If you’ve caught wind on Instagram, we recently put in a gas fireplace! OMG I LOVE IT! I am cold pretty much from December to March, and I love that I now have a place where I can go heat up quickly. (I have been known to put my hairdryer in my shirt in the past!)
My first apartment had a gas fireplace and it heated all 700 square feet up to 90 degrees in the winter. Our new insert isn’t heating the living room that much, but it has definitely made a big difference. It’s also so nice to look at! We got it through Wooden Sun here in Cville, and we had a great experience. I was nervous to see how they would bring gas to the middle of the room, but they did some fancy move inside the guest room closet to get it there.
We spent the past week decorating for Christmas, ending with our tree over the weekend.
MY OTHER RECIPES
Recall last January when I went on a crazy decluttering spree after the holiday season ended. I don’t do well with the extra decor! (I think Sherry and I are on the same page!)
So, this year, I actually decluttered before I brought down the Christmas boxes. The red and green is “instead of” rather than “in addition to” our regular decor. I tucked away or relocated some of the knick knacks in the room, on the mantle, and on the book shelves.
When it was time to put things out, I had a blank slate! I moved the lanterns that had been in the fireplace out to the buffet table, along with the little gold trees I bought at Target a few years ago.
I bought these pillows at Target two years ago, and I’m not so much in love with them anymore. When I was there last week I didn’t let myself buy anything new, but I might when it all goes on sale soon! I love how they have the holiday decor sorted by style category. I think my style is Fireside and Merriment & Silver. What is yours? I think I am more into neutral and natural than red and green. I am obviously obsessed with the new Magnolia Hearth & Hand line!
I did just buy ridiculously soft and ridiculously inexpensive flannel sheets last week, though. They are so cozy!
Mazen was super excited to help with the decorating this year – especially all of the beads! He got quite mad when they kept sliding down, so I had to help him to get them to stay up.
He decorated his bedroom windowsill with a few kiddo toys.
He insisted on calling this pillow his!
Last but not least, my very favorite item to put up is our door wreath. I bought the reindeer hanger at Target a few years ago and it works so well! Our wreath (from Grand in Road) is on a timer and lights up at night! Thomas also put icicle lights on our front porch!
What is your favorite (or least favorite) holiday item to get out every year?
The Christmas decor looks great, Kath! The fireplace just completes it all! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Hi Kath! I’eve been a long time reader and love the blog. I just bought my first house and deciding on paint color! Can you give some insight into the neutrals that you used in your new house, I love how bright and open it looks!
Thanks!
The whole downstairs is Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray!
P.S. Your house looks lovely and do tell Maze I put Santas in his bathroom!
Her house looks like a sanctuary. <3
And good on you for decluttering before the Christmas holidays, Kath! Most people wait until the new year to declutter, you know what I mean? You're ahead of the game.
Just wondering what’s in the mason jars on your shelves!! They look like straws!! ?
They are!! That’s where I keep them 🙂
Every year I say I’m gonna hit the Christmas sales, then after Christmas I’m watching my dollars and I don’t buy anything lol EVERY SINGLE YEAR
Haha. I have a hard time buying things at the end of the season too – summer stuff, fall themed, even clothes for next year! It’s such a smart way to shop!
I really like the idea of a wreath that lights up on a timer? Is there a cord or is it all battery operated?
It’s all battery operated. And best of all, I don’t think I’ve changed the batteries YET. Three years later.
I got my husband and I stockings from Magnolia Hearth & Hand & love them! I love a blend of golds and traditional Christmas colors in an old-fashioned, rustic way: plaid, snowmen (not cartoon), small fun pieces. I also purchased some flannel sheets from Target that I love!
Was it costly to pipe gas into the living area?
Actually that was the cheapest part. The insert and install was more expensive. They went through a closet downstairs and up through the floor.
i always wonder why the black “elf” is santa’s helper. i hope for a black santa and white elf in the future
this is not at all about your elf and santa, just a comment on our worlds and how they work
i love your blog and read every day
Dawn
Fav holiday item to put out: Christmas tree scented candle, with pine needles and all 😀
I love the gas fireplace!! I was quickly navigating backwards through posts to pick up where I last left off and noticed it, then wondered if that had always been there. This post relieved my puzzlement 😛
I feel you on the Christmas clutter. As much as I like decorating festively, I have to figure out where to put the existing stuff. I’m relieved to be packing away a bunch of it soon, though I like to leave one or two seasonal items out to help stay in touch with nature :}