Even though we are in the midst of packing for our big move to North Carolina, I couldn’t let the season go by without adding a little holiday sparkle and cheer. We’ll be spending our last Christmas in this house this year (we’re moving out Christmas week), and it’s bittersweet for all of us. We’ve had so many precious memories created within these walls and in this community. This season of reflection has me reminiscing about all of the Christmases we’ve spent in this sweet cape cod on the hill. There was the year that Santa brought Snowball, our little miniature schnoodle, to Emmy; and the year my brother’s family visited and we all crammed into our little living room. I’ll never forget the year we lost our dog Charlie at Thanksgiving and decided to make that Christmas extra special for our remaining dog Jake by taking him to the tree farm, feeding him all the cookies, and letting him indulge in the season. Then last year when we all woke to a crash that wasn’t Santa, but our tree falling over!!! Almost every year we’ve been here, my parents have joined us for Christmas Eve lobster dinner. Although this year we will be surrounded by U-Haul boxes, it’s going to be extra special. Aside from being our last Christmas in a house that we have truly loved, it’s Wilder’s first Christmas. Seeing the look on his face as we light the tree each day brings the magic of the season into our home, no matter how bare the walls are at the moment. Because we’re moving out Christmas week, I’ve kept my decor minimal this year, but nonetheless, I am excited to share with you my holiday living room, which was made even cozier by a beautiful plush rug from Mohawk, who has kindly provided me with a rug and sponsored this post. I am happy to be joining 10 other fabulous bloggers in Mohawk’s Holiday Home Tour. (You can find the list of participants at the bottom of this post).
You might be thinking, “Why on earth would she get a new rug right before moving?” but hear me out. We have a now 7 month old who’s been getting his booty in the air and will soon be on the go, crawling all over the place. I want to fill our home with soft rugs that will be easy on his knees, and as he transitions to walking, will provide a soft place to land. And let’s be honest, this 40 year old mama wants a soft place to sit when we play on the floor together! I am not the spry 27 year old I was when I had my first baby! I selected the Nomad Carlsbad Gray Rug and I couldn’t be happier with my choice. The soft texture, the slightly distressed looking patter, and the warm white and gray make the perfect centerpiece for our family hangout.
As I mentioned, the seasonal decor was kept to a minimum as most of it was already packed away in boxes. We could not neglect to hang out stockings though! My mother-in-law has made these beautiful stockings over the years, and will soon be adding Wilder’s to the mix. She’s had grandchildren year after year with not much of a break, so I told her we’re in no hurry and she could just needlepoint a cuff, but she wasn’t having that. I love that the stockings add some color to our neutral space for the season. The furry stockings belong to our dogs, plus one for Wilder this year.
Speaking of our dogs, Snowball loves to relax on her little floor pillow in front of the fireplace. She sort of matches the rug.
On the other side of the mantle, I added a little white barn from my white village scene I created last year, as well as some vintage bottle brush trees.
Under the coffee table, I added a little disco ball just to bring in some holiday sparkle.
On top of the coffee table are my usual favorites including my intersect candle and design books, a plant, and a rock Emmy decorated for me. I added a little brass deer for the season. BTW, check out intersect candles here. Michelle makes these clean burning candles and she donates a portion of her proceeds to Pawsitive Change which helps shelter dogs. My favorite is spearmint & amber.
In the corner of the room sits my new chair! And yes, I know… we’re moving, so why on earth would I get a new chair?! Well, my friends, this chair was one of a kind vintage upholstered with a neutral pendleton blanket, and it was calling my name! My parents were kind enough to gift it to me as an early Christmas and housewarming gift. It’s directly across from our tree and I love to sit here at night with my feet up on the stool, gazing at the tree.
On the sofa, I added cozy textural pillows perfect for winter, as well as one geometrical pillow that to me looks like modern Christmas trees.
Opposite the sofa sit two tulip chairs and a table. I had decluttered this room and removed a sofa for staging, replacing it with these two chairs and a vintage table my brother refinished for me as a wedding gift; it belonged to my godmother who had passed away.
To give the chairs a seasonal feel, I added sheepskins and gold sequin pillows.
On the table I added more vintage brass deer which are always simple but add a touch of elegance.
In the corner behind the chairs on our built in pipe shelves sits my record player and record collection. I love to listen to Bing Crosby and Brenda Lee as I play with Wilder on the floor in here.
And of course, I’ve saved my favorite part for last…. the Christmas Tree! Year after year, we’ve selected a full Christmas tree that offers plenty of space for ornaments since we have a vast collection. (I might have a vintage ornament problem!) I’ve always wanted a more sparse sort of Norwegian looking tree, but the family always vetoes me. This year we knew we wanted to hang only the very special ornaments since we have to undecorate the tree on the 25th or 26th. Luckily for me, I got my sparse Christmas tree wish, and I am in love with it!!!!
We had fun hanging the ornaments we truly love and talking about the memories associated with each one. I am sure many of you out there have the polar express bell, but Sawyer was absolutely obsessed with trains when that movie came out. We read the book, of course, but then we also saw the movie. And even though we’ve told our older two kids about Santa, the bell still rings for all of us because we believe in the magic and are excited to pass it all onto Wilder.
Our tree is not a show worthy decorator’s tree, but it’s full of special moments for our family, and we all love it. Around the tree stand, I wrapped a Mexican blanket to keep it simple.
This room is going to be the perfect place for us to spend our last Christmas here as a family, comfortable sprawled out on our new Mohawk rug, unwrapping gifts and sharing special moments.
Of course, we’re keeping gifts minimal this year as well, but it will still be so much fun to sit here, play card games by the fire, sip wine, and relish in one more Christmas in our cape cod on the hill.
And Wilder has made it really easy for us, because all he really wants for Christmas is socks. Gotta love a kid that’s easy to please.
Thank you so much for joining me as I share one last Christmas in this house with you! I hope you will check out all of the other talented bloggers who are joining in this wonderful tour put together by Mohawk.
TX Sized Home – Gathered Grace – Christina Goldsmith – Simple Cozy Charm – Cassie Bustamante – Designs by Karan
Turquoise Lifestyle Co. – My One Hundred Year Old Home – PMQ for Two – The Pickled Rose – Cuter Tudor
