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Le Creuset pot (add gold knob), Anolon bronze saucepan, striped towel + stocking, check towel, Anthro + Sur La Table mugs, Mackenzie Childs kettle, trees + boards from Marshalls / TJXOur condo is very small, so Nick won’t let me over-indulge in seasonal decorations. But I’ve found that a few small touches in the right places can really bring out the holiday spirit (and don’t take up too much storage space)! I’m sharing two quick DIY ideas today to make your space look and smell oh-so-festive!
Easy DIY Christmas Wreath
Every year I search for a rustic wreath to go with our decor, and they’re either garishly bad (so much glitter!), or pricey for a good one. I’m not sure why I didn’t go the DIY route sooner since it’s SO easy, and affordable with all the craft store promos going on! Here’s what I used:
- Base: grapevine wreath. Mine’s a frosted one from Michael’s (find stock using the store locator), and here’s a natural option shop-able on Amazon.
- Accents: decorative stems and branches. I used a white berry stem + snowy pinecone branch this time, and might try a winter eucalyptus (possibly with fresh eucalyptus from the grocery store) and blueberry combo next!
- Finishing touch: wired ribbon. I used this Magnolia plaid ribbon – the wiring keeps the bow shape.
Simply use wire cutters to trim the decorative stems and branches down to smaller pieces, and weave those throughout the grapevine wreath. Since the accents are not permanently affixed onto the grapevine, you can switch them out every year for a new look!
Holiday Stovetop Potpourri
I came across this idea on Pinterest a few years ago – it’s an easy way to fill your home with a wonderful aroma (in lieu of pricey candles), plus add a little extra humidity during our cold, dry winter months! Put this on the stove or in a small crockpot before guests arrive, and expect lots of compliments when they catch a whiff!
To make, put your ingredients into a pot. Bring to a boil then lower to a simmer (or simply use a crockpot). Note there may be a little cleanup involved afterwards with simmering cranberries, so I wouldn’t use my best pot!
- Water Base: Fill a pot about 2/3 full with water, adding more later on if needed. I used a small pot and ~3 cups of water.
- Add Fruit: The scents can be easily customized based on what you have in your kitchen. A popular holiday combo is 1 cup fresh cranberries with orange. You can also use an apple (smells delicious with cinnamon) instead of or in addition to that, or lemons for a different scent. Most of the aroma is usually released from the fruit peel, so if you don’t want to waste, you can eat the fruit and just use the skin.
- Finish with spices: Mix and match to create your own combo ~ a spoonful of whole cloves, 2-3 dried cinnamon sticks, ground nutmeg, vanilla, ginger, star anise, fresh pine sprigs. You can tweak this as you simmer – I found my cinnamon sticks to have a dominating aroma, so just took some out.
Stuff a cute oven mitt or stocking (this one is from Target) with some pine for a festive hanging accent!
I’ve gotten lots of questions on our beloved Le Creuset – you can easily recreate the look! The white 3.5 quart size we have is available at WS on sale (where ours is from), and I found the gold knobs here in multiple sizes. I’ve mentioned this before, but my mom, who’s an avid cook, also loves Martha Stewart dutch ovens which are a fraction of the price (they come in white and red as well)!
I hope you give these a try! Here are two Pin-able images to help keep your holiday spirits bright!
Hi Jean. Love the look of your kitchen.
Is your white dutch oven the mate white or glossy white? Thanks
This is so lovely! Where did you buy the white pitchers? Thank you so much!
Love the DIY wreath! I want to make one with my kids! xo
Hey Jean, love your kitchen! Where did you find your kitchen cabinet knobs and pulls? They look lovely!
Gorgeous! Could you do more house decorating post? I love your astectic!
These are both great ideas. I love the wreath. SO CUTE!
♡ Meghan | http://tanlinesanddaisies.com/
So lovely!
Both are super ideas – love it all!!
Rebecca
xx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Jean this is a lovely look for Christmas. I really like the monochromatic color scheme for a small space , beautiful wreath!
Jandrew
Dress The Part
http://www.jandrewspeaks.com
Very beautiful. Since the motto of my blog is “small changes with huge effects”, you will understand how much I love the way you create this amazing ambiance with just a few items. Good job! Love, Lieske
Thanks for sharing these great ideas! Your kitchen is beautiful! Is it easy to maintain the countertops? Do you worry about them getting stained, or is it not a concern?
What a great idea! That wreath is gorgeous and if you didn’t tell me you made it, I would have asked you where you bought it. I’ll have to try this and see how mine turns out! Hope you had a great weekend.
http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Holiday potpourri is such a fab idea! You’re so creative! 🙂
xx
Ankita
http://www.realgirltalks.com
Ehi! 🙂 Just wanted to say that Esprit, despite not having a petite section, makes some jeans in the 28 inches length. I don’t know how popular the brand outside Europe, I like it very much and the quality is good.
x
Can I just say how gorgeous it all looks? ❤
Everything’s getting so festive! 🙂
http://charmainenyw.com
What a pretty DIY wreath! I would’ve never guessed! And I love your kitchen deco!
XOXO //
SINCERELY OPHELIA
love this!
xx
Making wreaths are my absolute favorite! I love the creativity of it!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
Your place looks so cute! I love the clean color scheme.
Briana | youngsophisticate.com
This holiday wreath looks sooo pretty! Can’t wait to try it this holiday season! <3 🙂 Thanks for sharing this great DIY!
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
Absolutely love it!
Mireia from TGL
One of my favorite posts of yours!
Great post!!! How did you hang the wreath from the cabinet?
Hi Jean,
Who makes your under the cabinet vent hood?
Thanks in advance.
I love both of these ideas! The holiday wreath is so pretty and kind of unique in white!
Olga from Myme
Prеtty! Thiѕ was a really ᴡonderful article. Thank you for providing
theѕe details.
This looks so lovely and christmassy – in a chic way! You are very good at diy! Cristina
Love your holiday decorations! You are so talented with crafts, Jean. That wreath is so beautiful! And the potpourri idea is wonderful too! 🎄❄🎄❄