NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

A very Woodward Christmas (Living Room)

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Christmas has arrived to the Woodwards! And I wouldn’t be a proper, self-indulgent blogger if I didn’t show you photos.

First a little disclaimer – I only put up three Christmas trees in the house this year. I know. I’m ashamed of myself. The truth is – I realized that many of my decorations fit perfectly in our old house. And I’m not quite sure how or if they fit here. And I still feel like there is so much stuff to organize and put away from the move that the last thing I wanted was more stuff around. So, I ended up with around 20 boxes of decorations and 8 or so trees in the basement gathering dust. At least for this year.

But, you know what? I kind of like everything the way it is. And Ryan also prefers this because it’s less cluttered. And I’m all about compromise. (Secret: I’m not really all about compromise. But I’m going for wife of the year and it’s crunch time.)

Anyhoo…

First stop – the living room.

I’m really enjoying having a mantel. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with it. But, I just piled some pretties on there and called it a day. And I’m a huge fan of the hanging ornaments. I usually hang them from the curtain rods, but I don’t have any (yet) in the living room. So, the mantel works out pretty well.

Ryan installed the fireplace insert a few weeks ago. Our fireplace was original (around 1893) and didn’t have a chimney liner. For safety and efficiency’s sake, we went with a wood burning insert and liner. We’re really loving the heat and ambience. 

Ryan still has to finish the tile and the surround, but for now, we’re enjoying having a fire.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without some wedding pew bows from our 2007 wedding.

And the mantle is also a good place for our Christmas Memories book. It captures photos and details from Christmases for 20 years.

And stockings on a fence. Unexpected for a gal with a mantel?

And then, our tree. I may or may not have had to put this tree together twice, when all the red lights (my favorites) went out. I wasn’t bitter at all about that. Luckily, only one strand was dead.

And just a simple tree topper.

And that’s the living room…

I’ll be back with the dining room and kitchen decorations.

(Want more? Check out my decorations in 2010, 2009 and 2008.)

What do you think?

Comments

  1. Like every year, it looks great. I love the mantel. I can’t wait till we replace ours with a wider one so I have more space to play with. 20 boxes?? Not even opened? When John tells me my 6 boxes are too much, I’m going to show him your posts.

  4. I adore your mantel. Especially the ornaments hanging from it. All of your Christmas decor looks so fabulous! Beautiful!!

  7. Beautiful! I love the stockings on the fence and the ornaments on the mantel 🙂

  10. Kim, You did an amazing job decorating your mantel. I must say I do miss our mantel! The ornaments hanging down look adorable and love the unexpected decoration of the stockings hanging on the picket fence!
    Wendy

  11. You crack me up… “Just a simple tree topper”. lol

    Everything looks AMAZING, as usual. You really have the festive gene. J looked at our tree yesterday and was like “Just how many ornaments are on that tree”? I should have told him “Not half as many as on Kim’s tree”! hehe I love it all.

  13. I love the hanging ornaments – but as a fellow hanger I think I’m bias. I also love, love, love your Christmas memories book. As a matter of fact I’m requesting more details (please).

    XO, Rach

  15. First, I about spit out my coffee at your “I’m not really all about compromise” comment. That is so how I feel 99% of the time!! =)

    Second, we have that same Christmas memories book! My mom has had one since we were little, and I LOVE to read it every year. We got one last year for our first official Christmas together, and it’s my favorite part of the holiday!

  18. I’m earning a major scrooge award this year. We FINALLY got our tree up, lit and (kinda) decorated….but that’s it. No stockings, no other decorations. I would like to be done living in a construction zone now.

    ps Totally crushing on your stockings. Where did you find them??

  19. It looks wonderful! Your mantel is gorgeous, I can’t wait until we get furniture in our fireplace room – so cozy!

    Also, we have the same Christmas Memories book! It’s such a great invention.

  22. It looks FABULOUS! It doesn’t matter where you live, you make it home. I can’t wait to see it all in person. We love you Angel!!!!

  23. I love love love your stockings. I need me those stockings. Simple, gorgeous, timeless.

    And next year I’m just hiring you to do my Christmas decorating. I pay in wine. We’ll talk.

  26. Ohhhhhhh I love love love the ornaments hanging from the mantle- so fun. I think the stockings on the fence are a fun twist- who says they have to hang from the mantle?? 🙂

  29. It looks so cozy and inviting!!!

    I really like the hanging ornaments. Nice touch.

    We are going to have to duke it out until the end for wife of the year. I mean, I made supper last night. I’m playing hardball…

  31. Lovely! I think your mantel looks fantastic, and the stockings on the fence are too cute. I had to do the lights on our tree 3 times and decorate the whole darn thing twice. The lights (that I tested!) were not working out. :s