My Christmas Virtual Home Tour {Home for the Holidays}

There are two things that I love in the world of home blogs: the holiday season and home tours.  So, what could be better than both of my favorite things all rolled in to one?

Today, I am so excited to be participating in a holiday home tour that is kicking off today.

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I’m joining 29 other bloggers this week who are sharing their homes all decked out in their holiday finest.  In addition, One King’s Lane is providing a $200 gift certificate to one lucky reader, so look for the Rafflecopter near the bottom of this post to register.

If you’re coming here from Decor Adventures, welcome!

I’m so happy you’re here!

If you have been around here awhile, you know that a recurring theme at Lilacs & Longhorns is my continuing challenge of blending the styles and tastes of myself and my husband (yes, he actually cares!).   Well, at Christmas-time, it’s interesting because quite honestly I think I could do most anything during this time of year and he would be happy.  Well, let me qualify that…the more I decorate, the better as far as he’s concerned because, anyone who knows my husband, knows that he LOVES Christmas.  I jokingly refer to him as “Clark Griswold.”  

Before you get too worried, I promise, you cannot see our house from space when the lights are turned on at night, but we do like to be festive.  This year, I kept things very simple and used what I already had.  

So, come on in – let me show you around!

holiday home tour

I’m keeping my front porch very simple this year and added some lovely winter-hardy (for Texas) plants in my old wash tub.  I love the bright red of the cyclamen –  such a pretty pop of color and it feels so fresh and alive!

holiday front porch

Inside, I kept things fairly simple as well.

I bought a small fresh tree for the foyer and added only a few ornaments, a strand of wooden beads and used simple ribbon tied to a few branches to decorate it.  It’s not fancy, but I love it.  Because of our huge vaulted ceilings in our living room, we have a pre-lit 9-foot artificial tree so I love this little touch of fresh when you come in the front door. 

holiday foyer

(Our Elf on the Shelf landed here last night — aided by Clark Griswold — and I didn’t even think about him until I started editing my pictures- ha!)  Doesn’t everyone have an Elf on the Shelf sitting in their tree?!

small Christmas tree

On the other side of the foyer, I switched out my “every day” pillows for some with holiday cheer and filled my hanging basket with faux greenery.

entry to dining

The dining room is my favorite room this year.

Christmas dining room

 

It’s not just because I finished re-decorating this room this year, but I just love all of the pops of red and the fresh and faux greenery in this room.

This center piece is a mixture of real birch branches, faux and preserved greenery.  The pieces of birch came from my grandparents home and I made this arrangement several years ago.  (My husband drilled holes in the ends so we can insert votice candles.) I think of them and their home on the lake every time I bring it out each Christmas season.

Christmas center piece

Each year I also bring out my Fitz & Floyd holiday collection.  Some are displayed in my little blue china hutch and other pieces are on my sideboard.

Christmas in hutch

FitzandFloyd

 

This little train station and choo choo is one of my favorites.  My son was obsessed with trains when he was little and it always reminds me of him.

Christmas railroad

 

The stair case in the foyer showcases some more family mementos.  Can you tell I’m sentimental?

holiday bannister

 

I’ve collected these pictures and frame ornaments over time.  Some pictures are of the kids with Santa Claus and others are of our family when we’ve gone on holiday adventures — like the time we went to Sea World during the Christmas season.

frames

I love looking at these year after year to see how everyone has grown!

In the living room I have done a little bit of simplifying this year.

Christmas living room

 

I usually put some garland on the fireplace mantel, but decided to change it up this year and I am loving it!

It looks rustic and festive, I think.

Christmas mantel

I added two Christmas pillows in here, and a few other touches but that’s about it.  

holiday pillows

 

The kitchen is pretty simple, too.

Christmas in kitchen

My two-tiered stand is sitting on my island with festive red plates in it and I brought out my little jar that was given to me by one of my preschool students when I taught preschool.  

On my little hutch, I set up my pretty Fitz & Floyd canisters and added a little epsom salts inside to look like snow.

Christmas kitchen

 

Christmas jars

 

I hung up my little wreath (that is actually a candle ring I tweaked to make a wreath) on the wall next to the hutch.  I just love how full it is.

wreath

 

Just off the kitchen on the way in to the dining room, is my butler’s pantry.  It’s a dark space to photograph, so forgive the yellow color from the lights, but I just had to show you this little space.

I set up a little hot cocoa bar and I think it is so much fun!

butlers pantry xmas

 

My kids absolutely love this idea and have been begging for hot chocolate almost every night (and maybe stealing a marshmallow or two when I’m not looking).

hot cocoa bar

Finally, my little half bath is looking as festive as it’s ever looked.  

It’s also not easy to photograph because it has no windows and is so small, but I wanted to show you anyway because I love all of it’s red and green.

half bath

Like all of my holiday decor, it’s not fancy.  I just added a few colorful touches and called it a day.

bathroom decor

 

I’m especially loving the little glass ornaments sitting on top of my vintage linens. 

ornaments

I like them so much I kind of wish they could sit here all year long!

Thank you so much for joining me on this tour today.  If you haven’t already, please visit the other blogs on tour and follow along all week long — you won’t be disappointed!

The full tour schedule is at the end of this post.  Before you go on to visit the others, please take a minute to register for this fantastic giveaway sponsored by One King’s Lane (OKC).  OKC is an online decorating resource that offers great deals on high-end items and they’re offering one lucky winner a $200 gift card!  To register, use the Rafflecopter below.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Tour Schedule:

Monday
Worthing Court
French Country Cottage
Atta Girl Says
Town and Country Living
Decor Adventures
Lilacs and Longhorns

Tuesday
Marty’s Musings
Mom 4 Real
All Things Beautiful
Making Home Base
The Happier Homemaker
The Lily Pad Cottage

Wednesday
The Everyday Home
Craftberry Bush
Celebrating Everyday Life with Jennifer Carroll
AKA Design
Hymns and Verses
Our Southern Home

Thursday
Stone Gable
Adventures in Decorating
Newly Woodwards
Setting for Four
Back Porch Musings
All Things Heart and Home

Friday
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Cottage at the Crossroads
Top This Top That
Domestically Speaking
Mommy is Coocoo
Shabby Art Boutique

 

Sharing at:

Between Naps on the Porch

Savvy Southern Style

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76 Responses to My Christmas Virtual Home Tour {Home for the Holidays}

  1. Becca says:

    I love that you, too, have a “Clark Griswold” in your house! What a great idea adding a small tree in a bucket on your foyer table (such the perfect smell when your guests enter) … beautiful rustic mantel … and, I love your fun hot cocoa bar! Merry Christmas!

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  3. Christy @ Our Southern Home says:

    I always find it such a treat to visit your home. I just love all of your Christmas touches! You have created such a warm and inviting home for your family! Happy to be touring with you! ~Christy

  4. Stacey Keeling says:

    Julie, your home looks amazing. Merry Christmas. :)

  5. Sonya ~At Home with The Barkers says:

    Everything looks so beautiful! I love the small tree in the bucket. Lovely home and tour ~Sonya

  6. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says:

    What a beautifully warm and inviting home you have! Love the little tree in the entry way!

  7. Pat@Back Porch Musings says:

    It is all just absolutely beautiful! I love those checked chairs in the dining room! Christmas at your home is wonderful.

    Merry Christmas!

  8. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says:

    Love your home and your Christmas decor is so beautiful. Your tree is gorgeous and I adore the pictures on the garland staircase. Fabulous idea. Hugs, Marty

  9. laura@Top This Top That says:

    Julie- everything looks so pretty. Such a warm holiday feeling, which is exactly what you want your home to evoke. Happy Holidays!

  10. Courtney says:

    So charming~ I adore those little potted trees. Your Christmas home is beautiful!! Pinning and happy to be partying with you!

  11. Kim@NewlyWoodwards says:

    Your entire home is simply lovely and oh-so-festive. I think I felt at home before I even entered the front door. 😉

    I really love the entry and the fresh tree. We’re heading out for a few small fresh trees today. I think there’s something so special about them.

  12. Atta Girl Amy says:

    It’s hard for me to pick a favorite spot in your home, but your living room and mantel is stunning. I love the simplicity of it. And that hot chocolate bar is just the cutest! I want a mug!

    So thrilled to be joining you on Day 1 of the ATH Christmas Tour.

  13. Jessica @ Decor Adventures says:

    Hi Julie,

    Love your holiday decor! Thanks for the mention and I’m so glad to be on the tour with you.

    All of your reds and greens work so well in your home. Glad to hear Clark is on board with it all!

    Hope you have a lovely holiday season :-)

  14. Martina says:

    Julie your home looks beautiful all dressed for Christmas! Love the tree in the bucket in your entry and love the look of your mantel! So many pretty things I kept scrolling up and down to make sureIi didn’t miss anything:) Our elf made her appearance yesterday too…my youngest was soooooo happy! I have the same wire basket filled with the boxwood topiaries on my “potty” too.

  15. Kelly says:

    Really Beautiful Julie!

  16. Dayle says:

    Gorgeous, gorgeous! Love your style.

    Joining you from Amaze Me Mondays.

  17. Dria says:

    Beautiful job Julie!! I love all your touches with the baskets on the wall to the greens on the chandelier you have gorgeous taste and design!

  18. Marisa says:

    Everything looks so warm and welcoming. And I love elves!!

  19. Jo Ann Taylor says:

    It’s good to see someone else that decorates every room in their house! I love mine! It almost looks like a fairy tale!

  20. Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design says:

    Your home is lovely and I adore all of your decorations. I think your mantel looks wonderful – just right! Happy Holidays!
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

  21. Janis@All Things Beautiful says:

    What a warm and inviting home you have created. The garland up the stairway is adorable with the picture ornaments. I love your mantle, stockings and tree…just lovely! Beautifully done! Blessings, Janis

  22. Kathryn says:

    I’m loving the way you decorated your powder room, so simple yet so elegant. It wouldn’t take much to over decorate, but you did it just perfect.

  23. Petra says:

    Julie – your home looks so calm and Christmas’y :-) Sounds weird but I love your little powder room, with the Christmas magazine on the little stool – sweet!

  24. LUCY AKINS says:

    You have managed to make your home feel so cozy and welcoming…which is exactly what Christmas is about…:) thank you so much for sharing your home with us…xo

  25. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says:

    I cannot believe that you have so beautifully decorated your home for Christmas…every vignette is stunning…and your trees are gorgeous…so enjoyed the tour Julie!

    • Shirley@Housepitality Designs says:

      I definitely left out some words!!…I meant to say that I cannot believe that you have so beautifully decorated your home for Christmas with all of the events that you are participating in…your energy must be endless…I went over your beautiful posts again and went to comment and saw that I already have however, left out some words…!!
      Julie, your family and friends must be so enjoying your gorgeous home for the holidays!

  26. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says:

    I’m loving simple this year too. I love your little tree in the bucket in the entry and your hot cocoa bar. Might have to do that in our butler’s pantry too. So excited to be apart of this tour with you!

  27. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says:

    Julie, your Christmas home is so inviting and lovely. Every room flows effortlessly into another, continuing the festive theme… and I simply adore the hot chocolate bar! That’s where I’d be hanging out if I visited you and I’d probably beat the kids to the marshmallows.

  28. Vickie says:

    I love the stair garland with the photos-neat idea. I am doing less this year-but I trul think I will enjoy it more. Your house is lovely with just the right amount of Christmas touches.

  29. katie clooney says:

    Your home is breathtaking!! It looks so festive!!

  30. Melissa@TheHappierHomemaker says:

    It’s beautiful Julie! I love how warm and inviting it all looks, great job!!

  31. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says:

    Julie, your home looks so warm and inviting, and aren’t you glad you’re all finished decorating? I am in love with your stockings with the red buffalo check tops! Sharing those on our blog page!

  32. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says:

    Looks so inviting – love your Fitz & Floyd collection!!
    Kelly

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  37. Doreen @ Hymns and Verses says:

    Your holiday home is lovely! Thanks for sharing it with us!!!

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  40. Laura @ Finding Home says:

    Everything is so beautiful! Take care, Laura

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  42. Sandra@ The Adored Home says:

    I love the Santa in the cubbard how adorable!
    Sandra
    The Adored Home

  43. Gee says:

    How beautifully Christmas!

  44. Heather @ Beyond the Aisle says:

    I really like your decorating style – your home is so cozy and inviting!

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  46. Suzy Handgraaf says:

    Oh my goodness, Julie – your home is just beautiful! So many elements that I love – the tiny tree in the bucket in your foyer, the hanging basket filled with greenery – well, I could just go on and on. Great job and loved the tour!

  47. Heather says:

    I love that you decorate with birch branches too!!! Gorgeous home tour Julie! Sharing it everywhere! It’s been so fun to party with you!

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  52. wanda says:

    Very pretty ! I have some of same decorations Christmas cups with tree . I have set of dishes with that pattern with cups and glasses. Santa’s, snowmen and candle topper. My tree looks like yours also. Merry Christmas thanks for tour.

  53. Laurie@ Vin'yet Etc. says:

    Your home is gorgeous! So warm, so inviting! I love all of your Christmas touches, just beautiful!

  54. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says:

    Everything looks so pretty! LOVE the fabric on your dining room chairs! Merry Christmas! Melissa

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  59. Deemarie says:

    Thank You for your Christmas tour. As I was looking in your home, I was thinking her home is so inviting and beautiful. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

  60. Deemarie says:

    Thank You for your Christmas Tour. Your home is so inviting and beautiful. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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