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Somebody pinch me.
Am I really a part of the Jeniffer Rizzo Holiday Housewalk that I’ve admired for years!? This is so exciting, nerve-wracking, intimidating and humbling for me – but I am truly honored that you are here. I am screeching in dead last as the Instagram surprise house.
Be sure to start at day 1 to see it all, and don’t forget to visit my other Instagram surprise comrades, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. And a big thanks to Joss and Main and Good Housekeeping Magazine for partnering with us for this tour.
Before I even knew I would be a part of this tour, I had decided to re-decorate our Christmas this year, with a Cottage Christmas theme (because I have wanted to for years). To me, this means simple touches of natural elements, vintage decor, lots of red, and plenty of DIY’s. My husband and I have been going hard since the first of November, and I am pleased that it is all done and now I get to soak in the joy of December with my family.
We are a very laid back, easy-going kind of crew – who would prefer it if every day were pajama day. My children are my greatest inspiration and my husband gives me the wings I need to fly. (sigh).
I’ll start out this tour with my favorite room in the house, and go down from there. Feel free to get cozy 😉
My biggest fear is that you will leave these home tours feeling discouraged, and unhappy with your own.
My greatest hope is that you will leave my home feeling inspired, and empowered to make the most of what you have and infuse peace and comfort into your own homes, little by little.
It has taken us years to get it to where it is now, and we still have years to go.
We’ve lived on a 1 man income since the get-go, and that means we’ve learned to be creative with our means.
If we couldn’t get it for free or as a hand-me-down, we made it ourselves. If we couldn’t possibly make it ourselves with what we had, I checked the thrift stores and antique stores for a bargain. It that failed, I gathered my coupons and waited for a good deal.
Having a blog/business has given me a little more to work with, but I still want to show you through this home tour how we did things as frugally as we could – true to the “I can make that” attitude my husband and I have always had.
I will also insert some sources for the tutorials I’ve included on my blog, and anything I may have purchased to bring our Cottage Christmas home together.
One of the first things we did was drive around looking for evergreen trees to add some clippings here and there. Mother nature always has lovely FREE beautiful things to share with us. I found some perfect french inspired ribbon from a couple of Etsy shops, HERE and HERE.
This centerpiece came from an old board I dug out of my husbands pile, thrift store fake apples and candles, snow covered pine cones, and 3 old bottles my daughters found at an old abandoned house they went exploring in with my Aunt. I just used what I already had!
I tried my hand at preserving some boxwood clipping from our backyard and made 2 wreaths. I spray painted them white and covered them in that fake snow that comes from a can.
I discovered this lovely red plaid minky fabric at Fabric.com, bought a yard and 1/2 and sewed it together with inexpensive fleece on the back. I LOOOOVE the punch of bold red it brings – and it is so soft.
I added a couple of pillows from Ross (that was a splurge), and made some re-purposed sweater pillows from thrift store sweaters.
Be sure you check out my tutorial for this handmade tassel throw blanket. I made some grain sack stripe pillow covers from my stash of bleached drop cloth, and the blue linen pillows were a blogger perk, provided by Superior Custom Linen’s.
We did bite the bullet and purchase a faux flocked tree from Amazon – but I am really loving it! There are some cranberries tucked in, snow covered pine cones, dollar store red glass ornaments, and ticking ribbon from Tia Pan Trading. I printed some vintage santa images right at home and glued them to some wood pieces my husband made to fit each image. Sweet and simple.
The stockings I made from my bleached drop cloth and my husband cut wood stumps for the holders. The greenery clippings came from a pretty tree up in the canyon.
Did you catch my tutorial for the pom pom wreath we hung on our mantel on the crib headboard from my childhood?
The mini trees came from Michael’s 50% off, and you can click on the following links to see more of our countdown grain sack bags hanging on a tree ladder and clay stars hanging on an old window I rescued.
That wraps up our living room. Now onto my second favorite space in the home.
Our master bedroom.
We just redid this space, and it has been my favorite makeover to date.
I literally couldn’t wait to add some Christmas charm to it. We cut down a tree from the mountains and I love it in its un-decorated state in the corner of our bedroom.
This sweet dear was calling my name at Michael’s.
Dollar store ornaments glam up the chandelier. Some fresh cedar garland from Home Depot fell into my cart ;).
I made “His” stocking from a thrift store mens red and white shirt, and I made a “Her” stocking from my white linen stash.
The 3 square candles we made last year, and I found these old pots for $1 each at a thrift store. I filled them with moss and added a candle.
I threw in another re-purposed sweater pillow, and graced the chair with my throw from Carmel Decor.
I bought a bouquet of red carnations from Wal-mart 2 weeks ago, and they are still as lovely as ever.
I filled family heirloom vases and jars with the carnations, here and there.
The tarnished silver tray was a wedding gift to my husbands parents, and the small vases were on the dollar table at an antique store.
I couldn’t resist adding my tassel throw to our bed, and I think it is going to stay there.
I topped the bed off with a quilted back plaid pillow I made.
Okay – those were my favorite spaces, but lets cruise a little faster through the other rooms in the house.
Come on in to my girls pink and pastel room.
The tree and ornaments came from Hobby Lobby, and is skirted with my girls dress up pettiskirt.
They love their little girly space and it makes me happy every time I go in!
My oldest daughter helped me add sweet little Cottage Christmas touches to her room.
Her tree was found for $2.00 at a thrift store.
She wanted to hang snowflakes from her chandelier, graciously provided by Parrot Uncle Online. This light fixture is absolutely beautiful! If you love vintage style, you need to see their whole line of Vintage Industrial Pendant light fixtures, which are all stunning and would add so much to a room.
She has plenty of Christmas books ready to read at night time.
We topped her bed with a hand-me-down flannel throw.
I loved her snowflake art and knew it had to be on display.
We both love this cozy little room!
Now on to the heart of the home.
I really tried to keep the Christmas decor to a minimum in the kitchen, because clutter naturally gravitates to this space and I can only handle so much.
I had fun adding my Christmas dishes given to us by my mother. I searched high and low for red cups at thrift and antique stores, and was excited to find the red silverware as well. The copper pots were un-buried at my husbands work and he brought them home to me.
Oranges are always kept handy this time of year.
My office space is right in the kitchen, which has its perks and downsides. I filled my inspiration board with all the things I wanted to bring into our Cottage Christmas home.
The log candles were a very special gift from a very dear friend. And I store my Christmas ribbon handy in a family heirloom dish.
Next to the kitchen is the dining room, featuring the treasured table and benches my husband made from old wood he found in my grandpa’s junk yard.
Setting an elaborate tablescape is pretty much pointless in a house with 4 little kids – so I didn’t waste my efforts. However, I wanted to show you that you can still dress up the table with a center piece that can be easily moved and replaced for when craft time and dinner time happen frequently. Tutorial for my snow covered pine cones here, tucked in a old tool box with some faux greenery.
I snagged this $30.00 wreath from Lowes last minute, because I felt the mirror my hubs made needed something. Finally, I simply added touches of red to the shelf decor.
Now – FINALLY – the last space . . .
. . . the Entry way. Maybe that should have been first 😉
It came together with my last years pom pom wreath, a large $2.00 wreath from the thrift store, a plaid suitcase from an antique store, a rosemary tree from Lowe’s –
And the best antique store $5 find in the history of ever – That truck!
SUPER EXCITING NEWS!!
My husband just finished the plans for this slim, space saving entry table and you can get yours at our TIDBITS & Company shop!!
On the other side is our coat hooks. Although it never stays this clean with kids – I still admire these picture of when it was.
Dear friends – old and new – you should win an award for lasting through all those pictures! I am grateful beyond words that you are here and I hope you have gleaned some inspiration for your own spaces.
Your comments and thoughts are always appreciated and welcome here. Some of my best suggestions have come from my readers and I love to hear how you think I could improve things and I love to hear what things you enjoyed.
I wish you all the most wonderful Christmas season filled with the peace and joy only our Savior can bring.
Merry Christmas!!!
If you enjoyed this tour, I’d love to have you sign up for my email updates below.
P.S. If you are looking for more information such as paint colors or before and afters of each space shown, visit my home tour tab on the top of my blog, which will take you to the details of each room.
*Linking up to these parties, HERE.
*Full disclosure – this post contains links to companies who have supported this blog by providing product in exchange for promotion.
It is so simple and beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration. Where are your blinds in your bedroom from?
What a delight finding your lovely home to browse through this morning…..my hubby and I have been remodeling and decorating our mobile home into a cute little cottage. I have found so much inspiration through your post….Thank You for sharing!
You are very talented. Your home is beautiful and you explained the details very well. Thank you for the inspiration to look further at those thrift store items. It is clear you are creative and have an eye for balance, beauty, cleaniness, and unique one of a kind design.
Your home is fabulous! You and your husband did a wonderful job. Love your style and the simple decor for Christmas, yet not so simple when you take it all in. Loved touring through your Christmas fairy land. Took me away for a few minutes. Thank you!
What a sweet comment! My kids would love your Christmas fairy land comment 😉 So glad you could enjoy the images.
I love how laid-back and tasteful everything is; it’s definitely Christmas-y, but not over-the-top. It’s just practical and doable.
Thanks for linking up with The Alder Collective! Your posts have been pinned to our group party board. We hope you’ll join us again Tuesday at 8 pm EST!
That comment means so much to me. It is exactly what I was going for. Thanks for sharing – it is so appreciated!
Cami, I love love love your home! It’s right how I like it and my style! I love the touches of evergreen everywhere and all the natural simple elements you used. Can we be neighbours??? I’d hang out at your house all the time!!! It’s beautiful, your family is lovely!
Your home is so airy and light! It looks wonderful! Visiting from Alder Collective
Cami! I love every bit of this. Such a well put together holiday home, soft and lovely but still bright and festive. The tree is just gorgeous and I absolutely love those stockings you made. What a beautiful tour.
That means so much coming from you! Thank you for sharing with me and I wish you the best!
I loved your tour, and the true budget decorating. It really seems lately like when people say on a budget anymore they mean under five thousand dollars, I usually mean under ten dollars, and that was my “splurge” money for the week. lol
I really enjoyed your decorating and all the tidbits of info that accompanied all the pictures! Thank you for such a lovely tour!!!
I loved, loved, loved your comment and was nodding my head! Isn’t that the truth! These budget projects people spit out make me cringe at the money. I always do try to show how you can make things lovely on a budget – and when I say budget – I usually mean for free! Ha! 10$ is a splurge for me too 😉
Thank you so very much! Appreciate you taking the time to share that with me.
Thank you for your sweet words on my home tour, Diana! I adore you!
Sweet Michelle! Thank you for saying so! Been drooling over all your pictures as well. You have such vision – I would love to watch you work! Is that weird 😉 Haha!
Oh Celilia – what kind words you always have to offer me. They never grow old. I tried really hard to resist the urge to put my style in their rooms. It turned out perfect to let them pick and choose. My girls lit up when they saw all that pastel goodies at Home Depot and I cringed at first. Then I went back and broke down and bought some because I couldn’t wait to see the delight in their faces. Turns out it is my favorite space in our Holiday home. Thanks for coming by again!
I am so excited to discover your blog, and I can’t wait to see what wonderful things you do. Thanks for reaching out to me and for your sweet words on my home tour! I’ll be following!
Your home is absolutely
gorgeous decorated for the holidays.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! So sweet of you to say!
Oh WOW, your home is absolutely beautiful all dressed for Christmas!
Thank you Kristin! Yours was super lovely to see as well!
you home is always a favorite of mine! i love your girls room especially- so sweet! love the soft pastels and beautiful photography.
Thank you Cassie! I’ve been a long time fan of yours as well. Sometimes I wish I could do the whole house in pastels, but I’m pretty sure my hubs might start objecting to that one 😉
Loved it all! I loved your girls room and those beds. I am a big thrift shopper too and love mixing in good finds. Beautiful tour!
You do such a good job mixing in the thrift store finds in your decor as well! I think it can add so much to a space if done right. Thanks for all your kind words Brooke! You are so talented!
Words cannot adequately express how I love looking at your cozy cottage that love built! May health and happiness be yours all through this Christmas Season and into the New Year. Your home is truly a work of art that we get to enjoy!
Thank you so much!
Oh my goodness. What a sweet thing to say. It warmed my heart right up and I wish you a wonderful year ahead as well. I always hope the images can bring that kind of joy and inspiration to others. Thank you, thank you!
I love your home and truly believe that your blog is the perfect example of a DIY blog for a family on a budget. It is very easy to go shopping and buy lots of beautiful things (and sometimes go into debt doing it!), not so easy to create a beautiful home on a tight or non-existent budget but you have done just that! I also love that creating your cozy home is a team effort for you and your husband! Thanks for staying true to your beliefs and sharing with us what you learn along the way. You really do inspire us;)
What you said means more to me than you will ever know! Thank you! That is most definitely the message I hope will come across, and I do believe you can do it on a budget. What was so funny – I went to Michael’s to gear up for supplies and came out with about $250 in materials. I brought it all home, placed some things around the house and bagged them back up to be returned. I knew I could do a better job and save the money after all. Thank you for coming by!
Wow–lovely tour and written words! I found myself wanting to go slowly AND also to go quickly to see the next pic! Will scroll through it at least a few more times!
Oh, I just loved your sweet comment on my home tour! I love that my pictures had that effect on you, because I do the same thing when I see blogs that speak to me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your thoughts with me!
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home. I poured over each and every detail.
How kind of you to say! Thank you!
Your Christmasy home is exquisite! I love how you show that a beautiful home doesn’t have to break the bank! I love how you incorporate beauty and comfort and functionality! I love all the details! I can’t even choose a favorite room because they are all so charming. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
Your comments on my home tour were so touching! Thank you for taking the time to share them with me. I’m so glad that it came across right and I showed how you can do it affordably. Merry Christmas to you!
Oh My Cami! Your home is so lovely! I think your girl’s rooms are my absolute favorite part of your home. If I had a girl I would be trying to copy all of it. 🙂 I appreciated all of the tutorials links, and the thrift store and dollar store mentions. It goes to show that is is not money that makes a beautiful home but genuine talent, love, thought and care, and your home is all of those things. You amaze friend. Well done!
Emily
I know we’ve “chatted” already, but as I was responding to comments I wanted to be sure you knew how grateful I was for your support and kind words. You are so talented and I’m so glad we get to work a little closer together. I hope we can enjoy growing our blogs together for years to come. Hope you have such a wonderful Christmas!
Your home and family are both beautiful. You’ve shown that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have beautiful things. I love the stories behind all your home decor. Thanks so much for sharing your home. I enjoyed it so much. Merry Christmas. Enjoy your home and family this season.
Becky – thank you for those sweet words on my home tour. I really was hoping that message would come across right. Hope you have the merriest of Christmas’s as well! Take care!
Absolutely Beautiful!
Merry Christmas to you and your Family!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well!
Loved every moment of it! I think I spent nearly an hour just browsing ? Merry Christmas to all of you! Please keep up the good work.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me! I always feel kind of bad when people tell me they spent so much time on my blog. Sorry for sucking an hour of your day – haha! Glad it could be enjoyable for you!
Love the tour & see the love that went into each room. I think you need to make a quilt to add to your vintage style!
Patchwork will look lovely.
Blessings,
Miriam
So glad you shared this with me! I think you are exactly right – it definitely needs some quilts to give it more of a cottage feel. Looks like I know what I’ll be doing in 2016!
Your home definitely earned its place on Jennifer’s tour! I love the colors and the simple, homey details. It is beautiful and cozy – love it!
How sweet of you to say! I am so flattered.
It is so beautiful . I love your style !
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful cottage. I really enjoyed flipping through all the gorgeous rooms. Merry Christmas to you all, from Australia, ?❤️
Love hearing from so far away! It just warms my heart. Glad you could find enjoyment with my home tour and I so appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me.