Our front room was sure fun to decorate this year with my new toy….our electric fireplace. Yes, it is totally a toy to me. I have loved decorating it. And as soon as we hung the mantel I was ready to hang our Christmas stockings even though it was October! We were still able to fit our Christmas Tree in our front room, right next to our fireplace. I have to say it is just the coziest room. Already thinking it will make me sad taking down the Christmas decor because I love the hygee feeling in this room.
I am joining Ella Claire Inspired and 15 bloggers to share our Christmas Trees and our front room or family room’s. Hopefully it will inspire you as you deck your halls! I know a lot of you wait until after Thanksgiving. And I love hearing all of your traditions. So please share if your tree is up! Or if you watch White Christmas after the turkey is eaten and decorate your Christmas Tree!
I have had the same flocked slim tree in here for the past three years. It fits perfectly. I was actually asked to join a blog campaign to share new Christmas Trees and I just couldn’t do it. I really love mine and I know if I wasn’t a blogger I wouldn’t be changing this tree anytime soon. (You can find my exact tree HERE and a more affordable option HERE). I used a knitted blanket I made a couple years ago as the tree skirt. You could totally do this with a blanket or throw you have, you just want to use one that has some texture so it doesn’t look too flat or stick some towels under it!
We moved the other swivel chair that was in this room and swapped it with the wood arm char in the girl bedroom that is a little smaller. Kind-of fun to change things up!
Last year I found some vintage ornaments at an antique shop. I bought a box, thinking I would just put them in a jar or something. But my mother in-law went back to the store and bought the rest that they had for me. So I had enough to do our tree. It was so thoughtful of her and makes me love these even more. Vintage ornaments are super fragile, I can see why they stopped making them! I think I break a couple every time I look at them wrong! Super thin glass. (find some HERE)
When I decorate my tree the first thing I add is the lights. Even though my tree is pre-lit I add and one strand of big bulb patio type lights into the tree. I love the extra glow the bigger bulbs add. I saw the idea at an Anthropolgie last year and was reminded again how much I love the look.
Then I add in my ribbon. I cut my ribbon into about 15″ pieces and add the pieces in different directions in the tree. This way you don’t need as much ribbon and it doesn’t end up looking like a hula hoop going around the tree. I also chunky yarn (find HERE) around the tree, just love the texture. And this year I added THESE wood beads (I used three strands).
My main source of inspiration this year was the new painting of my kids hanging above the fireplace. It was a gift from a reader, who is a talented artist. If you follow me on Instagram you saw us share it there. Kim Hassold reached out to me asking if she could paint a picture I had posted of my kids up the the piano at Easter. Obviously I jumped up and down and said…yes! I love art with a story. The colors in the painting inspired the look for Christmas in here! (Find her art HERE).
I normally don’t get new stockings every year, but if I see one I like I am not opposed to mixing in different style. This year I added new Christmas stockings for each kid. The blue green one for Finn and the pinks for the girls. (Find the stockings HERE). And don’t ask why in some pictures there are 6 stockings and some there are 5….not a baby announcement! ha! Just got carried away.
This is my first year EVER in owning a home, so that is 15 years of having a fireplace and a place to hang stockings. A reader, Shelby, who is building an almost identical electric fireplace to ours said- that her son told his teacher “we are building a chimney for Santa!” I loved that!! In years past I hung our Christmas stockings on our banister (see it HERE). And find out how easy it is to add your own Electrical Fireplace HERE.
I used small tacks in the mantel to hang the stockings. I am too afraid the kids would pull down a stocking holder on their head and we really don’t have the space. The garland I have had for a couple years (find some unique garland HERE). I added THESE bubble glass lights to the garland.
I get asked a lot what I do with my houseplants come Christmas time. I decided to leave my houseplants were they were thriving. Plants really don’t like to be moved and mine are thriving here, would hate to risk moving them just for a month. I think they mix well with green accents throughout the room! Add some
I grouped all of my mini tinsel trees in the bookcase. I think they look so much better clustered together to make a big impact.
Our absolute favorite Christmas decoration to pull out is our Olive Wood Nativity. I keep it low on the bookcase because Finn likes to play with it, and it is totally ok. I added THESE battery operated lights to bring some light to our favorite spot.
We hope you enjoyed the tour of our cozy front room and vintage Christmas Tree! I will share more Christmas in our house soon. In the meantime check out my friends Christmas below for more ideas. And you can shop this post below…..
Ella Claire | Nina Hendrick Design Co. | Zevy Joy | Beneath My Heart
Boxwood Avenue | Craftberry Bush | Inspired by Charm | Home Stories A to Z
French Country Cottage | Rooms for Rent | City Farmhouse | Nesting with Grace
Thistlewood Farms | Jennifer Rizzo | Dear Lillie | Love Grows Wild
Click on an image to shop the post-
It’s so beautiful! And I love how you left your plants in the room. It all works perfectly without having to move them from their “homes.” Your home is just the most charming, warm place I’ve ever seen. You inspire me everyday and I hope to make my home look/feel the same way. I really cant wait to see the rest of your home for Christmas. 😉
Clarissa your comments always lift me up! What a gift you are to those around you. Thank you! Have fun decorating!!!
I was thrilled your Christmas your was posted. Seriously look forward to it! Gorgeous and cozy as always. Thank you for letting us peek!
Brooke!
So good! Love it all. Looks so different from last year but yet the same. Can’t explain it. Very beautiful. And yes!… I can totally tell you got a new camera. Gorgeous pics!
😉
Monica
Thanks Monica!! Yes! I love my new camera! And my old one might have been fine, it was a combo of the user and the camera! haha!
Your home is beautiful! I love how cozy you make it for you & your family. I have used a number of your ideas in my own home and I thank you for that. I was curious though….what are the dimensions of your front room? It looks so intimate, in some pictures I think it’s small and in others it seems bigger. The reason I ask is because I live in a smaller home and have a room that is tiny and was thinking of making a bookcase around the window like yours but not sure if the room is too small. My room is approximately 10×11 so I’m thinking it’s a lot smaller than your room. Thank you for all your inspiration. I look forward to all of your posts.
Your home is so cozy and inviting. I also have a small home and struggle sometimes decorating. I have learned to just try it! You have inspired me.
I love your knitted throw under the tree. I also have one I knitted. I’ll try it. Last year I used my faux fur throw and loved that!
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
It looks so pretty & cozy. I love the fireplace. Okay… so last year I ordered the Christmas Tree pillow like yours. I ordered the green. This year I am going to do something else like you… I love the small ornaments in the glass bottle. Thanks for your inspiration. Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family.
I used to always read blogs (15yrs ago lol) and now with IG I’ve gotten away from it but your small home series and décor have made me love visiting blogs again! Thanks Brooke for giving us inspiration that isn’t out of reach! xo Tara
Oh thank you Tara! Thankful Instagram stories makes it easy to read blogs!!!
Absolute perfection, Brooke! You are the healthiest family I know! I finished decorating Nov 1 because my daughter came home and I wanted it ready for her arrival. Our kids live in CO are are 32 and 29.
Sheer warmth, beauty and design, Brooke! You are so inspiring. Have eaten 3 sweet potatoes and have bought a stick succulent plant!
Ah! Thanks Susan! Oh I am so happy your daughter is home!! How lucky!!!
Your home looks beautiful! As always, so cozy and inviting. I’m going to put the tiny string of lights around my nativity set too! And yes, I see a nice difference with your new camera – brighter and clearer! Thank you!
Thank you Susan! Yes the nativity needs some sparkle!
I LOVE love LOVE this space! Seriously obsessed right now! I’d LOVE to hear more about the wool garland on your fireplace! Did you make OR is there a link where I can buy 1? Do you have a go-to for your wood beads?
Hi! So the garland is felt on my mantel and it was from Wayfair, but I can’t find it. As far as the glass bulbs go I have one strand of this- https://rstyle.me/n/dbfyudb5qwf and they are layered together- doubled up. It is really long. For a shorter one you can find here- https://rstyle.me/n/dbgddbb5qwf
And the wood beads I used three and you can find here- https://rstyle.me/n/dbvabzb5qwf
Wow! U r such an inspiration to me! Love how u make every space beautiful and use what u have while adding in new pieces! I try to add a new ornament to our tree each year as well🎄 Love all the pictures and twinkly lights😊 We live in northern Alberta, Canada and have had our tree up since the beginning of November, with the first snowfall that stayed❄️
Gorgeous! Whimsical! Cozy! Dreamy!…. Those are the four words I think of when I see your living room decorated for Christmas! That tree!!! I just love all those vintage ornaments! Major inspo!! I’ve always wanted to start collecting real vintage ornaments but this has just confirmed I need to start this season! I want to find them at local antique stores or thrift shops like you did. And I love how you added the little lights around the nativity scene. I have done that for many years too. It just adds a little extra light and twinkle to the real reason of the season! I am from California, not sure if you have heard about all the sadness and tragic events that have happened here recently, but if you could can you and your sweet girls pray for our State and everyone involved in these awful events. Thank you so much for allowing us a glimpse into your lovely home and sweet family, hope you have a wonderful holiday season Brooke!
Really beautiful… so warm and cozy! The painting of your kids is so adorable. What a nice gift!
Love you, love this post, love everything about you. AS PER USHE. Ugh those stockings are to die.
Oh thank you so much Jamie!
What a beautiful tree. Your room looks gorgeous. Enjoy your new fireplace. Thank You for sharing.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Marilyn and Family
Thank you!!!
Oh my goodness, these pictures are jaw dropping!!!! You’re home is always one of my favorites, however, I must say these holiday pictures made me want to crawl right into the screen of my iPad😊 You’re home is the personification of cozy, which is the feeling I most seek in my own and the one I most admire in others. I wish I hadn’t already decorated my tree’s, because I would love to have the cafe lights for some extra sparkle✨ I will be in D.C. visiting my youngest son for thanksgiving this year, and decided to do my decorating early, so that I may come home to a clean and festive house after my trip❤️💚
oh how fun!! And that is a big reason why I do it early too! We aren’t home on Thanksgiving and love to come home to it decorated!
I love it all! I have my own collection of vintage ornaments and you have inspired me to actually put them ON the tree this year! Lol! Can I ask where your tree ribbon is from? I love the words!
Thank you!! The ribbon was Home Goods last year!!
I love it! It is the coziest room ever! Just makes you want to stay there….always the success of a great room! The new picture just pops over the fireplace, it is beautiful! I would definitely put one from you reader on my wish list! Thanks for all the inspiration.
hey girl- love the room! so pretty! I plan on putting our tree up Friday!
Hi Brooke!
I just love your sweet and beautiful home and family! It’s always such a pleasure to read your post and look at your pics. I admire your lovely style. Our family has a traditional home with inherited oak furnishings. Our family room, where we put up our Christmas tree, has dark blue(navy/charcoal) walls and white woodwork. Our Christmas tree has served as long as it could and we are looking for a replacement. With our more traditional toffee colored sofa and love seat, I’m just not certain whether a flocked tree will “fit” in our home. What do you think?
Oh I think it totally would! I would just use ornaments that are the color of your room to pull it all together!
Thank you so much for taking time to reply, for your inspiration, and your encouragement! I picked it up today, and we love it!
I never comment but I will now! I love this room! I have visited this blog page countless times since you posted it! I just want to curl up on the sofa and stare at the beautiful tree! Your home is so cozy and inviting!
I appreciate you taking the time to comment! xoxo
Being 65 I still have the ornaments I gre up with. They are so precious and make me so nervous. I bought a large glass apothecary jar from Michaels and put them in there. PHEW! They seem safe in there and oh so pretty.
Your front room is very lovely and warm. My best to you and your little family and Happy Holidays!