Land of Encraftment: A Christmas Home Tour!

Hello All!

It's here!

Jenna's cookie swap party is next weekend so I have been in high gear getting the house cleaned and decorated for Christmas.  I am always about themes.  If I don't have a theme to focus on, I'll have one big hot mess of a little of everything.  My theme--or inspiration which arose out of disappointment of not getting any snow! -- is snowflakes, snow, & ice.  I love snow.  Yes, I'm one of those people.  It looked hopeful that we'd get a few inches of snow in the last couple weeks, but unfortunately --nope.  I had to create my own winter wonderland.  Let's get started with the tour --oh, and as we go along, I'll point out the thrifted decorations :)  So please, come in!

Our butler (Denny) will show you in!

As you step in, there is lighted garland on the staircase...

...all the way up.

Snowflakes on the mirror and in the garland and an angel (from TJ Maxx) on the console.

I am obsessed with pictures that capture the "blue hour."  I had to include this one because I caught it!  See it reflecting in the top mirror!?

From the foyer, you can look right into the living room and at the antique mantel.

The small crystal dish on the ottoman was thrifted.  It's a Tiffany & Co. bowl and I paid $6 for it.  It's hosting small, flocked pine cones (from Michael's).

The large iridescent vase was an antique store find.  It's not antique but matches my Federal Glass Moon Glow dinnerware.  I filled it with flocked branches and flowers from Michael's (once they went on sale for 50% off).

The tree is decorated with peacock blue ornaments, iridescent glass globes, glass crystals (left over from the chandelier I made for our bedroom) and mercury glass birds with white feather tails.

The ornaments below are a thrift find. There were two boxes of these glass beauties at the GW outlet. Each box of 6 was missing one but I still scored a total of 10 for just pennies.  The long stems are glittery gold and the teardrop is iridescent.

I also found the blue/green gradient glass globes at the outlet. I managed to salvage 5 of them out of the bottom of a bin...

...and this delicate, graceful swan. Luckily, she was in some packaging which is lucky because her beak is quite thin. This is one of my favorite ornaments on this tree!

Peacock tree lit at night.  (The rumpled tree skirt is courteous of Lily belle and Sushi.)

Jenna requested that I not hang a wreath on the mirror of the antique mantel.  I have been because the mirror has lost quite a bit of silvering but Jen said that's what she loves about it :)  The glass icicles are ones I've had for years.  The cast iron insert was a thrift find this summer; I think it was maybe $10.

Dining Room:  This room is joined with the living room.  The faux fur runners came from TJ Maxx this season. 

The ribbon around the chairs came from Michael's.

The crystal dish on the table came from Ross.  It's holding vintage glass ornaments.

The lamps on the buffet are thrift finds.  They were $8 each.  They're all glass with metal bases.  The lamp shades came from Target.

The paper trees came from Ikea a few years ago.  Not sure where the deer came from --Michael's or Target?  I've had them a few years.  They stand in (Epsom salt) snow in a silver tray from Target and the whole thing is sitting on a Sheridan silver plate tray I thrifted last year.  It's one of my favorites.  The bottle brush was thrifted also.

The set of mercury glass trees came from Bed, Bath & Beyond 2 years ago.

I'm skipping over the kitchen because it's not decorated yet.  There's been so much activity in there so I'm hoping to get it decorated and post pics when I post the pictures from Jenna's cookie party.  But, I did manage to make a small vignette on the breakfast table using a mix of vintage glassware.  I wanted to use the ruby red, in particular, so the traditional colors work lovely here.

Just a little Christmas on the cabinet that hold my cake plate collection.

Not a whole lot going on in the sunroom.  Just a few touches...

 but the one piece of furniture I was really excited about decorating was the antique hexagon cabinet!

Everything on this shelf except the bead garland (which came from Target this year) was thrifted.  From the star fish on the tree to the tiny Bakelite snowman = all thrift finds!

This is a close up of the second shelf.  The cloche with its colored ornaments were purchased at TJ Maxx last year and the tiny white house is from Walmart.  The rest are thrift finds as well.

I love the little Santa with his tiny pipe cleaner tree :)

The clam shell and shells I purchased elsewhere and the rest were thrift finds.

The tiny pillow came from Target's dollar spot and I thrifted another Pier One ornament holder but this one in gold.

The tiny deer came from Target and is nestled in a candle ring from Michael's.  The tray is a reclaimed wood frame (thrifted last year from GW). 

and, last but not least, the Family Room:

The tree was purchased last year.  I decorated with the same colors as last year, white, champagne, and sage green. 

The mantel has icicles hanging from it and the snowflakes from last year sit above.  The mirror and big metal snow flake were thrift finds from last year. 

Each candle holder is holding a thrifted White Barn candle.  When lit, the snowflakes dance inside.  I figure someone used them in a wedding or big event because there were dozens of these candles at the GW outlet!

I have had these skinny birch branches for a couple years now and finally broke down and asked Dan to cut them up for me.  The intention was to have them cut but I like them leaning against the mantel uncut for the longest time!  This makes me feel better about having them cut up:

The printed burlap is actually a gift bag (from TJ Maxx).  I put a bucket in the bag and folded it so the words would show and then filled the bucket with the logs and greenery from Michael's.  I tucked a few of the Christmas tree ornaments in it as well.  I have thought about putting some lighted branches in it but with the icicles just above, I didn't want too much light so maybe next year :)

Don't mind Bixley; he was on duty during this shoot.

And I will leave you with this...my tiny nativity with the antique Bethlehem star glass compote.

  

I'm linking up!

Coastal Charm, Christmas Home Tour Party

Elizabeth & Co, Be Inspired Features and Link Party #98

Thrifty Decor Chick, Christmas Party 2013

The Thrifty Groove, Thrifty Things Friday #139

From My Front Porch To Yours, 3rd Annual Christmas Mantel Party

Merry Christmas Everyone!