Retro Ranch Reno: Christmas home tour

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Our Christmas Home Tour | 2014

Ahhhhhh, it’s that time of year again….the Christmas edition of Lindsay's Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours has arrived!!

It’s one of my favorite blog hops!! If you settle in to check out each post, you’ll surely see why. It’s a fantastic collection of holiday cheer. All of the participants set the bar so high and leave me with so much inspiration! I mean, did you see Diane’s home?! If you are coming here from In My Own Style, then you know it is just stunning!!! I’m talking magazine-worthy, people! For real...she was featured in BHG’s Special Interest Publication Christmas Ideas!!

Seeing homes like hers, and all the others on the tour, can cause me to dream up some pretty lofty decorating ideas in my head. There is just so much beauty that can be created...I can't help but want to transform our holiday home into something new each year. Of course, this goes against not only our budget and our storage capabilities, but also against my whole "less is more" way of living I'm trying to focus on.

Thankfully, there are ways to get a fresh look each year without going out and buying all new decor. Last year our home was all about the traditional red (with some black, white and sparkle, of course). This year, I wanted to continue my love of bright colors for the holiday season...so I focused on pink!! I was a little nervous that hubby wouldn't be a fan, but I can safely say, he approves. :)

So how can you transform your decor without breaking the bank? I do it in a few ways:

1) Buy a base of decorations that are "neutral" for you. And no, that doesn't mean they have to be a neutral color...they should just be a basic color (or colors) that you will use for many years. For me, I have a base of gold, silver, white, black and disco ball decorations/ornaments that make an appearance every year. From there, I can add other colors, or just stick to those few to create my scheme. If you look online and in your local dollar stores, you can find shatterproof ornaments in almost any shape and color. The ornaments won't be something you'll pass down to your children, but they sure will make a statement on the cheap! :)

2) Have a good base of greenery. I use faux garland, wreaths and trees in our home and then swap out what I swag them with to create a new look each year. I never buy anything full price and always look for sales. Michael's usually runs a 50% off sale on their Christmas decor, and there are great online wholesale craft and Christmas shops to purchase wreaths, garland, etc. Of course, you could use real greenery here too....we've just opted for the fake stuff in our home.

3) Put a bow on it. Ribbon is one of my go-to's to create a cohesive color scheme throughout a space. You can add it to almost anything to tie elements together. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive. Michael's frequently runs big sales on ribbon, and I stock up then.

4) Create small DIY projects. Whether it's making a wreath, painting an abstract art piece or sewing a quick table runner...I don't shy away from doing a small DIY project that will add a little something to our decor. These small dollar projects can sometimes add high impact to a space.

5) And when in doubt, spray paint it. I'm never afraid to spray paint something to make it work for me. It's a powerful weapon to have in your decorating arsenal. ;)

Using several of my tips above, I created a simple, and pink, holiday home this year!!

I hope you enjoyed what you saw, and definitely keep the holiday fun rolling by heading to Iron & Twine. Michelle's home will not disappoint!!

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Full Tour Schedule:

Monday, December 8th:
The White Buffalo Styling Co.
Inspired by Charm
Bliss at Home
Thistlewood Farms
Charming in Charlotte
Number Fifty-Three
Julie Blanner
Cuckoo 4 Design
Eclectically Vintage

Tuesday, December 9th:
My Fabuless Life
Scout & Nimble
Primitive & Proper
Sand & Sisal
DecorChick
The Chronicles of Home
DIY Playbook
This, That, & Life

Wednesday, December 10th:
Desert Domicile
Design Post Interiors
Southern Hospitality
In my own style
>>>>>> Retro Ranch Reno <<<<<<
Iron & Twine

Thursday, December 11th:
Jones Design Company
Finding Home
Jen Rizzo
Home Stories A to Z
Dimples & Tangles
Simple Stylings
Run to Radiance
The Thriftress

Friday, December 12th:
Inspired Room
Beneath my Heart
DIY Showoff
Just a Girl
Rain on a Tin Roof
Eleven Gables
Burlap and Lace
Sarah M. Dorsey

Friday, December 13, 2013

Our Home Tour...The Christmas Edition!

Well the big day is here!! It's my turn in the Blogger Stylin' Home Tour series to show you guys how we get all holly and jolly around here! This awesome event is a blog hop, so if you are here from A Creative Day, thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you like what you see.

I gave my Insta-friends and readers a peek at my Christmas inspiration this year...red plaid, B&W stripes, mixed metallics, cozy textures, anything shiny and tons of string lights. I used a lot of decor we already had, and added a few DIY touches, that ended up being some of my favorite accents. Our house has officially been taken over by glitter, and I'm not sure if we'll ever get it back!! ;)

Now sit back and get reallllll cozy...because I've got entirely too many pictures for you to check out!!

And since I’m all about keeping things real with you guys, I couldn't help but post these last few pictures. Yes, I know…the quality is poor. The pictures are grainy. They were clearly taken with my iPhone in “poor lighting”…but this is one of my favorite times of the day in our house. The sun is just coming up, last weekend’s snow storm is still covering the ground and our string lights are the only thing switched on. The house is aglow and so cozy. It gives me one of those feelings that I wish I could bottle up and keep forever.

I was so close to deleting these photos and not sharing because, well, who wants to look fuzzy, amateur photography…but then I realized these are the best pictures to post. They aren't perfect, but they make me feel Christmas….feelings of warmth, love and gratitude.