Is everyone still standing!? Surviving the busiest month of the year!? I’m so happy to have made it through this week! So much fun but I’m exhausted. I love all of the parties and school programs and gift giving and craziness, but my favorite part of December is when my kids are out of school and we can just be home enjoying the season together as a family. Really looking forward to next week! I have so many things I still want to share on the blog this December and I’m running out of time! One week until Christmas. Yikes! Time to get posting. :)
Our family room was fun to spruce up for the season! Because I kept the paint, moldings and furniture so neutral in this space it was easy to toss in red and instantly make the place feel Christmas-y.
Our Christmas tree! A nice mix of ornaments we’ve collected over the years. The presents underneath are cards and pictures Ellie made for all of us and wrapped. :) So precious.
We decorated the tree with the kids just like we do every year. It’s nothing fancy or well thought out, but I love it so much.
Especially since it’s covered in so many ornaments like this one. :)
The bookshelves (especially on this left side) aren’t really well thought out either. I just tossed up a fun picture of a deer and some ornaments in a bowl.
Along with a favorite past Christmas picture of my girls. I love pulling out past Christmas pictures to display throughout the house. They bring back so many happy memories of Decembers we’ve spent together.
The right side of my shelves hold another all time favorite Christmas picture of my sweet little snowman. Still to this day making his mom melt at age 4. :)
This corner of the room has turned out to be a favorite spot for our family.
Christmas books are kept close by so the kids can look through them often throughout the month.
It always makes me happy to come into the room and see one of my kids in the chair reading. (I wrote a post on all of our favorite Christmas books here.)
Snuggling up under blankets on the couch and watching Christmas movies together is another favorite December activity! I’ve been keeping all of our Christmas movies in this small basket on the side of the fireplace. So excited to have time next week to watch some of them!
Of course we’ve already watched my all time favorite Christmas movie a time or ten this month. :) I still cry at the end.
Every single time.
You can read about our favorite Christmas movies here.
I kept our fireplace simple with some magnolia garland (lights up so pretty at night!) and then tossed some ornaments in my lanterns. And the deer! Can’t forget the deer. :) I had a wreath over the mirror but it looked too busy to me and took away from the garland so it’s currently living somewhere else.
We’ve had the stockings for years and they have a special story behind them that you can read about here.
Doesn’t the fireplace look so cozy! I have to tell you that when I took these pictures it was a brisk 78 degrees outside and sunny. :) I was sweating running around this room with my camera and took these pictures as fast as I could so I could turn it off before I melted. We try here in San Diego. We listen to “baby it’s cold outside” and buy bulky sweaters and tall boots and turn on our fireplaces and drink hot chocolate and then get over the moon excited when it rains and drops a whopping 10 degrees and actually slightly justifies all of that. We really do try.
Happy to see the fireplace works. ;)
To the right of the fireplace is my console table with a few Christmas touches.
I found these fun vintage looking Merry Christmas signs in SLC this fall visiting my sister. I was planning to hang them outside, but decided I liked them on our french doors instead.
And the pillows! Easiest way to bring Christmas into a room. How cute is this little Merry Christmas pillow?
And the antlers and berries!? This might be my most favorite pillow ever. I got them from a darling Etsy shop – Shabby by Melissa. Melissa has so many cute pillows! And not just Christmas – really fun options for your living room or kids’ rooms. You can check out her fun shop here.
This cozy deer/snowflake pillow found me at Home Goods. That’s right. I didn’t find him. He found me. :)
So that’s it! Our family room with a few holiday touches. Last night we had over thirty people in this room – I was hosting a Christmas party for the darling 12-18 year old girls from our church. We pulled in a lot of chairs and I was so relieved that everyone fit! My favorite thing about this room is that it accommodates a lot of people, but still feels cozy when it’s just the five of us.
Because especially in December…
cozy is a must. :)
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Erin, your family room looks amazing! I love every single detail, and it looks so cozy! Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family!
Thank you so much Jane! Merry Christmas to you sweet friend! I sincerely hope it’s a wonderful one for you and your family. xo
What a lovely room, Erin. I love that you decorate your tree with the ornaments that matter to you and not just with color coordinated ones to make it look ‘just so’. I also love that you have photos from Christmases past to help you celebrate and reminisce. Kole as a snowman is sweeter than Olaf, I think! The touches you’ve included sure make for a wonderful festive room. Thrilled for you that this beauty accommodated all your guests and maintained the cozy feel you wanted. Congratulations on surviving what is probably one of the busiest weeks for moms with kids in school! :)
Thank you so much Jeanne! So kind of you to say. And yes. Yea for surviving last week! Mom’s with school aged kids all deserve a pat on the back! :) Merry Christmas! I hope it’s a great one for you and your family. xo
Erin!!! It looks SOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love the pillows and the tree. And your mantle. And your bookcases. I love it all :)
Thank you Gina! So happy you like it! :) xo
Your family room is lovely! I’ve enjoyed following along as you built your new home! Reason for comment….you gave me a great chuckle! You see, we live across the rocks to the east of San Diego, in the desert and I totally understand you being hot, but the fireplace had to be on for pics!! Right now I am sitting by my fireplace enjoying a cup of coffee (quick before it warms up outside!!) You so deserve a relaxing week with your family! Enjoy this beautiful season.
Thank you so much Jan! Your comment made me laugh! You get it!! Ha! :) We will both enjoy the fireplace in small spurts when we can! And yes – always for pictures. ;) Merry Christmas to you and yours! So nice to “meet” you! xo
So beautiful and cozy! Love the Santa hat as a tree topper … how fun!! Merry Christmas!!
Thank you Becky! Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family! I hope it’s a wonderful one! xo
I love the pops of red mixed in with they gray. Everything looks so pretty. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. Sending lots of love to you and your family.
So happy you like it Cathy! Your opinion means a lot. :) Sending love to you and your sweet family too! I’m sure the holidays are hard missing Jeremy. I have thought about you a lot lately sweet friend. Praying you feel God’s love this month. And mine. xo
Such a beautiful room! Where did you get your coffee table? I’m looking for something just like it!!!
Thank you Krista! That coffee table is the Dutch Industrial coffee table from Restoration Hardware. Love their furniture!
Your home is so beautiful! I love the traditional Christmas colors and all your festive pillows on the sofa, so comfy! And the books right by the fireplace , such a great idea! Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Thank you Katie! What a sweet comment! So kind of you. I’m so happy you like it. :) Have a wonderful Christmas! xo
This week was terrible. Finals and the last week of my internship. This weekend I’m rushing to finish up gift buying! Also have to agree with pillows for decoration, we always do that at my house!
Oh no Hanna! Glad the week is behind you! Hope you get some down time soon. xo
Erin — it’s so pretty! Love all your little touches of red and photos and pillows and everything! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Thank you Janet! So kind of you! I’m so glad you like it. :) Merry Christmas! xo
Erin, it looks gorgeous!!! All of it!
And I noticed that wooden tray from your kitchen that used to hold lemons is now holding ornaments. Very clever :)
Thank you Marcia! So happy you noticed that. ;) Merry Christmas! xo
Hello all the way from England, I’m an avid reader and your blog is just gorgeous.
I love how you have decorated for Christmas! You have a beautiful home & family .
Merry Christmas to you all! :-) xx
Hi Rachel! What a sweet comment. Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoy my blog and it’s so nice to “meet” you! Have a wonderful Christmas! xo
Erin
Your home is beautiful! I was wondering if you know the fabric and color of your PB sofa?
Thanks so much!
Melissa
Thank you Melissa! Our couch is the Pottery Barn comfort sectional and we upgraded the fabric to grade D. It’s called “textured basketweave FLAX.” I love the look but will warn you that it isn’t the most kid friendly fabric. Happy with our decision, but we just have to watch close! :) Hope that helps!
Your home is gorgeous! What is the wall color in the living room? We’ve just moved into our own beach bungalow and I’m searching for a lovely grey like this. Thanks!
Thank you so much Kimberly! Our grey is Seattle by Frazee and it’s my favorite! A beach bungalow.. how fun! :) xo
Hey Erin,
Your decorating style is my exact style! Love all of it!
Wondered where you purchased those really cool chrome cabinet door latches and also your square industrial mirror above your mantel??? Thank you Erin! ~Lyn :)
Thank you so much Lyn! All of my cabinet hardware is from Restoration Hardware and the square mirror is from Pottery Barn. :) xo