiday decor is just beautiful!
Thank you, Rebekah! I’m really looking forward to being a homeowner again soon–it’s just not the same when you rent–but I’m trying to be patient. 😉
HI, Christy, thank you for inviting me to tour with you again! Always a fun tour and your home looks so pretty and festive. I am amazed how it always looks like you’ve been there forever and you move around so much. Love the vintage touches and that wreath you chose. I love that black and white ribbon! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks so much, Rhoda! I’m not going to lie, I am ready to be a homeowner again–we’re getting a little tired of renting. But we know that if we’re patient the time will come, and I will finally have a chance again to do all of my projects!
Have a Merry Christmas!
oh Christy, your home looks gorgeous! I love all the beautiful Christmas touches throughout your home and how you personalized it! Love the Ballet tree! so fun doing this tour with you! I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas season!
Thanks so very much, Joan! It’s been a real treat to tour with such talented women. Have a Merry Christmas!
Christy your tour is so gorgeous! I love so much of what you’ve done, from your vintage pieces, to the new flocked tree (just got my first and I’m hooked!) to the adorable horse (I love that!!) but i have to say, your kids rooms might be my favorites! They are decorated adorably!! And your
daughter’s tree with the tutu and shoes tree skirt is about the cutest thing ever!!
Thank you again for having me on the tour! I always enjoy being with such a great group!
Sheila
xo
Thank you so much, Sheila! Flocked trees are the best (except for the mess 😉 aren’t they? I always have fun in the kids’ rooms; our house is so small right now that my room is kind of a disaster area so it doesn’t get shown on the blog very often. At least the downstairs is presentable, though!
We’re so, so glad you could join us on the tour–Merry Christmas!
As always, I love how you decorate your daughter’s room. The tree skirt is amazing. And your son’s room looks awesome, too. I love that you have a place of honor for that foot locker. What a great heirloom. Is your son at Vandy Now? I thought i saw a pennant on his wall. That’s where my sis went to grad school and is still down there in Nashville. Thanks for having me on the tour again. I’m always honored to be included and it’s one of my favorite tours of the entire year. Happy holidays to you and your wonderful family, Christy! I hope you’ll get a good amount of time to spend together.
Thanks, lady! That foot locker is one of my favorite pieces; I might have to fight him one day if he wants to move it out of the house when he leaves. The Vandy pennant is from when my husband was the head of Army ROTC there (we just sold our Nashville house so I guess that means we’re not going back but we loved it there).
Enjoy your holiday and thank you for joining us again–it’s always such a pleasure!
Christy
Christy I love your daughters monogrammed shades. Where did u get them .?
Rose, they are from Target years ago. They were part of their Simply Shabby Chic line and they don’t have them in the store currently; however, you can find them brand new on eBay here. I had them monogrammed locally. Originally they started out in my dining room, but that was seven houses ago, if you can believe it! I hope that helps.
Christy– you do such a great job of decorating your different houses and adding character to each one! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!
So many beautiful spaces! I think your son’s room with that little tree and passed down ornaments might be my favorite! and I’m madly in love with your splurgey flocked tree! Merry Christmas to you and thank you for all of your work on the tour. I so love being a part of it!!
Oh Goodness, your Daughter’s room is adorable! Especially the the tree skirt.
Thank you, Heather! I’m working on this year’s and there are even more pointe shoes–soon I’ll be able to make a tree out of shoes alone!Christy