Christmas In Our “Southern Home”

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In early December of last year, our family’s home was photographed to be in the holiday issue of Southern Home Magazine.  It was an exciting time and we have been anticipating the issue for almost a year.  I’m so excited to share some of the pictures with you today!  My talented friend and florist, Lyn Moser of Special Arrangements, outdid herself with the beautiful greenery and flowers.  I don’t remember the house ever looking so beautiful!  

My husband and I bought our home in 2006, and had our three daughters living with us at the time.  We began working to make the house a home for our family, changing the configuration of bathrooms, refinishing floors and eventually remodeling the kitchen.  The decor happened gradually starting with lots of paint, the huge dining room table and a few rugs.  Leigh Jones, of Leigh Jones Interior Design was there to help every step of the way and I still consider the house an ongoing project.  The house is perfect for our family and continues to be a great home even though the girls have since grown up and moved to different states.  We now have two son-in-laws and a sweet grandson and we love it when everyone is home for holidays

One of my favorite things about the Christmas decorations last year was the garland around the front door, because it made the house seem so welcoming.  You can see just a hint of the wall paper going up the stairs in this picture.  I love color and bold prints and the house is full of both!  It’s been a fun collaboration with Leigh, and we’re not finished yet!

The mantle in the living room was decorated with Winterbury Holly, magnolia leaves, cedar and other greenery.  

We call the room below, the parlor, for lack of a better word.  It’s one of my favorite rooms in the house, especially in the winter because it’s so cozy.

The dining room table, set for Christmas Dinner!  The flower arrangement in the center of the table was breathtaking!

I found the mercury glass balls in the picture below at an antique shop several years ago and they are perfect hanging from the chandelier in the breakfast room.  The painting hanging over the stairs was done by my daughter Rebecca when she was in the 9th grade.

Below is another view of the parlor with the fire lit!

Our Christmas tree was huge last year!  We always decorate it with ornaments collected over the years!  Some of the ornaments were made by our girls when they were in kindergarten and it’s filled with memories of so many Christmases!

A kitchen blessing from Antique European Linens hangs over the sink in our remodeled kitchen, reminding me to trust that all is well and the sun will come up tomorrow.

The Santa Clause music box on the chair in our sunroom was a gift from Rebecca to her dad.  The birdhouse, was a birthday gift to me from Garrick.  This room is a an eclectic mix of things that we love!  It’s the perfect room to sit and watch the birds and squirrels play!

A bright and cheerful upstairs bedroom!

My office, Crazy Blonde Life central, decorated for the holidays!

The gazebo in the court yard is original to the house and one of my favorite things!  When Lauren and Sarah got married, we put a round table in the middle and it was the perfect shelter for their wedding cake, with a kissing ball in the back!

We added the fireplace several years ago, when Lauren got married.  There is nothing like having a wedding to make you get your house in order!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little Christmas house tour and that you’ll buy a copy of the holiday issue of Southern Home Magazine and read more of the rest of the issue!  The pictures in this post are not the same ones in the magazine, but very similar.  Thanks so much for stopping by Crazy Blonde Life and have a great day!  Be sure to follow me on Instagram as we head into the holidays!

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  1. Gade Lander says:

    Suzanne, the pictures of your beautiful home are spectacular. I know it was worth the wait to actually see them in print. Congratulations!!

  2. Patty Wall says:

    Absolutely beautiful!!! Congratulations, gonna buy a copy to read and see more!! May the holidays begin!! Thanks for sharing!!

  3. Your home always look fabulous – but this takes the cake! I agree the magnolia is so welcoming and the outdoor fireplace arrangement – stunning, Lyn did an amazing job – and I can’t wait to pick up the magazine.

  4. Deb says:

    What a beautiful house! I love it x

  5. Mimi says:

    Sooo gorgeous!😊

  6. Shelly Booker says:

    So beautiful!!!
    Helps put me in the holiday spirit!

  7. Francene Katzen says:

    Your house is so gorgeous, Suzanne! I love how you have decorated it. Also love so much of your taste. Yes, this really gets me in the holiday spirit.

    • Suzanne Smith says:

      Thank you Francene! I had fun decorating last year, and I was ready for the holidays so much earlier than usual! Not sure that’s going to happen this year!!! I’m just ready for my family to be home!

  8. Dawn Solich says:

    Your use of color is really different–beautiful home and style!

  9. Heidi says:

    Suzanne, I popped over from your latest post (9/5/18), and I’m so glad I did! What a beautiful and personal home you’ve created. I love all the color and pattern. It looks so comfortable and bright and cheery. I really appreciate a home that looks like people actually live there, that the spaces have evolved over the years, and that the furniture and personal items have been collected and have meaning- not purchased all at once to ā€œdecorateā€.
    I can imagine sitting in that lovely parlor and reading with a nice cup of tea! So pretty.
    Xo Heidi

  10. Kathy Britt says:

    Love the thanksgiving tables! I am changing mine up this year.
    It will be raining this year so no wine country alfresco dining. Therefore I will bring the large dinner table out of the garage and use it in the foyer. First time trying this. We will see how it works out!

    • Suzanne Smith says:

      Hi Kathy

      What a great idea…sometimes we have to pivot! I hope you’ll share a picture!

      Happy Thanksgiving and thank you so much for reading!

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