Christmas comes to Sea Glass Cottage

After what seems like forever (it actually has only been two months), I was finally able to squeeze in a quick visit to my beloved beach cottage this weekend! I had one day to spend on decorating for the holidays before I had to turn around and head back home, so I had to make the most of every minute.

The weather was gorgeous -- cool and sunny --so I threw open the doors and windows, cranked up the Darlene Love Christmas music and got to work. My family is looking forward to spending a few days at the beach house during Christmas break, (our first time ever to do this) and I'd like it to be festive for our stay.

We spend the most time in our den in the back of the cottage, so I wanted to make this room warm and cozy for watching our favorite movies. A burlap pillow cover stamped with "Merry Christmas" was my inspiration, and I added a few other pillow textures and patterns into the mix to create a cozy gathering place on the sofa.

I love playing with pillow combinations, and I always go back to my go-to formula: Solid + texture + pattern. I especially like soft stripes mixed with prints, and I love that the red print pillows aren't necessarily a Christmas pattern. The creams, taupes, golds, and maroon colors are warm and rich.

Now, I needed to add just a touch of green -- a tiny tabletop tree, jute reindeer, and a basket of cinnamon scented cones.

I downloaded this beautiful "Come Let Us Adore Him" printable and framed it for the sofa table. (Wish I would have remembered to bring my tiny creche to place by the quote -- I'll bring it on the next trip!)



Next, I moved into the kitchen/dining room/sitting room area. This is a wide open area and each space flows into the next and opens out onto the second floor balcony. I decided to stay with my love of sea glass colors (blues and aquas) for the all-white kitchen and dining room decor with a little silver for some winter sparkle.

I created a coffee/hot chocolate station on the kitchen counter and added another framed quote in sea glass colors: "Joy to the World, the Lord has Come." It's too humid at the beach to put out ingredients for the hot chocolate station, but I will add containers of candy canes and marshmallows when I'm ready to serve.

A little sparkle and winter berries for the kitchen island.

Now, for the dining area -- this is what happens when you start to run out of steam and the cool breeze is beckoning you to come sit outside and enjoy the beach.   :)

I totally didn't feel like ironing the pretty white table cloth, nor did I feel like ironing the silver chevron table runner and putting out dishes. So, I just threw the wrinkled table runner on and called it a day!  ;)

 I love the silver crystal encrusted reindeer and Christmas tree, and next time I'll go searching for my taller and more substantial candle holders. Right now, I'm calling it good enough.  ;)

The last thing on my list was to hang our Christmas stockings. Hmmmmm, no fireplace here, so what's a person to do?

I ran down to the entrance hall where we hang up our beach totes and towels. Normally, this is what it looks like:

A quick change, and now the stockings are all hung with care, ready for Santa to add a few goodies.

I hope you enjoyed this short tour as Christmas comes to the cottage -- of course, the most important part of this celebration will be when the family is here. Family is everything, and being together, sharing good times, and making memories makes me happy.

                                        It's really all I want for Christmas.

Wishing you and yours a very blessed, peaceful, love-filled Christmas!

                                    (**sigh** From a Christmas long, long, ago!)




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