Christmas Decor Update

I mentioned in the last go-round that our Christmas decorating, wasn't quite complete because our stockings weren't hanging.

One of the very few compromises we made when we chose this house was that we would not have a fireplace. That means no mantel to decorate. After a bit of whining I did convince Pat to let us get a fancy foyer table so that I can do some seasonal decorating; the one caveat is there's still no place to hang stockings!

After coming to grips with the fact that a new entertainment center is a very distant reality, I bought a shelf from Target to match the current TV stand and bookshelf. The original plan was to hang the stockings from this, until I can get a ladder (maybe next year) to do something like this:

 Found on Pinterest, original link lost

 Ooooh. Aaaah.

When I went to place the shelf, I discovered either the shelf would be to high (not okay as it's semi-permanent) or the stockings would hang down behind the TV...drats. So we revamped.

Officially, the stockings are hanging on the wall by thumbtacks (only the finest here at the Woodward Place). The NOEL sign that was previously in the kitchen now lives here, with two adorable but tiny thingamajigs.

It's worth noting we did hang the shelf high enough to accomodate the larger TV that may or may not precede the future entertainment center. It should be high enough to fit 60"+ on our current stand.

Also, I finally got a picture of our tree at night.

 

And the other thing is I realized I never shared our foyer table decorations, or my version of a Christmas mantel!

The foyer is also home to my Christmas Amaryllis. Honestly, I have no idea why a someday-flower makes me so happy. I'll be sharing pics are it blooms as a sort of countdown to Christmas. Here's the first:

15 Days until Christmas!

Half Bath Reveal

I started painting our half bath about a month ago. Then I got sleepy.

I packed up enough to take a nap, maybe go to bed for the night (it's been so long I honestly don't remember). I didn't worry about finishing a section or task, just using the paint that was left in the tray. For whatever reason, I hadn't ever come back to it.

So the bathroom sat undone, with patches of paint, 1/2 trimmed and 1/4 rolled. And I was okay with it. We had company over and they used the "I don't finish what I start" bathroom. I mean I always finish what I start in the bathroom, unless it involves home improvement.

And trust me when I say I pulled every excuse in the book to avoid finishing this project:

"I've already showered today."

"My back/head/feet hurt."

"I have plans in a few hours."

"Oh, new blog posts to read."

"Oooh, House Hunters marathon!"

"I should really finish this bottle of wine while pinning."

Finally, we made plans to have people over a few days in advance and I figured I should probably get it done. Even though all these friends had seen the undone half bath, I knew I couldn't say out loud why it still looks the same [read: I'm lazytiredADHD]. I mean if I can't finish painting a 4'x6' room that is already halfway done with 48 hours notice, I need to get off the couch thin out my social calendar. We're talking less than an hour of work I've put off for a month.

So I got it done. Late at night, after closing at work. I can never go to sleep straight away, so might as well put that late night energy to good use. I even thought, "since I'm home-improving anyway, I might as well hang some shelves."

Here it is:

Can't you see the full month's effort?

It's nothing to grand. The rug is recycled from the bathroom at our A.P.T. because this is the only bathroom it fit in. We added three cheap shelves for some dimension and a place for assorted, homeless knick-knacks. The art is on it's way, but will likely end up in the master bath instead. I do want some design-blog-points for splurging on fancy Anthropologie hand towels (like a boss, we have two to choose from).

Pat even put on his househusband pants and decorated the shelves before our friends came over.

I think it's *adorable* how he found the most random trinkets from around the house (hello, Halloween cat frame) and spaced them evenly, like little soldiers in formation. I don't even want to change it, because I know he did it with love.

That's pretty much it, nothing special, but it is painted. Sure it will change over time, but it's good enough for now. We no longer have to be ashamed.

With that, we're done painting downstairs; all the painting supplies are making like the Jeffersons and moving on up. Even though it's subtle, it's one less box to look at, no drop cloth, no ladder. Suddenly, we're one step closer to being settled and not living on a construction site.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

[I know I get points for an original blog title!]

So excited that it's officially December, month of my favorite holiday. A holiday so good, it get's a whole season.

It's Christmastime errrybody!

And that means Christmas decorations out the wazoo. Around Christmas, my design taste shifts from modern and simple to ornate, traditional, and fussy. It makes me question if I really like the modern/simple thing or if I just like the way it looks on blogs. Maybe I'm just a grandma at heart.

In my opinion, the more Christmas you can work in, the merrier. Once upon a time, we had an apartment full of Christmas cheer, but it's been diluted as we moved from 700 ft to 2200 ft. We're obviously focused on adding to our collection, but I know, just like ornaments on a tree, it's best to let it build over time. So even if it looks restrained this year, I wish there was 100x more.

So here's a look at our slightly watered down, but undeniably merry 2013 Christmas spread.

 Outside, we decorated with garland and swag on the columns. In future years, I'd love to add lights and wreaths on the window.

Of course our wreath got a merry makeover: it picked up the buffalo check ribbon from last year's wreath.

Of course the inside got a Christmas facelit too, including our dining room's centerpiece. The only thing we changed was adding some Frasir Fir trimmings and a few pinecones. The pinecone candles were already there from Thanksgiving.

And there's more fun in the kitchen:

I know the first thing you all noticed is the copper utensils have arrived and are ah-mazing.

The cookie jar is on loan from my mother; it's been a holiday staple for my entire childhood. This year, we're hosting Christmas and couldn't do it without the Santa's Bag jar, so here it is! We also included a mini picture of last year's Christmas card.

And that NOEL? It's the perfect touch of industrial decor to keep our decorations from crossing the line in to Chintzy-town. I do want to chintz it up a little; I'm thinking some sort of riser and tree trimmings for next year.

The kitchen leads to the most exciting area of all: the living room and CHRISTMAS TREE! I love the feeling of the Christmas Tree being the only light in the room. One of the best discoveries is that the socket the tree plugs into is controlled by the mysterious third switch in our living room. That means turning on the tree is as easy as the ceiling fan or overhead lights. That's better than any timer on the market.

On the coffee table, there's a little collection. Love.

But it doesn't stay out all the time, because Boone has a taste for pinecones. It's like his very own sweet tooth.

Because I know how much you all love Grouchicus and friends, I thought I'd share a quick update on how the furry ones are handling all the changes.



Atticus loves the Christmas Tree, but is disappointed he has not been allowed to destroy it. Leo hasn't even been downstairs to see any of this. And Boone's been an angel, aside from hunting cinnamon scented pinecones.

So Happy Christmas Season from the Woodward Place.

Note: our stockings aren't up yet, pending an addition to our living room. It's gonna change everything.