Christmas Day is done, and it is now time for a nice lengthy exhale. I am the type who is easily overstimulated by color, big feels, and occasions so I know you won’t be surprised to find me longing at this juncture for a silent, holy night. Let’s tour my home in a very spare, peaceful, under-baked, and quiet state.
Find all the sources/shopping guide for items from my home RIGHT HERE.
Does your Christmas decor linger through January? Beyond January?
Because sometimes I have it completely stored away December 26th!
My husband is just like me, and as the extra objects and greenery is cleared away, he begins to breathe easier and will inevitably remark OH THIS FEELS SO MUCH BETTER AND RESTFUL.
I don’t often show you the great room from this perspective (above), mainly because the big TV is not my favorite. I keep meaning to create a painting on wood to conceal it for styling shoots because I like the IDEA of styling the mantel in various ways!
But somehow I end up with more ideas than time to paint and style.
Our kitchen does NOT look calm like this at the moment. Our big harvest table replaced the round breakfast table to accommodate more guests.
The window seat bench is a calm perch for bird watching and daydreaming.
One of my favorite things about white decor is the calm factor. One of the secrets is mixing different whites…there are a myriad of them!
Temperatures will be rising this week, and there may be an opportunity to find solace in the courtyard which receives southern exposure.
I’m a sunshine girl so you better believe if there will be sun in December here in the North, I will stop whatever I’m doing and turn my face to it for a little while. (No need to write me about the dangers of sun exposure – I’m wearing spf 50 this very moment…no tan lines here.)
My “birdbath” above is simply some architectural salvage I collected and plopped together. Unfortunately, the basin (which was an ugly globe light original to the kitchen) was destroyed in a storm last spring.
Mary is special to me and greets you on the path to our front door.
When all is calm and all is bright, all is right.
Have I written a love letter to Belgian linen lately? Because, oh, baby, you make me so happy and I can’t quit you.
You can imagine how cluttered with life this bench in the hall becomes in winter! Sometimes I can handle the accumulation. But mostly, I need it hidden!
We have had the slipcovered chairs from RH forever, and they are super comfortable.
The master bath we completely demo’d then created entirely ourselves is completely zen. It’s a wonderful place to begin and end the day.
Three-legged stools are also a calm sight to my eyes, and they make the best perches for so many things.
The abstract painting reflected in the mirror is by me and titled EVERLASTING. I painted it (and a few more) mainly with my tears after Bella Luna passed away.
But it isn’t a mournful art piece…it is breathing with hope.
This is the first time I ever used plantation shutters, and I do love them!
The bench is from Ikea (Molger), and I gave it a custom paint treatment to maximize the quiet in here.
Even the sink hardware is calm and soothing to my eyes…cross handles are minimal and understated.
Thanks for taking the tour and keeping me company as I gear up to (very soon) declutter and edit it back to calm.
I love this whole record so much, and this song’s a great reminder just now…we can all find ways to give a little more on the other 364 days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7usjnxWqhU
You are so special for reading me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
If you missed my Christmas wishes for you, it will make me so happy to have you visit and soak them in!
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Your home is beautiful, Michele! It DOES look so calm and welcoming. I love Mary at your door. My daughter has created a Mary garden in her yard. In a shady spot, there is Mary surrounded by some beautiful flowers in the summer. A great spot to sit and think and pray! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you. That garden sounds heavenly – what a great spot to pray! xox
Where did u get three-legged stool?
Author
Years ago – HomeGoods!
I too am looking forward to the ‘less is more’ look I do after Christmas. Christmas is the time I allow my decor to sort of “explode” 😉 It’s OK….We do it to celebrate the King’s birthday and it’s a great time to let sparkle and lights prevail.
I’m currently looking for photo inspiration for my after-Christmas look and your lovely post has spurred several ideas. For me white is calm too…even the snow we’re getting today seems to be calming.
Thanks again for such beautiful images!
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Feels good to be joined! I made a dent in the un-decorating and will finish in the morning! I’m ready for some white stuff now!
We just got about 4 inches of snow here in Montana yesterday, just in time for Christmas, and hadn’t had much till now. Usually we get some by the end of October, but not this year.
I admire your blog. I enjoyed the decor and color palette. I usually like a few pops of color, but the monochromatic color scheme is calming. I might move somewhere warmer someday…
Bravo on taking down the decorations so soon.
Hope it was a good Christmas for you!
Author
Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment. My husband has lots of family in beautiful Montana. How awesome to get that white Christmas!!! We missed it here, and the mud outside right now is pretty nasty and the worst pairing with white interiors! Christmas was imperfectly beautiful and a little overwhelming yet sprinkled with miracles. xox
Merry Christmas to you and yours Michele!! I have enjoyed seeing your sister in photos as well!! There’s nothing like having a sister to shop with right?!I do love seeing your lovely home! It is so soothing and I’m trying to add your calmness to mine as well. My kids are here from Algonquin and I can’t wait to go back up and visit Rockford!! Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!! From NC!!
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Merry Christmas to you! Thanks for the kind words. I hope you’ll love the shops I spotlighted! Enjoy the family!
We downsized to a small cottage a few years ago, and I have pared down our Christmas decorations to mostly simple white with greenery, pinecones and candles. Now we hardly have anything to put away, and I love the simplicity. Like you, I do best without a lot of color and things about. Your blog is an inspiration and a soft, welcoming place to visit.
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Thanks so much for your kind words and for adding to the beauty here. Your cottage’s decor sounds lovely.
Happy New Year to you, Ms Lovely
I have just spent the better part of, oh, 2.5hours+ reading and pinning, to Ms Lovely. This is the year for upstairs (to be completed..) bathroom and renovate 1948 Cape Cod kitchen with possible bump out. You are inspiration!
Thank you!
PS. I, too, Love Sarah Richardson
Author
Music to my ears, lovely gracious friend! How exciting to embark on this design adventure. A bump out! Wow! I keep wondering about expanding our own kitchen…thanks for adding to the beauty here and hanging out – keep it up!
Hi Michele,
How beautiful and yes, very calm and peaceful. I love this Celine Dion song, as well! Everything looks SO perfect. Thank you so much for sharing your beauty with me at the TFT party. Pinned ( a few times)! Happy New Year! Your style does definitely say “Peace with you”!
Theresa.
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Awwww – you’re such a gem, Theresa. Thanks for the kindness. And I must say ‘shoestring elegance’ is music to my ears! xox
Helloooo0 Lovely! This is just all so wonderful and peaceful. I am slowly taking down my Christmas decor and easing into winter but I do crave the calm, serene simplicity of winter and a neutral, calm look after the hectic holidays. There are so many gorgeous images in this post and lots of inspiration.
Thank you for sharing at TFT. Happy New Year1
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I love hearing from you, Amber – you’re such an amazing source of inspiration and create so much quality content! You deserve a long, relaxing stretch of calm, and I hope 2019 holds many such opportunities. Thanks for hosting and welcoming me so warmly in 2018. xox
Wishing you a Happy New Year! Your house is beautiful! Thanks for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things! I’ll be featuring you this week! Angelina @ Petite Haus
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So excited!!! Thank you, Angelina! What a great group of bloggers I am getting to know at TFT! So much more fun than going it alone! xox
Michele,
I just loved the tour of your house with all of the soft white decor. That window set is beautiful and I love your bathroom. I love white and marble in the bath. I have that in mine. Your house is so calm and serene. Hope your new year is wonderful. Thanks for stopping by Thursday Favorite Things.
Hugs,
Bev
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Thank you so much for taking the time to tour, Bev. A calm and mostly white home seems to best reflect how I want to feel on the inside. I enjoy color in nature though! Thanks for hosting and the kind words. xox
Your home looks so lovely. Thanks for sharing it. Please stop by Thursday Favorite Things since you are being featured. https://eclecticredbarn.blogspot.com/2019/01/thursday-favorite-things_9.html
Hugs,
Bev
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I’m so flattered – thank you for this kindness, Bev. I love partying with you talented ladies!