2020 Thomas Family Christmas

Christmas Home Tour

After the year that was 2020, you can imagine my absolute delight at this Christmas being one that would go down in the books  according to my ten year old, as “the best Christmas EVER”. I will admit that she pretty much says that every year, but it still warmed my heart.  Last year’s Christmas was not up to our usual standards because we moved that July, and as you can imagine Moves and getting a whole family settled in a new home ain’t cheap.  And, I must admit that heading into December, I had all kinds of doubts that I would be able to pull off the feels of a traditional Christmas during a Pandemic.  But, it turned out that I was very wrong.  Working from home, and not having to commute or be the “Mommy Taxi” this year, left me with much more time on my hands than I would usually have and that ended up being a great thing.  And, as quiet as it’s kept Mr. Stage, who would give the appearance of being the Scrooge of our bunch, always jumps head first into the Christmas Spirit.

This year I started Christmas shopping in July, and began stashing things all around the house.  Every year that is our intention, and every year it simply doesn’t happen.  But, as I said in a pandemic with no where to go, we made it happen.  I also starting creating my Christmas 2020 Decor Board in Early September.  I knew that I wanted to use a lot of my existing Christmas decorations, but up my game a bit, when it came to what we like to call “Our Decorator Tree” or Tree #2.  And, all that means is it’s the one that Mommy gets to create the vision for and decorate.  The kids have their own tree with all our traditional and handmade ornaments from years past. I knew, I wanted to go with Buffalo Check again this year, but I also wanted to add some Black and White Plaid, and that is exactly what we did.

As usual, every year I try to sprinkle a little bit of Christmas every where  I can.  And, this year is no difference.  Take a look at how we transformed our home for the Holiday.

Front Foyer Christmas Decor

Foyer And Decorator Tree

View Of All The Christmas Trees

Stockings Hung By The Chimney With Care

Mantel Countdown to Christmas

Christmas Buffalo Plaid Table Setting

Full View of Christmas Tablescape

Christmas Side Buffet Decor

It is my firm belief that there are only so many years when you get to make Christmas magical for your family.  My oldest child is out of the house, and has a child of his own now, and my oldest daughter is already 16.  I know that the years are fleeting, and soon there will be other’s to consider and they will want to make traditions of their own.  But, while I can, and while they are still willing, I will always do my best to create memories and traditions that we can hold on to.    Thanks for stopping by and visiting our Christmas Home 2020 Edition.

Want to see Christmas Past with Our Family Click Here.

Our DIY Farmhouse Table

DIY Farmhouse Table - A Labor Of Love

I have been sending my husband pictures of this type of Farmhouse/Pedestal Table for years, no exaggeration.  I knew what I wanted but in order to get exactly what I wanted I was going to have to pay a pretty hefty price tag.  I hated our glass kitchen table, plus with little kids you can imagine, how often I had to clean said table.    So last year shortly after we moved into our new home, my hubby called me and text me a picture of a table and some chairs that he found at a yard sale.   I was unsure…. I mean really unsure.  It seemed like it was going to be quite the undertaking, and I was not sure that we.. by which I mean he, could pull it off.    Not because I did not think that he was capable, but while working a full time job, it seemed like a lot.  But, the price.. it was so ridiculously cheap that we could not pass it up.  The original owner was selling the table and 4 chairs for $45.00.  The yard sale was around the corner from the house, so he came home, grabbed my Jeep and went back to pick it up.  It lived in the garage for about 4 months before the project actually began.  But, once it did, it moved pretty quickly.

Before The DIY - Farmhouse Table

Even though the original color of the wood was beautiful, I knew I wanted to go a different way.  Luckily for us it was real wood, so our options were unlimited.  We could use pretty much whatever we wanted when it came to paint, stain, sandpaper, etc. Initially I was leaning towards a gray stain finish, and we went that way before we decided to course correct and go with black.  I was the photographer on the project.  Hubby did all the hard work, from sanding with the orbital sander, sanding by hand (for the more detailed areas), removing the original stain and then repainting it.  It was a true labor of love.

In Progress DIY - Farmhouse Table

Tools Required:

  • Orbital Sander

Materials:

  • Rust-Oleum Painters Touch 2X ULTRACOVER PAINT + PRIMER Black Satin (I purchased this HERE.)
  • Drop Cloth/Old Blanket Comforter
  • General Purpose Sand Paper (100-medium, 220-finer)
  • Grit & Perseverance & Some Brut Force

Finished Project DIY Farmhouse Table

What I love most about the completed project?  THE DETAILS – In the Table Legs, and The Chairs.. And I Just Love How BLACK (Satin) IT IS.  Also, I loved seeing hubby getting his hands dirty.. something about that, does it for me, LOL.  Lastly, I definitely think that the dark color gives the room a more formal feel, while complimenting the marble on the island and counter tops in the kitchen.

Each morning when I come downstairs, and walk into the Kitchen to start my coffee, it’s the first thing I see and that makes me happy.  Special Thanks to my hubby for a job well done!!

Laundry Room Reset

Laundry Room Reset

I chose to call this a Laundry Room Reset, because there really wasn’t that much to be done.   This month makes a year since we moved into this house, so I thought it would make sense to start working on those spaces that remained untouched.

Like most Moms  I spend a good amount of time in the laundry room, so I guess I thought I could trick my mind into enjoying it more, if  I used Spa Like Colors. ( I will have to get back to you on whether or not that worked.)  I chose my go to’s colors Grey and Teal.  I was able to find these curved Y-Weave XL baskets at Target.  And I used my growing Photo Shop Skills to  create chalkboard labels for the room.  If you like them, be sure to follow the Link Down Below, to get some of your own.

Laundry Baskets With Chalkboard Labels

The basket pictured in this picture and the one above was literally about the fourth basket I picked for this space.  Since I am vertically challenged and can’t actually reach the shelves without my Step Stool.  I wanted a little basket that was both decorative and could hold Laundry Detergent, OxiClean and Dryer Sheets, without showing what was inside.

Close Up On Laundry Room Baskets

My oldest daughter and I are the only ones that have hampers in the Laundry Room.  So I thought I would find some matching hampers to keep the room uniform.  I was able to grab these online from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Laundry Room - Matching Hampers

There’s so much out there these days in the form of Laundry Wall Art, especially if you are an “Etsy head” like me.  It was not an easy choice for me to make, especially because I kept gravitating to items that were outside of the budget that I had set up for myself.  I had a general idea of what I wanted but , I was willing to be pretty flexible and then I found this Fluff and Fold Piece at Target.  They had it in stock, quick shipping turn around and the Mr. was mounting it on the wall before I knew it. Laundry Room Reset Fluff and Fold Wall Art

After I had completed the room, I still felt like there was a lot of empty open space.  I wanted to do something to dress the room up without taking away from the open airy feel.  So after pouring over all the Pinterest Laundry Room Inspiration I could find, I decided to add clothespins.  I still had a few Half Gallon Mason Jars left from the Pantry, so I grabbed them and added the clothespins and Voila!!  There actually still is a lot of empty space in this room, but hubby told me to embrace it.  So the room is complete, FULL STOP, lol.

Laundry Room Reset - Clothespin Decor

Grab Your Free Laundry Room Chalkboard Labels Here.   Right – Click -Save- Print.

A Thomas Family Christmas

The saying goes better Late Than Never, and even though this is not a concept that I try to subscribe to, that is exactly how it shook out this year.  This holiday season was a particularly busy one.  But, it turned out just fine.  We hosted Christmas this year, so the pressure was definitely on.  Not only to make the house look particularly festive, but also to come up with a menu that suited everyone’s specific nutritional/dietary needs.  And yes, as my eight year old would say, that is “a thing”.

I found this idea for Stair Decor on Pinterest.  I thought it would be the perfect back drop to the kid’s tree.  mentioned it to hubby and it became a Daddy daughter project.  He found the Cardboard Top Hats at Joann Fabric and Crafts and they painted it.  For more info on how we pulled off this project check out the details on Our Instagram Page Link Here.

I try to add little Hints of Christmas, in ever little corner.  But over the years I have found that introducing the Colors of Christmas to be just as important as Traditional Christmas Decor.  For example for this Centerpiece in the Kitchen, I used Green Moss Balls, and Mini Apples as Vase Fillers coupled with an old wreath made of Red Bells and a Countdown to Christmas Nutcracker to complete the look.

The same look has pretty much flanked our Fireplace for the last couple of years.  However, this year we added in two outdoor mini trees on either side of the fireplace for more sparkle, especially at night.  And, a Poinsettia on STEROIDS that I scored at Sams for just $14.99.  It decorated my area at work for the whole month of December, before it made its way home.  We kind of grew tired of the letters that we had on our stockings during the previous years, so hubby found these wood letters at Hobby Lobby and gave them a Merry makeover with some red paint and some twine that he attached with hot glue.

This is our Second Year Using Buffalo Check for the Tree and the Formal Dining Room Table Decor.  I grabbed these napkins on sale from Pier 1 and Hubby Created the Centerpiece all on his own.  He found the Merry Christmas Wooden Box at Hobby Lobby, then he found Garland and Candles at Michael’s and lastly he added some battery operated lights, found at Kroger.  Honestly this year’s Christmas Decor was brought to you in large part by my better half.  This was my first year back at work full time and trying to pull everything together, and if it was not for him, I fear I would not have been able to do it.  So Shout Out to My Darling Hubby for being just as into the details as I am.

There is nothing quite like Christmas to me.  The joy I feel being surrounded by my Family and Friends that have become Family, well its indescribable. And, though it takes some effort pulling it all together, I wouldn’t change a thing. I hope and pray that you all have a Happy Holiday Season.

Here are few more glimpses of  Our Thomas Family Christmas.

‘THE BEST OF ALL GIFTS AROUND ANY CHRISTMAS TREE: THE PRESENCE OF A HAPPY FAMILY ALL WRAPPED UP IN EACH OTHER.’ – BURTON HILLS

Getting Spring Ready

Getting Spring Ready - Home Decor Spring Trends

Growing up I always imagined myself living in an ultra modern all white space with splashes of color here and there.  There is something about Contemporary Decor that has always appealed to me.  I think it has a lot to do with my self diagnosed OCD.  Of course as my life took shape and kids became a part of my every day existence, stark white was not exactly in the cards.  I still find myself drawn to spaces like this when I book hotel rooms for kid free vacations or even when picking spots to just hang out with my girlfriends.  But, at home with my family I find that my home decor is a lot more traditional and conservative than I would have thought.

Since I have yet to get to a point, where I feel like I am done decorating my home.   I constantly find myself flipping through the pages of magazines or reading blogs that speak to my love for Home Decor, hence my long standing affair with Real Simple Magazine.  I can’t say that I take too much stock in what is trending when it comes to Home Decor, I am a more of a “like what I like” girl.  So, yes my rebellious side even makes it self known in the way that I decorate my home.

That being said this year’s Spring Trends have my eyes looking like that cartoon character whose eyes are always popping out of his head.  In a nutshell, I could easily be convinced to make some additions and deletions based on what I am seeing.   However, I am not sure that I would necessarily classify these as Trends, since all of what speaks to me has been around for decades.

Here is some of what is turning my head this year:

Palm Leaves are at the top of the list, meaning that they are something that I am seeing everywhere. I do love Palm Leaves, but I pretty much equate Spring and Easter with Palm Leaves, am I alone?  I think it’s the perfect way to launch any Table Setting for this time of the year. So yes, great Palm Leaves, but any type of greenery in any space appeals to me.  I won’t say that I have a green thumb like my Dad.  But, I love having plants around.  And, since I am still learning where plants are concerned, I surround myself with any plant that I am incapable of killing.  So for me and my house we have a lot of Snake Plants, Succulents and Aloe Vera because they thrive and make me and my home look good at the same time.

Ceramic Dinner Ware:  I really believe this trend started to get popular long before 2018 courtesy or our Dear Joanna Gaines.  When she sets a fresh table and or stages the kitchens in the homes on Fixer Upper, even contemporary minded folks like me.. go Goo Goo over Farm Decor.  Dare I say, I have convinced myself that Ceramics can be chic too.   At the very least they should hold a Premier Space in my Easter Table Decor.  Right??

Black and White: Lets start out with the fact that these are Basic Colors, and as such I don’t think I can call them a Trend.  They are classics like the Trench Coat is to Spring, wouldn’t you agree?   Depending on the Texture and General Set Up.  I think that these Colors can Easily Add a More Masculine Look to a Feminine Room, or Tone Down a Particularly Jazzy or Feminine One.  According to FreshHome.com every room needs a touch of black to ground the color scheme and give it depth.  Interested in what your favorite color says about you, Check out this Post.

CIrcles aka Polka Dots are another less classic but still timeless tradition.  It’s cliche, but I love seeing Circles and Polka Dots on anything from a Teen Girls Room to Dinner Ware and Other Kitchen Accessories.  There is something youthful and flirty about this particular look.  According to the Image Consultant Institute a love of polka dots is indicative of a lively and energetic personality, and of a person who lives to multitask.

So there you have it… What Spring Trends have you thinking about making some fun and fresh changes around your home?  Let us know in the comment section below, we’d love to hear all about it.

Our Christmas Home Tour

Our Christmas Home Tour 1 of 3

Our Christmas Home Tour 2 of 3

Our Christmas Home Tour 3 of 3

Come On In, and Welcome to this year’s Christmas Home Tour.  This year we stuck to the traditional Christmas Colors and just added some Buffalo Check and Gold, to our color scheme.

Things I purchased to make this year’s Christmas Look Complete:

  • A Christmas Wreath
  • New Christmas Stockings
  • 2 Yards of Buffalo Check Fabric
  • Buffalo Check Wrapping Paper

Simple DIY’s:  

  • I used the Buffalo Check Fabric to Cover Existing Ornaments that we already had to add a more rustic, yet defined, look to our  Real Tree.
  • I also used the same Buffalo Check Fabric to Complete my Table Setting, by just adding a Pop of Color that I used to marry both rooms (Living Room flows into the Dining Room)
  • Kitchen Centerpiece (1) was made from Mini Apple Vase Fillers that I already had at home and Green Moss balls to add a little More Red and Green to the space.
  • Kitchen Centerpiece (2) was made from Lemons and Little Mini Red Ornaments, for yet another Festive Look.
  • Outdoors/Front Porch.  I stained the (2) crates that we used in our Fall Display to sit our Outdoor Lighted Christmas Trees, and added Fire Wood to add some warmth.

Thanks for stopping by, and now I am off to enjoy the rest of my Holiday Season with my family.   Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night.

Christmas Greeting

Friday Favorites – Week 400 – How to Make Rustic Christmas Ornaments

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Our 2017 Fall Home Tour

Fall Home Tour 2017

It was my intention to have this year’s Fall Home Tour posted by the first day of Autumn, but life happened, and I had to settle on getting it done before the Time Change.  That being said, my home is finally all decorated for fall and Visitor Ready.  So come on in and look around.

Fall Home Tour 2017: Front Porch

Not to toot my own horn, but I think that I am finally getting the hang of re-using things we already have in a new way.  Believe it or not that makes decorating that much easier.  This year the list of things that I purchased were minimal.  For the front porch, I bought a new wreath on sale for 60% off at Joann’s and (2) unfinished wooden crates.

Fall Home Tour 2017 : Foyer

In the foyer, I simply changed out the Fall Printable, with one from Our Etsy Store, and added some leaf votive candle holders, fall flowers and a ceramic pumpkin.

Fall Home Tour 2017 : Formal Living Room

In the Formal Living Room, I purchased a few mini Pumpkin and Gourd Vase Fillers and threw them in with Pine Cones and Fall Leaves from previous year’s decor, and surrounded the basket with Salt and Pepper Acorn Shakers.

Fall Home Tour 2017 : Fall Tablescape

The only thing new in this year’s Tablescape were the Velvet Fabric Pumpkins I found at Joann’s for 40% off.

Fall Home Tour 2017 : Centerpiece on the Side Buffet

A fun centerpiece for the Side Buffet using a Fall Bouquet and some mini apple vase fillers.

Fall Home Tour 2017: Mantel Decor

Fall Home Tour 2017 : The Family Room

Our Family Room is where we spend most of our time together, I did the least in this room.  Just a few simple touches here and there, the Football Fall Wood Accent over the fireplace, the pumpkins in the Dough Bowl and the super plush Football Throw that I picked up at Hobby Lobby.

I hope you enjoyed this year’s Fall Home Tour.  How do you decorate for the season?  I’d love to hear all about it.  Feel free to share in the comment section below.

Friday Favorites – Week 390 – Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece

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Friday Favorites – Week 388 – 20 Neutral Fall Farmhouse Decor Ideas

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