Christmas in Amarillo

Blogger friend, Julia, is hosting a holiday open house at Hooked on Houses. Longtime internet/decorating friend, Rhoda, is also hosting a holiday open house at her blog, Southern Hospitality. Thrifty Decor Chick is also hosting a party. Feel free to join in with your favorite holiday decorating!

Welcome to my Amarillo house. Enjoy some hot chocolate chip cookies, and be sure and take advantage of the coffee bar.

The colors in my Amarillo house were predominantly red, gold, mossy green and a little blue. That color scheme made decorating for Christmas easy and fun.

I've mentioned before that the house had a fairly small footprint, so we had a skinny tree. I always placed most focus on the tree, and if I had time and energy to decorate beyond that, I would.



The next focus would be on the mantel. Interspersed amongst the garland were simple, silver ornaments. At each end were small hurricanes with cranberries and candles.



I used to have a Christmas magazine article that showed Santa plates hung on the kitchen cabinets. I found these Fitz & Floyd plates at Stein Mart. The concept wasn't ultra-practical, but I liked the whimsy they brought into my red kitchen.


I think it was that same article that showed pepperberry wreaths hung on doors throughout the home. This door leads to my former butler's pantry/utility room. Of all the rooms in my Amarillo house, I miss this one and its storage the most.


Finally, atop this old piano, which I painted (what a before and after that project was), were handmade, Simpitch carolers inherited from my husband's mother. Aren't they wonderful?


While you're here, I'll tell you about the coffee bar. I've mentioned before that while our Amarillo house was a bit space-challenged, it didn't keep us from entertaining. When we did entertain, we stuck with appetizers and drinks or desserts and coffee. I'd set up a couple of carafes of coffee on our breakfast bar, which was adjacent to the living room. Along with the coffee were coffee syrups, cinnamon, sugar, cream, etc., all diplayed in vintage pieces. I'd also put out a pretty bowl of whipped topping. The whole set-up made for a lovely display that was always a favorite of our guests. (Try the whipped topping with your coffee, and sprinkle a little cinnamon on top. Yum!)

I hope you've enjoyed the visit. I'll try to post some pics of this year's decor, if I can figure out how to make the silver and white show up against the white, limestone backdrop. It's gorgeous in person, but so far, photos don't seem to capture that. Now, go check out the other holiday open houses and have a great day!