This year I was dreaming of a white Christmas.
But the weather is unpredictable, so I decorated with whites inside in case I didn't get an official white Christmas outside.
Turns out I got both!
I mean it's no secret that the base color in many of my rooms is red.
It's perfect for the season. And the season is perfect for this scarlet addict.
However.
This year, the year that should've been the reddest of them all, with those brand new, bright floor to ceiling curtain panels in the living room and kitchen, I decided to make a change.
And use less red. I can hear the gasps now.
There wasn't any great decorating shift.
I just craved a simpler, cleaner Christmas palette.
It's the reason I painted my Dollar Tree village ivory.
It's the reason I added a cream and white banner to my mantel.
It's also the reason I pulled a lot less out of the bins.
Now, there's no need to worry, there's still plenty of red peppered about...it's just not the dominant color. It's more of an accent this year.
And one that pops in contrast to all the creamy, muted tones.
And the snow.
In the kitchen, I swapped out the red rooster sign for a new stenciled Farm Table sign in ivory and brown.
I also decided against a valance, favoring a wide open view instead. I did add a few wreaths to the center bar though.
They add a little festivity to the area without cluttering it up or blocking the glass.
And you can never have enough white roses...especially when they're in a white pitcher.
In the breakfast nook, where I usually have an army of crimson clad Santas on the table, I added a few bottle brush and wooden trees with votive candles for sparkle.
They complement the lights in the window and on the small evergreen placed near the table. I kept things monochromatic in this area so the new red buffalo plaid curtains would really stand out.
And they do.
Speaking of that red, I did add a vase of colorful roses to the coffee table in the living room. There's also lots of sentimental red ornaments on the tree.
Oh, and red pillows on the sofas. I mean you can't ask a girl to go completely without.
The fireplace has a teeny bit of red, too. It's on the sled, but mostly it's dressed in those muted tones, I used in the kitchen.
The houses, the banner and the gift bag sign. Light touches for a softer look.
But there is another change.
And brace yourself. It's a big one.
You see, in a very, very out of character move, I decided to put up ivory velvet panels on the windows.
Shocking, I know.
Especially since I spent all summer and fall agonizing over the perfect red curtains for this room. And these plain panels were vetoed in early rounds.
And honestly, I was ready to give them away many, many times over the past few months. This cottage doesn't have much storage space, plus they were boring and they didn't fit on the rods.
And did I mention that there were boring?
But for some reason, I just couldn't do it.
They were such a hassle to track down, in a store, far away, in the middle of a lockdown.
And they were clearance. Ten dollars a panel. For velvet.
I just had to try them again when the holidays rolled around.
And once they were up, something magical happened. I fell in love.
I had butterflies in my stomach and I didn't want to be too far away.
Like a middle schooler who kept going to the bathroom to walk by the classroom her crush was in, I peeked in on them all day for weeks.
Sometimes, I would just sit in my rocking chair and stare.
At curtains.
And my white Christmas.
Silly, I know.
But you can't fight love.
Especially during the holidays.
What color is your Christmas?
Merry Christmas, Friends!
I love it- and I think the white is a wonderful buffer for all the red. I think those curtains look really great, too. They are beautiful-expecially velvet this time of year!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you continue to enjoy the Christmas magic. Love your home!!! xo Diana
Thank you, Diana. ♥️ I love the contrast, too, and the soft serene feeling the rooms give off now. It's a real departure for me, I'm usually all about the drama, especially when it comes to the windows. This year I craved something a little different. Maybe because this year was a little different...but that's kind of an understatement, isn't it. Enjoy the season, my friend! xo
DeleteKim your house for Christmas looks cozy and inviting. I love the whites of course! Glad you still have your signature reds too. We might get some snow on Christmas day which would be nice. Not a lot just enough to feel christmasy! Have a great week leading up to the big day.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Snow makes all the difference, Kris! It really is beautiful in those windows and makes the house feel warm and cozy. Well…until January anyway. Then I’m ready for my flip flops and flowers again and I know you are, too! I hope you do get snow on Christmas, and like you said, just enough! Hugs!!
DeleteIt's all very cozy and beautiful, Kim. White and red is a beautiful combination. Glad to hear you got your for real white Christmas. Wishing you a beautiful holiday season!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Marie, I know you are a big red fan, too! I wish you a wonder Christmas and just enough snow to make it sparkle!
DeleteBeautiful! Have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Rebecca! I wish you a Merry Christmas, too!
DeleteAll your photos are beautiful! The white curtains look lovely. I can only imagine how they look framing the windows with snow on the ground. What a cozy home you have!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Thank you, Brenda. That rich velvet really warms up the room and with the fire going and the snow outside it is quite cozy…especially during Christmas. I think I’ve said it before, but that room is the reason we fell in love with the house. It’s a shame that we only really use it at Christmas!
DeleteYou decorated your house so pretty with the white mixed in. I like the white curtains and it will be nice and bright during the long winter months. I hope you have a nice week and a Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Julie! It's a real departure from my normal decor, but for $10 each, it was a fun risk to take. Merry Christmas!!
DeleteKim, you have managed to have a beautiful white Christmas and still show your beloved red. It looks just beautiful and the texture of the velvet curtains makes it so warm and inviting. Your tree is gorgeous and I love it all just perfectly. Mine is the same old thing. I think I will have to think about a white Christmas next year..Merry Christmas and stay well..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Judy! You know we've had that tree and those ornaments forever, but this year it looks so festive and the red really pops. I think that's thanks to those bargain velvet panels. They let the tree take center stage. Stay well!! xo
DeleteYour home looks lovely for now, but...
ReplyDeleteI hope you are not on the verge of succumbing to the current craze of no color color. With just a couple of exceptions, every home magazine I read could be showing just one house “decorated” with white, grey, some black, and a daring hint of taupe. Page after page after page of boredom, dictated by current, trendy designers who are afraid of personality and followed by buyers who are afraid to be themselves or out of step with the rest of the lemmings.
There, I’ve had my rant for the day Please do not abandon your red! ;-)
Hello Pat! And thank you for your very thoughtful comment. Never fear, my friend. The red is here to stay. I do adore the way the white looks in the living room right now, but trust me, I have the old (new) red curtains all ironed up and ready to go back up in short order. And don't forget, while the kitchen looks mostly white in the photos, there are some very long red panels on the windows and a giant red wall that's here to stay.
DeleteLike a girl picking a dress for New Year's Eve, I just felt like wearing something a little different to the party this season.
I do appreciate the comment though. It's refreshing to hear that color still has its fans and lovely to know that others have the same pull toward bright hues as I do. Sometimes, I feel a little out of step in this whitewashed decor world, but that's where my heart is. I'm glad to hear I'm not alone!
I hope this holiday season is a healthy one. ☺️
Everything in your house looks beautiful for Christmas. I've always liked the changes in your curtains no matter what you have done. The white velvet is so pretty; adds a softness to the room. I've come to the point where I'm tired of my living room curtains, but I haven't decided what I want to get yet.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you, Melanie! I do have fun changing the curtains, although there are some rooms around here that have had the same ones up for years and years. I really like what I have, I guess, or maybe I just can’t decide to do in those rooms! Too many choices! Haha!
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family, as well!
Lovely look adding the white velvet curtains. It does frame the windows and compliments the red. A nice change Kim. You can always change back. Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda...it is a nice change and I will totally go back. You know me too well! Merry Christmas my friend!
DeleteAs soon as I saw your post I knew I had to stop by and I was not disappointed. Everything you’ve done is so cozy and inviting!
ReplyDeleteHave the best holiday available to you. 🎄Lisa
Oh Lisa, you are the sweetest! Thank you so much, my friend and a very happy holiday to you!
DeleteI love, love, love your white Christmas! And the red really does pop. It looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mari! Merry Christmas!
Deletecreamy white velvet for Christmastime... candle light... tiny white lights...
ReplyDeletewhite snow... a green wreath.... ahhh. yes. it's all perfect. you can relax now and enjoy!
a heavenly glass of something ... well... heavenly!
happy egg and nog darling girl! :D xoxo
Thank you so much, sweet Tammy. And happy egg and nog to you, my friend. What a fabulous toast...I just love those words!! 🥂xo
DeleteMerry Christmas my dear friend. Your home is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
ReplyDeleteCarla
Merry Christmas to you, too, Carla! I hope you have a wonderful day with your boys. xoxo
DeleteI love it! I'm a red girl too, but mine color is in accents as well, ornaments, red plaid ribbons and pillows, and the normal red accents I have in my home. It's perfect. I love your white velvet curtains!
ReplyDeleteI think because of this year, we've needed change from our normal home looks. Yours is beautiful, restful, and perfect!
Thanks so much, Deanna. I think you're right, I needed a little restful decor this year. And at $10 a panel, it came as a bargain! I wish you and your lovely family a very blessed and Merry Christmas!!
DeleteHi Kim, I can't believe you took the leap and that's not a saying a bad thing.. I love your reds in your cottage you know that but this is glowing for Christmas and maybe winter. Your home looks like it's wrapped in a magical warmth.
ReplyDeleteYou have to keep your reds though because that wouldn't be right to offend the color that's so friendly.
Merry Christmas my friend and hope 2021 gets its act togther.
Hugs,
Cindy
Wrapped in magical warmth…oh, I love that Cindy, thank you!! I’m happy I gave it a try. It really is a nice, cozy change. I don’t know how long they’ll stay up. One day I’ll probably wake up and decide they need to go, but for now, they are perfect. Just like your comment…Merry Christmas!!
DeleteFaint...................................................thud!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete(Shhhh don't tell anyone, but it IS beautiful :^0 )
Christmas blessings, J
Thanks J!! Glad you like it. It's calming, but I am missing the red! A bit.
DeleteExquisitely beautiful, Kim. I love the white velvet drapes, and I can only imagine that they're even more spectacular in person. Red paired with white is always wonderful, and especially in your charming cottage. I can understand why you fell in love with that beautiful room. Those beams, the walls. Fabulous! Hugs, Nancy
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy. I have to say I was quite surprised at my fascination with the white velvet. But it's been a fun change! Hugs to you and wishes for a blessed and healthy new year.
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your visits!! I have thought of having a Tour of our home to benefit our church but parking is an issue and our HOA would probably not go for it....So I do it online....Love your home all decked out for Christmas!! So charming and warm and cozy, my friend!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Hugs,
Deb
Ditto, Deb! Thanks for the visits. I hope your Christmas was wonderful!!
DeleteMerry Christmas Kim! The velvet drapes add such richness. Panels like these remind me of the 40s. How long will you leave them up? I had velvet drapes a while ago and would take them down at the end of March, but I see lots of people leaving them up in the summer months. Love the roses too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan!! I'm a little surprised that they're still up. I am smitten, way more than I thought I would be. It's pretty gray outside right now, so I'm already craving color. March would be nice, but I think once the tree comes down the curtains may, too!
DeleteYou really have such a beautiful, real home, Kim. You can see all the love and laughter that happens inside those four/sixteen/twenty seven walls :D I love the fact that you have wide open views to the snowy stuff outside. One day when I'm big I'm going to make a plan and go somewhere where I can actually see the stuff for real. But for now I'll just be looking through your pics again <3
ReplyDeleteMichelle, thank you. And you are welcome to my snow anytime. If I could pack it up and send it your way, believe me, I would. With pleasure!! xo
Delete