Welcome! I am so excited to be included in Jennifer Rizzo's Holiday House Walk this year!! Since even before I started my own blog, Jen's House Walk has been my absolute favorite week of the year as a blog reader. Yours, too? I am thrilled to have found others who are as
This year, the House Walk is sponsored by Joss & Main and partnered with Good Housekeeping for loads of holiday inspiration. A huge thanks to Jen for including me. My home was chosen from the House Walk link-up party last year.
If this is your first time here, my name is Courtney and I live with my husband, 3 boys & Golden Retriever in a fixer upper split level in NJ.
I dream of living in a farmhouse in the country, but since that dream probably won't be coming true anytime soon, I'm always scheming up ways to add charm to our home affordably. With an emphasis on affordably. One DIY project at a time, we have rescued our house from the 1980's time warp it was stuck in when we bought it 8 years ago and created a home that works well for our family. On with the tour!
Here at our house, we agree that "back door guests are best". Therefore, we will start our tour in the mudroom where all of our favorite guests enter our home. Come on in!
Our dog, Keeper, is waiting to welcome you. I hope you don't mind if she joins us on the tour because she just loves visitors. Did you notice the tuft of hair that sticks up proudly right on the top of her head? That cowlick has earned her the nickname of "Sprout" in our family.
I added lots of pops of red to our blue & white mudroom. We carved out some space from our family room to add this mudroom about 5 years ago. We used off-the-shelf Ikea cabinets to get us the look we wanted without a big price tag. This is a fun space to decorate, but on most days this area is hard working and looks nothing like these pictures ;)
Our dog, Keeper, is waiting to welcome you. I hope you don't mind if she joins us on the tour because she just loves visitors. Did you notice the tuft of hair that sticks up proudly right on the top of her head? That cowlick has earned her the nickname of "Sprout" in our family.
I added lots of pops of red to our blue & white mudroom. We carved out some space from our family room to add this mudroom about 5 years ago. We used off-the-shelf Ikea cabinets to get us the look we wanted without a big price tag. This is a fun space to decorate, but on most days this area is hard working and looks nothing like these pictures ;)
Just past the mudroom, we will enter our family room. I criss-crossed some vintage rental skis from an old ski resort over the mantel and added a popular sentiment in our house at this time of year, "Let It Snow". We enjoy lots of winter activities at our family's little cabin in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate NY so we really are hoping for some snow soon. The wooden letters that I used to spell out the words are from Hobby Lobby. I covered them with birch-bark looking scrapbook paper. The snowflake is from Michaels and the snowflake garland is from HomeGoods.
Our family room is the most traditional space in our home and I try not to make too many changes in here from year to year, because this is where most of my kids' Christmas memories are in the making. I wrote a post about how I made the plaid ornaments & shared more about our family room tree here.
I like to think this room is a true reflection of our family's personality and interests. Especially the gallery wall that we recently updated for winter.
This leather chair by the fireplace is the coziest spot in the house. I am loving the new stools from Joss & Main that look like tree stumps. They are the perfect spot to rest a mug of hot chocolate while warming up by the fire. My boys appreciate that I will be able to use them year round, which means one less trip up to the attic to store the holiday stuff for them. The pine cone pillow is also from Joss & Main.

I painted the tree farm sign a couple of years ago and it has found a new place in our family room this year. This little spot is where I store my gift wrap items so they are at the ready when I bring home gifts throughout the busy holiday season.
Next, let's head upstairs via our front entryway.
Another one of this year's finds from Joss and Main is sitting on the red bookcase in the foyer. I just love this unique basket, called the Evergreen Basket, made out of a log. I stuffed it full of clippings from the trees in our yard and a few plaid wrapped presents.

Let's head upstairs into the living room/kitchen/dining level of our house. We created an open floor plan on this level by removing the walls that divided all the rooms.
I challenged myself not to use quite as much red on this level this year and it was HARD for me! I love my pops of red year round, especially at Christmas. It was good for me to step outside my comfort zone and try some new things.
We recently added some wall planking to this room and it added so much character. I tried to keep things a bit simpler this year and probably repeated the phrase, "less is more" about 50 times to myself. With 3 school-aged kids, this area of our house tends to get cluttered with stuff very quickly and usually starts to drive me crazy by mid-December. I am hoping to avoid that this year by keeping things simpler with less Christmas clutter. The Baking Co. sign we DIY-ed recently fits right in with our holiday decor.
I used Preserved Boxwood wreaths from Target to top off the french doors in our dining area and added a chalkboard paper banner to dress up the largest one a bit. I made the small wreaths on our chandelier from the smallest grapevine wreaths they sell at Michaels and added some boxwood clippings from our yard.
I kept our dining table simple too. I always swoon over the gorgeous table settings I see in other bloggers' homes, but we just aren't a formal dining table setting sort of family. When it comes to entertaining during the holidays, we are more the, "grab yourself a glass of wine, make a plate from the buffet and hang out wherever is most comfortable" type. Usually that means we spend hours around the kitchen island. The table linens are from H&M and the rosemary trees are from Lowes.
Three fresh wreaths from Trader Joe's hang on our kitchen windows from black and white gingham ribbons. The pine tree dish towel is from the Target Dollar Spot.
My DIY Target Dollar Spot Kraft paper dispenser hangs on the side of our fridge with a simple Christmas picture.
The candle chandelier over our island is from the Lowe's outdoor department, bought on clearance a few years back. I added some greenery and hung some mercury glass ornaments with black and white kitchen twine to dress it up for the holidays.
In the living room, we added a new flocked tree this year. It looked so pretty and natural without any lights or ornaments and I was tempted to leave it that way!
If the family room tree is the kids' tree, then I am calling this tree a tree of my own! I love everything related to books and reading and I based this tree on that. I decorated it with small books as ornaments, words written on chalk ribbon, pretty silver and mercury glass ornaments and lots of letters. I will dedicate a post just to this tree next week.
I uploaded an image of the word "joy" onto our smart tv to give it the appearance of a chalkboard over the fireplace. I am forever trying to disguise the "big black box" over the (faux) fireplace.
My youngest guy & I enjoyed making these paper Christmas houses from a kit last year and we put them into glass canisters with salt as snow. Isn't it amazing how anything placed behind glass becomes enchanting?
On the mantel, I made a garland out of 5 small glass bottles, filled them with water and added some evergreen clippings.
I love the simplicity of these. And because the clippings are in water, they should last the entire holiday season.
We even added a full size tree up here this year. Keeper is really enjoying it :)
It's kind of magical to come upstairs after a long day and see the tree lights illuminating the room. I don't know why we haven't always put a tree in our bedroom.
The window seat in our bedroom was made from the 2 side pieces of an old pine wall unit and a couple of kitchen cabinets from Lowes for the bench. You can read more about that here. Our DIY Master Bathroom is just to the right of the window seat. This is still the project were are most proud of to date.
My favorite part of the busy December days full of the hustle and bustle of the holidays is soaking in the tub.
Wow, this holiday home tour has really wiped Keeper out! I guess that means it is time to wrap up our part of the tour. From our family to you and yours, we wish you & yours a happy and healthy holiday season!
You can start the tour at the beginning here. For even more holiday inspiration, check out the Good Housekeeping Holiday House Walk board on Pinterest. And I hope you'll be back. I still have lots of holiday decor & ideas to share! There are still a couple of more homes on the tour for you to see. Next stop is Susie Harris for some more gorgeous holiday decor. You are really in for a treat. She is joined on her tour by her adorable grandson! Enjoy!!
You've created fantastic Christmas atmosphere in your house:-) I love all the decorations and I don't know which one I like the best. Maybe the checked skates and the old wooden ski! They are fantastic:-)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of Christmas Tree in the bedroom - I think I will have one there this year!
And Keeper...he stole my heart, especially when he got bored with your holiday home tour:-)
Greetings to you and your family:-)
Thank you!! I think you will love having a tree in the bedroom. Go for it! Lol, yeah Keeper was bored once she realized she wasn't getting any more treats. Then it was nap time. Greetings to you and your family as well.
Deletelove that flocked tree so much! your home is so cozy and warm and definitely has that farmhouse feel you want! beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteThank so much, Cassie. You just made my day by saying my split level has a farmhouse feel :) Happy Holidays!!
DeleteWOW one of the prettiest homes on the tour for sure! I love how you keep the elements tradition for the kids. That mini bottle with the greens garland is PERFECTION! Great home...great decor! Enjoy the holidays!
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Thank you, Melissa! You know, I think those little bottles with evergreen clippings turned out to be my favorite thing. Sometimes, it is just the little things, right? I hope you enjoy the holidays too.
DeleteLove your home! Your decorating style is truly inspiring. As a new follower I've gotten tons of ideas from your blog. Absolutely beautiful and cozy. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThank you for that wonderful comment, Kristen! I am so glad to hear you have found ideas here and that you are now following along :) Merry Christmas!!
DeleteOK I'm drooling!
ReplyDeleteI ❤️ everything!
And Keeper, you are one beautiful girl!
Thank you!! From Keeper and me :)
DeleteEvery single little bit is beautiful! I love it all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stacey!!
DeleteCourtney, I am SO excited for you and really proud of you too! Everything is totally amazing. You absolutely deserve to be on the tour. You're one talented lady. It's gorgeous. Sending you hugs, omg, I'm so excited for you, CoCo
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much, CoCo. Your comment and support mean the world to me and were just what I needed to hear this morning :) Sending a big hug right back at you.
DeleteWow! So happy to have discovered your blog. Love your style, creativity, home...dog! Such a lovely Christmas home tour. For sure one of my favorites of the year...awesome job!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my home tour this morning and for your kind words about our home. I am so happy you discovered my blog too :)
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my home tour this morning, Kristen!!
DeleteOh Courtney, you have outdone yourself. sO love your home everyday, but this is spectacular. I hope you can now take some time to enjoy the holidays with your family and don't forget have a few treaties for yourself and your sweet puppy I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and again beautiful, beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brooke. I am VERY relieved to have this post up ;) Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season too!!
DeleteThank you so much for being a part of the tour and sharing your amazing home!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for including me in your fabulous house walk!!
DeleteOh Courtney I love your house, I just sent my husband several pictures of I want this done and that done. Where is the kitchen rug from?
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry! Thank you. Please tell your husband I am sorry for giving him projects :) The kitchen rug is from Target.
DeleteI love your house normally but now at Christmas....so warm & cozy! All of your DIY projects are amazing! And I love all your red! Thanks & Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, Leigh!!
DeleteBeautiful home! Esp loved the flocked living room tree, black and white accents, neutral sofa and pillow, and homemade touches. Merry Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Merry Christmas to you too!!
DeleteYour home just might be my most favorite tour of all the tours this year! My goodness, it's so beautiful and cozy, and well thought out. I absolutely enjoyed every last picture! Thank you for sharing it all with us!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Iris. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteOh Courtney just swooning. Oh my you out did yourself this year. Just warm, inviting and cozy holiday feel everywhere. Love Keeper just adorable love the tuff. Seriously Courtney this home is magazine worthy. I hope Jennifer puts your beautiful home in her next book. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteKris
Did you use chalk board ribbon for the words on your book themed tree? If so, what did you use to write on it with?
ReplyDeleteYes, chalk board ribbon from Michaels. I used a chalk pen to write the words.
DeleteWOW, your home is just beautiful!!!! Warm, cozy, just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much from this newbie!! I have always enjoyed touring your home on the house walk. I am off to do that right now :)
DeleteOne of the warmest, coziest, homey-home tours I've been on all season.
ReplyDeleteFull of Christmas magic and wonder - Loved it!!
Happy holidays to you and yours :)
Shannon,
DeleteThank you so much for your wonderful comment. It means so much coming from you because your home is always one of my favorites too!
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour and I'm a red lover, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim! I have always been inspired by the pops of red in your home :)
DeleteLooks Beautiful, Nice Job :)
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteYour home is absolutely gorgeous! I love all the little touches you added. A wonderful tour!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie!
DeleteYou have lovely and cozy home and cute pie dogs!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteCourtney, you have outdone yourself! It's gorgeous! I was tempted to Pin every picture but then decided to just do one and not spoil the tour for people who haven't come directly to your blog yet. Keeper looks so precious and your entire home is SO festive! I love all your unique touches and those skis are fabulous!! Amazing job!!!
ReplyDeleteShelley
Such a beautiful tour Courtney! I loved seeing your house last year and it looks even more amazing this year! Having lived in a fixer upper split level for 8 years I can attest to the difficulty of bringing farmhouse character to it and you have done an absolutely amazing job! Just fabulous:). Have a wonderful weekend and take care, Tara
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for returning this year for our home tour! It can be difficult to make a split level charming, but I have learned to love this style of house. For us, it was the most affordable way to get the square footage we wanted.
DeleteI love your home! All of it! When I was a teen growing up in the Cleveland area, my family bought a split level, so I'm pretty familiar with your floorplan type. I can't believe how beautiful you have made that rather--outdated floorplan by taking down the walls in the main floor. I especially love, love, love your kitchen remodel. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home. Merry Christmas to you and yours from a blog reader in AZ.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanie! Especially your kind words about our split level. Yup, not the easiest style of home to make charming :) Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
DeleteCourtney...your home is so pretty and with all of your wonderful holiday touches, it's really magical. You are so gifted in making such cozy place for you and your family. I truly love everything, especially the theme of the trees on the top of the pickup truck-that melts my heart every time I see it!
ReplyDeleteThis is the best stop on Jennifer's tour. I met her last year, she lives in Illinois not terribly far from me and she is the real deal.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!!
Thank you, Jane! Your are too kind. I am so relieved our home tour is over so I can enjoy the holidays with my family :)
DeleteCourtney- wow, what an amazing holiday home your have created! Thanks for sharing it all with us. Happy Holidays to you and your family...and keeper.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Laura. Happy Holidays!
Deletegosh i love it!! what a beautiful & cheerful home...and lets hear it for festive goldens!! gosh so great! i love your gallery wall especially!! merry merry christmas!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paige! I just adore your style of home and everything you have done with it so the compliments mean so much. Merry Christmas!!
Deleteyours is my favorite home in the whole tour!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you!!
DeleteWow~~ My favorite house on the tour !!!!! LOVE everything you have done. Where diod you get the fabulous big plaid pillows in the mud room?? Love the plaid on them. Looking forward to following your blog!!! Cheryl
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl. Thank you so much for your compliments on our home!! The plaid pillows are covers from Pottery Barn. I bought mine a couple of years back, but I love the plaid covers they have this year too. So glad you are following along now. Thank YOU!!
DeleteI hope you don't mind if I pin EVERY SINGLE PIC because WOW!! You know I'm one of your absolute biggest fans, and you never fail to disappoint with your decorating style!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
ReplyDeleteDo I mind if the queen of Pinterest pins my home tour?!? Pin away, please! Thanks so much, Beth!!
DeleteLove it! Thanks for sharing your home with us! So inspiring:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erin!! Happy Holidays :)
DeleteMy favorite house on this (or any) tour this year! GREAT JOB...... your home is lovely and you're adorable!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Tina :)
DeleteFavorite home on the tour and there were ah-mazing homes!!! Absolutely creative and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind. Thank you!!
DeleteHi Courtney, your home tour from last year caught my eye a few months ago, but you have just knocked it out of the park this year! Your home is so warm and inviting-just the perfect place for a family to celebrate Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting, Jane. Happy Holidays!!
DeleteOH Courtney! This is such a wonderful house tour...I could move right in! You have decorated so beautifully...cozy and festive...yet it feels like a family actually lives here. You have done a beautiful job of making a wonderful home for your family!
ReplyDeleteSUPER CUTE with your goldens! Put a smile on my face thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteYour holiday home is simply stunning! I love how you've transformed a cookie cutter split level into something truly unique and beautiful and unique! You're guests must be so surprised when they walk in the door and see what the inside looks like! Quick question: I'm curious about the paint color you used on the mantel wall in your living room. I'm currently in the market for grays and greiges ... :)Linda
ReplyDeleteHi! Is there any chance you remember where you got the red and white plaid pillow in the entryway photo?
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny. That pillow cover was from Pottery Barn a couple of years back.
Deletethank you!
DeleteHi! I just found your blog through Pinterest...2 years later :) This tour is GORGEOUS!!! Do you remember where you bought the dark ampersand on your wall and the black and white check floor pouf? Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren! Glad you found my blog :) Thank you for your kind words. The dark ampersand was from Hobby Lobby and the black and white check pouf was from Target. Hope that helps!
DeleteI thought I remembered that pouf at Target a few years ago. Missed the boat but I hope to find the ampersand. I truly am in love with your house!! I pinned multiple pics :) I also tried the scarf tie on both my dogs and 1 cooperated, 1 not so much ;) Thank you!!
DeleteAwful painting
ReplyDeleteI know this is rather late, but I'm speechless. You HOME is incredibly inviting and absolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteyou have stunning house. thanks for sharing with us
ReplyDeleteps : the dog is very cute too
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