2017 Christmas Home Tour: Rustic and Thrifty!
This post may contain affiliate links which won't change your price but will share some commission. Read more here.Filled with thrifty aqua and red decor and easy DIY tips, this 2017 Christmas home tour also gives encouragement for embracing the heart of the home.
As I photographed my home this year I was filled with such conflicting emotions.
First, I was stunned I actually had some of my house decorated and photographed before Christmas!
You see, many years in the past I made excuses……
There was the year my first grandson decided to come into the world four weeks early on the heels of my DIY hubby’s rotator cuff surgery.
Talk about being torn between two loved ones!
I named my Christmas home the Perfectly Imperfect Christmas Home Tour that year.
There was the shining year we just had some fencing thrown up in front of the house because we had taken down our trees but hadn’t started our front deck. Our kitchen was also still bright yellow ~grin~
We’ve come a long way since then!
Even when I got my act together and the courage to put my home out for the world to judge it never felt good enough.
I freely admit I’m not a designer or decorator.
I’m just an ordinary woman, learning to create a home I love, one step at a time, with mistakes and failures just pieces of the process.
Last year at this exact time my husband and I were taking down a wall between our kitchen and living room and completely gutting our kitchen.
It was total chaos.
I had no idea how symbolic that wall and process would be.
2017 has been a humbling year for me.
This was the year that almost broke me.
In all honesty, it has been both the worst and best year of my life.
I’ve parented my adopted children with wounded hearts for 17 years, lived with the grief of losing many loved ones through difficult circumstances, but this year the pain became too much.
This was the year I needed to work on me.
To be even more transparent, this was the year my marriage “hit a wall” and I couldn’t find my way in the dark.
I didn’t know what each day would bring or if 30 years walking side by side with my husband would sustain us.
We were both wounded soldiers in this life God had called us to and we were just broken.
Yet as I type this 12 months later, I am filled with such gratitude as tears stream down my face with soul filling joy.
I’ve learned more about myself this year and faced hurts long hidden by the needs and demands of everyone else around me.
This was the year I stopped making excuses and got to work.
It’s been a heartbreaking, soul searching undertaking of discovery.
I learned it wasn’t selfishness to put myself first in this season. In fact, it was long overdue.
Day by day, moment by moment, as I leaned into God, my struggles released me to receive God’s life giving, powerful words of strength.
After months of separate counseling my husband and I began joint counseling. We picked up the pieces of our life together and ran towards each other instead of apart.
And just like in our kitchen remodel, the wall has come down. Not as dramatically or as quickly as our kitchen but with so much greater impact.
Thirty years of life together, with both hurts and joys, and we have found each other again.
We have done the work God has asked of us with beautiful, life giving restoration.
So maybe you thought you were coming to see a pretty Christmas home tour but I think you were sent here for more.
To hear the hard fought message I’ve learned this year: I am enough.
You are enough.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Even if you’re at the end of your rope with no light at the end of the tunnel THERE IS STILL HOPE.” quote=”God has created each of us with a purpose and a plan. Even if you’re at the very end of your rope with no light at the end of the tunnel THERE IS STILL HOPE.”]
The valleys you’re experiencing can give you the strength to discover new joy and understanding IF you are willing to do the work.
What does this actually look like?
It may mean you need to allow trusted friends into your life to give you wisdom.
You may need to ask advice from a trained therapist, counselor or pastor for deep hurts that need time and attention. (And quite honestly, you may need to try more than one until you find the best counselor for YOU.)
Maybe you don’t have any idea what the next step is but you know it’s time to do SOMETHING.
Pray to God and ask our loving heavenly Father to show you the way.
You are good enough.
[clickToTweet tweet=”No matter what you are going through and how much your heart grieves this year, YOU ARE ENOUGH.” quote=”No matter what you are going through and how your heart grieves this year, YOU ARE ENOUGH.”]
God loves you and sent His perfect Son as an infant in a manger because you are so precious to Him.
My prayer is you will find your true joy in Him this season.
And because you know I’m still a DIY blogger encouraging you to create a home you love I’m going to share a bit more about my 2017 Christmas home tour!
2017 Christmas Home Tour
Since we opened up our living room and kitchen, this is the first year in our new space.
We decided to put our Christmas tree just inside the front door and I love that it’s the first thing to greet guests to our home.
I also chose to stay with my normal everyday aqua color scheme and added some of those ornaments on the tree after the family was done decorating. I know. Sneaky of me!
The chairs and table that are usually where the tree are got scooted next to our new drop zone that I designed and Tim built.
By using ornaments I bought on sale in years past and things I already had, I was able to decorate simply with red plaid and aqua. (See my 10 creative ways to use extra ornaments here!)
This hardworking nook is one of my favorite additions to our new space and includes Santas in honor of my sister who passed away in 2000.
The red plaid and Joy pillows were place mats, one of my favorite inexpensive ways to make pillows. (You can find the no sew tutorial here.)
There’s certainly nothing fancy about my Christmas decorating. The plaid throw was on sale half price at Target on Black Friday and I grabbed the scarf and bag out of my closet.
One of my favorite tricks is to ask for extra branches when we get our Christmas tree and cut sprigs to place around our home. This $1 yard sale container was a perfect place for a cutting or two!
At the other end of the room I’ve got more place mat pillows and my chalkboard banner from wood slices.
The framed church is a cross-stitch my sister made for my parents many years ago. After they passed away I kept it to use in my own home.
Simple and full of meaning, that’s how I want Christmas to feel when guests spend time with us during the holidays.
A simple length of red and black burlap tied around a lantern filled with red and aqua ornaments and my mantel is complete!
My husband’s Precious Memories nativity is nestled in one corner and a chicken wire basket full of Christmas reading material beside the sofa
My DIY window table holds a tray I spruced up with the wrapping paper I used for our gifts.
This simple vignette is filled with yard sale finds and after Christmas bargains.
I hope you’ve been inspired by my 2017 Christmas Home Tour! I’d love to know how you create a home you treasure and still live within your means!
HOME DECOR SHOPPING LIST
In case you want the comfort of shopping from your own home I’ve included some links to similar Christmas home decor items.
(I’ve included some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
Red plaid sherpa throw
White rustic lantern
Rustic Cottage burlap ball ornaments
Rustic Cottage burlap sleigh ornaments
Rustic burlap star ornaments
Shatterproof Christmas ornaments
Rustic wood lantern
Red plaid Christmas pillow cover
Miniature Christmas tree
Joy place mat (for pillow)
A Cozy Christmas Tea by Sandy Lynam Clough
Marty, I never read blogs and could care less about decorating my home (sorry!) But I stumbled on your blog (I do love your decorating by the way) and am guessing it was more of a “God-incident” than coincidence. We have 2 adopted kids–adults now–and I don’t think anyone knows the trials of parenting adopted kids like adoptive parents do. In our case, it nearly destroyed our marriage. I’m happy to say that both kids are responsible adults now, parents too, and our marriage is healthier than ever. But I so appreciate your honestly and transparency at bringing up your trials in your blog. You never know where God will take it or who it might help. Happy New Year and God bless you, your family and your marriage in 2018!!
Hi, Marilyn. I know it’s not an accident that you found my blog. There are still some old posts about our adoption journey if you just do a search under adoption, but I know you understand that I don’t share as much now that my kids are adults. One day I believe God has called me to write a book about the journey through brokenness and restoration but that will be in His time. I’m so very pleased to hear your kids are doing well. That gives such hope for those parents still in the trenches with little light in the tunnel. I started my blog as a journal and a way of connecting with other moms on similar journeys, never imagining it would turn into a business. (I’m not a decorator, either, really!) But God’s ways are not my ways and I ask Him to continue to help me tell my story and encourage others, whether it’s through a DIY project or through a marriage restored. Thank you for your kind words today. Happy New Year to you and your family!
So thankful for the work that the Lord has done in your marriage this year. After 35 years, my marriage is just hanging on by a thread. I, too, have felt the Lord telling me that it is time to work on ME this coming year. I am so so broken after crisis after crisis after crisis. Please keep me in your prayers.
So thankful for the work that the Lord has done in your marriage this year. After 35 years, my marriage is just hanging on by a thread. I, too, have felt the Lord telling me that it is time to work on ME this coming year. I am so so broken after crisis after crisis after crisis. Please keep me in your prayers.
Hi, my dear friend. I thought of you recently and wondered how you were doing. Yes, after all the years of crisis that you and I both have endured, we need to sort it out before the Lord, and with outside help. There is too much brokenness and heartache to do this on our own. Please email me and we can talk further. [email protected] I want to help!
Thank you for that- I do not normally read the blogs- i always just scan through the pictures, but for some reason I decided to read yours! I was humbled this past year as well- my husband and I of 20 years almost ALMOST- separated- it was a horrible experience- but an eye opener- For the first time- I saw my self as my husband has saw me- and it was not a pretty site- which is why I say I was very humbled- But Thank God our God is a loving and comforting Heavenly Father- we would not have survived without our relationship with Him, counseling from Christian principles, and the willingness to not give up- To fall in Love all over again- Thank you for your testament- and the for letting us look at your lovely home- by the way- we did major renovations to our home this year as well- a bunch of wall came down- literally and emotionally!! Thanks Again Merry Christmas!! Sherri Wilson
Hi, Sherri. Thank you so much for sharing your story that is so similar to mine! I’m praising God with you today! Yes, this last year showed me so much about myself that needed changing and a recognition of how my heart had been hardened by our life experiences. The Holy Spirit radically and instantly changed me in a way I’ve never experienced before, but it was the real work of daily submission to God that got us through.
I’m sure your home is just as lovely as ours. Merry Christmas and blessings to you!
Life is hard, marriage is hard, kids are hard but it’s life and life can be so amazing! It’s finding your path to get to that point. I praise you for not giving up. I wish you a wonderful and much easier 2018! Lots of love! (and your home is gorgeous)
Hi, Kristin. Thanks so much for the encouragement (and the compliment!) Yes, this year was hard but I wouldn’t go back and change it. I know our struggles have given us a perspective and a new love and we’re both so grateful. We also know we’re setting an example for our children to persevere and seek help during the hard times. Family is worth fighting for!
Merry Christmas and blessings to you!
Beautiful job!!!! My house too….is full of thrift store finds…I constantly look around and think…”hmm…I bet people would think it looks ‘junkie’…but I LOVE IT!!!”….. I but LOTS of candles…that are $1…they are in the shape of Santa Claus, snowmen…etc…and just use them as decor…( I never burn them)…I have lights around every door frame….window in my house…all my table lamps are changed over to red and green light bulbs…. It is a dollar store decor wonderland….because it is pretty much all I can afford. I can NOT afford to shop at these ‘high end’ shops for decorations. AND if you only knew the prices here in Canada compared to the U.S. you would be surprised. Sure we have sales….but everything is just so expensive here.
But God Bless you and your entire family for the Christmas Season! Look forward to your blog in the New Year.
Hi, Laura. I love that you you decorate with what makes YOU happy! You definitely can find deals without shopping at expensive stores and you can always copy the look by being creative like you’re doing. Have a wonderful Christmas and many blessings to you!
Everything looks wonderful Marty, good job. I especially love the little nativity set with the manger. Wishing a peaceful and fun Christmas.
Hi, Diana. Thanks so much! We’ve used the nativity set for our entire marriage and I had to find a place for it this year! Everything is so different with our kitchen remodel! Blessings to you this Christmas!
Beautiful, cozy and festive. Did you make your coffee table? I love it
Hi, Cindy. Thanks so much! My husband made the table and you can find the instructions here: https://www.martysmusings.net/2017/03/unbelievable-window-table-or-my-husband.html Have a wonderful Christmas!
MARTY U ARE AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL. WE HAVE ALL GONE THROUGH SOME TRIALS OF OUR OWN,BUT THE WAY U HAVE APPROACHED YOURS IS AWE INSPIRING. YOUR HOUSE IS LOVELY U DID A GREAT JOB. MAY THIS COMING YEAR BRING U & YOUR FAMILY HAPPINESS , U HAVE HAD SO MUCH GRIEF. U ARE MY HERO. MERRY CHRISTMAS & GOD BLESS.
Hi, Jan. Thanks so much for the encouragement. We all suffer through trials if we live long enough and have the opportunity to grow from them. Sometimes it’s just a day by day choice, don’t you think? Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas!
Beautiful Marty. Beautiful. You are a blessing to a hurting world. So happy to read about your happy ending. I just wanted to stand up and cheer. Merry Christmas ~~ Susie from The Chelsea Project
Hi, sweet Susie! I appreciate you reading so faithfully and encouraging me! It has indeed been a long year but God is faithful as He always is, to carry us when we can’t see the ending or even the road ahead. I’m sure I may be the only blogger who writes about her marriage in her Christmas tour 😉 But our homes are more than just pretty pictures, aren’t they? Love ‘ya, friend!