Simplified Gift-Giving: Practical Ideas

Hi Friends! Over the years I’ve called my Christmas home decor ‘simple’, ‘minimalistic’, etc. I don’t like a lot of fuss - not over the holidays or in our every day life. But it got me thinking there’s got to be a way to simplify beyond the decor, too! Celebrating Christmas with kids can get chaotic and out of control fast. Starting a few years ago I’ve had this pull on my heart to simplify not just our home, but the way we celebrate, too. Careful not to read that wrong - I don’t want to celebrate Christmas less, just simplify it. More emphasis on less things, if that makes sense. Gifts are a really fun way to celebrate that Jesus was born for what would be the greatest act of love in history, and I love the opportunity to give gifts as an expression of our joy and gratitude. But they don’t need to occupy so much mind and heart space as they have for me in previous years. It can get stressful fast!

It was when we got together with our small group from church several years back to pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, that a light bulb went off! Here is the list that was attached to each box:

I love this outlined structure and it got us thinking about making our own for celebrating Christmas with our kids! Here is what we came up with a few years ago:

•         Wow - One really special item the kids most want. We ask them each to give this some thought and write it down

•         Special surprises - A couple of smaller items that have either come up in conversation or we’ve thought of on our own as something they’d really enjoy, (doll clothes, race cars, cozy blanket, special mug, etc)

•         Game/Book/Puzzle - This is especially relevant in the dead of winter when outdoor time decreases

•         Experience - This one only works if you follow through, so be realistic with your family’s schedule and your capacity. We’ve found that planning it out ahead of time works better so they have something specific to look forward to. Doesn’t have to be big! Even surprising your kids with tickets to a movie you all go see on Christmas Day could be fun! (Except not a sad movie - I will never forget the year my parents took us all to see Marley & Me on Christmas Day. Spoiler alert: SADNESS)

•         Winter Pjs - I used to love finding fun pajamas that were relevant to each of their interests/personalities! Now that they’re a little older, flannel pj pants are in. I also like to throw in slippers or warm socks.

•         Creativity - Our kids have really, really loved creating things. They are always in the middle of making something, and this has gone on literally for years. Things like construction or patterned scrapbook paper, markers, colored pencils, tape, and craft scissors always get used up fast, and Christmas is a great opportunity to replenish their supply. Books on how to draw things or make things are hits, too.

• Handwritten note - An addition I’m adding this year because I don’t think there’s any greater way to touch your kids’ heart than telling them why you love them, why you’re proud of them, and why they’re special. Be specific so you can do this again next year with new whys.

Christmas shopping has been a lot less stressful so far, and more enjoyable. Oh! And a huge part of preparing our hearts, (and home), for the season is cleaning out and donating old stuff! Every November I ask the kids to commit an hour to going through their toys/books/clothes and bagging up what they have lost interest in (Tip: Set a loud timer for one hour. One hour isn’t a lot of time, but I ask them to set that time aside for this specific task. Usually, when focused, they end up finishing ahead of the timer and feel good about that. It’s a small way of setting them up for success, because I know it won’t take them an hour.) And when they’re on the fence about something I know they haven’t touched in a while, I try to redirect their focus to the kid that would have the opportunity to enjoy that item next.

Maybe you already have your own gift-giving structure, or maybe this is helpful! After trying it for a few years I feel more peace about shopping for gifts than I used to. With inflation doing what it’s doing to retail, I felt compelled to share this again for others working within a strict budget.

However you celebrate I hope you enjoy these next few weeks! There can be so much pressure on creating that perfect Christmas morning that this month between Thanksgiving and Christmas goes by in a blur. Give yourself permission to slow it down. No one but you will notice what you don’t get done, and that’s a truth I need to remind myself of often.

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Design Reveal: Cali Meets Traditional Part 1

When life throws you a pandemic you roll with the punches - that’s just what these clients did last Summer! They uprooted their life in the hub of Washington D.C. for the quieter and more relaxed suburban life. Nestled inside the beltway off the picturesque Clara Barton Parkway, this traditional colonial met it’s match with a vibrant and eclectic family with laid-back California roots.

I was brought onto this project ahead of the move which gave me plenty of time to game plan the 9 room job! I was tasked with designing their Entryway, Kitchen, Eat-In Nook, Dining Room, Living Room, Family Room, Her Office, His Office, and their daughters Bedroom and adjoining Playroom. The main objective for this family was to feel settled as quickly as possible. The couple both work full time (from home), and their young daughter would be entering Kindergarten in the Fall (also from home), so while not every aspect of the house itself was their style, their MO was to make it work in this season so they could feel at home for a little while. There may be possible renovations down the road but who wants to live in a renovation while working and schooling from home? I appreciate their discernment and desire to feel settled for the time being.

So we’ve got a big reveal to share this week! Since it’s so many rooms I have broken it up into two parts. Today I’m excited to walk you through the Kitchen, Eat-In Nook, Dining Room, and Living Room!

With renovations off the table at this time, I planned out a number of inexpensive updates to soften their kitchen. The previous gray walls, gray stone backsplash and cherry island made the space feel very disjointed. I had them first paint their backsplash the same color as the walls, (which we updated all throughout the home to match the dentil trim - a great way to give a traditional element a modern twist). I also wanted to ditch the cherry island counter for something more natural and casual - an IKEA butcher block counter in a larger size than the original piece makes the island feel a more suitable size for this kitchen space - plus that gave them enough room for a third stool!

Additional updates include swapping the cabinet hardware, (matte black bar pulls are a fantastic option if you have white cabinets you want to give new life), and these stunning ceramic blue sconces are from Modefinity on Etsy!

As always, sourcing rugs was an absolute pleasure. A peachy vintage runner with blue accents just glows in this room with the leather stools and warm wood accents. And it compliments its far more saturated neighbor, a 6x9 vintage piece under the Eat-In Nook!

I just really wanted this space to glow - like a California sunset. Pairing light natural cane chairs with a walnut table and a backdrop of meaningful pieces sprawled across the wall, it speaks of this family’s love and joy.

This light was one of my favorite finds - I can’t recall which came first, the island pendants or this piece, but I wanted them to be really in sync and equally as different. This ceramic light fixture is another handcrafted item from one of my favorite Etsy shops, ClayCafe. They have quickly become one of my go-tos, but just a heads up they are currently only open the first two weeks of every month. Two on, two off.

I designed this gallery wall using some of the family’s own sentimental pieces, and building around those with a supporting cast of pieces that represent both their happiest memories and this new adventure, (‘This Must Be The Place”)

You know what’s fun about colonials? All the segmented rooms! I love a sweeping open layout, don’t get me wrong - that’s what I am most used to! But I have never done so many separated rooms as this home, and there’s something about having the freedom to do big and bold things in just one space that you don’t necessarily want to commit to all over. You know?

Case in point: Cavern Clay, by Sherwin Williams

The client decided to keep their dining room furniture in the move, including that beautiful rectangular linen shade light fixture . In addition to adding an arch mirror, the wispy pampas grass and some punchy art from Upton, I wanted to wrap this room in something bold but still organic. Terracotta came to mind one night right before I fell asleep and I couldn’t wait to find just the right shade for this room!

We all instantly liked black paired with this magnificent color, and strategically peppered it throughout the space on all sides.

We wanted to keep this space really simple and minimal to make the dining room high impact. But the trick was not going too far the other direction. Using natural materials that echo the organic feel of the dining room really works to marry the two rooms, and a few winks of rust/orange/terracotta in the pillows are all we needed to complete the connection.

That’s a wrap on this leg of our reveal! Wednesday I’ll be back with the Family Room, both Offices, and their daughters’ Bedroom - the sum of which include two wallpapered walls, bold built-ins, and some serious Pearl Jam appreciation. This home has been the most fun and thanks to the fabulous client, a lot of laughs along the way! So excited to welcome you all into this space so full of joy. More Wednesday!

Thank you so much for coming by!

Bieber's Home Christmas Tour 2020

Hello and Welcome! I really miss spending more time on here with you all but do look forward to this annual tradition over the holidays! To be honest, two days ago such a tour didn’t even cross my mind. It’s been a slow roll out of holiday decor and each year it feels like we use less, with more emphasis on the items that spark the most joy. But as I placed a couple branches of boxwood haphazardly straddling our bedside reading lights, I remembered how magical the little things feel to me, and even worth sharing on our cozy corner of the web.

So with that, get yourself a warm drink and come on in!

My style lean with this house is that narrow margin where cozy meets minimal. With three kiddos it doesn’t take much for our home to feel cluttered, so I just don’t decorate with a lot on the walls or around the space. What I do use has to carry a lot of impact and lend to the goal of a warm and inviting home. For Christmas the goal is the same! This rug came from our bedroom (I swapped the two rooms’ rugs), and the brass mirror from our family room downstairs. Immediate warmth!

Before we continue I should share, for anyone new, that I have a tradition of naming our tree each year based on a celebrity/character I think it resembles. We’ve had Rosemary Clooney, Paul Pheiffer and everyone in between. This year, I’d like to introduce you to ‘Marilyn’:

I mean, it’s uncanny if you ask me.

The layout is a touch snug to accommodate the tree, but I don’t hate it! This is home in every way.

I’ve slowly been adding to our kilim collection this last year as the colors and patterns breath so much vibrancy into this space! After adding a few touches of Christmas, they have taken on a very merry vibe, indeed! The pillows, coasters, and even Albus’ bed by the fire, all add to the warmth of this home.

Our mantle this year is my favorite element! It’s messy and wispy and so very ‘us’. We aren’t a formal household by ANY means, and I think sometimes mantles can look a lot more formal than the rest of a home. I wanted to keep it low key but still special for this very dear season.

These two…what a pair.

Quick stop in the dining room before we move on! It’s a light touch but I could not love this more. I think as I’ve grown into my own style and taken the time to collect pieces I love that work well for my family, I’ve used less surrounding decor. What I see below is the contrast of the rich chocolate leather dining chairs with the whitewashed table I refinished last Summer, and the saturated black china cabinet (another summer project). It feels like a cozy English pub with no extra fuss. The magnolia is the only holiday addition here (aside from the angels Shire arranged in the cabinet), and all this room needs to feel ‘extra’ over the holidays.

Come on down to our family room - a rarely shared space!

This is our play room and TV room, so we use this room hard! I think this is only the second time I’ve really done anything decorative with it for the holidays, but I need to replicate this every year because the kids have LOVED it!

These cafe lights are on pretty much all day. Sometimes I’ll notice a kid has brought their laptop down here to do virtual school under the lights. How fun!

Heading up to our bedrooms, let’s take a peek into Shire’s first! There is just something magical about her freshly painted mint green walls with the rich Christmas greens, reds and brass.

My sister graciously gave Shire her American Girl Doll tree a few years ago on loan, and it’s the number one item Shire looks forward to unpacking every holiday season. Such a special piece that reminds her of her Aunt.

I think it’s safe to say Shire’s room feels festive even without the garland or Santa pillow LOL! It’s definitely the saturated floral curtains - they’re always fun, but especially fitting at Christmas!

Last stop ( because NO ONE needs to see the boys’ room)! I swapped the living room rug with this room, so now this room has a gorgeous light blue kilim rug which I’m especially enjoying with the mossy green duvet and rust colors peppered around!

A swag of boxwood hanging from each bedside sconce is it for this space, but what a fun touch to add for a few weeks! Because it’s the only additional element for the holidays it feels more impactful.

Imperfect and asymmetrical, yes. But impactful, nonetheless.

That’s a wrap on this years holiday home tour! If you’re in the mood for a little trip down memory lane, here's 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015. I wish you and your family a very wonderful holiday season. I know much looks different right now from years past, and I won’t make light of the very personal struggles you have personally felt this year. But I hope that joy finds you wherever you are today.

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow’
Romans 15:13

Thank you so much for coming by! This community is precious to us and we appreciate you so very much.

Much love,