Woman in Real Life

I realize I'm a bit late with a Christmas home tour, but that week lying in bed sick after Christmas kind of threw off my schedule. And I really wanted to give you a peek at my sister-in-law's lovely country home all decked out with special touches for the holidays.

In the midst of home renovations, she still takes such care to make her house pretty and inviting. It's beautiful and charming, but at the same time a home that is lived in and loved, where dogs and kids are encouraged to play freely. With four kids, two dogs, a cat and a couple of turtles, there's lots of playing to be done!



It's the kind of home where kids are constantly running outside to explore the outdoors - the trees, the pond, the bonfire, the animals. And then they are running inside, tossing aside coats and hats and muddy boots.


There were lovely, fresh flowers everywhere for Christmas, pretty plates on the wall and plenty of sparkly lights.


My sister-in-law's dried and pressed flowers and fruit artfully framed and grouped on the wall above this great cabinet.


A table with mismatched chairs set up just for the kiddos in the kitchen next to a blazing fire (and a very large dog).


Chalkboard stickers on their glasses so they could write their names.



An amply decorated Christmas tree.


And I'm loving the black and white photos of my nephews and niece from a few years ago.




My sister-in-law even knitted Christmas stockings, complete with initials, for each of her family members. And I love the way she hung the stockings from logs! It was so cozy and sweet at their house that I left feeling like I want to make more of an effort to add homey, diy touches to my home for Christmas next year.

What do you think? Does this have you thinking about country living (as it does me)?