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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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January 7, 2016

Taking Your Decor from Christmas to Winter

I gave myself an early Christmas gift this year. And it wasn’t like that time that I bought myself a new pair of slippers and made my husband wrap them and put them under the tree and then I opened them on Christmas morning with all of the appropriate fake surprise and joy. 😉

Simple winter tabletop decor atthepicketfence.com

No, this year I gave myself the gift of time. The gift of energy. The gift of streamlining the transition from Christmas to the new year.

Back in November when I started decorating my house for the holidays, I made the decision to be very intentional. I was determined that when it came time to pack away the Christmas stuff that I wouldn’t have to work too hard to have the spaces still feel decorated.

After all, those tabletops and mantels and nooks and crannies still need some love even after Santa’s visit, right?

Take for example my entry table.

Christmas entry with garland on staircase

I removed all of the extra ‘stuff’ and kept out this little decorative sled but tucked the tree into a white pitcher for a pop of something bright against all of the brown-ish tones.

simple winter decor with a decorative sled atthepicketfence.com

I switched out the wire basket for this olive bucket but kept the logs and put it on top of the chest.

Simple and lovely.

olive bucket with logs

The living room mantel was the easiest area of all to change from Christmas to winter.

Christmas mantel with noel letters in twig frame

All I did was remove the ‘Noel’ plaque. The pine-cones and greenery help to keep things looking soft and winter-y so it was a no brainer to just leave them be.

Mantel with shutters and frames atthepicketfence.com

The family room fireplace received a little bit more attention but still only took about 5 minutes.

This is how it looked for Christmas.

Simple Christmas mantel decorating idea

And here is how it looks simplified for winter.

simple french country fireplace decor atthepicketfence.com

The little sprigs of greenery which were in the white pitchers all along the mantel (plus a few more) were tucked into a white urn so that there is still some color.

winter greenery tucked into an urn atthepicketfence.com

On the sofa table, I didn’t have to change a single thing. A wire tray held the candles we used for advent this Christmas and alongside a chunky wood column (one of my most favorite decor pieces!) it will stay this way all winter long.

Simple winter sofa table decor atthepicketfence.com

You know, when it was all said and done, I realized that I had given myself the gift that keeps on giving.

When it was all decorated for Christmas, it was more than enough.

And now, it’s just right.

Fill a wire basket with decorative items. Easy and simple decorating! At the Picket Fence.com

I honestly think that my soul let out a big sigh of relief when I stood back and took in the more simple decor.

It could be because it was less fussy, less dusty and less mussy (that’s a word right?).

But I really think that it’s because I won’t have to do any more decorating on these surfaces until it’s time to break out the Spring decor. Whew!

Hope you are all having a great start to the new year!

Vanessa signature

19 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas Tagged With: decor, decorating, winter decorating

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Comments

  1. Elaine says

    January 7, 2016 at 4:32 AM

    I too decorate for January, I live in south Florida but I put out snowmen and a door plaque that says winter. You have given me great ideas for other decorations, rthank you. I love white and your decorations are just great. I am digging out my white pitcher and putting greenery in it and using my white dishes for everyday during this month.
    Have a happy new year.

    Reply
  2. Sherri says

    January 7, 2016 at 5:05 AM

    I love this idea, I kind of do something similar. I live in a one bedroom apartment, I put up a small tree and then usually decorate the living room with lots of snowman and garland. This way I can take the tree down and still be decorated for the winter until Spring gets here! Your home is beautiful!

    Reply
  3. heidi @ Decor & More says

    January 7, 2016 at 5:37 AM

    Simple, lovely, and still so very fresh! Enjoy, Vanessa!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  4. Doreen @ Hymns and Verses says

    January 7, 2016 at 7:10 AM

    So smart! I need to work on this a bit more next year!!! I unwrapped the gift I picked out this year from the hubs – a red Kate Spade bag! To give the hubs some credit, he went shopping with me to pick something out!!! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  5. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    January 7, 2016 at 10:18 AM

    Everything looks amazing.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 7, 2016 at 8:49 PM

      Thanks Marty!

      Reply
  6. Deborah says

    January 7, 2016 at 4:45 PM

    My word this year is intentional and I so love this. I love the intention. I love the pics. I love it all!!!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 7, 2016 at 8:49 PM

      Thanks so much Deborah!!

      Reply
  7. Anita says

    January 7, 2016 at 6:25 PM

    Oh Vanessa, I love it all! What I love most, though, is that it’s “winter” and your decor reflects the season outside instead of jumping ahead to spring. It’s all just perfect:-)

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 7, 2016 at 8:48 PM

      Thank you so much Anita!! I was SO excited when I was at WalMart the other day and saw your beautiful bedroom right there on the cover of a magazine!!! Congrats to you my friend! <3

      Reply
  8. Cindy says

    January 7, 2016 at 11:20 PM

    All so pretty! Hope you have a blessed and Happy New Year!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  9. debi says

    January 8, 2016 at 6:09 AM

    simply beautiful! I wanted a way to leave the garland and white lights over my living room window, but felt it still looked too Christmassy . I did leave snowmen (tea stained) and some white lights and lots of pine cones… wish I would have thought to keep greenery. I love winter!

    Reply
  10. Teresa says

    January 13, 2016 at 8:04 PM

    Great ideas

    Reply
  11. Karen says

    January 14, 2016 at 8:08 AM

    I went simple this year, as well. I didn’t put much out for Christmas so that it was simple to put back and then minimized winter decor with only a few snowmen on and around the mantel – and I have 3 poinettia’s and 2 greenery plants. Looks very neat!

    Reply
  12. Loni Lichfield says

    January 15, 2016 at 9:35 AM

    Vanessa, where do you get your lovely greenery and garlands? The only thing I can find in my small town is the fake wiry bushy stuff. I want so much to use something that looks like I snipped it out of my backyard, but I don’t know if what you have is real or fake. Can you share where you got yours? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 15, 2016 at 9:58 AM

      Hi Loni! I get most of my greenery/garlands from Craft Warehouse. They have some of the most realistic ones I’ve ever been able to find! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Wynne Snell says

    January 16, 2016 at 8:37 AM

    Love your blog! Was just wondering if you can share where you found the wire basket and greens inside? I will begin at Craft Warehouse. Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Phyllis says

    January 1, 2017 at 11:02 AM

    I am so in love with your sleigh. Where did you find it please?

    Reply
  15. PAT says

    January 4, 2017 at 8:01 AM

    Hi there, just happened on your site, although we are now into 2017 and I’m a year late, I loved what saw! what a lovely way to keep in the spirit of winter!! It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one that keeps it wintry after the holidays!!

    Reply

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