Tag Archives: holiday

eco-chic wrap

The wrapping idea from My 2008 Holiday Farm House Tour is featured on Coveiter’s Blog!  How exciting!  Many thanks to Julie and Lindsey, who run a fabulously sophisticated design blog, for featuring this.  Please go check out Coveiter for some inspiration.  For those that may have missed it.  Behold my gifts (to date, the only…

1 comment

it snowed today…

It snowed today. During my “working” lunch break, I had the opportunity to hop outside and take just a couple of shots! Also, if you were by recently for the Holiday Farm House Tour, you’ll now see some new photos of my tree and some additional photos of the foyer as I added to the…

10 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Gorgeous pictures!
    Gwen could not be any more beautiful.

    From the post below, I LOVE your stockings and stunning chandelier! There’s never enough sparkle.
    I have lots of snow. 🙂 Come visit Kansas and you’ll have plenty.

    Oh I can’t wait until I can get the pictures out of my camera again!!ReplyCancel

  • Your photos are simply a delicious delight, as is your lovely house. Are those pics of the little girl your daughter? She is just so precious and that fabulous hat reminds me of the one’s I wore as a child. My favorite is the one where she is sticking out her tongue to catch snowflakes.ReplyCancel

  • Yes, Gwen is my youngest.

    Thank you both for the nice comments. CelestialCharms, that’s my favorite shot too 😉ReplyCancel

  • Thanks for stopping by. That little girl is adorable. Great work. Photography is so awesome. I hope to one day understand and tackle camera technology. We just got our family pics taken and have been posted at photosbycook.com under portraits, Hunts. Merry Christmas.ReplyCancel

  • I love your photography – so beautiful. I love the shot of your daughter catching snow on her tongue. The snow just adds that extra something to the festive spirit of your house.ReplyCancel

  • Your pictures are breathtaking….I could stay here all day and look around. : )ReplyCancel

  • The house looks so so beautiful!! And your daughter is just precious. I love her hat. So cute!!ReplyCancel

  • Oh Laura what a beautiful Blog!!!
    Love your pictures…soooooo inspiring:)
    Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment!
    Christmas Blessings to you and your family,
    Kay EllenReplyCancel

  • very nice miss. thang! I am jealous…..down here at 98 all we had was RAIN! Blech!ReplyCancel

  • PamperingBeki – Thank you very much, she’s a ham, that’s for sure. Will be posting more photos of them soon. It was sort of like the shoemaker’s shoes this year with holiday portraits – but I threw something together at the verylastminute.

    Kasey, your portraits came out beautifully!

    Yes, Dawn, this was all we got. I really miss a good snow. Can’t remember the last time we had one 🙁 May need to travel up north this year to see some powder soon. My ski’s haven’t been touched in years!

    Thanks so much everyone for visiting, it’s nice to “meet” all of you.

    ~ LauraReplyCancel

holiday farm house tour

I love the holidays, and the most favorite part of it all (aside from the blatantly obvious family and eating part) is decorating.   In the spirit of the Season, I wanted to preset the Farmhouse Holiday House Tour at least, what’s been completed thus far. These last few months have been crazy, the holiday rush…

80 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • OMG!!! This is incredible. Can you please come over and decorate my house, too? 🙂

    I think a steel grey/blue would work really well in the living room. Something with a little bit of a cool tone. It will work so well with that fab rug.

    p.s. I did hear the angels when I saw that light fixture. Stunning!

    — Laura S.ReplyCancel

  • You’ve done such a great job decorating. Want to come over to do my house? I have a mental block when it comes to Christmas decorating. I never get it to look “full” if you know what I mean.ReplyCancel

  • Uncle Toby

    You suck !! Are there three of you? When the hell do you have time to do all this . Does someone needs to call the authorities! Are those kids tied up in the barn ? Awesome job Jimmy !!! Oh yeah you too Laura !! xoxoReplyCancel

  • Michelle

    Check into Sparrow (it’s a shade of taupe/gray). It’s regular Benjamin Moore but we had it made into Aura paint and it’s on our kitchen cabinets. I LOVE it, goes well with every color and silver accents. I’ll send you a cell phone shot!
    House – Beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • Michele Genovese

    Everything looks amazing- it really does!
    Love the dining room and the wainscoting…can not wait to see it in person.ReplyCancel

  • I want to spend Christmas at YOUR house. Wow. It’s all so beautiful, and so beautifully photographed.

    What a clever idea to wrap gifts with old magazines. Love the results!

    I’m so glad you joined my blog party. Thanks for inviting us into your home! -Julia 🙂

    P.S. I added your post for you. Just so you know, in the future, you can put your address into that box on my blog that says, “This site is using auto linkies” toward the bottom of my page.ReplyCancel

  • Oh my word. The amount of work that these photos portray absolutely boggles my mind – not just the decorating, but the remodel and the photography itself. And the magazine wrapped gifts…and that chandelier…I’m speechless. Take a break! You and your husband deserve it.ReplyCancel

  • Ok, this is just amazing! Why are you not an interior decorator?ReplyCancel

  • Totally impressed.
    Nice & cozy….
    Where is the Mistle Toe, so Mommy can kiss Santa Clause?? LOLReplyCancel

  • Dang Laura, you out did yourself on this one. Everything looks so beautiful! The magazine wrapped gifts blew me away. And your house puts the White House to shame. Thanks for sharing this as I am now in the Christmas spirit.ReplyCancel

  • Thank you! Josh, because I can’t decorate for anyone else!! Most people wouldn’t appreciate going through 4 different paint colors to get the “right” one.ReplyCancel

  • Christine

    Laura,
    I am speechless…you my friend ARE AN ARTIST!
    I am truely amazed at how well you can bring the beauty of everyday life into the eyes of others. Art beautifull art. Job well done GF you rock!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • Rosalie

    Laura: the house looks amazing and beautiful. I lvoe the chandeleir. I love all the details. Please come to my house and help me!!! that’s a great idea for wrapping presents. This year- I am recycling paper fromlast year.ReplyCancel

  • Laura! I would PAY to spend Christmas at your house. 🙂
    You are Martha Stewart, Nate Berkus, Ina Garten and Annie Leibowitz all in one!!!!
    Great job … I’d also buy holiday cards of nearly any one of your images!! You are a cottage industry all in one:-) Congratulations and thank you for sharing the warmth and beauty of your creation. Very cool.ReplyCancel

  • aunt poppy

    hello sweetie…what a wonderland you two have created! wow Emma and Gwen must feel totally enchanted with all the magic around them! Beautiful job…lots of love! enjoy the holiday (relax! already!!) xoxo poppyReplyCancel

  • GREAT TOUR! I think I would like to book a room… looks like a perfect Inn! ADORE the fashion wrapping! ENJOY the season! FifiReplyCancel

  • Mom

    This looks so beautiful and festive!ReplyCancel

  • You have a beautiful home…so glad I found your blog through another one I was checking out!ReplyCancel

  • Wowee, your house is beautiful!! I love the photos of it all lit up. Its definitely my favourite on the Holiday House Tour so far. Thanks for the tour!! And thanks for dropping by my blog.ReplyCancel

  • Mrs. Simms ;o)

    Your house is absolutely GORGEOUS! Can Mike and I move in??? ;o)

    Seriously though, I love everything!!ReplyCancel

  • Wow, your home is stunning, and the work you did exquisite. My husband and I have been remodeling our old Dutch Colonial built in 1930, so I know what it takes to redo, restore, repair….The porch is just awesome and you made it all so festive. Great photographs too. Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the great work you’ve done.ReplyCancel

  • Your home is absolutely gorgeous!!!ReplyCancel

  • ::SPEECHLESS::

    You have the most beautiful home, you should be so proud of what you have achieved. I love everything about your Christmas decorations!.

    Happy Christmas!
    LizReplyCancel

  • I think I have got lost, and wandered into the set of a Homes and Gardens photo shoot.

    Wonderful house, decor, decorations, light fittings and last but by no means least wonderful photography.

    A real feast for the eyes.

    Thanks for visiting my Northern Ireland blog.ReplyCancel

  • Wow, what a gorgeous place you have and beautiful holiday decorating. Love, love all the pics. Thank you SO much for stopping by my home tour too! Glad I found your blog, I’ll have to come back & read more when I have some time. I’m just blown away by your photos & i’m not always easily impressed. Great job!! Hope you’ll drop by to see me again.ReplyCancel

  • Oh MY Heavens…. I’m in love – with your photography, with your home, with your decor…. Love, I tell you. This is my first visit, but not my last. Oh my ~ WOW!ReplyCancel

  • Beautiful! Perfection!ReplyCancel

  • Good Lord in Heaven! Your home is spectacular! I would trade my double doors for your home in a minute! Interested? :o)

    Your photography is fabulous, too – so glad to know about you! Thanks for opening your home and for visiting mine!

    Merry Christmas,
    MelindaReplyCancel

  • Mindy

    wow! wow!! wow!!! You have a magnificent house! (and photo skills)ReplyCancel

  • WOW! What a gorgeous house you have. Can I come celebrate the holidays with you? I love your style and your photographs. Thanks for the tour.ReplyCancel

  • Iris B

    just like a story book … awesome job … now come do my house 😉 … is that a Schonbek chandelier?ReplyCancel

  • Wow! Your house is beautiful…so warm and inviting and full of light. It’s apparent that you took great care in decorating your house inside and out.
    Happy holidays!
    And thanks for stopping by my blog…ReplyCancel

  • Wow, thanks everyone, what lovely comments. Yay! I love comments.

    Iris, thanks, yes it is. It’s a Schonbek, a Christmas Miracle!ReplyCancel

  • Oh…my…word. Your home is Truly Stunning! My favorite? The dining room. Just knowing how much effort and creativity went into it only adds to its beauty. And my vote is definitely for the color from the magazine article, I think it will look gorgeous. Oh, to have such a home of our own to decorate one day….I’ll keep hoping 🙂 Thanks for the kind remarks on my blog!ReplyCancel

  • Wow! Your house is absolutely stunning — for Christmas and beyond. I love everything. Thanks for the tour.ReplyCancel

  • I am in love with your home! I love love the porch! Have an extra room for a woman that loves to clean and cook? 😉 Thank you for the tour!ReplyCancel

  • Jackie S.

    Absolutely Stunning!!!! You have done a wonderful job!!!ReplyCancel

  • Beautiful home, decorations, and also photography. Thank you so much for sharing. I loved the tour!ReplyCancel

  • So many amazing details! This is just beautiful, and you should be proud. Thank you for sharing. (And thanks for stopping by my place today too)ReplyCancel

  • Beautiful home! Your porch is wonderful, especially at night! Great idea your friend had with the magazines. How fun is that?ReplyCancel

  • Gorgeous home and photos. Thanks so much for letting us get a peek inside.ReplyCancel

  • What a festive home!!! I was going to try and choose one thing that I liked…but I like EVERYTHING!! Just beautiful 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Girl, you are living in my dream house. You must go now so I can move in. Really, your home is amazing. I love that you have taken a farm house look and made it so elegant and sophisticated. I always struggle with this. We built a little white farm house and I always feel I have to keep it casual but I really love the gold leaf aged finish type of opulence. You have mixed both perfectly. Being a photographer shows in your eye for detail. Mind if I link to your post? Everyone deserves a peak at this eye candy! PamReplyCancel

  • I enjoyed the tour of your beautiful home, and your photography is amazing! I would be honored if you would visit my nest sometime soon at robinsblessednest.blogspot.com! Blessings!ReplyCancel

  • I love your home, and these pictures are fabulous! Warm and inviting. I like the color you picked, too!ReplyCancel

  • I don’t even know where to begin. Your home is amazingly beautiful. You’ve done a lovely job!

    (And the magazine wrapping tip is really going to come in handy when I run out of gift wrap in the next day or two.)ReplyCancel

  • Oh. My. Word. I love your house!! I love your porch, I love the foyer, i love the fireplace. The Christmas decor is fabulous! Lucky, lucky, you!ReplyCancel

  • You’re house is stunningly gorgeous. And please share where you got the light fixture in your dining room, I’m in love! :o)

    Happy partying!ReplyCancel

  • Thanks everyone. I love reading all of these!

    Kathleen, the chandelier is made by Schonbek. (Check that website for a retailer near you!)ReplyCancel

  • Wow your house is AMAZING! How long does it take you to decorate each year for Christmas? I hope you have an army of people to help!
    Your chandelier is GORGEOUS!!!! I am saving your blog to show my husband the chandelier.ReplyCancel

  • Maridith

    Stunning! This is how I envision my home to look like one day just need time and money. Your home is so welcoming and comfortable. Thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel

  • Your decorations are so pretty.
    I hope you’ll visit my blog soon. I’ve had giveaway’s every Friday in December.ReplyCancel

  • OMG!!! You truly have my dream home! I could only dream of having that house…and decorating it that way for Christmas! You did such an amazing job!!! :o) BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing!
    Hugs,
    Ashley
    Owner of Treehouse Stamps
    http://www.Treehousestamps.comReplyCancel

  • Your house is absolutely amazing. Gorgeous Christmas decorations everywhere! And your photos are wonderful. Well, duh, you are a photographer. But why in the world can I not get a good photo of lights on a tree. With the flash you can’t tell there are any lights on. Without the flash you can tell there are lights, but it is just all too dark. Every one of your photos is perfect! Thanks for sharing.

    Merry ChristmasReplyCancel

  • Hi Laura. Thanks so much for visiting my blog, and for your kind comment. You have an absolutely gorgeous home. I’ve bookmarked you for future visits! Merry Christmas to you and yours!ReplyCancel

  • Stunningly gorgeous! Your pictures are wonderful and love the ideas of wrapping the presents with magazine paper. Also, love the stockings which are my latest project.ReplyCancel

  • WOW! I’m at a loss for words! Just breathtaking! S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G!!!!!!!! Your photography is perfection! Okay, I’m going to have to go sleep this off for two hours before I can even begin to look at my house again…ReplyCancel

  • Thanks for your kind comment on my home! I am really flattered now that I’ve seen yours!!!! You have amazing taste! The metallic paint is like magic in your dining room! And just my two cents…I LUVVVV the blue color on the magazine ad. It would be stunning in there! And I love (among other things) your stockings! You have talent running out your ears girlfriend!ReplyCancel

  • Oh. My. Word! You are the queen of pictures! I LOVE them. I want your game/piano room. I’m gonna swipe that gorgeous chair when your not looking if it’s not nailed down… Your lights are amazing and yes, the chandelier did evoke angelic voices from above when I saw it. A perfect choice. Now, I’m trying hard not to covet your amazing abode! Fabulous job girl. You must have been decorating for Christmas starting in July! Beautiful!

    Good to meet you!
    Pretty OrganizerReplyCancel

  • I want a farm house! I love your front proch! Bravo is you TOO!
    Merry Christmas!
    ReplyCancel

  • so very cozy and amazingly beautiful… thank you for the wonderful tour!ReplyCancel

  • Your house is exquisite! Wow. It is just absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • There’s no way to say what everybody else has said, any differently. Your home is absolutely beautiful. I’m curious as to what part of the country you live in? I’m guessing in the East somewhere. I’m getting ready to add beams to my new house and I love yours. Also, thanks for the sparkly paint tip, I may use that too. I also have stacks of magazines under the bed. Great ideas for recycling! Have a Merry Christmas and thanks for inviting us into your beautiful home.ReplyCancel

  • amazing!! I love it. It’s a house right out of a magazine!ReplyCancel

  • Wow! Such eye candy on your site! Seriously beautiful photography. That is such a talent that I wish I had.ReplyCancel

  • I am seriously so jealous of your holiday decor.

    And I still maintain you should keep the wall color. It’s perfect.ReplyCancel

  • Wow. I mean w.o.w! Your house is just amazing. I have no other words. I am in awe of the beauty of it all! You must be very proud. You sure put a ton of hard work into it!!
    Blessings this Christmas,
    MeganReplyCancel

  • WOW. just wow.ReplyCancel

  • (toby's)Lisa

    what Toby said…what the f*&?? Kidding, you are truly amazing and i so admire your talents, creativity, and especially ENERGY! We hope to see you over the holidays! xoxo to you, Jimmy, and the girlsReplyCancel

  • Nicole A. Wetzel

    Are you kidding me!!!!!! I should have gotten married at your house or had you decorate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • Oh…my…GAWD! Your house is just amazing! Lovely, really!

    Thanks so much for stopping by my home tour!!

    Merry Christmas!ReplyCancel

  • Kris Santoro

    Laura, your keen sense of style, color and textures really brought the inside of your house together. It is absolutely beautiful, inside and out and it makes me feel even worse that I missed “Porch Night”. Hopefully there will be another one and I will come this time, promise!ReplyCancel

  • Thanks everyone :-), next year I’ll be getting some outdoor trees for the porch that look nicer during the day. Waiting for Frontgate to start posting their sales!
    ReplyCancel

  • Charla

    I am awed by this. What a wonderful feeling of Christmas you have provided all of us. THANK YOU!ReplyCancel

  • Robyn

    WOW- Just found you blog tonight, your house is AMAZING, I love it. Viewed your holiday tour, everything is just beautiful. As for your fmaily room, have you checked out Restoration Hardwares Silver Sage paint, I had to laugh because I had paint samples on all of my family room walls for months, Silver Sage is so beautiful. Depending on the light it appears Grey, or Blue, Or Sagey green.
    I think it is delicious, I love it!
    Good luck.ReplyCancel

  • Dana Battaglia

    I LOVE EVERY BIT OF YOUR HOUSE AND ALL YOU HAVE DONE!! I FEEL LIKE I JUST CLOSED A MAGAZINE AND RIPPED OUT EVERY PAGE TO PUT IN MY WISH LIST!!!!ReplyCancel

  • yas

    hi. first off…beautiful house, pictures everything!! gorgeous!!! second…what is the name of the ralph lauren metallic paint you finally decided on?!?! i know you went through a ton and finally chose an amazing color…but what was the name?!?!! all the build up…i was waiting for the name to come any second! lol. so, please let me know the color of both the dining room and the living room. thank you.ReplyCancel

  • SUSAN

    Laura,

    I am so amazed at what you have done with your home!! and the artwork you have done. I have never had the chance to go on this site. I just happened to have seen Emma on Kates F/B. All I can say is that your work and everything you have created has just exploded into a wonderful world and I am happy that your where you are sweetheart!! Much love to you all and sorry I never had enough time to come down.
    Happy Thanksgiving
    Love to you
    Susan and GregReplyCancel

  • Wow. This is amazing. Just read a comment from Debbie Phillips. Nate Berkus is the favorite. He has a son now, Oskar Brent Berkus. He is elegant just like Nate’s design. As for this post, Laura the house looks simply amazing.ReplyCancel

halloween, 2008

From left to right:  Ian, Gwen (Mine), Kiera, Emma (Mine).  Emma and Gwen were witches.  Emma wanted to originally be a Storm Trooper, but decided on the witch instead.

3 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Kelly L

    Awwww….so freaking cute!!!ReplyCancel

  • OMG. So cute. And…as much as I love the witch costume…I am busting with geek pride that your daughter wanted to be a Storm Trooper! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Rachel

    Damn, your girls are gorgeous! When did they get so big?????ReplyCancel

in an ideal world…

1.) B&H Photo wouldn’t be closed on Saturdays. I was in NYC, Central Park West for a Maternity Session yesterday and I was looking forward to stopping in *sigh*. My 50mm 1.4 isn’t working correctly. Blasted! 2.) I would’ve posted all of my holiday photos prior to the blog’s holiday theme going down – I…

3 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Grandpa Kyle looks good! Nobody looks like Gweneth!ReplyCancel

  • Your grandmother is seriously styling in that sweater!ReplyCancel

  • poppy k

    Laura, thank you for such trimmings to a wonder filled Christmas… really in an ideal world all that matters is our family..you reminded me of that true gift! I love you! I love your work!! Poppy – aka your Godmother! 🙂ReplyCancel