Hello! Welcome to Life Love Larson! If you are arriving from Z Design at Home, I’m so happy you are here. What a hard act to follow! Bree has such amazing taste! I’m so excited to be participating in the Christmas home tours this year. I want to send a huge thank you to Mary @ A Stroll Thru Life blog for including me amongst 29 truly talented bloggers/decorators. If you’re new here, I’m a wife, mom of two, and preschool teacher living in suburban Kansas City. And I simply love all things home! Come on in (and yes, I still wear white jeans in the winter)!
I have to tell you, I like to keep things simple. The older I get, the simpler I want things in my life, including home and seasonal decor. I also kept things neutral on the main floor this year. Keeping things neutral allows decorations to “fit in” rather than “stand out”, which I love. Our main floor is very open concept, so everything sort of has to flow. I love, more than anything, to create cozy spaces for our family and friends!
I know I’m going to hear “But, you have kids! Where is all the “fun” stuff?” Don’t worry, our basement is decked out with red/white and we have a faux tree with colored lights that the kids decorate on their own! My kids also have small trees in their rooms as well. This is a magical time of year with kids in the home. Mine are on the verge of becoming “too old” for some things (9 years & 10 years old), but this year we all believe and I’m cherishing all the moments!
I’ll take you around room by room on the first floor! More posts to come on the front porch and our basement! I hope you find something that inspires you!
I also switched things up this year and bought a basket to hold the tree. Tree skirts and real trees don’t mix! Too many needles to be shaken and swept. The basket allows for easy clean up! I decorated the tree with blush, silver, white, gold bulb ornaments this year. Leaving off a tree topper keeps the tree feeling a little more organic.
I love, love, love fresh strands of garland for the inside and outside of our home. This year I broke down and purchased some faux garland for our mantel. I’ve learned over the years that fireplaces and garland don’t mix! It gets way too dried out as we use the fireplace. This faux flocked garland is from Walmart! It looks way more expensive than its $13 price tag! I kept the rest of the mantel super neutral with faux fur, birch wood, and simple pom bunting.
Any one else snatch up these bottle brushes from Target’s dollar spot?? They add just the right touch of Christmas to our coffee table. Wooden beads, a Christmas Cactus, and a birch seasonal candle give the books a festive touch!
I keep adding neutral/sparkly trees to the sofa table.
We spend a lot of time in the living room. I’m always hoping for easy, comfy, and cozy spaces! We aren’t fussy or formal people, and kids live here, so we are all about throwing your feet up in front of the fire.
D I N I N G R O O M
I wanted to add a small tree to the kitchen this year. I love turning these lights on in the morning before the kids get up! This tree is faux. I guess I have a thing for putting trees in baskets now!
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Oh I love your minimal real tree, it looks perfect. I agree with you, a real tree doesn't need any decorations. Your home looks beautiful all dressed for the season and I love how you mix in all the greenery and plants. Thanks so much for joining the tours, your home is such an inviting place.
Thanks for including Marty! I really appreciate it!! Merry Christmas! xo
I love how you decorated your home for Christmas! Everything is so gorgeous but that bar cart and it's quote are totally speaking to me! Merry Christmas!
Ha! I love to play up that bar cart!! Thanks for stopping by! xo
What a fabulous tour again. I'm obsessed with bare trees this year and really wanted one myself but my kiddos weren't having it. Love everything you have done.
Thanks so much Julia! xo
I always enjoy your laid-back and oh-so-pretty style Andrea! there's always inspiration to be had in your home tours! As always, honored to share this home tour with you dear! Cheers!
Thanks Vel! I'm still getting around to looking at all the tours! Such gorgeous inspiration! xo
Andrea, I love your festive touches and all of the pretty greenery! Merry Christmas!
Thanks Jennifer! Merry Christmas! xo
Oh this is a truly gorgeous tour! I adore the fresh greenery and touches of pink. It is a delight to share this tour with you.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Happy Holidays! xo
andrea- you filthy animal… love that, and your festive home. yes, I did buy a slew of those bottle brushes at target. too cute. Happy holidays!
Andrea,
Your home is so festive and beautiful! Could you tell me where you got the Merry & Bright Christmas Banner?
And yes, I did hit up the Target $1.00 spot and snagged some of those bottle brush trees also.
Hello! The banner was from Homegoods last year (I snagged it after Christmas for $1)! I'm still buying those trees if there are any left at my Target! xo
So pretty especially the dining area
Thank you so much!
Andrea you truly have a fabulous eye for design. I adore all of fresh greenery. I shared the tour on IG. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Just started following you on IG! Thanks for stopping by!! xo
Yippee, Kansas City!!! Love your style, and our hometown.
Hard not to love KC! Thanks for stopping by!! xo
Oh, your pretty Christmas tree is stealing the show! It's gorgeous. Love your pretty neutral decor with those little pops of pink!
It's my favorite tree ever! Simple is the way to go! Thanks for stopping by!
Love all of the fresh greens! That tree basket is beautiful!
Give me all the textured baskets! I think I have stepped over the line by having too many! Ha! Thanks for stopping by! xo
Love those pops of pink! What a pretty Christmas home!
Thanks Doreen! xo