This post contains affiliate links. Christmas is long gone and we are in this weird in between decorating season. Do you decorate for Spring? Do you leave the Christmas decor up for longer? Well, this is a first for me. I usually take down all greenery and Christmas decor the first of the year. But, this year, I decided to embrace winter. I feel like putting up spring in January is a little premature. So, I took down all my "Christmas" decor...which I have realized is a relative term. What counts as Christmas versus winter anyway? For me, it was all reds, golds (in most cases), and sparkles and obvious things like bells, stockings, and Christmas type signs. I kept up all my trees besides the ones that aren't flocked. I still have my two 7.5' trees up and going strong! I did put my 10' tree that was in my living room away. I'll be sharing with you all my winter decor in the next week or so throughout my house. First up is my bedroom.
Winter decor to me is lots and lots of layers and textures with flocked greens and neutrals. I actually kept my nightstands pretty similar to my Christmas decor, but I changed out the cathedral windows for a softer look with these tobacco baskets. I also put my gallery wall back up on the wall in place of the wreaths that were there for Christmas.
For my bedding, I went way neutral and removed the reds. I replaced the plaid throw for this beautiful coverlet I got from a friend. Is it obvious I'm way in to ruffles?
I decided to swag some "frosted" garland twigs along my headboard. I did this two Christmas's ago and just loved it. So, I wanted it in here for winter :)
I decided to add a tray to my bench also. I had this out for Christmas and kept it close to the same.
I did add some loose book pages bound together with jute and some beaded garland.
Now for my 'faux' fireplace. I decided to add some more wood discs to the middle part. I was happy with the way it was before, but knew it could be so much more. I think adding these extra ones were perfect. In the next few weeks, I'll probably add some moss to the empty spots. What do you think? Fill it in a little more?
I also changed out the mantel decor with eucalyptus stems and candles...creating my wintery scene. Now, are you ready for this? This corner of my room does exist! I never ever show it because it's just usually a mess. But, I kept it clean for like a month now so that's something! I have kept my 7.5' tree in here just because. As I said, Christmas decor is relative. Who says this has to be a Christmas tree...why can't it just be a frosted evergreen or pine? You know? So, yeah. It's staying in here for now! I do know that technically that reindeer is Christmas, but it could just be a deer :) ha! Stretching it a little?
At this point, I'm decorating winter with what I like, and I think that's the most important part of anyone decorating their home. Don't decorate because you feel like it's on trend, or you saw someone else do it. Decorate with what makes you happy. If those things make you happy, then proceed :) I am totally not here to judge if you prefer to leave Christmas up all year around...heck, my 80% Christmas/winter will probably be up until March! :)
Winter decor to me is warmth and layers. I feel like the trees add those extra layers. I'm sure I'll eventually take the trees down in the next couple of weeks, but until then, I've holding on to them and enjoying this in between season :) What do you do for that weird in between season from Christmas to Spring? Are you a take down all signs of Christmas type person or one that likes to fluctuate between Christmas and winter and leave some greens out? As you know, I'm trying to diversify and add some videos into my posts. So, here's the video tour on this bedroom! :) Enjoy.
pin for later:
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Since I have tried all forms of shiplap, I decided to try a new one! A completely faux shiplap where no power tools are required. Intrigued? Well, this little spot in our upstairs hallway doesn't get any love. It's the one spot that usually acts as catch all of school artwork, toys, dirty clothes, etc. I always wanted to brighten it up and make it more inviting. I had ideas about doing shiplap but the molding on the door adjacent to the wall was too close to the wall and actually somewhat crooked. So, then I decided I would do floor to ceiling board and batten. Even bought the boards and everything. That was like 3 months ago :) On a whim, I decided to try something new last night. And I completely love it! It was so quick, easy, and cheap....practically free. Plus, no power tools required which is the best! Here's the after:
And here's the gloomy before. Of course, this was at night but it really didn't get much prettier or brighter than this.
So, how did I do this faux shiplap? First, I painted the wall Swiss Coffee by Behr.
I then took my level and measured down from the ceiling and marked every 6 inches. I did this on about 4 areas of the wall. I then took a pencil and connected the horizontal lines, making sure they were level. I've done this type of shiplap twice now and wouldn't skip this step even though you can. It just makes sure the next step stays accurate.
Next, I took a black marker, or a sharpie (fine point). Since all my sharpies are not fine point, I borrowed one of my kids markers initially for the bathroom one. Mainly because I didn't know how this would end up looking and new it would be easier to wash away than a permanent sharpie :) With the marker, I lined the level up again with the pencil drawn lines and then went over the lines with the marker. I made sure not to pick up the marker at the end or the beginning too fast since it would sometimes leave a vertical mark. Just took my time with it.
On my big wall, it found that doing horizontal sections was a lot quicker than doing whole lines by themselves.
I taped off the wall initially when I painted it white and took the lines to the tape. But, I didn't like how undone this looked. So...this is the part that does require some tools, but it's technically not apart of the shiplap :)
I took a small 1/2"x1 1/2" mdf board and secured it to the end. I feel like this finished it off much better than before. If you were to do a whole entire wall that doesn't randomly end, you wouldn't necessarily have to do this. Or, if you do a whole entire room, wouldn't need it either.
Here's the finished look:
I can't get over how bright this looks! And be truthful....if I showed you this picture without you knowing how I did the shiplap, you would have no idea it was just marker!
Okay. Now for my first initial try at this. I did it in my bathroom. Above the bathtub I did a stencil a few years ago, and truthfully hated it ever since. The molding kept falling off and it was a big mess.
So, I did the same technique, and rehung the molding...
And I am in love! Just some lines, that's all it is. I've shown a few people this in person, and they had no clue until I told them. Yep. Like, had to go up and touch it to figure it out.
Now, here's my two cents. I think this looks amazing on small spaces. I'm sure it'll look great doing this to a whole room. But, if you are going to sell your house soon...I don't know :) I think it would be a big let down to buyers to find out it's just marker. Also, this is something you would have to be willing to repaint your whole entire room if you decide you don't like. Which is of course, totally doable but a big pain in the butt :) haha.
That being said. I have a big ledge loft thing in my entry way that I am totally going to do this on! Serious. It's up high so no one will ever notice that it's not. Now, only if I can get some nerves to get up on that ledge :) PIN FOR LATER:
I know its two weeks into January, but I wanted to get this out before it got even later :) I had a lot going these past few weeks, and now I finally have time! If you follow me on social media, you'll know that I had an awesome opportunity come up! I had a photo shoot for American Farmhouse Style Magazine where they shot all my Christmas decor this year for next year's (well technically this year's now) magazine. I am so honored to be chosen for this! It was a little nerve wracking though trying to get my house ready for it. It's a little different taking pictures for my blog knowing the screen is only so big, and that the camera hides a lot of stuff. But, having my rooms blown up to magazine size....now that's a different thing. I really had no clue how dusty and dirty my house had gotten over the years. I had to touch up paint like no other, dust places I didn't even know grew dust...yes grew :) haha. There was a lot of prep, but it was totally worth it and I can't wait for the issue to come out! ....to bad I have to wait like a whole year! I'll be sure to share with you guys when it's out on news stands so you can check it out too :) Now for my top posts! I love looking back at these every year, first because it's fun to remind myself I actually did accomplish something and second to see what you all like seeing :) Here it goes! Click on the titles or the pictures and they will take you to the post. #1: DIY CATHEDRAL WINDOW FRAME FOR LESS THAN $5
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