This morning I shared one of my favorite holiday books by Mary Carol Garrity, Christmas At Home. Looking through that book again put me in the mood to do a little Christmas decorating.
The guest bed was warmed up and made festive with a strand of red mitten garland.
You may remember the garland from when I decorated the screened porch last Christmas. (Christmas Porch post can be viewed here: Screened-in Porch Decorated For Christmas)
I love adding touches of red to this room at Christmastime. The red in the floral fabric of the curtains, table skirt and pillows help tie it all together.
One of the things I spied again in Mary Carol’s book shared this morning, was how she often adds a greenery-filled stocking to bedposts. I love that idea!
I don’t have a lot of greenery right now in my yard but that will soon change as the Leyland Cypress and Savannah Hollies I planted grow in over the years. I managed to find a little though to tuck into my stocking. I love using greenery from the garden in Christmas decorating whenever possible. This would be a fun thing to do for a guest room the morning you’re expecting guests to arrive. To keep the greenery fresh for a few days, wraps the stems in soaking-wet paper towels and tuck them down into a plastic bag inside the stocking.
More touches of Christmas…
I got a silly idea recently while in the dollar store. I was looking at all their garland and I started thinking about how much fun it would be to decorate a Christmas present with garland instead of ribbon.
I tired the garland around the present just as you would with ribbon.
Then I took the left over scraps…
And twisted them around the center where the garland came together to create a little garland party on top of the present.
They had garland in all colors including this cute candy cane garland. This would be adorable with red wrapping paper, too. If you have cats or pets who like to eat garland, you may not want to wrap presents this way, but thought I’d share this idea as an alternative to ribbon.
Are you busy cleaning, cooking and getting ready for Thanksgiving? Have you started on your Christmas decorating?
Don’t stress and don’t worry! It’s going to be wonderful because all that really matters is being with those you love! 🙂
Love the greenery on the bedposts…but our kitties would go nuts playing with it and keep us up all night! 🙂
I remember when I had cats…they would have done the same thing…or at least tried to chew on the greenery.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Susan! I am thankful for you and your beautiful posts that brighten up my Inbox!! 🙂
I just love your site…. laughed out loud at the comment on pets that like to eat garland. I love the idea for the dollar store garlands. Also, the little red mittens are adorable. I also like that you do not make over the whole bedroom with Christmas like I tend to do. It is so much work to put up after the holiday!
Hope you have a lovely holiday time.
I may not be done, yet. 🙂 lol Thanks, Darla!
Thanks, Kathleen…you are a dearheart! Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful!
Love the garland and the plaid! So festive and your photos always get me in the mood for season.
Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Carrie! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
Your bedroom is wonderful. Back in the day when you could go to the fabric store in our area and buy wool plaid, I would do so and make myself tablecloths by just fringing. I bought just a quarter of a yard of a wonderful thick Ralph Lauren Fabric that I use each year as a runner. Well, I’ve kept them all and use them in the winter. You, however, have made me take it to the next level. I’m layering them now!! So, thanks to you I am having more fun than ever. I was at Home Goods today and they had some knock off Pottery Barn Christmas pillows and heavy all cotton Tartan plaid tablecloths. Again, thank you for inspiring all of us to embrace our true selves. Enjoy your Holidays. Lani
Thanks, Lani…we can both think Ralph (Ralph Lauren) since his tartan layered bedroom inspired me. 🙂 It is fun, isn’t it…mixing all the different patterns to see what we can create. I love it! HomeGoods has some great plaids each year. I’m pretty sure the napkins I used in last week’s table setting was from HomeGoods but they were amazingly a very close match to the Williams-Sonoma tablecloth.
Susan, that Mary Carol Garrity is another one who knows her way around cozy! I love the greenery stocking on the bed post. What a fun idea. And the garland as ribbon is a great idea! Ribbon can be so expensive, but from the dollar store it’s got to be a good price. It’s extra festive looking, too. The little mitten garland is so cute, and along with the reindeer pillow adds just a touch of Christmas to the room. You’re well on your way. I don’t know what’s gotten in to everybody, but it seems that this year, a lot of us are starting before Thanksgiving. We got our mantel done last night and we should be finished with all the Christmas decorating by Friday or Saturday at the latest. 😀 Now … if only we’d get some snow ….
I know, it’s funny…we all seem to be eager to start celebrating Christmas early this year. I love that! Sounds like you are doing great with your decorating…way ahead of me! 🙂
Pam, as I type this, it is snowing. I am going to melt that Snow Queen on the stove!!! I will send you some!!! 🙂
Yes, it looks pretty, but I do not like going out in it.
Thank you, Megan! I’m watching for it. 😀 Actually, I was expecting Susan to want to hit me over the head for even suggesting it, lol. I do love the white and fluffy stuff.
Btw, I like how you can see the wreath through the guest bedroom window. 🙂
Thanks, I love that too. That’s one of my fave parts of hanging them, enjoying them from inside, too!
Love the idea of adding the garland to gifts..Little things like that really add to the holiday with very little expense..You can add a special touch and the person receiving your gift will probably feel extra special that you took care to make the gift wrapping so unique..
My heart skips a beat every time I see your beautiful mirror on you dining room wall..I envy you that mirror…Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks, Lora! I think it would be fun to mix in a few of the garland decorated packages with the others…a little bling under the tree. 🙂
That mirror was a lucky find in a warehouse sale. It didn’t have a price on it and they let me have it for $350. I couldn’t pass it up at that price and it fit with what I was doing in the dining room at the time…which was decorating in all glass/crystal and silver…no brass in that one room. I love brass but decided to go all crystal and silver in that one room.
Hi Susan…I would love to know how to acquire some of the mitten garland. Is it a DIY or did you purchase them somewhere? I have a dear friend who would absolutely adore having these, and as I may not have her for another Christmas it would bring me a great deal of pleasure to see her squeal with delight when she opens the box. Thanks…
Thanks, Sandra! I found the mitten garland in Marshalls last year. I haven’t seen it in there this year but it might be worth checking a few Marshalls in case. I just googled Mitten garland and a whole bunch of images came up. Some of those look like tutorials possibly: https://www.google.com/search?q=mitten+garland&biw=1920&bih=995&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Gxp1VIyxGM2sogS42oC4Bg&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg
Here are two tutorials. It looks so easy to make…just take some thick yarn or rope and hang colorful mittens. You might need to sew a loop onto the mitten…but it looks really easy. Hope this helps and hope your dear friend is around for many, many more Christmases!
http://livelaughrowe.com/diy-felt-mitten-garland/
http://craftsncoffee.com/2013/11/14/easy-christmas-diy-make-a-mitten-snowball-garland/
Sandra, I just sent you an email…so look for that.
Susan, I love the idea of buying actual little kid mittens. 😀 What fun. And the snowballs are a funny idea. Thanks for posting those.
Love, Love, Love, how your bed room turned out. I am a plaid girl. I think it is warm and cozy. In the dinning room it says come & stay a while to friends & family. I don’t do Christmas all through the house, just the main living areas.
I’m sixty nine so the older ways still stay with me. Love your blog. It is what I look forward to every day, wanting to see what you have come up with next.
Thanks so much, Betty Marie! I’ve always liked plaid but this year I’m officially obsessed! 🙂 Thanks so much for being here reading…wouldn’t be any fun if you weren’t!
Everything you did looks very beautiful. I never thought of decorating the bedroom. I decorate downstairs, but haven’t thought about decorating my room too. Thanks for the ideas.
I love doing just a little here and there…so nice to see it when you head up to bed. 🙂 Thanks, Brenda!
You have to be SO PLEASED with your bedroom….and that stocking…just “frosting on the cake!!” I’ve been busy trimming bushes, trees, weeds…just “gilding” everything in sight…see, you’ve been warned!! Using fresh greens is “next!” Have a TASTEful and THANKful holiday!!
Susan, your bed with the stocking and greenery looks great! Love the mitten garland on the guest room bed. So sweet! Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving.
Love your style !!! The red plaid is fabulous , cheerful & elegant. Your blog site is one of my favorites. Always look forward to what’s next .
Susan, I have all of Mary Carol’s books. Now that our house guests have departed, I’m going to cozy up with her Christmas book tonight to inspire my own decorating for the Christmas season. 😉
Your guest room and your new tartan makeover for your master are both very inviting. Makes me want to put on some Christmas music!
Love the Christmas red tartan duvet and bed skirt! Can you tell me where I can find it?
Thanks, Sarah! I purchased the duvet at Williams-Sonoma online about a month or so ago. They are currently showing out of stock on it but they may get more in since it’s so early in the season. You may want to check back to the site periodically here: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/tartan-bedding/?pkey=call-bedding&cm_src=all-bedding|| If for some reason they don’t get it back in this winter, they’ll probably bring it back next year since it sold so well…but I bet they’ll restock it.
That bedding didn’t come with a bedskirt so I’m having one made from their tartan tablecloths that are out of the exact same fabric as the duvet. You can read more about that in this previous post: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ralph-lauren-inspired-tartan-plaid-bedroom/
Susan, I have a cream and lace stocking which always hangs on my bedpost, thanks for the tip about the greenery.
So far, I have the wreaths and the Christmas lights outside. Hubby put the lights out just in time yesterday, it is snowing now.
My Christmas village is on the sideboard, now I just await hub’s grudging trip to the crawl space for the rest. 🙂
I am so loving all your tartan!!!
Oh, I can just picture it Megan…the Christmas village and the snow falling. Thanks for that image!
Megan, as long as you’re sending some snow my way would you mind sending your hubby as well? We could use some extra help getting the Christmas stuff from the attic. 😛
Greenery in the stocking = gorgeous!
Garland gift ribbon = genius!
Christmas at Home book recommendation = great taste!
Thanks for the wonderful posts today.
I love the Christmas bedroom! The tartan is so beautiful. **sigh**
I really look forward to your posts each week!! Love your style and decorating ideas! You inspire me and get me excited to try new ideas. Thank you, Susan!!!
Susan, you have lots of new “fans” in Texas and we all think you’re the best. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks so much, Patricia! I saw this comment right before I headed off to bed last night and it was such an uplifting way to end the day. 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I love hearing from all my Texas readers!
Beautiful Christmas inspiration, Susan! Happy Thanksgiving!
Good morning, Susan! It’s 5:20 a.m. in CA, and I just got up to start “the day before Thanksgiving”. Much to do before the family arrives tomorrow for dinner! Love starting my day with BNOTP so here I am. I just have to say that your beds look so warm and cozy and perfect for this time of year. Your entire home is such a reflection of not only your decorating talent and creativity, but your warm personality and good nature as well. Have a wonderful holiday season, and thank you for jumpstarting all of our creative juices so many days of the year!! Rosie
Oh, I LOVE getting these daily treats! feeling a bit dull in gloomy Aberdeen today so these pictures have re-kindled my Christmas spirit Thank you.
Aberdeen … ohhhh … Christmas in Aberdeen sounds like Heaven to me!
Thank you for sharing these great ideas. I enjoy making our home look and feel festive and welcoming. With a family it has to be usable and affordable. Any ideas on how to create that red plaid bedroom affordably??
I saw this plaid bedding on Amazon that I actually ordered but then cancelled when I decided to go with the Williams-Sonoma bedding. But I love how it looks! I also ordered a set of sheets with the intention of having a bedskirt made from the sheets to go with the duvet and shams. http://www.amazon.com/Pinzon-160-Gram-Yarn-Dyed-100-Percent-Flannel/dp/B0050BRB74 The duvet is only $49.99 and the shams are $16.99 each.
This duvet is on sale at Macy’s:
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/martha-stewart-collection-sleigh-ride-plaid-flannel-bedding-collection?ID=1504358&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla&CAWELAID=120156340000694281&catargetid=120156340001081743&cadevice=c&cm_mmc=Google_PLA_Home_Bed%26Bath_PLA-_-Bed+%26+Bath+-+Duvets+%26+Covers+-+GS_All-_-46984843323_-_-_mkwid_HURWi4b3|dc_46984843323%7C-%7CHURWi4b3
Just google for plaid duvets and click on “images” and you’ll see a bunch. Then you could buy a standard bedskirt in a neutral color that compliments your bedding, if your bed has a normal drop.
Check IKEA, Overstock.com and Amazon. Those places normally carry pretty affordable products online. They may have some plaid bedding that you like.
I’m investing a bit in my winter bedding since I plan to use it for a very long time. (Been using my other bedding for 11 years!) I was able to get the bedding at 20% off with the “Friends and Family” discount Williams-Sonoma was running, so that helped a little with the cost.
Hope these ideas help some.
Kate, I just remembered…Dillards has some pretty plaid bedding this year, too. It doesn’t look like it’s on sale but once it goes on sale, you may want to check it out: http://www.dillards.com/product/Villa-by-Noble-Excellence-Cailin-Quilt_301_-1_301_504852219?df=04364621_zi_plaid_cream&categoryId=608634&scrollTop=784
Awww… Susan,
I love it!
Your bedroom/home is looking more and more… “Home Alone-ish”… 🙂
(I hope this is a word in English… haha, but I’m sure you know what I mean.) 🙂
~Hugs to you~
Cecilia
I love the idea of the stocking with greenery on the bed post. That really gives the room that Christmas Cheer. Your bedroom turned out beautiful, so warm and cozy.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The tartan bedroom is fabulous. Note that Kohl’s has a Ralph Lauren line. There is a Brompton style that has a quilted red throw-pillow with gold piping. There are no initials. It is not a cherry red, but not rust either. In between. If you were using it on a leather chair, not right next to the red tartan it may work and with the on line Kohl’s deals and codes you could probably get the price down to $25 to 30 a pillow. (Note that e-bates is giving 9% today and probably all weekend for shopping on Kohl’s.). If you got to Kohl’s online and google Brompton red pillow you will probably see it. (I have the Brompton quilt and am also thinking of a distressed tan leather chair and this pillow which is why I am so familiar with it. But, I can only fit one chair.) Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks always for the great ideas.
Thanks, Kathy…appreciate that good info and I’m sure others who read the comments will, too!
I was in Dollar General and saw something that made me think of you. I truly enjoy your blogs and wish I could just fly you to Texas and get you to help me decorate our home that we just moved into. I have lots of pretty things but not a real sense of how to put it all together. OK – I digress – Dollar General had these small tartan plaid angels attached to small clothespins – I guess they are like a garland that you would hang cards with – 12 on the strand for a dollar. Very cute!!!
Susan, those sound so cute! I was just in a Dollar General recently hoping to find plaid ribbon but didn’t see those. They sound like they would be cute to clip onto a gift, too. It’s amazing how much “tartan” plaid I’m seeing these days. I’ve even started noticing how many things I already have that are plaid in my home. I think plaid is bigger than ever this year, but it’s a classic so it’s always been around. I think I’m just noticing it more.
Nothing like getting getting a head start! You’re already ahead of the game which should make for a relaxing holiday season. Cute idea with the garland also!
Thanks, Sandra! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I must mail many of my Christmas gifts. I use garland (as you did), wired ribbon, satin ribbon, large vintage rick-rack, & thick
craft yarn on Christmas gifts that must be mailed. They are not affected by packing materials in a tight box in the way paper ribbon would be. When the recipient opens the mailing box, perfection!
Loving all your Plaid — My current Christmas bedding needs a boost you inspired me to add some in. But i really love the way your Swarovski is displayed — currently mine hang on the open grilling on my breakfront doors but I am having them redone with solid glass — Where did you get those beautiful stands??
Thanks, Paula! I found those little silverplate trees at Ross Simon online around 18-20 years ago. They carried them for a long time then disc then brought them back. I’m not sure if they have them anymore, though.
Hi there. I am absolutely hooked on your site. I would really love to recreate as much as possible your blue and yellow guest room. I have been scouring the internet to see if I can find a similar headboard and footboard – do you have any information on where you found yours?
Thanks, Trish! I found that bed many years ago while antiquing in a shop about 20 minutes from my home. I don’t think it’s an antique, just a vintage/older bed. Not sure who manufactured it. Wish I had more information for you. You may want to google for “iron and brass beds” or some phrases like that to see if anyone is making something similar now.