So I decorated for Christmas and blogged for the first time. Such an interesting experience. First of all, I don’t tend to get too fussy with my Christmas décor. I love being reminded of the season, but I don’t normally spend hours and hours contemplating color schemes shopping, styling and taking photos.

I’ve reiterated over and over that my guys are just not into décor that much so I TRY to balance my décor bug with their nonchalance. If I even get a “that looks nice” it’s a win for me.

But this year I’m a blogger and pictures of my Christmas décor will forever be burned into the spying eyes of strangers on the internet. THE PRESSURE. On top of just that, I decided to join the Our Home for the Holidays Blog Tour. And not just any tour, a tour filled with REAL interior designers (not just bloggers who play one on the internet like me) and crazy talented, more experienced DIYers.  Their homes and skills are simply breathtaking.

Today is the last day of the tour and I kick off things, but if you’re joining me from The Home I Create, welcome!

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I mentioned to my friends on my email list last week that I got into a bit of a comparison game and almost backed out of the tour…but I want to always be true to who I am…A DIYer looking to connect with people and teach principles of decorating life…not just create magazine-worthy photos. My passion is to teach you how to craft a home perfect for your family. So, my tiny home, modest budget, and big creativity are what I’m serving up for this Christmas tour.

This will not be a full out home tour as, girl… my home—even though I’m not ashamed of it—is not photo ready in most places. I also decided to pare way down on decorating to enjoy more family time. Read about how I’m Simplifying the Season here. I elected to show my kitchen and my son’s room.

First stop? The Red Room!

Jaylin’s room always seems to get special treatment. It’s the only room that has gotten two full makeovers and NOW it’s all decked out for Christmas. I chose his bedroom for the Home Tour because it’s RED!

I’m a budget decorator, so all my efforts cost me $40 in this room including the desk chair. I used a combination of things I owned, printables and a few purchased items.  I love how it turned out.

This big ‘ole H was a black Friday thrift store find. It was paper mache that I spray painted matte black. The deer silhouettes came from Joann’s (black) and Michaels (white). The galvanized steel and buffalo check star was a Big Lots score (yes, I LOVE Big Lots) read about a few hidden budget décor stores I shop here.

The framed artwork are my favorite pieces in the entire room. And guess what? They’re gift bags I scored at drum roll please…Big Lots for $3. I snipped off the handles and framed them. So stinking cute. I will say, my son isn’t a fan of the tails on bow tie. I originally framed the other bag but didn’t like that the deer were both facing the same direction so I cut out a printable deer and pasted it on the other bag that came in the package. 

I’ve fallen for buffalo check but I was not about to take that patterned window valance down (It’s held up by command strips and made of Styrofoam!). (Make real window valance with this tutorial) So, while I wanted to go all out, I couldn’t afford for the two to clash. I settled for hints of it in several places.

A few other touches of Christmas at his desk. An advent calendar and a mini-Christmas tree I made from faux garland.  I also framed some family prints in black and white and hung printable gift tags.

Get the Free Merry & Bright Printable in my Free Decorating Tools Library

The décor is simple but definitely says Christmas.

Let’s jump to the front of the house to the kitchen.

I took several more shots of a few more projects, but I have to be honest, my photography skills are sub par, so I couldn’t show post them.

Oh deer, you’re making me blush nook

I painted my kitchen Indigo Batik from Sherwin Williams last year and I don’t in any way regret it. The blue is va va voom! But here’s where I ran into color issues.

I’m normally a traditional red, green and gold girl for Christmas but umm…it was just a no go with the blue cabinets. I started by adding blue and silver, but then I had to contend with all the warm tones in my dining room. Just not working. So in the middle of the night, I woke up with the perfect color combo…burgundy and blush! Although I ended up just doing the blush, I plan to use burgundy instead of red in the living room and dining room so everything is cohesive.

This little nook is my favorite place to style. I normally decorate with function in mind, but I have to tell you. It is only styled for visual appeal. I may make it into a tea station but right now, I’m just gawking at all that gold and blush.

I have a thing for deer at Christmas. You saw it in Jaylin’s room and I carried that through here. I was going for a bit of a forest to support the deer. Again, these are a combination of thrift-store, owned pieces, and a few new items. That blush deer at the top is a part of 2017 Michael’s Frost collection.

Download the Oh Deer You’re Making Me Blush Printable in my Free Decorating Tools Library

I switched out the blue and white curtains for a simple white sheers to soften the look. If you’re interested in checking out how this area is styled normally, check out the buffet makeover here.

Tour of the Kitchen

For the main area of the kitchen, I added these cute little hoop wreaths I made. Check out the wreath tutorial near the end of this Budget Christmas Decorating Tips post) The deer ornaments are Big Lots finds.

I kept the styling simple on the counter with a cutting board I scored last year at Target, a few reindeer candle holders from the thrift store and those cute rose gold candles I picked up in a two pack from Dollar Tree.

I also added a piece of garland over the sink. I must admit, it took me way too long to finagle that piece of wire and the centerpiece, but I’m smitten with it.

My everyday dishes got a little glam styling with a simple branch, sign from Target and a few gold-spray painted accessories. I flocked a piece of faux garland, added some blush and gold bulbs and called her done.

I’m a simple girl, so I try to keep my décor understated but still wow! Does that make sense? I don’t want it to hit you in the face, but I certainly want you to notice it.

Anyway. I hope you enjoyed this mini-tour. Please tell me you’re coming back to visit?

I hate to see you go, but I must introduce you to my next friend on the tour. Go get comfortable at Leanna’s gorgeous home at Clare and Grace Designs.

Our Home for the Holidays Home Tour

Victoria Lambert Interiors | Little Blue House | Laila Belles | The Renovated Acre

Tribe of Burton | Steeplechase Manor | The Adri Chronicles | Military Mama’ s Farmhouse

Happy Home on Haddon | Made by Carli | House of V Décor | The Home I Create

You are HERE! | Clare and Grace Designs | Dabbling and Decorating  | Farm House Fixer

 

 

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