Season’s Greeting dear friends! I am so excited to be joining my good friend Marty on her Christmas Home Tours today. She truly has a gathered a fabulous collection of bloggers and the tours are going on all week. If you are coming over from Pam’s merry house at Simple Details may I say “Welcome to Storybook Cottage Storybook Cottage Holiday Home Tour Part II.”
Storybook Cottage Holiday Home Tour Part II
We’ll start the tour in the entry. It sets the tone and color palette for the living and dining areas.
The Tree
This year our formal tree was moved into the front living room. It was placed next to the French hutch filled with my favorite “Bethlehem Christmas” dishes.
Every year, during the after Christmas sales, I buy one roll of white, silver and gold paper. Then it is just simply a matter of changing the ribbon to match the next year’s color palette.
I reuse toppers such as glittered snowflakes and my mom Nadine’s vintage rhinestone earrings. Pretty images are printed out on the computer to use as tags.
This year’s color palette and the theme was inspired by the regal peacock.
I’m not one to spend big money on tree toppers. I just created a bow and clipped a large peacock in front of it.
The banister was decorated with a beaded garland from At Home held in place by a double-faced satin wired ribbon.
The tree was draped in teal satin ribbon, green mesh, and peacock feathers. Ornaments from Christmases past were nestled into the glittery branches.
My dear friend Joni, of Cote De Texas, recently had a giveaway and I was the winning recipient of these ethereal doves from Fig and Dove.
The trusty Ikea couch slipcover was switched to a darker neutral shade and a bit of color was added with a few new throw pillows.
The green velvet cover is a steal from Cost Plus World Market. Just take out the thin poly-fil insert and add a feather pillow for a lush look.
The peacock pillow covers were an eBay find. Just $6.99 for the set!
I enjoy creating simple vignettes with vintage ornaments and silver pieces found at estate sales.
The Mantel
A peek at the holiday beverage station also allows a glimpse at this year’s mantel.
I used a lit garage sale garland I have had for years and the same ribbon used on the tree was woven into it. A few vintage crystal candlesticks were nestled in and topped with turquoise candles came from Ikea.
Sparkly turquoise filler, feathers, gold ornaments and a glittery peacock complete the look.
The Dining Area
As the living room is part of an open concept with the formal dining space the theme was continued in this area as well.
The table décor was kept very simple. Clippings from the yard and grocery store mums and roses top a silver platter from Goodwill.
The buffet is ready for the upcoming cookie exchange party. The doors of Storybook Cottage will be opened to several lovely Texas bloggers this next Tuesday.
You can find the easy recipe for Ginormous Peppermint Marshmallows HERE.
They taste SO good in a cup of hot cocoa.
Having lived in Germany for three years Pfeffernüsse cookies are a family favorite.
The Kitchen
Let’s head into the kitchen where all the holiday deliciousness gets made.
This year’s theme is “Candyland”.
In the bay window, next to the kitchen table, is a wee tree all decked out.
Longtime readers probably recognize the topper and vintage Christmas corsages I created in years past. I truly just try to reuse what I already have on hand, just in different ways.
Would you like a quick drink before we begin baking?
Make sure you pick out an apron to wear. They were once worn by some of the best bakers in my family.
Turning on the oven you might notice that even the area next to the stove gets decked out.
Let’s begin!
The estate sale marble pastry board is jazzed up with a few baking utensils from Anthro. They are an early Christmas gift from the Fashionista who works for the company. She says I have to leave them to her. The paper décor came from Home Goods.
A hodgepodge of yummy delights.
Even clean up is enjoyable…
…as you look at four smiling Santa faces on the kitchen window sill.
I hope you have enjoyed Part II of the Storybook Cottage holiday tour.
All The Tours
Part III of the tour will be featured on Friday.
If you missed Part I of the tour you can see it HERE.
Up next, head over to Thrifty and Chic to see her special holiday home.
This is the complete lineup of today’s tours:
Burlap and Lace | Simple Details | Decor To Adore
Lastly, I would like to wish my sweetheart, Mr. Décor, a very “Happy Birthday!” The kids and I have a spectacular evening planned for our favorite Santa Baby that I’ll share very soon.
Love and joy to you,
Laura
Incredible job Laura! I so want to be at the party, I'm sure it will be the event of the season for all the TX bloggers.
HB to Mr D – as a Christmas baby myself, it means a lot to us when someone makes a fuss instead of saying we'll celebrate at the Christmas party/later….a good woman is worth more than Rubies, sure but a good husband is worth more than Facebook stock!
Everything looks so bright and cheery! Nicely done, Laura. xo
Your home just sparkles, Laura! I love your pretty mix of elegant in the living room and charming in the kitchen! I couldn't help but notice your beautiful gold mirrors, too! 🙂
Can I join in that baking in the kitchen?? So much fun! Your peppermint tree is amazing!
Oh wow, I totally adore everything. You always pay so much attention to all the details and it shows in every room and vignette. The living and dining rooms are so beautiful and so elegant, but you know I love your kitchen and the candy theme stole my heart. Love that tree and your pretty kitchen vignettes. Can't wait to see the rest of the tour.
So so lovely and fun! Love every touch! Happy birthday to Mr. Decor!!
Oh my goodness, you have outdone yourself this time! Everything is so beautiful! The cookie party sounds like a lot of fun too!
Your home is beautifully decorated, Laura. I love incorporating aqua into the Christmas theme. They cookies look yummy!
Hi Laura, your home is stunning and every detail perfect!! I love your use of aqua and the peacock theme. So pretty and elegant. Your kitchen is such a special place to spend time baking and enjoying the season. Lovely tour and I have to go back and take it all in again. Enjoy the tours. xo
I so adore your decor!!! So lovely!
Gorgeous, gorgeous home! I think I have just found my dream home. If you find an old lady in your kitchen one morning, that would be moi.
Laura, what a pretty site for our eyes. love the turquoise, aqua and peacocks. I have done many tables with peacocks and they add so much glamour. Your trees are gorgeous, all decked out and such pretty wrapper gifts. Looks like your ready for a party. Beautifully displayed food and ornaments. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Happy Birthday Mr Decor! 🙂
Laura, your Christmas decorations are beautiful, as we all knew they would be. The turquoise is so elegant and looks so retro-fresh. The sparkle and glamour of your front rooms are perfect.
Love the peppermint twist for your kitchen area. Again traditional and sweet without being over the top. Love it!
Everything looks so festive and ready to greet your guests but comfy and heartwarming for your family.
I hope you have time to enjoy your beautiful home and relax with your family over the busy holiday season!
Cheers! 🙂
Oh I love your use of turquoise! It's so beautiful. and your peppermint tree is perfection! Great tour!
Laura, you've gone all out and Christmas at your place is beyond fabulous. It's unique and elegant, but still comfortable and inviting. I'm a huge fan of your wonderful color scheme of the blues and aquas. The Peacocks are amazing!
Oh wow Laura, you did a beautiful job decorating your pretty house! I love the accents with teal! Enjoy the holidays.
Julie
Laura, I'm in love with the color scheme you have! That rich blue color is beautiful. I love those peacock pillows and can't believe you found them for such a great price. Did you just stumble across them or go looking on purpose? You've really given that house a new pretty life.
Laura,
Just beautiful, and I can hardly wait for the cookie exchange. Your buffet looks amazing with all the goodies. Your color scheme is fun and certainly speaks to me, a fellow blue-lover. I'm having to restrain myself from pinning every photo onto the Christmas in Texas Pinterest board. https://www.pinterest.com/botanicbleu/christmas-in-texas/ You are welcome to join the board and pin more of your holiday home tour.
Merry Christmas,
Judith
Laura it's beautiful! That blue tree is beyond gorgeous! It's is so sophisticated …just like you! And your kitchen tree is precious. I have really enjoyed your tours and seeing all the wonderful changes you've made in your home. Thanks for sharing it all with us!
Oh, Laura, I could go on and on singing your praises. You have outdone yourself. What a regal tree with stunning ornaments. I love your peacocks and your color theme is so pretty throughout. I like your tip to buy one gold, white and silver roll of wrapping paper and then change the ribbon to match your next year's theme.
All the goodies in the kitchen are so inviting. I would like to taste them all. Your tree and decorations in the kitchen are darling. Cute Candyland theme.How neat to have vintage aprons from the family. That marble cutting board is beautiful. And those cute Santa faces full of flowers are just adorable. Wish I had your window sill which the Santas look perfect on. Loved your tour. Packed full of inspiration.
Laura,
The house is absolutely mind-boggling. It is modern and new, but has those darling vintage additions, like the red reindeer, that make it seem homey at the same time.
You are an awesome decorator.
Ginene
Lovely, lovely home tour, Laura! The teal accents throughout are so fresh and fun! However, your kitchen is the place where I would make myself pretty comfortable and hey, I don't like to cook but I can spend my time there tasting all those goodies and winking back at those cute Santas! 😉
Your home looks gorgeous and I can't wait to visit in person! I'm so excited to get to know other Texas bloggers.
I love, love that darling tree in the kitchen.
The peacock pillow is amazing.
I'll be baking this Saturday!
Katie
Laura, Everything is soooo beautiful! The turquoise tree is stunning and I love the kitchen tree. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
xx,
Sherry
Laura you home is so beautiful and inviting. I love all of the hues of peacock blue! Your ornate gold mirrors ad such a collected look and I have a fascination with Peacocks so your peacock pillow was a hit for sure. Happy holidays to you!
WOW!!! What gorgeous decorations you have. I especially love the colors!
What a beautiful and one of a kind Christmas home!! No one will ever forget a visit here!
I am so sorry I will not get to see your home 'in person' and meet you and the other Texas blogging ladies! I give a Ladies Christmas Tea every year and the 15th has long since been chosen for 2015. I am already looking forward to y'all posting abou it!
Merry Christmas!
Laura, it all looks perfect! I so wish I could be one of the girls enjoying this beautiful setting at the cookie exchange. You've created a loving home in a very short time. Not to mention that you did all of this while in school. Amazing!
Thanks for the tour. It was very special!
OH, Laura! How gorgeous your home is. And you haven't been in it that long and it looks amazing! Love your touches of aqua! You're just amazing! Merry Christmas.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Your home is just divine Laura! Love the blues as well and your kitchen is soooo fun!
Love your unique color scheme. And the kitchen looks so inviting.
Your kitchen is so adorable, Laura! It's just so “happy!”
I love how you used blue in your Christmas decor. And I'm always surprised when I see a picture of your beautiful kitchen, because I remember how it looked before!
Oh my goodness, I love that teal color scheme! The tree is fabulous! And your attention to detail throughout your decorating is amazing. I like your idea of buying the neutral and metallic papers and just changing out the ribbon. You have inspired me.
Beautiful! And again, I love the colors and the peacocks. Your daughter was very thoughtful re: the kitchen gifts. Love Anthro!
xo
Pat
Laura, it's all so gorgeous! Thank you for sharing! You are one of the features at the Make it Pretty party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's party. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/12/make-it-pretty-monday-week-162.html Hope to see you again at the party. May your week be merry and bright. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse