2015 Christmas Home Decor

Dec 18

This week I’ve had so much fun blogging every. single. day. Can you believe it?! Remember when I went weeks at a time without posting anything during the site migration / launch? Then my business had me buried? I think I’ve finally managed to find balance…and figure out (most of) the ins and outs of Wordpress. I think what also kept me from blogging regularly is that I get wordy in my posts. Felt if I wrote something it would take me so much time. Guess I’m easily excitable and extra chatty when it comes to organization. Moving forward I’m planning to break down projects / posts into smaller pieces, which will force me to write a little less within each post. But that means you’ll see more posts / updates from me.

Writing aside, the images are what I love to share. This year I took a workshop from one of my dearest friends – and he’s “the” wedding photographer to hire here in SF. When he offers a workshop – you take it! It was an intimate setting with only 4 women in attendance. One of my goals for the new year is purchasing a new camera body, adding new lenses to my arsenal and spending more time learning new shooting techniques. I’ll share the workshop details in the coming weeks. I have some fun blog posts planned over the next few weeks too. My hope is to share a post about all of the accomplishments this year with my business and the blog…in years past I haven’t done that. Just sorta moved on to the next year without acknowledgement. It’s becoming evident that I need to pause and remember how far I’ve come and celebrate those small successes. If you write a blog, I hope you’re doing the same! It’s easy to get lost in the day to day as a blogger and not recognize how far you’ve come. This year was extra special with being in business for a full year here back at home, the new branding and website, all of those amazingly sweet clients who hired me…and of course, I’ll share some very very exciting news about what’s happening in 2016. Or I should say, at least what I know is happening for sure. I always leave room for the unexpected – and 2015 certainly came with many of those. But in 2016 I have 2 fun partnerships kicking off in the new year and am thrilled!

Since it’s the last day of school before my 3 kiddos are out on Christmas break (for a very long 2.5 weeks!), I took some pictures of my home decor this season. No chance photo opportunities would happen next week with my house torn apart. Oh yea, that totally happens around here – organizer or not. #real

Anyway, get comfortable because there’s some serious photo overload! And welcome!…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

I purchased my green wreaths and garlands last year from Improvements

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

The lights operate on batteries and there’s a built-in timer as well. Love that feature! They held up well stored in the garage – a few needed fresh batteries to brighten the bulbs. Otherwise, these led babies are shining again this year…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

One of my best decisions of 2015 was purchasing an entry table…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

There’s very little space behind the front door so the table had to be narrow. I didn’t need a space for bags and shoes because we come and go from the garage. And if you’ve been here a while, you know I created a garage mudroom this year to tackle the bag / shoe issue! This table is beyond stunning in person and love having another surface to decorate. Makes this entry feel more like home…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

And I love the limestone tabletop!…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

I also enjoy having a nice view from the teeny tiny kitchen. Previously, it sat empty collecting dust bunnies. Hi!…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Just inside the entry is our living room…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

This space is yet to be defined. All of the seating was from our previous home. I configured the living room in a way to make it all work, but it feels heavy to me. Nothing’s changed in 2 years because the kitchen is directly behind the fireplace wall. With the kitchen for sure slated for a remodel at some point, I don’t want to invest anything in this space. The little updates have been done by me – painting, a new mantle, etc.

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Another great investment this year was new kitchen lights you can see from the living room. Love!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

throw pillows

throw pillows

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Still can’t believe I scored these branches for next to nothing at Pottery Barn. They were like $9 a stem, which is unheard of for PB branches! They were on sale before Thanksgiving so I snatched them up…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

After years of dealing with trees toppling over, the decision was made to invest in a very nice fake. And I’m in love with this one from Balsam Hill…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

They had a sample sale in the Bay Area – scored it for a great price!!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Of course, one of the first ornaments placed on it…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

If you have a Giants or Warriors lover on your gift list, one of childhood friends created these amazing ornaments using actual confetti from the victory parades. You can find them here in her etsy shop. She’s offering a discount to my readers. Instead of $20, you’ll pay $15 and it’s shipped free! Just use code SIMPLY15. Anyway, as you can imagine, the Bay Area is thrilled with our Giants and Warriors. These ornaments are front and center…not that I’d have much of a choice living in a house of sports fans.

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Through the living room and into the kitchen…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

One of my favorite tables in the house was a floor sample from PB years ago. Love this piece!…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Worried I’d have to leave everything behind in Little Rock, but the table fits nicely under the kitchen window. Even my 2 china cabinets worked out well…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

 

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Did you notice our table guests?…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

When I snapped these pictures, our scout elves were having a dinner party…complete with our friendly local SF Giants elf, Strike…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

You’ve seen a peek of the playroom already, but here’s more…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

The kids have their own small tree in here. I love watching them decorate it each year…and this one’s real!…

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

Simply Organized Christmas home decor tour!

The scout elves returned in style, traveling in on a new train at the base of the kids tree…

elf on the shelf on a train

And bearing donut holes that looked like snowballs…

elf on the shelf with donut holes

With all the fun and activity 3 kids bring to a home at Christmastime, one my favorite views in the house comes at night. After they’re tucked into bed…all is calm, all is bright…

nighttime christmas tree

IMG_6960

Hope you enjoyed a look into my home this season! It’s certainly not as elaborate as some of my very talented friends on IG, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This small home is cozy and just the right size for this non-interior-designer-type to decorate. 🙂

Thank you for taking a moment during this hectic time of year to visit or scroll through in your feed of other blogs. I appreciate it very much…and am grateful to have you as a reader or follower. Have a great weekend everyone!

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comments +

  1. Mom! says:

    Hi Sam! It’s mom! I loved your home tour and hope to see your beautiful house soon. I am so very proud of you! Lots of love from your biggest fan! XXXOOO

  2. Jill says:

    I first came across your work on Instagram and just checked out your blog today. As a fellow organizer (hi from Baltimore!), you are an inspiration for me to grow and get better at what I do!

    Your home is stunning. Merry Christmas!

    • Samantha says:

      Hi Jill!

      Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by the blog AND leave a comment! Means so much! Thank you for the compliments too! Glad you’re here – love to inspire and help people!!

      xo,
      Sam

  3. Angela says:

    Gorgeous home Sam! I especially love all the garlands and wreaths. I’m planning on stocking up at Home Depot’s post-season sale. I wanted to let you know (or remind you) that even when they aren’t in use, currents still run through batteries. It’s going to extend the life of your battery operated items if you take the batteries out when they aren’t in use.
    Have a wonderful Christmas and I’m looking forward to a new year of posts. It was such a blessing finding you on Pinterest.

    • Samantha says:

      Thank you so much, Angela! And thank you for the battery tip! Hope you had a great Christmas as well – it was definitely a lot of energy over here. Yikes! And now I have a house to clean up…not so gorgeous at the moment – haha!

      xo,
      Sam

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