Silver Bells & Magnolias Christmas Home Tour Part 1

Welcome to my first Christmas Home tour this year. I didn’t set out to have a theme, but it definitely ended up with the recurring elements of Silver Bells and Magnolias.

If you are coming from the lovely Amber Tysl today as part of the Seasonal Simplicity Christmas Series Home Tours, welcome! I’m Leslie! I’m passionate about sharing the renovation journey of our 90’s fixer upper in Alabama. The house had been in foreclosure and needed a full renovation and lots and lots of love.

We have been working tirelessly to update or remove dated architecture for 2 years to create a home that suits my southern traditional style. My hope is that with each project and room makeover you will be inspired to create a home you love on a budget.

After a few years with at least hints of red, this Christmas, I wanted to return to a more muted palette. You can see last year’s Colorful Christmas Home Tour here.  It is still one of my favorites.

At the entry, I reworked the massive garland from last year, removing the red poinsettias and adding oversized silver ornaments. I’m lucky enough to have three large magnolia trees in the front yard so adding the deep green shiny leaves here and there is a free way to decorate for Christmas!

I built the Christmas tree planters last year. Linked here. They are large enough to hold an artificial tree as well, but because my porch is not covered I opted for a pair of live cypress trees that I will plant in the backyard this spring. 

I tied up old gold bells with new silver ones and dangled them from the center of the wreaths. I love the unexpected mix of finishes. It also helps tie in the old and new elements. I

The Foyer

I added lighted silver bell garland this year along with a few ornaments. The silver and white ribbon was used on my tree last year!  I like to challenge myself to reuse what I stored away in a new and fresh way.

Of course, the show stopper in the foyer is this stunning live wreath from Lynch Creek Farm! At the end of this post be sure to enter to win your very own!!

It smells so amazing! I love adding real wreaths and garlands whenever possible to bring in that Christmas tree smell without caring for a live tree.

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the Dining Room

This garland, used as a simple runner on the table is also from Lynch Creek Farm. It is the Deluxe Port Orford Garland. Check back on Friday for Part 2 of my Home Tour to see how I used the garland in the kitchen!

Every year, I bring out my tacky Wal-Mart Christmas tree and it’s always on of my favorite things. Of course, vintage inspired trees like this are making a comeback but I’ve been using my “slightly psychedelic tree” before they were cool. I’m kind of a rebel that way.

Beyond the magnolia leaves used here and there around the house, I finally created paper magnolias for my tree in the living room. I dreamed up this idea several years ago and this was the year I was determined to make them come to life.

My mom gave me this beautiful nativity set many years ago and I love it! The matte white ceramic is incredibly detailed and the look is is timeless.

The bar I converted console table is styled cheerfully for the season too.

It’s hard to capture in photos, but he gold foil print declares, “Eat, Drink and Be Merry!”

The living room

If you’ve been following me for a while then you’ve seen the mantle scape I created in the living room. You might notice, I added the silver bell garland here too.  I created glittered snow globe lanterns this year. You can find that tutorial here.

Inspired by the lanterns, I used my collection of cloches to create snow globes with little houses and bottle brush trees.

I updated the seasonal botanicals with printable from Blesser House. If you don’t follow her, you definitely should. You can find them here.

Now here’s where a need to make a confession. I am not completely satisfied with the way my tree is right now. I had every intention of making more than just small tweaks to the tree once I made and added the paper magnolias. I’ll be posting a full tutorial very soon. I wanted to re-work the ribbons and add a darker grey ribbon too. But I ran out of daylight yesterday and didn’t have time to do anything more than tucking a few of them into the tree randomly.

Follow me on Instagram and you won’t miss the update!

Don’t miss Part 2 of my Christmas home tour HERE.

The next stop is the lovely Tauni Evertt!

Don’t miss her stunning classic Christmas Style!

Today I’m joined by some talented friends who are also sharing part of their Christmas home tour with you…

The Happy Housie House of Wood Inspiration for Moms Town and Country Living In My Own Style

The Turquoise Home Amber Tysl Deeply Southern Home Tauni Everett

And the sharing continues all week long!

Tuesday

Sincerely, Marie Designs Satori Design for Living Finding Silver Pennies Willow Street Interiors Confessions of a Serial DIYer

Happy Happy Nester Life is a Party Two Twenty One Tatertots and Jello

Wednesday

Lemon Thistle So Much Better With Age Taryn Whiteaker Love Create Celebrate Rambling Renovators

Clean and Scentsible House by Hoff A Pretty Life Modern Glam

Thursday

Rooms FOR Rent Shabbyfufu Stacy Risenmay Jenna Kate at Home

Sand & Sisal Paint Me Pink Place of My Taste Maison de Cinq

Friday

The Happy Housie Home Made Lovely Just a Girl and Her Blog Maison de Pax Summer Adams Jamie Costiglio Sawdust 2 Stitches Hallstrom Home The DIY Mommy All Things With Purpose