We put our tree back up a few days ago, even while surrounded by boxes and general chaos (here it is the first time we set it up in the old house). We knew we wouldn’t be fully unpacked or perfectly organized before the holidays, but taking an hour to decorate in our brand-new house for our baby’s first Christmas felt essential. We found an ideal spot in the corner of the living room, right by the sliding doors that lead to the sunroom and near the doorway to the kitchen.
We also hung my treasured Pottery Barn wreath—a gift from John’s mom—on the back of the fireplace in the living room. That fireplace will someday be double-sided, and I often find myself picturing a roaring fire against the empty green bookcase. For now, the wreath gives the space a warm, festive touch.
The other side of the fireplace, which sits in the eat-in part of the kitchen, looks like this:
I know—the paneling, dark brick, and red tile are a bit much. Still, there’s something comforting about the scene: our stockings (John and I share one, while Clara and Burger each have their own), a few faux presents, tiny feather trees, ceramic fruit and birds, and a cardboard snowflake wreath. They keep things cheerful and holiday-ready until we can prime and paint to brighten the room.
While unpacking, I also found some silver zebra-patterned plates I bought from Crate & Barrel a few years ago and decided to display them on the mantel. It’s the kitchen side of the fireplace, so plates feel right at home. They add a subtle holiday sparkle that draws the eye away from the heavy paneling—at least for now.
Those little reflective accents make a big difference. I’m looking forward to lightening and refreshing that area with paint, but in the meantime it’s nice to focus on small touches that feel festive. Speaking of projects, we tackled Clara’s room over the weekend and it felt great to be back in our painting clothes. This nursery is taking a very different direction from her last one—once it’s ready we’ll take photos and share the transformation.
Update: We’ve rounded up a collection of favorite holiday decor finds, many of which are budget-friendly and under $15.