Holiday Open House—Jennifer’s

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I’m feeling a little lame that all of the Holiday Linky parties are in full swing, and I am just a project or two shy of feeling ready to show you my home. However, we went to my friend, Jennifer’s home tonight for a lovely meal and Family Home Evening (where our children reenacted The Nativity), and I was so impressed with the holiday wonderland that she has created in her home, that I knew you would be, too, and I asked her if I could blog about it. Jennifer doesn’t keep a blog, but you may remember her from this fabulous Alice in Wonderland gourmet group dinner I blogged about. I know you are all going to wish that she had a blog, after this!

When you open her front door, you are greeted by this beautiful scene:

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I realize not everyone has a grand runway for an entrance, but Jennifer, really knows how to take advantage of this feature. She “decks her halls” for each season. And for the last couple of years, she has had company for Thanksgiving. She (and I would hope a couple of Santa’s elves), stay up late Thanksgiving night, and transform her house, from harvest decor, to Christmas. It must be a magical Black Friday!20091215_1574

 

Before you get too far down that gorgeous hallway, take a peak in the formal living room, where you’ll find this beautiful tree, garland, and fun decorations, like these on the piano.

20091215_1581These are fun, colorful, and easy. Just use beautiful vases and fill them with colorful ornaments! I happen to know that Jennifer is a pro at shopping the after Christmas sales, so I bet the ornaments didn’t cost her much.

20091215_1592Back to the hallway: Here are some closer shots of her hallway decor. Each swag is lit with battery powered lights. (Forgive my photography with night lighting. The coloring varies, depending on whether I used the flash or not).

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Even the lamp is adorned with a Christmas kissing ball (at least that’s what I call it)! And at the end of the hall, you find this enormous tree:

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How about a closer look at that tree? And a little closer still! I think the scale of the decorations is what makes this look like such a designer tree.

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It really is a large tree, but so are the ornaments, bows, poinsettias, ribbons, etc. that adorn it. Nothing gets lost, by being to small and insignificant. And incase you haven’t seen enough of it, here it is in brighter light from the other side, looking into the kitchen. (People are wandering around getting ready for the Nativity.)

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Speaking of the kitchen, you don’t suppose Jennifer left that area undecorated, do you?

Of course, not. Not only are there garland, wreaths, and a fun sign above the stove…

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…she also completely decked out her pot rack! Notice the use of kitchen utensils in the Christmas decor, there? She did have one project planned for this space that didn’t happen this year (so glad to know I am not the only one!) She plans to make little felt gingerbread men (and women, I would think) cookies out of felt, with some bling, instead of frosting, and hang them from this garland. Cute, huh!

Let’s not forget the dining room, she had a lovely table set with red chargers and red beaded napkin rings, and above us, were these fun colorful ornaments, suspended from the chandelier.

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I’m not sure I ever got a great picture of these, but these vases, placed high above the built-in entertainment unit, made quite a statement, with minimal expense.

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The vases, themselves are tall and very elegant. For a classy, and inexpensive filler, Jennifer, simple put that shiny gold garland inside each vase (you wouldn’t guess it to look at them). The sprigs, sprays, and snowflakes, were all purchased on after Christmas clearance from the craft store. She’s talking about doing the same thing with that cheap Easter grass at Easter time—only it doesn’t look cheap when displayed like this.

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And finally here are the stockings she made (Jennifer is a quilter—see I told you she should have a blog) several years ago. I have some photos of some other fun stockings she is making as gifts, but they are going to have to wait for another day.

Come back in another day or two for my home tour, will you?

I’m going to have to wrap up my “Big-Hearted Holiday” project this week, in order to get their gifts before Christmas. If there is anyway you can contribute a couple of dollars to help these families, I would really appreciate it!

 

 

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Comments

  1. on the eastern journey says

    Oh my word. The entrance! The tree! This house is magical. Thanks so much for the tour.

  2. Michael, Trisha, Grace, and Anna says

    ? your home, it looks fabulous, very festive! May you be blessed beyond measure this Holiday season! thanks for sharing.
    Blessings~ Trisha

  3. WOW Your friend did an AMAZING job!! Yep she definitely needs to blog =)

    Have a Blessed and Merry CHRISTmas,
    Dawn @ dawnscottagecorner.blogspot.com

  4. Wow – talk about a grand entrance! SO beautiful!

  5. Donna @ Party Wishes says

    Gorgeous! Where does she store everything? LOL

  6. Wow, that tree is gorgeous! The whole house is gorgeous!

    Please ask your friend when she has time to come over and decorate my house:)

  7. ThriftyAnnabella says

    She has a very beautiful home.

  8. Oh my stars! Jennifer lives in a palace! From now on when I hear "Deck the halls" I'll remember that grand hallway. I've never seen another like it.

    That tree is absolutely gorgeous too.

    Wow! That's all I know to say.

  9. What a beautiful home!!! Every picture showed so much detail. Jennifer should definitely start a blog and teach me how to decorate my house!

  10. stunning.

  11. Beth at Aunties says

    What a gracious hostess with so much talent in her little fingers. Her home is gorgeous and her halls truly are decked out in elegance!
    I bet the spirit was even more in abundance with the little wisemen, shepherds and animals surroundng Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus for your Family Home evening!
    We also love to dress up our little ones as Papa reads from the bible about the most important Birthday of all.
    Merry Christmas and thank you for warming my heart. I am glad I clicked on your post!:D

  12. I just love your house…can you decorate mine for Christmas? 😉

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