Welcome to our home… if you are new here I’m Jen Migonis and I live with my hubby AJ and two kids in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. We’ve slowly {very slowly} been renovating our Cape style home and in the past year have added on our front porch and added a middle window to the front of the house. I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun it was to decorate it the porch this year now that it looks great out there so let me welcome you onto the porch first and then we’ll head into the house. Oh, and pretend I’m giving you something yummy to eat and drink because this is a long tour. 🙂
In typical fashion for New England this time of year it was snowing as I tried to take photos of the porch and it had been raining so much the prior days that you can see how wet the porch is from it. I snagged some great flannel from JoAnn Fabric to make the pillows and “throws”, which are really just pieces of solid red flannel. I added in other red accents like a watering can filled with greens and the wagon that I also added a bunch of greens from the woods to.
We recently had to replace our oil tank in the basement. Not a fun thing to do right before Christmas… they aren’t cheap to replace but on the plus side we did end up finding a pair of vintage skis that the previous owners had stored behind the former oil tank. It was a good find… but I wouldn’t recommend anyone spend thousands to replace an oil tank just to find a pair of vintage skis. 🙂
The wreath was one of my easiest projects this season. I bought a faux wreath at Michaels, sprayed it with snow neige and tied and ice-skate to it.
All right… come on in to our kitchen…
I adore our kitchen. I love how light and bright it is and how easy it is to decorate it for any season. I never decorate with red but for some reason was feeling the itch to get a little bit into the kitchen this year to see what it would look like and I loved it!
I love the look of wreaths in kitchen windows and I especially love the look of this pine roping wreath that I bought at our grocery store. For only $5.99. You can’t beat Market Basket, folks. I then decided to dress up our mug holder with a vase in the center filled with holly and a few other sprigs of greens.
I wanted something special on our island and kitchen table that would be safe from the kids and that I wouldn’t have to move for meals so I made two little arrangements under some Pottery Barn cloches we got for wedding gifts and then I filled the containers with mercury glass and greens. It’s incredibly simple and I love it!
As a way to separate the kitchen and the eating area we built a little hutch. I just added some greenery and left out our fruit.
The table and the buffet are on the opposite side of the kitchen.
I love the way this buffet turned out. It’s incredibly simple with our Willow Tree nativity and a framed Dear Lillie print; this set up sets the whole tone for Christmas. This is what it’s about. I haven’t officially introduced you to this buffet yet… This was my most recent side of the road find. It’s a Drexel dresser so it’s a decent piece so I want to sit on the orange-y stain for a while and brainstorm what to do with it.
This nativity is one of the best I’ve ever seen. My parents started my collection and then over the years they and AJ has helped add to it.
Before we walk into the living room I’ll show you where I hung the stockings this year. I decked out the stairway in faux and cut greenery and special ornaments. Every year I buy a new ornament for everyone’s stockings. The past couple of years I’ve purchased a travel related ornament for AJ as reminder of all the places we would love to go together… last year it was The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the year before it was the Eiffel Tower.
Come on in to the living room:
As you come in from the area by the kitchen table you’ll see the desk AJ uses. It is never clear. Never. I just moved all the stuff into the kitchen for this photo. 🙂 Behind the desk is the adorable little tree we got from Coastal Windows & Exteriors yesterday (you can get a one for free as well if you’re from the area, click HERE to find out how). If their name rings a bell with you they were the great company that installed the new windows in Drew’s room and in the living room. The tree was about five feet when I got it but I cut the bottom off and used the greens for the buffet in the kitchen. It’s now potted in a champagne bucket from Pottery Barn. That bucket gets used constantly… and never for champagne.
I trimmed the tree in tiny ornaments that I picked up at Specialty Thoughts (a little store near us that is a step up from Dollar Tree). I had these great plans for big white bulbs on the tree and then as I was in the middle of hanging them my bulbs died. Follow me on Instagram and hopefully you’ll see an updated photo if I can replace some of the big bulbs.
** I’m not a slacker forgetting to close the drawer and cabinet for a photo. For some reason they just aren’t closing properly. That’s real life. **
The lighting was so terrible by the time I finally got to taking photos of this room. I’m going to try and come back later today and replace them with better photos. We have fresh greenery and birch accents everywhere.
I adore our tree and love having the lights on all day. About half of the things you see in this room, or our house for that matter, are free, side of the road finds, from thrift stores or were from Craigslist but my Christmas tree is different. I don’t have handmade ornaments on it. I have gorgeous ones I search for and love. The majority of them are from Restoration Hardware about six years ago from their 75% off sale and then over the years I’ve collected ones I love from Pottery Barn, Home Goods or from gifts.
I’m still in search of the perfect tree topper but in the meantime we have twinkling white lights and sparkly ornaments and bells.
To separate the desk and living portions of the room we have this pallet box which I switch out each season. This year I’ve filled it with our collection of tree stumps that we’ve written a memory on each year. You can read more about that HERE.
Let’s go up upstairs now … our second floor is made up of three bedrooms and one full bath. Come on into the master…
I love to cozy up the mantle in our bedroom since it doesn’t have a TV on top of it the way the mantle in our living room does. I get so many questions about this fireplace. It’s an electric fireplace that AJ and I purchased six years ago right after we got engaged. It was half price at Home Depot after Christmas and AJ gave it the coat of white paint. Our bedroom is long and narrow and because of that we have the added benefit of a little sitting area on on side of our bedroom. To give you a feel for the room I am sitting in the walk-in closet talking this photo.
I decked the mantle out in things that wouldn’t die this year. I hated coming into our bedroom last year and just feeling like there was one more place I needed to clean up needles so this year I oped to make sure it would look just as good as it did when I first set up the mantle a month later.
Let’s move into Elle’s room…
I always wanted a little girl to dress in adorable clothes, decorate with and go do girly things together. With Elle I’ve met my match. She loves her shoes and adores sparkles. We just put her babies to bed three times last night and we do the same routine each time. So when I decided to decorate her room I opted for girly and fun. I added giant snowflakes to the windows from the Dollar Tree and just tacked the ribbons to the underside of the cornice. The table is an adorable one that my mother-in-law gave to Drew a few years ago and then, being as crazy rough as he is, about a year ago he really damaged the top of the table so I used this house tour as a kick in the pants to give the table a makeover so we couldn’t see the damage anymore. The letters spelling “peace” are from Michael’s dollar bin last year and the sparkly tree is from Marshalls years ago.
The shelf across her tiny room is decked out with the ornament topiary I made HERE and more silver ornaments from Dollar Tree, they also sit in confectioner sugar. 🙂
Come on into Drew’s room…
Drew is very excited about Christmas this year and will tell anyone who asks that he’s asking for a spyglass (telescope), an umbrella and guitar for Christmas. He’s definitely excited this year and I’ve tried to use that excitement to tell him the real meaning of Christmas. We’ve been reading the Christmas story in his Bible and have been doing our advent calendar. In his room I decked out the area above his headboard with the great reindeer sign from Peabody and Sassafras with fresh greens on top of it and then added a free printable from Craftberry Bush (it’s no longer free though… it was a 72 hour deal) to his nightstand which he of course loves because it’s a Bug and he thinks those are so funny.
His new dresser got a little Christmas / winter lift with a vintage sled (also found behind our old oil tank), a wire basket I found on clearance at Pottery Barn about three years ago that I’ve stacked his Christmas stories in and a reindeer with a cuddly scarf wrapped around his neck.
This is the second year we’ve gone to the side of the road and cut Drew down a Charlie Brown tree. I’ve given him his child-safe ornaments to put on the tree. It’s about once a day the tree will get knocked down. He’s rough. And you wonder why I had to repaint the table I put in Elle’s room. 🙂
I am thrilled you’ve joined me on a {long} tour of our home!
Today is the last day of the Christmas Hospitality and Inspiration tour. Make some time to sit down with a glass of wine or mug of hot chocolate because these house tours are just gorgeous.
Monday:
The Happy Housie | Everyday Enchanting | Maison de Pax | Life on Virginia Street | Unskinny Boppy | Setting for Four
Tuesday:
rooms FOR rent | Town and Country Living | On Sutton Place | Design, Dining and Diapers | At Home with The Barkers | Cottage in the Oaks
Wednesday:
House by Hoff | Jenna Sue Design | Love Grows Wild | Craftsberry Bush | All Things G&D | DIY on the Cheap
Thursday:
Rain on a Tin Roof | Making Home Base | The Wood Grain Cottage | Capturing Joy | Making Lemonade
Friday:
Migonis Home | Just a Girl and Her Blog | Fox Hollow Cottage | City Farmhouse | Ciburbanity
You have such a beautiful home! I would love a front porch to decorate. Thanks so much for having on the tour with so many wonderful bloggers. Have a great weekend ~Sonya
So glad to have had you be a part of the tour! 🙂
Thanks for the tour. I completely enjoyed myself. I could move right in. Love you blog. Happy holidays.
You’re so sweet, Jean. Thank you so much. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
I just love your house!! It is so pretty. I would love to go up north someday. I have never been. My husband and I live in Oklahoma but we are from Arkansas!! I just love Christmas time to. Getting everything decorated and getting the tree up,I also have my lights on my tree on all day!! I love looking at it through out the day.
I always love your home tours, Jen! I love Elle’s sweet room, and I love all the new pieces of furniture I’m spotting…especially that little green chair by the desk! Thank you SO MUCH for organizing this incredible home tour, I’m so proud to be a part of it! 😉
Sometime you should come over for a real home tour. 🙂 The green chair was something that I’ve had in Elle’s room for the past year but never figured out what color to reupholster it but I actually love it this color in our living room!
Beautiful Jen! Your home is so lovely & cozy! Pinned away! Have a great day!!! jen
Thank you, Jen! Big compliment coming from someone whose house and porch are GORGEOUS!
Thank you for the virtual drink and treats! Your house is yummy, cozy,beautiful, and warm! Thanks for the wonderful tour and opening up your home to us IGers! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
You are so sweet, Tanya. I was glad to have you stop by for the virtual treat and drink. 🙂
It makes me laugh how your tree is so perfectly decorated with beautiful ornaments – especially with two kids! Its stunning. Our tree is decorated with a mish-mash that I love – my great grandma’s ornaments, ones that both boys made in daycare, ornaments from when I was a child, hand-made wooden turned ornaments from my father-in-law, and some added red and silver balls we got as a wedding present. I think those hanging ones you’re giving away would make a great addition 🙂
The ones I’m giving away would make a great addition to your tree of meaningful ornaments! I love having a beautifully decorated tree that feels so grown-up in the midst of all the kids toys and art projects everywhere. 🙂
Beautiful in every way , I enjoy seeing your decorating ideas on Instagram. Thanks for the tour, felt like I was really there!
I so enjoyed your home tour, and all the homes included!!! Absolutely gorgeous!!!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you were able to make it around to some of the other homes on the tour! Have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
It’s so stunning! I love how wintery and Christmasey it feels using all of those natural elements. I can imagine how wonderful it is to come in from that snowy day in the front façade picture and just take in all the magic. Beautiful Jen!
You are great, Maggie. 🙂 Sometimes I just go to the road in front of our house and just stand there looking at the front porch… especially because I can remember vividly what it looked like a year ago and how this is such a drastic improvement! 🙂
Your home looks lovely! And what a fun find those vintage skis were! I’m in love with your porch, and I love the tree in the champagne bucket too. So pretty!
Thank you, Erin… the skis were a fantastic find. I love them and am already brainstorming how I’m going to use them differently next year. 🙂 Glad to have you as part of the tour!
Jen, thank you again for coordinating the event. It was so fun to join in with everyone. You home looks beautiful, and I especially adore that the kids rooms are decorated too. Your sons room is adorable!! Happy holidays to you and your family. ~Shannon
Merry Christmas to you too, Shannon! It was so fun to bring Christmas into each of the kids’ rooms… and so easy since so many of the decorations are reusable each year.
Beautiful home! Love everything!
Thank you so much, Jen! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
It is simply beautiful, Jenn! Thanks for organizing such a great tour!
Thank you, Jenna! So glad to have your snarky, clever self along for the ride. 🙂
I LOVE how you included Christmas in every room of your house! And next year I’m going to get a tree for each of the kids’ room… that is adorable! Thanks for hosting such a fun holiday tour! I’m hooked! Next year I’m starting in October!! 😉 xx
It was so easy to do Christmas in every room, Charlotte, especially since so many of the decorations are reusable for next year! I didn’t let myself decorate till after Thanksgiving so it was definitely a push to get the house ready and photographed in time!
The house looks wonderful Jen.
Excited to see everyone on the 26th.
Thank you, April! Excited to see you and Kerry too!
I loved everything Jen…each picture just got better! Thank you so much for hosting this tour. It’s been such a delight. Merry Christmas!
You are so great, Ann, and what a compliment coming from someone who had such a gorgeous home tour! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you too!
Your home looks so beautiful! I love the memory log idea it is such a cute idea!
Thank you so much, Gilly! It’s such an easy way to remember big events for the year!
You have such a beautiful home, and great taste in decorating. Its always fun to get a glimpse of other peoples homes during the the holidays. Merry Christmas!
I love looking into other’s homes during Christmas (or really any time of the year!). Thank you so much for your sweet words, Jaime! 🙂 Happy Saturday!
What a lovely home tour! Those were some great vintage treasures behind that old oil tank! 🙂
There certainly were some great treasures left there! 🙂 So glad you made it through the very long tour, Grace!
GRACE, YOU ARE THE WINNER O F THE VINTAGE ORNAMENTS! CAN YOU PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS? JEN.MIGONIS@GMAI.COM
Everything looks so pretty with the simple natural greenery. And I love your front porch too. So festive. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Julia! Your house always looks gorgeous! 🙂
Your home is absolutely fresh and beautiful❤️ The fresh greens with the white is stunning. Thanks for sharing. I am a fan!
Hi Victoria! Thank you for your sweet words! I totally agree about the combo of fresh greens and anything white! Have a great Saturday!
I just love your home. You have given me some great ideas for the holidays. Keep them coming !
Jen, your home and winter decorations are beautiful and inspiring. I know it was a labor of love to pull it all together, so I trust now you will have good time just to enjoy what you’ve created. I’m sending you and your family my best wishes for a sweet Advent and joyous Christmas celebration–Nancy
You are wonderful, Nancy. I’m sitting in a quiet and clean living room now, by myself, with the Christmas tree on, which truly is my idea of perfection. 🙂 Hope to see you soon-
beautiful Jen!
thank you, steph! 🙂
Your home is beautiful. I have enjoyed watching you add your porch a d new windows. The porch looks lovely for Christmas. The inside looks so festive, relaxing and cozy!! May you and your family have a very blessed and merry Christmas.
Koleen
Thank you so much, Koleen! I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing Christmas!
Absolutely gorgeous, Jen! I always love seeing your home ready for the Holiday’s! Merry Christmas, sweet friend! 🙂
Merry Christmas to you too! I adored your tour!
Such a beautiful home!!!! So cozy and festive!! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂 love following along on here & IG
thank you, kaitlyn! thank you so much for following along!
Your home is besutiful! I miss New England!
i hope you are somewhere warmer than NE right now! 🙂
Beautiful home! Love the skis by the front door, the special stocking ornaments and the special touches in your children’s rooms! Merry Christmas!
Wow, I stumbled upon your site from Instagram.
So glad I did! What beautiful talent and inspiration!
Warmest holiday wishes!
you’re great, janna! so glad you came over from IG!
Love the beautiful simplicity of your holiday decorating. You are one of my top blogs to read 🙂 Merry Christmas!
you made my morning, thank you, dawn!
Oh Jen… How I love your home and all the work you’ve put into it! I am obsessed with your new front porch and the way you’ve decorated it for the holidays. The skis and skates are the best idea and so perfect for the cold Mass. winters! Loved every room and the kids rooms are so sweet. I love the snowflakes hanging from the cornice in Elle’s room and the items from our IG friends look amazing in Drew’s. ucy’s red bug always makes me smile too. 😉
Your touches are so heartfelt throughout your entire home and I adore all. 🙂 Hugs and love friend! xoxo
you always leave the perfect, sweetest comments. thank you, kristy!
What a fun tour! I LOVE your little boy’s room with all the thoughtful touches. Enjoy the lasting memories you’re creating in reading the true Christmas story with him.
Wishing you and your family a most blessed Christmas!
Thank YOU so much, Diane! 🙂
your house looks absolutely gorgeous all Decked out for Christmas!!
Thank you, Krista! 🙂
This is gorgeous Jen! I love all your touches and details. Pinning and sharing on my FB page today 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Gorgeous home tour Jen!! It looks so festive and inviting! Thanks for inviting me to join along with your home tour blog hop! All the best for 2015! Heather