We actually got our tree back up a few days ago amidst boxes and general chaos (here it is the first time when we set it up in the old house). We figured we’d never be 100% organized and unpacked before the holidays hit, but taking an hour to get into the spirit in our brand new house for our bean’s first Christmas was just what the doctor ordered. We found the perfect spot for our tree in the corner of the living room (right near the sliders that lead out into the sunroom and the doorway that connects to the kitchen).
We also hung my beloved Pottery Barn wreath (a gift from John’s mom a few years back) on the back of the fireplace in the living room that will someday be double-sided. I just stare at that empty green bookcase and picture a blazing fire…
And the other side of the fireplace (which is located in the eat-in part of the kitchen) looks like this:
I know, I know – that paneling, dark brick, and red tile is ka-raaaazy. But there’s still something sweet about seeing our stockings (John and I share one so Clara and Burger each get their own), my little faux presents, a few feather trees, some ceramic fruit/birds, and our cardboard snowflake wreath up there to keep things festive until we can break out the primer and paint to lighten things up.
Oh and as I was unpacking I spotted those cute silver zebra-ish plates (from Crate & Barrel a few years back) and decided to stick them up on the mantel as well. Why not- it’s a kitchen, right?
They add a nice little shot of holiday sparkle. So I try to rest my eyes on those little gems (instead of all that paneling- oy!). Can’t wait to brighten things up in there. Oh and speaking of painting, we actually tackled Clara’s room this weekend. It felt good to be back in our painting clothes! We went in a totally different direction than we did in her last nursery, so we’ll have to snap some pictures and share them soon…
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Denise says
Christmas decorations make everything bright and beautiful. Plus, you’ll have great before & after pictures to post next year when the holidays roll around. When Clara is older she’ll love that you celebrated her baby’s lst Christmas in both her first and second home within a matter of weeks. Wishing you all a lovely holiday season and lots of fun adventures in your new home!
Sarah K says
Looks great! I love the sparkly plates on the mantel!
Oh and I love that those shelves are gone. They looked so odd when I first saw them, but I’m not sure I would’ve though to just knock them out! Great eye.
Joy says
I’ve been reading your blog for quite awhile and can’t wait to watch the transormation of your new home. We bought a house early this summer and have the major renovation done, but need some decorating ideas and your blog the place to get those ideas!!
Karin says
You guys are so funny! Very cute decorations and tree!
I loved that you mentioned TWICE in this posting about how you cant wait to “lighten things up” in terms of painting that paneling. Must be eating away at you! I bet its on the coming-soon projects list!!
Congrats on your new home! Looks cozy already!
JourneyBeyondSurvival says
It looks so hopeful. I’m glad you’ve taken the time to feel the holiday vibe. I hope you have fun with all you’re doing. You guys are amazing!
Katie says
John & Sherry,
Thanks for the advice on the flip. I actually decided to run out to Target and look at them in the store before I read your response and boy am I glad I did! I scored the flip mino HD 8 GB for $114!!! Originally $229! Talk about the deal of the century! I’m so excited to film our baby girl’s first Christmas :) Thanks again!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow! Sweet deal!
xo,
s
Izabela says
I love that you guys have paneling because I have some too and I’d love to paint it, but don’t know where to start, and the husband sort of likes it, so if I can show him how good it can look, maybe he’ll give in :)
Jen says
The tree looks beautiful, and it was worth not unpacking other stuff to put it up (IMO, anyhow!). The other decorations look great, too (I just really enjoy Christmas trees). I think you’re off to a great start in your new digs! Merry Christmas. :)
island_time says
I love your guys’ new purchase! I have been following your blog over here in British Columbia and am always amazed at what you guys do. Even more I love that you have a double sided fireplace. I myself am stuck with the same thing but unable to transform it into a double sided fireplace (our brick doesn’t look like it is in as good of shape as yours) although I wish we could!
If you ever come up with any other ideas for that double sided fireplace of yours I would love to see them!
Jennifer says
What a beautiful tree! And I love to see the pics of your mantle. I just can’t seem to arrange things to flow like you do. Thanks for sharing!
Sara says
We have that same red tile and brick as the background for our fireplace too! I didn’t rest either until that red was whisked away by white paint. I’m excited to see how you transform your fireplace!
tia says
I really liked the shelves next to the fireplace and am surprised to see you’ve already taken them out. I take it that the double sided fireplace is a priority.
on the other side. My kitchen is wood panelled and I actually love it. The panelling not the kitchen. I have this fantasy of salvaging it when I renovate. Imagine if it only went 5 feet up the wall and was topped with a plate rail.
Sian says
Here’s an idea, instead of looking at a green bookcase, why not break out the permanent markers or paint and draw/paint an image of a fireplace for now?!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah, or blow up a photo of a crackling fire and frame it there!
xo,
s
Ann says
I am so excited to see the changes you have up your sleeves! Curious, what is the one thing you reeeaally dislike and want to change immediately? If memory serves me correctly, didn’t you remove the “shelf/see through wall” in the entry of the previous house right away?
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah, yes! I did that about a day or two after we moved in while John was at work! Here there are about a million bifold doors (in hallways for no reason!) here that are coming down immediately! And
xo,
s
pam says
Our front porch has the broken tile design you have on your fireplace hearth. I see it from time to time here in NC – but had never seen it before moving here. Anyone know anything about it? It something just regional? I’m looking forward to seeing your new home as it evolves!
YoungHouseLove says
Our old house had it too (in front of the fireplace in the living room). Anyone know anything about it for Pam?
xo,
s
kris says
where did you get cool paper snowflake wreath?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kris,
We got it from http://www.cardboardsafari.com
xo,
s
meghan s says
You must be salivating at the thought of painting the dark paneling. Just curious, are you defnitely painting the brick too? I’m totally on board with painting builder grade brick, but your fireplace brick actually looks pretty decent from the photo. I have to at least put my two cents in by suggesting to work with the brick as is…..maybe a nice new white mantle surround…..but I know you will make it look nice either way!
Happy Redesigning your new home!
YoungHouseLove says
We’re pretty sold on painting the brick (especially since the back of that fireplace is painted white already and we love the idea of unifying it when it’s double sided).
xo,
s
Danae Becka says
Oooh, you’re such an inspiration. I love this blog!
May says
I love how you masked the paneling with your lovely decorations. Proves that a little style can go a long, long way.
Megan Lavigne says
Hi, Thanks for the great ideas! A question about the double sided fireplace. We had a mason look at ours since opening our house up too. He says that the damper is meant for a one-sided fireplace so we’d have to replace it to a dome-shaped one to do it right (which is a huge undertaking apparently). We’re considering opening the other side up without changing the damper to see if we can get away with it if we keep the doors closed on one side but its risky since it might result in a buildup of smoke. Have you guys heard anything about this?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Megan,
We’re actually planning to put in a gas or electric insert so we wouldn’t have to worry about the damper and smoke build up if we went that route. We had a gas fireplace and a wood burning fireplace in our last house and in 4.5 years we never used the wood burning one and we used the gas one nearly every night in the winter!
xo,
s
Heather says
I would like to know where you got your stocking hangers. I love that they are basic – I change my mind a lot so I am thinking basic is best. Never seen ones like them before- please share!
YoungHouseLove says
Target! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
claire says
are you doing to keep the wood panels on the walls? that doesn’t seem quite your style from everything i’ve seen on here. the tree is cute, btw. and the molding on the walls and ceiling are gorgeous!
inspiringpretty.blogspot.com
YoungHouseLove says
We’re keeping the paneling but painting the heck out of it- just like we did in our last house. Can’t wait to tackle that and lighten things up!
xo,
s
Erin says
It’s probably just me, but I’m actually really loving the dark woodwork on the first two pics! Surprising, because I’m in the process of painting out all of our dark trim in our house!
Joanna May says
It may not be asthetically pleasing with the red brick and black box look – but I bet you could get some serious heat out of that wood burning stove. We’ve got one in our 2,700 sq. foot ranch, and it will warm the entire house.
Martina Dotson says
I would like to know where you got your stocking hangers. I love that they are basic – I change my mind a lot so I am thinking basic is best. Never seen ones like them before- please share!
YoungHouseLove says
They’re from Target! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
NatalieLem says
I love your homespun Christmas decor! Your DIY presents fueled my Christmas Eve decorating adventure: http://sunnydaystrategies.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-cheer-on-cheap.html
Thanks for the inspiration!