Rental ReStyle: Christmas Home Tour

It's hard to believe, back on November 7, Jeff and I had our home - our life - loaded on a moving truck in South Florida bound for Arizona. I don't think it hit either one of us what was happening until the truck rolled away... with all of our furniture, clothing, office papers, books, photos - you name it, it was on that truck. Thankfully we arrived safely to our new home a week ahead of the truck to have time do some cleaning, painting and planning some of the spaces before the truck arrived on a cold November morning. Thankfully also the truck arrived safely November 15 for us to begin getting settled in our new home - even if renting - while closing on the sale of our Florida home. I mentioned before, it's been challenging learning what looks and feels right in our new space and re-arranging some of our home organization (along with getting to know my way around in an unfamiliar area), but I was determined to make this house our "Home" for the Holidays and beyond. So here it is... our Arizona Holiday Home...

 

Simple lights used outside... just reused lights from our Florida home... but since this is my first stoop (to decorate) used buffalo snow on the steps. 

When it rained - it looked real!

 

 The snow drifts to the corners also helped to conceal some of the wires...

 

I know I'm going to LOVE spending time up in the third floor loft space. Since I had just painted my thrifted buffet red right before we left Florida, I used it (along with my Ralph Lauren book) as the inspiration for the space. The tartan plaid wrap on the wicker chair I picked up while in New York back in September (only $5)... And the table (you may recognize as new) is actually my first Arizona THRIFT find! I sanded it down and refinished it (more about that later...) I used some B&W ribbon I had to tie up 3 simple wreaths (I picked up at Micheal's for only $2 each!) and dressed them with only pinecones and the faux galvanized stars I made...

 

The cream faux bois plate I also scored thrifting here in AZ for $2.

Jeff brought home the fresh cut pine after work the other day...

 

I used Jeff's heirloom wooden suitcase (FILLED with family history, vintage photos and keepsakes) as part of the vignette I made at the top of the stairs on the third floor. The houndstooth fabric under the tree is just a flat sheet we don't use from our set... The glass container is filled with coffee beans and smells great when you come upstairs...

 

The form I use to have with my roses & pearls in the office is now wearing a suede & fur coat I thrifted (actually in Florida before we moved!)  I used the faux galvanized stars I made in the garland on the mirror with some twine to relate to the twine elements on the second floor - our Living room. The mercury glass containers look so pretty at night and smell great too when they are lit from inside with holiday pine candles. They make the crystals I added to my thrifted brass sconces sparkle!

 

I usually use red in our bedroom for Christmas. This year, I kept it simple with just the duvet cover banded at the foot of the bed, with tow quilted pillow covers. The sheets are houndstooth print. I love the simple play on pattern with the lampshades, pillow, sheets and rug. Since it's EXTRA cold here, Jeff brought home another throw - in an argyle print - which also worked great in the space. I brought in the two stools I had recovered in RED, and placed them on either side of the dresser. We use them every night to hold the pillows removed from the bed. I reused my Ikea black candle tray to display some of my cuffs on the silver chest of drawers...

 

My PB frosted branches (I usually used in the dining room or living room) worked great in the new bedroom this year for holiday. I tied a red plaid napkin around the vase neck for a little shot of red & print. The wreath above the bed is actually two garlands I had and twisted together... Sephora is liking the new space too - and fits perfectly on the bed :)

 

Since our new bathroom is smaller (by half) I finally got to put an eteger I had in the garage to use. I painted it black (it was red) and used to to stack towels, hair products and a supply of TP (until I can get the shelves put up in the WC).  We removed the towel bar, and put hooks instead (helps to hold and dry our used towels). Since the bedroom has one window off to one side of one of the walls, I used a mirror to balance the space and light... It reflects into and from the living room...

 

When we painted the bedroom, we had removed a wall mounted bevel mirror.

I used it as a runner for holiday on the buffet...

 

The faux galvanized stars I made helped to give the tree a more "Arizonian" feel (especially since their state flag has a star!) And the mix of metals relates to the states top industry too: MINING - for GOLD, SILVER,,,, and copper :)

 

The stars I used this year actually started out in the kitchen... but I haven't used these stars since I was in my apartment! (They are OLD!! lol)

 

The Florida beachy bottle got their makeover with twine and it's just enough of a rustic touch to relate to our new location...

 

My traditional JOY letters I use yearly got a makeover of their own this year - Misted over the silver with dark broze and also a touch of twine... The buffalo check adds a rugged western touch for winter...

 

I LOVE seeing the keepsake star out on the coffee table - my grandfather made and this star use to be on my tree as a child. The horseshoe Jeff and I found while visiting family in Georgia. It related to the horse wall art I made and had used last year (just a framed calender photo). The blank canvas got a simple rustic touch too - tied with twine...

 

Since I only have a few mercury glass ornaments (and don't want them falling off the tree to the wood floors) I just put them in my black glass bowl (my FIRST thrift item from YEARS ago!) and placed it un the shelf under the coffee table...

 

JOY!!!

 

Pop-Pop's keepsake star he made when he worked at a steel mill in New Jersey...

Is there still some tweaking to do? You betcha! This weekend I worked on getting the Home Office focused on finances only set up... and some more garage organizing of paint supplies, online address changes to profiles, plus clearing out the two bedrooms I'll be setting up as guest rooms for our Florida, New Jersey, and Georgia friends and family (I miss terribly!!) to stay in when they head west to come visit us. I'll share those pics, projects and some tips for moving during the holidays later... But right now it's just time for a cup hot chocolate or coffee and enJOY the holiday... 

Cheers!



Seasons Greetings!

Joyous Noel!

Happy Holidays!

Feliz Navidad! and

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for stopping by!

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ALSO LINKED POST TO:

 Dittle Dattle - Amaze Me Monday

My Romantic Home - Show & Tell Friday