If you are coming today from one of the other fabulous blogs, and we have not met, I am Rachel and you probably wouldn’t believe it now, but our house started out as a really nasty foreclosure. Project by project, we are cleaning it up and making it our own. (You can see a gallery of all our projects HERE.) I am a Nashville-bred, DC transplant, who loves to make stuff. Lots of stuff. You will usually find me in paint stained clothes working on my next project. If you are a regular reader, know I try not to overload you with pictures usually, but today is a bit different. Today, I am sharing our foyer and our dining room, which I will be sharing more of next week because we are hosting a simple Christmas party this season.
Our foyer splits into 2 rooms, with the dining room being on the left and what I call a parlour room on the right. (Off the blog, I just call it the front room, but that’s not a technical term.) This is where I put our second tree that faces the street. A few facts about our christmas tree:
- Your looking at an 9 ft thrift store tree that I got for FREE. In case you don’t know, calling me cheap is a compliment and my whole house is decorated on the cheap.
2. We have a theme for the front and dining room. It’s a woodland animals/winter wonderland theme. Our tree has owls, birdhouses, foxes, and rabbits on it. For anyone looking closely, I have a few pieces of paper stuck on the tree as placeholders. I ordered these lanterns which are a huge deal at $7.99 each to put up, but they haven’t arrived yet. Bummer.
3. Trains are sort of my husband’s thing. They are nostalgic for him since he has always had one at Christmas time and we put ours under the front room tree.
4. This is our family Santa Sack. I created a stencil from this tutorial and “painted” it using a fabric marker. I got my canvas sack for $4 at Hobby Lobby or you can easily order one for about $25 on etsy.
Our dining room continues the winter wonderland theme.
This 3-tiered stand is a new addition this year! It is actually a silver serving tray and a 2-tier cookie stand from my mom’s kitchen. I took a piece of wrapping paper cardboard and wrapped it with ribbon to make a 3-tiered stand.
The centerpiece on my dining room table is actually my year round centerpiece with this magnolia garland, some silver berries, and these black lanterns that I have had for years.
The silver coated deer tie into the foyer and I got six of them on sale.
To be honest, I am not normally fancy enough to put place cards on my table. It is usually friends and family visiting, so they can sit wherever they please. But I felt like the table needed a bit more color and something festive. I just happened to have some leftover Christmas balls and I love the pop of color on the mats.
Thank you for joining me today and I am so glad you came! If you want to learn more about us, check out a few of my favorite projects we have done:
More Interesting Project Ideas
The Mini- Beer Safe 
Merry and Bright Christmas Sign 
Craft Room Reveal
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Kristy Robb says
So pretty! Love the little blue ornament place cards. Cheers! Kristy
Rachel says
Thank you! I love reusing things I already have one hand.
Morgan says
This is stunning! Would you mind sharing how you were able to get the balls to stay so well on the plates?? We are using Christmas balls for our name cards at our wedding and I am trying to figure out the best way to do so!
Rachel says
Oh, I would love this at a wedding! I didn’t worry too much about the balls rolling around for mine, but I could see the dilemma. If it were me, I would take a 1/4 inch wide strip of paper and tape the ends together to make a ring or loop. Then set the ball on top of the loop so it’s like a nest. That would help keep it from rolling around the plate. You could also try something round and more decorative like a small wreath or decorative chain.
Kristi says
Oh my gosh! First of all that tree was the score of the century! And second, your parlour and dining space look absolutely stunning! Love the woodland animal theme!
Bre @ Average But Inspired says
Holy moly! How in the world did you get the tree for free? Even from a thrift store that’s an accomplishment! I love your winter wonderland theme. Everything is so pretty!
Rachel says
haha! So the whole story is that my neighbor is the thrift store/yard sale queen. She actually found it at the thrift store as the donators were bringing it in. The store didn’t have room for such a large tree so the people donating it gave it to her instead. Unfortunately, she found out that the tree had been in a home with cats and her boys are allergic, so I ended up with it. Score! We washed it with a pressure hose just to be safe and I added the flocking myself. Not too shabby.
Sarah says
I love that you got your tree for FREE!!! Woohooo!! Score!!! Your woodland theme is gorgeous and my boys would be entranced with the train.😉 What a lovely space- Merry Christmas!!😊
Rachel says
Yes, my son is entranced by the train and my husband loves to watch it as well. I wish I had found one that didn’t require batteries though, cause we go through a lot. Thank you for stopping by!
Jeanette CountryDesignStyle says
I love your free tree and compliment! I’ve always wanted to decorate in blue for Christmas. Pinning and sharing.
Rachel says
Thank you so much, Jeanette!
Virginia Fynes says
Your Santa sack looks FAB! Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays
CoCo says
Oh my word, your tree is gorgeous! I can’t believe you got that for free – that is bananas! I love all of the extra special touches you’ve added and how you’ve upcycled and customized so many things to make it your own. It’s all really festive. Hugs, CoCo
Rachel says
Awww, thank you so much Coco! It has taken me a few years to get it right, but I think it is just about right.
Lydi @ Lydi Out Loud says
I love your theme… it is so cozy and welcoming! I love that you said calling you cheap is a compliment, too cute!
Rachel says
Yep, I tell my husband all the time he is lucky to have me since I am cheap and responsible, lol. Except that I make him help me with DIY projects all the time.
Meg Green With Decor says
I just love the train under the tree! And your table looks great!
Rachel says
Awww, thank you Meg!
Tara @ Lehman lane says
Absolutely gorgeous Rachel! Your tree and dining table are fabulous!
Rachel says
Thank you so much Tara! The spaces in this tour, including yours, are so beautiful and inspiring!
Lindsay Eidahl says
I love this! The colors are gorgeous!!!
Roxanne says
Your tree is just stunning Rachel!
Jenn & Vicki @ 2 Bees in a Pod says
Wow this all looks amazing! Absolutely love the woodland themed tree and cannot believe you got it for free! Also, what a great idea with that tiered tray…so creative!
Bliss says
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and I hope the most awesome beer fridge is stocked for your party!
Brittany says
You have a beautiful home Rachel! I love your Christmas tree and dining room. Thank you for sharing your place with us!