Christmas Lights Night Tour 2016
Merry Christmas, y’all! I really wish I could reach through this screen right now, hand you a mug of hot cocoa, and play “Silent Night” on repeat, so we can just hang out in the candlelight together for this post.
This is my second year joining in with my amazing friend Rachel from Maison de Pax for her annual Christmas Nights Tour. If you’re visiting from Shannon’s tour at Fox Hollow Cottage, I’m so glad to have you here! (If you haven’t seen her home before, you don’t want to miss it.)
One of my favorite things about Christmas is the quiet anticipation, those cozy, calm nights when the entire house is glowing.
In this time of year when traffic is everywhere, schedules are chaotic, and the to-do lists are a mile long, it’s the calm evenings by the twinkle lights that are my own little retreat. After Olivia is tucked into her bed and Robert and I are watching our favorite holiday movies, that’s when I can really breathe and feel thankful for the things that matter most- family.
It’s so easy in seeing all of these home tours to compare your own home to the ones in blogland. (I hid all of the toys and dirty dishes just for you… trust me, they’re still there behind the camera lens.) But I truly want you to feel the peaceful spirit of Christmas in this tour as we celebrate the true light of the world.
I’ll stop talking so you can enjoy the quiet as this tour is meant to be. (I’ve included affiliate links after each of the rooms since y’all sometimes ask for sources.)
(Living Room Sources: Stockings | Burlap Net Ribbon | Cranberry Garland | Plaid Pillows | Basket | DIY Noel Sign | Buffalo Check Wrapping Paper | Nordic Wrapping Paper | Barrel Tree Planter | Jute Rug )
(Entryway Sources: Lanterns | DIY Sweater Trees | Faux Fur Pillow | Red Cable Knit Pillow )
(Kitchen Sources: Barn Wood Frame | Hot Cocoa Printable | Cake Stand | Cutting Board | Red Stripe Towel | “Rusted” Scale )
(Bedroom Sources: Faux Fur Blanket | White Cable Knit Pillow | Faux Fur Pillows | Flocked Garland | Deer Head | Scarf | Twig Trees | Mercury Glass Votives | Mercury Glass Candleholders | Mirror | Metallic Magnolia Wreath | “Oh Holy Night” Printable )
In these last few days leading up to Christmas Day, I hope you soak up every last drop of anticipation, that you hold your loved ones close and cling tight to all of the little magical moments. I won’t be posting on the blog for a little while as I’ll be spending as much time as possible with my family.
But as you leave, I hope most of all that you’ll take the spirit of Christmas with you. It’s never about how grand your decorations are or how expensive your presents are under the tree, it’s about the most perfect gift of all.
Next stop on the Christmas Nights Tour is Lory from Designthusiasm whose home is always so filled with inspiration.
If you missed any of the other Christmas tours and projects in our home this month, you can see them all here.
If you missed any of the tour from earlier this week, here’s the entire list. I promise, you’ll want to see every single one. SO much talent!
MONDAY
Maison de Pax | Finding Silver Pennies | So Much Better With Age | Decor Gold Designs
French Country Cottage | Ella Claire Inspired | Love Grows Wild
TUESDAY
Liz Marie Blog | The Turquoise Home | A Burst of Beautiful | Nina Hendrick Design Co.
Cherished Bliss | Shabbyfufu | Shades of Blue Interiors
WEDNESDAY
Making Home Base | Lindsay Hill Interiors | Zevy Joy | Fox Hollow Cottage
Blesser House | Designthusiasm | TIDBITS
THURSDAY
Place of My Taste | Life on Virginia Street | Sunny Side Up | House by Hoff
Stylehouse Interiors | At Home With the Barkers | Beneath My Heart
FRIDAY
Kelly Elko | The Happy Housie | Setting for Four | Rooms FOR Rent
Thistlewood Farms | Just a Girl and Her Blog | The Wood Grain Cottage
Gorgeous, Lauren! I love your colourful Christmas decor – all that red:) #allthehearteyes – and it looks even more stunning with the glow and warmth of the twinkly lights. I hope that you enjoyed an amazing holiday with your sweet little family!
Thank you, Krista! Your tour was absolutely gorgeous this year!
Hi Lauren, I’m new to your blog and I’m having so much fun exploring and being inspired. I’m in love with everything you’ve done to your home and the beautiful Christmas decorations. I’ve searched your site high and low for any mention of the two entry way pictures that you have in your Christmas display. Did you make them? Will you be sharing anything about them in your blog?
Thank you for sharing so much!
Kathy
Hi Kathy! Thank you so much! I had every intention of sharing my tutorial for those but the busy season got away from me. I made those pictures using burlap and just traced some clipart and lettering with a red and green permanent marker. It was really simple and easy and sort of ended up looking like burlap coffee bean sacks in the end. 🙂
Lauren, you and your husband have made your home such a relaxing and comfortable refuge. I love all the changes that you’ve completed over the last 3 years. Thanks so much for the candlelight tour. It is just beautiful. I love the nativity on the mantle. Thank you for keeping the focus on Christ the Lord. Without Him, there would be no Christmas to celebrate. Merry Christmas and make lots of good memories.
Thank you, Bonnie! I love that we were able to place our nativity on the mantel this year too. It served as an important reminder all season. 🙂
Lauren,
Thank you so much for sharing your home (and heart!) on our Christmas Nights tour. I especially loved the personal memories peppered all over your tree. Your bedroom is a rustic, holiday dream! What a beautiful space!
Thank you SO much for hosting it, Rachel! Your home tour was gorgeous! (Of course. I’d expect nothing less from you.) Hope you and your sweet family had a great Christmas!
Your Christmas tree is amazing! Is it real? If not, where, oh where did you get it! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hi, Diana! Thank you! The tree is from At Home.
It’s gorgeous, Lauren! I love your home at night. Your photography is stunning. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Hugs, Jamie
Thank you, Jamie! Your photography is always incredible, girl! Hope you and your family had a great Christmas too!
Lauren,
Wow! Your home is so filled with lovely things but mostly your photos really impart that family feeling that you talk so tenderly about. It comes through in each and every stunning photo! Wishing you a Merry Christmas spent with your loved ones!!
Best,
Lory
Thank you so much, Lory! Your home tour was so gorgeous! Hope you had a happy holiday with your family!
Lauren, these photos are breathtaking! I love it all. Especially the family photos on your Christmas tree, such a great idea. Merry Christmas to you!
Thank you, Sarah! Hope you had a great Christmas!
Your house is so beautiful! I love coming to your blog and feeling the true spirit of Christmas. I had one suggestion for your blog. Have you ever given thought to making your pictures a little smaller so that we see the entire photo without scrolling? They’re so beautiful and I’m sure they’re high res but I would love to be able to take in the entire scene at once! Just a thought! Regardless, thanks for always opening your home to others and sharing the true beauty of the season!
Thank you, Kelly! I’ll definitely take that into consideration. In the beginning, I made my photos smaller but then they were harder to see for people who read from their cell phones. It’s a tricky balancing act. I’ll try to make them a bit smaller to hopefully make it easier. 🙂
Your house is absolutely gorgeous!!!!
Thank you, Desiree!
happy holidays to you and your family, merry christmas & warm wishes for the new year. 🙂
Same to you and yours, Drew. 🙂 Thank you!