My Chicago Farmhouse Christmas with Wayfair

Living less than an hour from the big city of Chicago doesn't stop me from fancying myself a country farm gal. Within a stone's throw of my home are hundreds of acres of forest, wildlife galore and on any given day I can look out my window to see a rider on horseback or a coyote trot by.  Each morning, I slip on my garden shoes and with an old tin bucket of water, let my chickens out of their coop for the day.  Each night, in the distance, or in a nearby tree, I hear the hooting song of the neighborhood owl.  Everyone should experience country living.

I was so excited when Wayfair approached me to be part of their 2019 Holiday Decorating Campaign.  Their vast product choices are fantastic and inspirational; and with a click an order will arrive. Inspiration for this Holiday decorating concept pays homage to the wonderful, magical environment right outside my door - A Chicago Farmhouse Christmas.  

Everyone should be inspired by the place they call home. Enjoy these Holiday decorating ideas and styling tips to deck your own homestead this Holiday Season. 
Cheers: 

The Tree: 

• Any holiday decorating starts with a great tree. Natural looking, not too full, because after all  - you have to adorn it. 
• Add a trendy tree collar to the base. Collars are a great choice because they bring visual weight to the base of the tree. I chose a galvanized metal one for a casual, farmhouse feel.
• No star topper on my tree. Instead, my nod to my night time songster, the owl gets the highest spot on the tree. Tip:  To attach this sort of topper, use floral wire to secure it to the branches.
• To add texture, interest, and volume to the tree, add decorative eucalyptus sprays.  Randomly insert the sprays into the branches of the tree.  Eucalyptus leaves are soft, round and counter the sharper texture of the evergreen needles. Their gray/green leaf color pairs well with the galvanized metal tree collar. Tip: When inserting the sprays, let them protrude from the tree 7-9 inches. This will give your tree a fuller look.
• The ornament collection.  Each ornament has an artisan, handmade or 'maker' look.  All the ornaments were picked with nature or wildlife in mind - owls, raccoon, deer, birds, fox. Oh what fun for family and guests to enjoy these ornaments on the tree.

The Table:

• Create a beautiful centerpiece with a long decorative bowl. The wood and style adds that rustic, folksy feel.  Build the centerpiece by layering frosted eucalyptus garland on the bottom of the bowl.  Tuck in woodsy Birch bark flameless candles , then add a few red ball ornaments for a pop of color. Tip: Make sure candles are unscented for the dining table -you want to smell the food, not the candles.  
• A rustic burlap runner creates a cozy table.  If you want a twist on the traditional, add two runners vertically instead.
• Dig out your Grandma's China, and create an 'opposites attract' look by using simple, yet festive soft red chambray cotton napkins and galvanized metal and wood napkin rings. 

Around the House:

• Adorn your mantle with a statement piece such as this deer wall decor to set the seasonal scene.
• With Holiday guests galore, you'll need extra seating.  A pair of fun and fluffy faux fur poufs will play into your festive farmhouse look. 
• Stockings hung with care on a blanket ladder rather than the fireplace are so much more interesting. The ladder's white dipped bottom will add to the Holiday flair. Tip: Attach stockings with zip ties. 
• For a real farmhouse feel, take down the usual family pictures on the walls. Hang instead this rustic empty window pane art collage. The window panes have a perfect well worn, farm style patina. Print out recent snapshots or vintage photos of your Holiday guests and add them behind the window panes to create some great conversation.
• Roll out the festive Holiday cocktails on this two tiered bar cart. Perfect for an extra service area, this bar cart has a funky, farmhouse style and will roll to wherever the guests are.
• Deck the doors, drape the mantle, and even the buffet with understated, but lovely eucalyptus wreathes (by now you've discovered my eucalyptus thread) and holiday pine garland to finish the festive farmhouse styling.