Silent Night????
The Christmas season seems to get a bad wrap…pun intended. We all rush around from party to party, running in and out of stores, quickly marking gifts off of our lists in a mad dash to get everything bought and wrapped and laid perfectly under our beautifully decorated trees. I know I am not alone in my exhaustion of all that happens to make our holiday Merry and Bright. It’s funny that this exhaustion is all brought about for a holiday that began on one Silent and Holy Night. I wish that I could slow down and relax and enjoy the peace of the season, but I always end up being caught in the hustle and bustle myself.
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When you hear the term Barnwood Living, your mind goes back to life in a simpler time. So why not embrace that feeling in your holiday decorating. Our log cabins and timber frame homes are inspired by nature. I mean you can’t get much more natural than having giant trees for walls. In my Rustic Chic style of decorating, the majority of the inspiration for my furniture and accessories is derived from nature, so much of my Christmas style and décor is too. My Christmas style has evolved throughout my adult life from glitzy, blingy decorations with over the top multiple trees to simple garlands, stockings made from natural fibers, and simple trees with lights and hand-crafted ornaments. Part of my decorating evolution I credit to the fact that I have 4 kids and a crazy pace of life that has worn me out, so simplicity has a new appeal and beauty to me. The other part of this evolution is that I now realize that it isn’t the glamour of the decorations that you need to deck your halls and get your home ready for the holidays. Wooden cut out Christmas trees with a bark applique and an angel made from reclaimed wood make simple and earthy Christmas addition to a sunroom mantle. Cotton boll stems or simple red berries and a burlap ribbon wound through a grapevine and greenery wreath make a warm and welcoming entrance for your front door. More cotton bolls, red berries, fresh cut greenery or magnolia leave are woven seamlessly in and around mantle decorations in the family room. A few more cotton stems added to the tree tie the room together for a natural and simple Christmas look. Small touches here and there; splashes of color with red berries or branches from a cedar tree are just enough to bring Christmas to your home.
The smell of the greenery and a warm cinnamon candle burning nearby, the soft glow of the tiny lights on the tree and the warmth of the fire burning in the fireplace, watching the empty stockings moving ever so slightly as they dangle from the edge of the mantle and hearing the laughter of my children playing a game together…these are a few of MY favorite things. These things are simple and relaxed and allow me to sit for a few minutes and enjoy the peace of a Silent Night and remember what the true meaning of the season is….. For unto us a Child is born,
And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Designer | Karen Tillery