Sunday, November 27, 2011

Deck the Halls!



A first this year -- our house is all decorated and it's not even December!! Woohoo!!

Come on in -- the entryway

  I had a big incentive and deadline as Mr. Tennis agreed that our house could be open on Sunday, Nov. 20,  for a Holiday Open House tour.  Holy smokes, I was sweating it for a while there, but it all came together.  It may be true that Mr. Tennis ignored my "theme" of silver/red/white and threw in some other colors, but it turned out fine.  I put the kibosh on some of his "special" decorating touches and sent him outside to do his Clark Griswold impression! :)

 Reports were that there was a big crowd with a line out the door and down the block to go through the house. Visitors could see five different houses throughout the city and the admission price went to fund a special program for kids at our local elementary schools.  So, it was a veritable win/win -- we (somehow -- late nights, etc.) managed to do our Christmas decorating early and kids at schools throughout the city benefited too.

We decorated each room and even have two Christmas trees up!


My favorite room is the dining room!


Love my red and white dishes!


The stairs with polka dot bows are also a fave!



And love our mantel -- so pretty, but hard to photograph due to a large mirror!



How about you?  Have you finished your decorating? 
It may be a new tradition to get the decorating done early!

11 comments:

3 Peanuts said...

Janet--it looks beautiful!!! You have done a fabulous job and what a great reason to decorate early. our house was on a holiday tour once. I started the decorating yesterday and we are keeping it rather simple this year so it is mostly complete. LOVE your silver white and red theme...gorgeous!!!!

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

looks amazing! LOVE it! You have given my some ideas!

red dishes - LOVE too!

Have a great day!

lea
xo

Laurie said...

OMgoodness, it is breathtaking... GREAT job on the decorating!!

Jodee said...

Holy smokes! Love, love, love your decorations this year! I especially love your red dishes. I think Mr. Tennis should sign you up every year! HA HA!

Lisa said...

gorgeous!!!!

Bridget said...

Janet it looks lovely!!! Each room is prettier than the next. I just put away the Thanksgiving decorations:) I need to start pulling my Christmas things out this week and hopefully by next weekend we will be all decorated! Enjoy it all it looks so pretty!

Gail said...

Just started my decorating today, and you've inspired me! Love your festive home, Janet!!

Can I ask...where did you get your beautiful red dishes? Red's my favorite color. :)

Love this post!

Musings from Kim K. said...

What a gorgeous tablescape. Your home looks beautiful. I'm loving the silver, white and red theme. Bring on the Christmas cheer! I'm hoping to provide some normalcy to the girls after our tough weekend.

The Byrd's Nest said...

Oh!!! I love your dining room, just gorgeous!!!

Karen said...

That was so generous of your family to open your home (before Thanksgiving!) to benefit others. Everything looks lovely. The best part is that you can relax a little knowing that one holiday chore is out of the way.

Mandy said...

Absolutely beautiful!!
I love your mercury glass pieces & WHERE did you find those adorable napkins?!?!