Holiday Housewalk 2016 at Duke Manor Farm
Welcome to the Holiday Housewalk 2016 at Duke Manor Farm. This is always such a treat to be included in the tour each year and Jennifer Rizzo does an amazing job pulling this event together. 30+ blogs sharing their beautiful holiday homes. Special thanks to Wayfair for sponsoring this tour of homes.  If you are coming over from Town and Country Living, Welcome and happy to have you here. Wasn’t Jennifer’s pink tree so beautiful?  I love her clean, fresh approach to the farmhouse style. By the way, we both share a love for the same flying deer that we use in our holiday decor.
If this is your first time visiting Duke Manor Farm, I am so glad that you are here visiting our real life funny farm. You can read more about me, the farm and life around Duke Manor Farm here. Right now, it’s time to kick off the tour. I have included affliate links in this post.
I don’t usually get all themed out for the holidays and tend to use what I have. Some years I add stuff, some years I take stuff away. I am a traditional at heart and still cherish the handmade ornaments, my own childhood stocking and all the “first” ornaments.  As the kids have gotten older they really like to be a part of the process and help me decorate.  This year the color pallet in the kitchen, breakfast area and keeping room was nothing new to Duke Manor Farm. It was actually inspired by the same colors that I used last year, and the year before that. Red…and black. I might be in for a change next year, we will see.
Keeping Room
This is our keeping room right off of my kitchen. Keeping Room….. It’s a Southern thing. It is pretty much the central hub around here.  My design style leans more towards a minimal approach. We have more windows in our home then usable wall space which is probably why. Since the tree and the mantel serve as the main attractions in this room, I go light with any decorating in here. The way the kids and the dogs run around, it would probably get destroyed or knock down anyways. I did pick up the plaid throws from Joann Fabrics this year, everything else I had.
washed velvet pillow cover/chair Ikea/wood bowl
We really enjoy this room, particularly when there is a fire going. It’s the perfect cozy up spot and since we are homebodies, we do that a lot. This year I did something different with the kids stockings and hung them on this rack. I love how it frees up the mantel….and my hubby doesn’t knock them down when he is at the fireplace. You can read more about that and styling a mantel using red and black here.
garden stool/wood table/ottoman
 Breakfast Area
In this space I made some buffalo check pillows and called it a day. Really, I love the simplicity of this space and didn’t want to over due it with a lot of decoration. The check is bold enough that it didn’t really need any other color in this space and it’s a good complement to the red in the adjoining spaces. This is a heavily used area for eating and homework, so I placed a tray with some seasonal stuff on it that could easily be removed when needed.
wicker chairs/round jute rug/wicker basket
I have wanted some wood chargers since last year and thought it may be a tad silly to pay for slices of wood, particularly since 1/2 of Duke Manor Farm is covered in hardwoods. So I had my husband cut some wood for me a few weeks ago and I made my own. I love stacking them all up and using them for pedestals all over the house as well as chargers on the table.You can see how I made them and ideas on how to use them in your holiday home here.
The same for the Buffalo check pillows. I wanted to many of them  (for here and the porch) so I used my tried and true pillow making technique and whipped up like 8 of them…I say that like I sew on a regularly basis….but I don’t. Used the envelope style pattern.
Kitchen
The Joy sign on the mantel is new this year. I was going to hang some wooden letters, but found this sign and thought it would be perfect for this spot. And as a bonus, it lights up. With  just a few other special touches in red like this cast iron dutch oven , some bowls and cake plate its gives a seasonal nod to the kitchen while still being functional and not getting in the way.
More of my holiday Dining Room and Master Bedroom can be found here.
My Front Porch. See more here.
and back patio area here
and the den  here.
From my family to yours, have a wonderful holiday season!
Next up on the Holiday Housewalk is Cami from Tidbits.  I can’t wait to see her beautiful holiday tour.
To start the tour from the beginning, click here.
Holiday Hugs,
grateful
for a kind and supportive husband
Laura, I love your simple festive touches! Your home is so very welcoming.
thanks so much christi!
you guys are so cute! and i loved your tour, laura! your home is so beautiful and cozy- the keeping room and breakfast area are my favorite spaces…. love the touches of black. and the pic of your daughter at the tree… so sweet!
thanks cassie. you are always so sweet.
Love it all. When I see your beautiful home it makes me miss Christmas reds . Merry Christmas sweet lady ! .xoxo
thanks so much lucy. I too can’t escape the color of red during the holidays. have a great week!
Laura, your home gets better and better each year! Your fireplace is amazing and I still love seeing your white kitchen. Beautifully decorated for the holidays!
So so pretty Laura!! Love the colors of your Christmas decor!
thanks Courtney! looks like red wasn’t a popular choice this year 🙂
Hi Laura – Your home is beautiful, I love every inch! It is so open, cheery, and airy. What a wonderful place to call home.. Love all the holiday touches. Your family photo … adorable… XO
thanks Diane. we still need to plan a visit!
Wow Laura – I love your festive home and all the touches of red. I’m disappointed that I didn’t see Daisy Mae in her Christmas finery! Merry Christmas my friend!
next time! hugs
Beautiful tour Laura! I love the sign above the fireplace! Happy Holidays to you and your family! Jen
thanks so much Jen!
Love all the reds and blues! The fall scene out the window is gorgeous.
Brenda
thanks Brenda! i am a traditional girl at heart with my red….looks like I may be a minority with using color this year!
Your holiday home looks stunning! Just beautiful! 🙂
thank you so much Linda!
Very, very pretty! By that, I mean the decor and the beautiful home and the views out the windows. Love the family pic’, too! Cute kids! 🎄
The house looks so festive and pretty! My favorite was your mantel.
Loved the sign and your colors, and just everything!
Merry Christmas Laura.
Love, love, love what you have done this year. In love with the striped chair from Ikea of all places. I feel so far behind and can’t wait to get my tree up!!
Thanks Kim. I know right! I have another one in the family room in another color.
Love your home! For Christmas is simply stunning!
Thanks Cristina
So much to love at your house, especially you. Hope you feel better too!
can’t talk, but I can eat! thanks for always being so kind and making me laugh. Hope you and your gang have a great holiday season.
Laura, I Ann so glad you are a part of the tour! Your home is so welcoming and I love your fireplace and kitchen!! I want to just come come on over!!!!
Thanks Jen. I am happy to be a part of it.
Oh friend everything is just Christmas perfection! Warm and cheerful and beautiful….just like you! xoxo
you are too sweet. thank you vanessa!
Your home is always stunning and inviting and you have made Christmas even more beautiful. Love it all.
thanks so much marty. you have been such a wonderful blogging friend for many years and i appreciate it.
Love it all, Laura!
Thanks Julie!
Beautiful , warm, and inviting! Love all the red. Really looking love your dining table .Everything is wonderful. Happy Holidays!
Thank you Donna
Pop of red and black and white buffalo check!? Say no more. I’m in love! So well done, friend!
xo Michael
thank you michael. i still say color rules! thanks for coming by.
Wow everything is gorgeous..Love it all!!
Always enjoy seeing your home dressed for Christmas…so many beautiful and creative details that make your home a wonderful place for your family during the Holidays….Love, love the family photo!!!
Love, love, love everything, Laura! You have a very unique, clean and simple touch and I love that you use what you have. I don’t remember seeing views of your rooms from these angles…I envy all the open space you have! Great job on your decorating and having those cute little helpers! Lovely family picture!!
Jane x
ha. I got a new lens a while ago to be able to take full room shots and thought I should start using it. Thanks so much for your sweet comment and always be so kind and supportive.
Love everything….it is so pretty!
So very lovely and cozy! You have a beautiful family Laura! Love the JOY sign in the kitchen – so cute!!
thanks so much denise. i hope you are doing well.
Love your home.
BTW where did you buy the large picture over the mantel? I haven’t seen anything like it ever!
Thanks
thanks Marlene. I got the sign from a company called Sincerely US. i have several of their signs.
Your home is incredible. The high ceilings and the amazing fireplace– you certainly do the space justice with your impeccable and festive decor choices!
thanks so much rachel!
Love your beautiful Christmas home.
Happy holidays!
Laura everything looks amazing. So warm and inviting.! I hope that you and your family have the very merriest of Christmas and a new year full of blessings!