A Joyful Cottage Christmas 2016

Welcome to our 2016 Christmas cottage.




In keeping with our simple lifestyle, I've taken a minimal approach to decorating at A Joyful Cottage this year.






A nature-inspired wreath hangs on our door.






Potted rosemary is dressed in plaid and accessorized with a burlap "Merry Christmas" star. If we happen to brush the rosemary as we enter the cottage we receive a pleasant scent as a reward. 




The fireplace is the focal point of our cottage, so it's where I expend the most Christmas decorating energy. You'll find the whole story of my mantel transformation from its every day look to Christmas splendor at Wayfair, and have a chance to see the pretty Christmas mantels of seven other bloggers.




A tablecloth done in Swedish weaving covers the dining table.  (You can read more about the tablecloth in last year's Christmas post here.) It's one of our favorite possessions.




In line with the Scandinavian simplicity, the centerpiece is a humble wooden bowl filled with rag balls, pine cones and a tiny wreath.




I've had this nativity for almost twenty years. It wouldn't be Christmas without it.





The little cubby where I keep cookbooks receives some attention, too. 




I like to make small seasonal changes on my stove hood shelf.




The snow globe I received last year from AnnMarie of Musings of a Vintage Junkie reminds me that I've made wonderful friends through blogging.





One of the collages I made hangs on my studio door.






Finally, the teeniest of tiny Christmas trees. . .nestled next to the plants in my garden window.



This is Christmas 2016 at A Joyful Cottage. Uncomplicated and relaxed. 

Life is good. God's in His heaven -- all's right with the world.

May you enjoy a peaceful and hope-filled season.



Sharing with Home for Christmas.


39 comments

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you, Sue. That's the best compliment I could receive. xo

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  2. Hi Nancy, I have missed you. I love the way your house looks inside and out. So many sweet touches. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

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  3. Perfect, Nancy! I went with less this year, but feel so relaxed in each room. The simple twinkle of the lights is enough for me. Your whole place looks lovely, but that red plate on your mantle really caught my eye! xo

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  4. What a cozy dining room! Love the tablecloth.
    And nature inspired wreath is gorgeous. I love decorating with apples and oranges :)

    Visiting from Home for Christmas linkup.
    Hugs,
    Mila

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    1. Mila, I love to see apples and oranges used in Christmas wreaths, such as I've seen in Colonial Williamsburg. Thanks so much for your warm comment. xo

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    2. Nature is the best decorator, isn't? :)

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  5. Very pretty Nancy! Your cottage looks so beautiful in the sunshine :) xox

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  6. It is all just so lovely, Nancy! I love the sweet simplicity of everything. It is bright and homey looking!! That Silent Night collage is just gorgeous. xo Diana

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  7. You've created a warm cozy atmosphere with your holiday treasures sprinkled throughout your cottage, Nancy. I like that everything you've displayed has a special place in your heart. Your dining room looks so pretty bathed in sunlight, and your shelf on your stove hood is so pretty! Thank you so much for sharing your Christmas home tour with us!

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  8. Beautiful . . .
    and so you . . .
    Being true to self holds the star . . .
    Happy, Merry, Blessed Christmas . . .

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  9. Visual treats. I so enjoyed visited your Christmas decorated home. Hugs.
    Joy

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  10. I love your simple homespun treasures, Nancy! They truly compliment your beautiful home snd everything looks perfectly festive!

    Happy Holidays, my friend!

    Jane x

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  11. Nancy, I so enjoyed the understated, simple beauty of your decorations, your home looks fresh and festive. But that tablecloth! That is magic!
    Amalia
    xo

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  12. Dearest Nancy
    your Christmas is filled with such a lovely and cozy atmosphere, thank you for sharing the joy your home gives to everyone you welcome !

    Hope you're having the best of weeks, I'm sending hugs and ever much love to you

    Xx Dany

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  13. Dear Nancy ~ Your cottage looks sweetly decorated. I also did a lot less decorating this year. It feels good.

    Happy Christmas holidays to you ~ FlowerLady

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  14. Your cottage is filled to the brim with charm and love. Trust you and your family have a blessed Christmas season.
    Mary Alice

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  15. Just my style, simple and homey. My favorite is the tiny tree in the window. Sweet blessings my friend.

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  16. You are such an inspiration! I also have gone minimalist this year with my Christmas decor. No tree, just some pine cones and berries and a wreath similar to yours on my front door. Christmas blessings to you and yours this holiday season.

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  17. Nancy,
    Your sweet cottage is filled with so much pretty and cozy. Love it all.
    Happy Holidays.
    Kris

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  18. Everything is delightful . . . simple and charming.
    I love the nature-inspired wreath on the front door and the rag wrapped balls in the wooden bowl. It's a lovely home and the red paint together with the white snow, makes a picture worthy of a Christmas card :)

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  19. So sweet and inviting and cozy. I absolutely love your nativity and the tablecloth is so special. I had forgotten that I sent you the bear. Thanks for showing it!

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  20. Dearest Nancy, you and me both; we have come to decide that simplicity is the way to go this year AND with a natural theme. I love your Scandinavian style decor, with wood, antique table (love that little one by the window) and pine cones, wreaths, other items. I do love glitz and glitter, but this year, nature shines more brightly for me.

    Enjoy the light of HOPE that this season reminds us of!

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  21. Hello Nancy, I hadn't realized you were back! That's good news and I enjoyed my visit to your simple and uncomplicated cottage Christmas. I love your collage, it reminds me a an old Redbook December magazine I've kept for many decades. They used to feature a couple of families in it each December and one of them specialized in Christmas banners made up of bits of lace on old denim scraps. The whole spirit of your house reminded me of hers.

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  22. Very festive and pretty, I especially love your nativity it is so unique! Happy Holidays Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Lisa and for the nice comment. Happy Holidays!

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  23. I'm am sooooo LATE to the party!
    Welcome back to blogging. I missed you and the cottages that you show.
    Your cute cottage is ready for Christmas.
    Again, so glad you are back!

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  24. Perfect!! I love the simplicity of it. I also have made my decorating more simple. I use to do up 4 trees!!!
    It is funny how we change, I find simple works best for me. I enjoyed your tour.
    Carla

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  25. You have done it perfectly well Nancy, I love the tablecloth and the wooden bowl filled with the rag balls. Everything looks great! Wishing you a lovely advent season!

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  26. Wonderful! Your cottage looks so sweet inside and out. What a cozy, lovely place! Thank you for sharing!

    Have a wonderful, joy-filled holiday season, Nancy!

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    1. Thanks, Anne. I hope you and your hubby have a wonderful, joy-filled season, too. xo

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  27. Hi Nancy Thank you for your surprise visit. How lovely and it made my day! I like how you are going simple for Christmas. I suppose I am too by getting rid of wrapping paper. I do like your nativity scene - looks sweet - did I miss it where you said you put it? I do like pops of red at Christmas it does much to warm and brighten during such a dark time of year. Merry Christmas to you! Hugs Ronda

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    1. Ronda, I don't own one scrap of wrapping paper. I always make my own. (Probably to the disappointment of anyone who gets a gift from me. LOL)

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    2. Oh, and the nativity is under the front windows on top of a quite shabby antique table. You can see it in the 4th photo. xo

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  28. Your Cottage looks perfectly cosy and very welcoming. I love your decoration, simple and pretty.

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  29. Your cottage is so cheerful and inviting. Love all of your sweet holiday decorations.

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