Holiday Decor

Christmas is almost here so I thought I would share my holiday decor with you. I didn't purchase anything new this year. I just used what I already had and tried to make it look nice.  I did make a new wreath this year though. The plain wreath was given to me last year. So to decorate it this year, I purchased some small red balls at Walmart for $3. I used some silver ornaments I already had and the little beads are from a garland I already had but wasn't using for anything. The "H" was also something I had on hand. I painted it white and hung it on the wreath with some ribbon. All I spent on this wreath was $3.

I have a hard time with Christmas decorations because I like too many "Christmas styles." I love the traditional red and green style, but I also love the more elegant silver and gold combination. This year I kind of split my room and did two different styles. The perfectionist in me was fighting it and I kept going back and forth, but then I just said to myself, "You know what?! Who is really going to care?!!" This is how I decorated my entry table using stuff I had:

During our Thanksgiving vacation in WA we made darling little gingerbread houses, all red and green,  and my talented sister in-law made me that fabulous tulle wreath

And in my apothecary jars I used some small ornaments mixed with pine cones.

Now, the other side of my room I used my decor that I purchased a couple years ago. It's in grays, silvers, and golds.  I hung small wreaths from my curtain rods using ribbon. Very simple and inexpensive.

I bought my Christmas decorations a couple years ago and am proud to say I only spent $50. I gave myself a budget and stuck to it, and I have to admit I think it looks pretty great for $50.

It's a combination of stuff from Michaels, Target, and Walmart.

Schoolhouse Pendant

Wow! I have been major slacking on posting lately. This last week went by super fast for me!
Anyway, my kitchen projects are finally getting started. Thanks to a very helpful reader, a couple days ago I purchased this little beauty for over my sink:

The best part is that it was only $39.95 from Destination Lighting. They have free shipping if you spend $50, so to get the free shipping I bought a couple CFL's (something that will always come in handy to have around the house). I thought it was a great deal, AND I just checked the tracking number and it should be here today! I hope I am still this happy about my purchase when I see it.

Personal Home Renderings

I am now offering personal home renderings as a new service. For only $80 I will draw and render an 8x10 portrait of your home. These make great Christmas gifts! Email me if you are interested: amber.horch@hotmail.com

I'm Back

So, if you didn't notice, I took a nice little break from blogging. We just got back from visiting my husband's family in Western Washington for the holiday. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know we did. It was very relaxing and so fun to see our family. Now that Thanksgiving is over I am ready for the Christmas season! I turned on Christmas music this morning for the first time, and I can't wait to start getting some decorations out.  I have a lot of unpacking and laundry to do before that happens though, so I better get off the computer.  :)

But, before I go here is a little something to ooooo and awww over. :) While I was on vacation, I got my Baby and Child Restoration Hardware catalog in the mail and swooned when I saw this adorable boys room:

source

I LOVE that blue striped duvet!

Pottery Barn Finds

I am always excited when I get a new Pottery Barn catalog in the mail. I never can afford anything, but I always find so much inspiration there. Here are a few of the things I am loving.

Sorry this pic is a little grainy because I had to scan it in, but check out the numbered baskets! What a fun way to liven up some functional yet boring storage baskets.

Just use some house numbers. These one from Lowes are only $4.98 ea.

I also like PB's upholstered chairs. Like the Napa Chair with this Peacock Bhotah slipcover.

I am also really loving Pottery Barn's lighting collection lately. I'm a big fan of this Exposed Bulb Pendant track lighting

The Holiday catalog also got me really excited to start decorating for Christmas. I am trying to hold off, but is is very tempting. I have been seeing a lot of silver and gold holiday decorations and I love the combo. My tree decorations are silver and gray but this year I might have to add some gold to them.

I thought these Magnolia Lights from Pottery Barn were super cute and easily DIY-able. Christmas lights and paper....anyone want to try?

One of my favorite decorations I saw in the PB catalog was this antler art.

It's rustic, yet a little modern, and so fun! Antlers also could be great to hang stockings from.

Living Room Design Board

I recently did a design board for a neighbor of mine who is putting her house on the market. She wanted to make it look more presentable. It is a gorgeous 1930's brick home with tons of character. In her living room there are two gorgeous stained glass windows on either side of the fireplace. I decided to work with the warm colors in the glass.

Rendering

This is what I have been working on the past few days:

I frequently do renderings of exteriors for my cousin who is a builder. I love how this one turned out. I really like the blue siding. I love to draw and render. My drawing classes were definitely one of my favorite courses in design school.