topic Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS in Home

QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

Oznell — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 01:04:50 GMT

Now for the simple side-- let's take a rest from what the "ornate" decorators are doing, just to peek in, by contrast, on those who just 'whisper' holiday.

Have posted the Gardener's Cottage before. She's much more minimal in her Christmases, than most onliners.

You might remember her small, sweet cottage in other seasons:

Some Christmases, there's just a drift of greens from the garden, festooning the kitchen chandelier--

Or just a bright poinsettia--

A tiny tree, in a passageway--

Magnolia leaves, berries....

She thrifted the cozy Pendleton blanket in a yellowed bag, only to discover at home its black, white and deep pink scheme echoed her living room colors--

Or, with a quick switch-out, her red chinoiserie pillows pump up the volume--

Another way-- huge basket of poinsettias on the armoire, small tree, little wreath on the mirror--

That pretty mirror she found at a yard sale, and had glass cut to fit it--

I like the subtle way she adorns her varied collection of mirrors, here again with winter's magnolia leaves....

A charming display of vintage Christmas cards, fanning out.

Anyway, that's how she marks Christmas, with mostly natural elements, and a minimum of fuss. To me, although I need just a little bit more 'sentiment' around me, her choices look airy and pleasing.

If you missed seeing the year-round cottage before, here's a refresher. Since it's small, except in the wallpapered bedroom, she's created an off-white envelope of Benjamin Moore's "Simply White".

All her little vignettes show a delicate discernment--

The Gardener's Cottage switches up her living room periodically, swapping out furniture, blankets, and art--

When the armoire isn't sporting baskets of poinsettias, it has piled vintage suitcases...

The bedroom's wallpaper is a bit too much for me, but at least it has that faded, vintage look. I like the feeling of being in a treehouse, but this is just too visually demanding for me....

Even the smallest rooms are charming, like the pantry. Nice to be so organized! Love her tile:

I admire the cottage's clean, restful look, infused with her low-key personality. Reminds me of old, old California, small towns drowsing amid lemon groves and Spanish missions....

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

SactoSue — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 01:56:10 GMT

What a lovely cottage. My eyes were instantly drawn to the very nice rose garden in front.

I think she shows a lot of discipline in limiting her Christmas decorating. I think that white sofa with the long ottoman with the black and white tartan throw is perfect for setting the Chrismas theme. All it needs is a bit of red, or foliage that has an evergreen look and red berries or flowers.

There's a bit too much white in some of those photos for me: White walls, white ceiling, whiteslipcovered couch, white slipcovered side chairs. It might just be the photograph.

I really like that bedroom wallpaper. It does have a nice vintage floral look to it.

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

We rescue cats — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 02:20:58 GMT

I love the way she lulls one into the simplicity of the cottage and then adds in the surprise of the chinoiserie pillows and that gorgeously ornate frame on the mirror! It seems to be a cottage filled with surprises, some small and simple others large and ornate, around every corner. LOVE IT!!!

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

Citrine1 — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 02:31:00 GMT

What a pretty little cottage. I'd love to get my hands on this home and redecorate. It's way too understated for my tastes. She could do so much more with this space. Well, to each their own!

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

JudyL — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 04:07:01 GMT

In one picture the living room armoire looks white and another it looks black. Is it the same armoire? Just curious. I like it although I would add a bit more color. All the white is not my style. I'm also curious where in CA she lives as the cottage reminds me of something you'd find further into Northern CA.

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

Judaline — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:44:47 GMT

I like the kitchen. Simple. Homey.

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

CarolinaGirl88 — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:56:05 GMT

Lovely and peaceful. I am a fan!

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

wagirl — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:10:32 GMT

that is wonderful and very relaxing----

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

GingerHead — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:12:29 GMT

@Oznell

What an adorable cottage and yard. If I were a single lady, I could and would love living in a place like that (I need more room and space/distance with a DH,haha).

Sometimes simple is better....refreshing, light, no excess=mind freeing. I just want to say...ahhhhh.

I love it all but quick standouts for me are:

*her use of decorative mirrors. I find I prefer a pretty mirror over a picture most times because of their beauty and simple and reflective qualities.... pictures can be more limiting and tie you to a certain theme and I don't want to be tied down!

*That Magnolia arrangement really caught my eye, so simple but so perfect.

*I love potted and lighted trees and she has a cute one by her window.

*Beautiful and comfy with the big squishy couches and chairs. I love beauty but it must be comfy because I love being comfortable even more.

*That pantry makes me happy....Goals!!!!

Thanks for another Lovely!

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

Marsha2003 — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:27:16 GMT

I love seeing homes with overwrought holiday decor, with sentimental holiday decor and with quiet, somewhat minimal holiday decor. All the styles are full of joy in different ways.

I'll never be a minimalist, but my holiday additions this year are pared back from what I do in some years. I added some holly to my dining room chandelier, grouped some white poinsettias together and displyed some candles and greenery. This year, I skipped the glittery and colorful items. I think it's nice to change up how my house feels during the holidays from year to year.

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

SactoSue — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:56:41 GMT

I agree @Marsha2003

It is nice to change it up from year to year.

Of course, when you have excellent taste and a few lovely treasures, it's remarkable how easy elegant simplicity can be.

Thanks for sharing your photograph of the rose bowl, the candle and that fantastic wallpaper!

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

LavernLuvsShoes — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:31:15 GMT

@Citrine1 wrote:
What a pretty little cottage - It's way too understated for my tastes...

And that's what I absolutely love about it - Simple, elegant and understated.

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

DREAMON — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:24:35 GMT

A pretty cottage for sure but I would have candles in the windows, a wreath on the door, fairy lights in the house, and a taller slim tree.

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

Oznell — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 21:03:53 GMT

So many great comments, love the detailed analysis, thank you all.

@JudyL , I think it's the same armoire, and at some point she painted it. I wondered about the locale too-- was wondering if it was up more near wine country, perhaps, but don't know.

@GingerHead , good point, a perfect spot for a single person especially. Sadly, I think she became a widow after moving in, but seems to have been happy there.

@Marsha2003 , I love when you add pictures of your pretty things-- that birch candle with rose bowl and evergreens, charming!

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

just bee — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 22:33:03 GMT

Works for me!

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

AuntG — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 22:49:56 GMT

I would need more than that for the holiday, but I admire her attention to the things she chooses to display. The vintage cards were my favorites.

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

just bee — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:34:39 GMT

@Oznell

Looks like she added more tile to that wall. Or redid the tile...

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

DSD2 — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:42:22 GMT

It's charming and quite beautiful.

I get a peaceful and serene feeling in every room. Love that it's not crowded and oh, those wood floors are to die for as is the chandelier in the kitchen.

Thank you for more wonderful pictures @Oznell

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

Elodie2 — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:20:35 GMT

@Oznell I especially love the exterior of this charming home with its beautiful garden setting. Reminds me of a Craftsman style house.

The magnolias bring back memories of a big, old magnolia tree in the front yard of my childhood home. My dad was so proud of that tree. It was a prolific bloomer and sometimes our doorbell would ring with someone asking if they could get a clipping or two. Ahh, the good old days when politeness reigned.

I'm wondering if that might be mistletoe hanging from the kitchen chandelier? As always, thanks for your valued contributions and graciousness.

Re: QUIET CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS

on the bay — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 18:49:14 GMT

@Marsha2003 wrote:
I love seeing homes with overwrought holiday decor, with sentimental holiday decor and with quiet, somewhat minimal holiday decor. All the styles are full of joy in different ways.

I'll never be a minimalist, but my holiday additions this year are pared back from what I do in some years. I added some holly to my dining room chandelier, grouped some white poinsettias together and displyed some candles and greenery. This year, I skipped the glittery and colorful items. I think it's nice to change up how my house feels during the holidays from year to year.

@Marsha2003,

I can really relate to your thoughts.

And I agree that I can enjoy lots of styles. I would add a little more to this charming house. I mostly like how the owner looks like she loves it and enjoys it so much.

And it's funny you mentioned how you paired down and made things more simple this year.

I did too probably for the first time in my life! I think I just couldn't imagine getting everything out and putting away! But I love it a lot-more calm, and peaceful, less glittery with just a few sparkles.

@Elodie2,

I loved the story of your magnolia tree. Where I used to live there was a huge glorious magnolia tree and the most beautiful flowers, really breathtaking. I took a picture of this one flower that is so perfectly beautiful it doesn't even look real.