I’m excited to share a few of my ideas on how to create a vintage inspired holiday look…maybe? But before we begin, I just want to make sure we both understand something. You can decorate however you damn well please. If an authentic vintage holiday is your vibe, go for it. If you’re a sleek, modern person – do that! See a pink tree covered in blue glitter and it makes you happier than Buddy the Elf buying his dad lingerie?? You do that thang and be proud of it!

Whenever I share pieces of my own home, I want to be clear that I do what I like and that’s what I hope you take away from me. There are plenty of voices in this world that will tell you there is a box and that you should stay in it. To that, I say, “BURN THE BOX!” Now that we have *that* out of the way – let’s do this (is that a hashtag, yet? Can we make #burnthebox a hashie??)!

A Dash of Currier & Ives

When I imagine a traditional Christmassy mood, my mind immediately wanders to a Currier & Ives wintery scene. Growing up, I thought that Currier & Ives were the artists behind the homey, country scenes that I would see framed and on old serve ware. I did not know they were lithographers (I mean, still artists in their own wright) but that they worked with scores of talented artists to create the stacks of prints that we (or, I) treasure today.

These prints were painted painstakingly by hand mostly by immigrant women at the time. And, get this, thee Harriet Beecher Stowe said in praise of Currier and Ives in American Woman’s Home in 1869: “The great value of pictures for the home would be, after all, in their sentiment. They should express the sincere ideas and tastes of the household and not the tyrannical dicta of some art critic or neighbor.” I didn’t think I could love that woman more – HA! See? I told you. Harriet Beecher Stowe said BURN THE BOX, too – your decor should fit your taste and no one else’s. Isn’t that the coolest? BOOM!

Good Vibes Only

I made a mistake the other day. Facebook suggested a “farmhouse style” group and I joined it. Browsing the stylings and ideas of others is one way that I fill my creative cup – inspiration comes from everywhere and I love itI However, social media being what social media is, I soon found myself reading a bunch of crap. Belittling crap. Over home decoration. Like, of ALL things – I would think we could avoid being monsters over whether or not buffalo plaid is a good look or not (pulls hair out while internally screaming).

Don’t get me wrong, here. A lot of good can come from lively discussions over buffalo plaid (…………..). The problem is that people can be mean. That’s all there is to it. People can be mean over buffalo plaid. Are you shaking your head right now? Like, we’re both shaking our head, right? Good grief.

My wish for the world would be that everyone would have a home. A safe, warm, and comforting place to sleep, eat, and live. That everyone would be able to fill their home with the people and things that make them happy (buffalo plaid, cows, apples, sunflowers, peacocks, cats, WHATEVER). That they would be able to feel pride in sharing love for their home without being denigrated. Home – belonging – these are basic human needs. Needs that must be fulfilled to achieve well-being (yeah…I am a bit of a fan of Maslow and his “hierarchy of needs”). I want that for the world.

Oh, Hey Billy!

Billy agrees with me. He doesn’t give a mouse covered in catnip where I arrange his chair (yes, that is *his* chair). He’s happy that he has it. To anyone that reads this out there in the vast world of the internet, *that’s* what we want you to know about our home. There is no right or wrong when it comes to creating a comfy and love-filled home. I adore the inspiration I find from everyone – truly – and am floored (honestly, can’t even deal) whenever anyone is inspired by my own home. So, from this anxiety-ridden-and-idealistic-but-also-slightly-cynical-mom-of-five to you, peace, love, & light ( after coffee) – thank you for making it through my How To Create a Vintage Inspired Holiday Look…maybe? Maybe not. *wink* Until next time, my friends!

**If you’re inspired by my dining room, you can see a few of my finds, here!