These are some of the items I’m using for holiday décor this year — they’re my faves. Hopefully you can also find something for decking your halls! This year, I kept things simple. In fact, if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably only use a third of your décor. After all, it’s the little things that make the biggest statement when decorating your home for the holidays. Of course, your tree is the star … so make that fabulous! I found the most beautiful glass balls (see below) to add to our tree, and along with special family ornaments, they nicely compliment the beaded garland and pinecones.
Once you’ve set the stage with your tree, you can add other festive touches here and there. Bowls of pinecones, small “tabletop” faux trees, accents of vintage ribbon tied around vases or candles, beautiful wrapping paper for presents under the tree, new hand towels at the ready for bar clean up … you get the idea. Switch out a few things and your home will feel ready!
Clouz Houz Tip: One of the easiest things you can do to make your home feel festive is use cut fresh greenery. Mix it in with faux stems for arrangements all around the house. This helps the faux look more real, AND you don’t have to worry about the entire arrangement drying out and looking horrible by Christmas!
Next week on the blog, I’ll be sharing more tips and pics for the holidays, as well as ways you can bring little festive touches to your home this holiday season.
1
8' Faux Tree
This is our first year with a faux tree, and we must admit, it's pretty nice! No debating about the tree being too small or too big, or straightening it in the stand, or untangling and adding lights, etc. What a major production! This year, it took me all of 30 minutes to assemble and fluff the branches -- gotta love that. We purchased this pre-lit, 8' King Noble Fir and it's very realistic. I do miss the smell of a fresh tree, but we added plenty of fresh cut cedar throughout the house ... and besides, that's what candles are for!
2
Faux Wreath with rope
This wreath is soooooo good for the price! I added a few clippings of real cedar and pine to each one to fill it out a bit, but otherwise it's realistic and cute. Hang it in a window, over a bed, or in a bathroom for a festive touch.
3
Buffalo Check Wrapping Paper
I'm all about wrapping pretty packages! I typically try to find a color palette that I also want to use for under the tree. This year, I went with navy and white buffalo check paper from the Amber Interiors Collection for Etsy. I also used mustard yellow velvet ribbon, and brown butcher paper with navy velvet ribbon. And, I found the cutest little green pine sprays from Amazon to add to each package's bow.
4
Iridescent Glass Ornaments
These ornaments are the perfect addition to our Winter Wonderland-vibe tree!I wanted something that was subtle but pretty with the white lights. This set comes in varying shades of white, light brown and the prettiest blush color. I ordered two sets, and they really don't disappoint.
5
Tabletop Tree with Lights
This tree is the perfect size for tabletop. We installed it on the table in our office/dining room, and it's so pretty when lit up! It also looks great in a basket with nothing else. It's all about simple greens and white lights in this case.
6
Tree Collar
In years past, we have wrapped the base of our tree in a blanket or tree skirt. But, this year, we finally decided to try a tree collar. This one is simple yet gorgeous, and we're really happy with it.
7
Kitchen Dish Towel
I bought a couple of these kitchen dish towels to have on hand at our bar and sink area. They come in handy, and don't feel so holiday-ish that you couldn't extend their use beyond the holidays. I could see also using them for wrapping a bottle of champagne as a holiday party hostess gift!
8
Mohair Throw Blanket
This blanket is super soft and cozy. It comes in a beautiful green as well, but I chose the charcoal grey since I knew it would go the distance beyond the holidays. These blankets are the perfect accompaniment for curling in by the fire and watching a good Christmas movie.
I used this ribbon everywhere, from wrapping packages to tying bows on wreaths. It's the perfect weight, and easy to tie. And, I LOVE choosing a color that is a bit out of the "norm." Although this reads somewhat gold, it gives a more current look to an old time, traditional holiday color.
10
Beaded Garland
We love the natural quality this garland added to our tree! It would also look equally beautiful strung on a mantle with garland. I used the natural color (which is now sold out), but the brown color is really pretty as well. In fact, I may have to snag some to add to the garland I strung on our living room fireplace.
It’s honestly so hard for me to share updates without giving away everything or without waiting until it’s “perfect.” (which... will it ever be?😂) I say this to Derrick all the time and he just rolls his eyes because he knows... I’II change my mind, move something, tweak a detail. That’s kind of the whole point though, right? A home is meant to evolve.
Even when I finally share a “reveal,” I already know there will be a version two... and probably a version three after that.
But truthfully, this past month has felt like a turning point. We’ve gotten so much done, and for the first time it’s actually starting to feel like a home-just in time for guests coming to stay with us this month (no pressure 😅).
More reveals coming soon, but for now... here’s a little peek behind the scenes.
Introducing Between the Layers… my Substack- a new space where I can share more than what fits here.
Comment ‘YES’ and I’ll send you the link, or head to the link in bio to subscribe. 🫶
Think of it as a behind-the-scenes look at how I see and think about design… and everything around it. I have been dreaming about this for a bit and I can’t wait to take you along!
Less “perfect posts,” more real life. More context. More depth. More of the why. When we are working on content here, Emma (my daughter and social media manager) is always saying “we can’t say all of that, it’s too long”... I guess I have a lot to share! 😂
Inside you’ll find: – how to make confident design decisions – real project breakdowns (what worked, what didn’t) – building a home you want to be in – what I’m loving, wearing, cooking, saving – the in-between moments that shape how a home feels
It’s for anyone who loves design… but also wants to understand it.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make it all come together, this is for you!
Comment ‘COTTAGE’ if you have your eye on something from this look!
These location posts (live on the blog!) might look effortless, but they’re rooted in something very real to our process: clarity. When you’re overwhelmed by options, trends, and a thousand saved images, what you need is direction.
That’s what we do.
We take the feeling (in this case: windswept, layered, storied) and translate it into real decisions. Paint colors. Hardware swaps. Furnishings that work together. A space that finally feels cohesive instead of halfway there.
Whether you have a vacation home, a second property, or a family home that just needs thoughtful cosmetic upgrades... you don’t have to figure it out alone.
We work with clients nationwide - from full renovations to simple, impactful refreshes.
If you’re ready for your home to feel like the dream you’ve been pinning, let’s bring it to life.
Pretty much sums it up. And honestly, I have been working really hard on the life part lately. Getting out and enjoying this new beautiful area has been so fun when I prioritize time exploring. But also counteracting with finding new ways to do this work really, really well. You know… work smarter not harder mantra, well that’s an overriding theme in our studio lately.
Here’s just a few photos from my camera roll these past few weeks that I think demonstrate a work/life balance pretty damn well if I do say so myself. 🥰
Setting up our sweet living room, a yummy breakfast @perennbakery, checking out @urbancowboy_nashville (it’s a whole vibe and I must take Derrick back to sit out on their patio!), Kaylei sharing her work on the go in Bend, drinks @hermitagehotel when Em was visiting, a good cab, and the bar at our Tetherow Timber House project is shaping up to be stunnnnning.
Easter, how I love thee. Throwing it back to one of my all-time favorite shoots in Oregon. I’ve always loved this time of year…nature coming back to life and the days growing longer.
And I guess it’s also because whenever I gather the people I love it just makes me happy. ❤️
If you’re hosting next week, let this be your reminder: A simple tablesetting, seasonal flowers, a small bowl of dyed eggs, candlelight, and your people. That’s the magic.
For over 20 years, I had been designing our homes… but when Derrick lost his job, everything shifted. What felt like everything falling apart was actually the beginning of something new.
After years of being a stay-at-home mom — the role that meant everything to me — I stepped into something completely unknown and started my design business. I was terrified.
Somewhere along the way, Derrick and I found our rhythm, and what started as helping each other turned into building something side by side… Clouz Houz.
And then… we did it again.
We left everything familiar and moved to Tennessee, starting over in a place where no one knew us. No reputation. No safety net. Just a dream… and a lot of faith. And if I’m being honest, it’s taken more grit and determination than I ever imagined. Because starting over midlife hits differently — when so many around you are slowing down, you’re asking yourself to dig deeper, push harder, and believe bigger.
There have been moments I’ve questioned everything. Moments that felt heavy, lonely, uncertain. But also moments that feel like… this is it. This is the life we fought for.
“Life is Short. Make it Beautiful.” came from one of those turning points — when we realized life wasn’t going to wait for us to feel ready. So we chose to begin. Again.
And in this season of rebuilding, I’ve found myself being pulled toward something new… a different way of sharing what I’ve learned, what I see, and what I love. It’s stretched me in new ways — and in some ways, it’s been unexpectedly therapeutic.
Clouz Houz Tip: One of the easiest things you can do to make your home feel festive is use cut fresh greenery. Mix it in with faux stems for arrangements all around the house. This helps the faux look more real, AND you don’t have to worry about the entire arrangement drying out and looking horrible by Christmas!
