Do you like southern style decor? This complete Southern Living Idea House tour is full of gorgeous rooms you’ll want to recreate in your own home!
Southern Living Idea House is full of great ideas for your home. See 20 ideas from the tour.
Please tell me you have ten extra minutes today.
I know you’re busy.
I know it’s Monday.
I know your to-do list is long, that it’s cold, and that the day is already full of holiday cheer and joy – but seriously…..
…I had to participate.
I’ve been writing this blog for a long time. I’ve photographed more homes than I can count, especially around the holidays. But of all the houses around the world, this one I photographed in 2014 is my favorite. It has been a Southern Living Holiday Idea House since 2014.
Yes.
10 years ago I stood on this front porch, knocked on the door, walked into the living room, and fell in love.
But any sad news? I kind of forgot about it because it was ten years ago.
And then?
This pin came up on Pinterest by the front door (one of my most popular pins ever) and I went back and did the tour again and knew I had to share. Even though it’s been 10 years, the decor is still timeless and brings me so much happiness today. So I re-edited the images and wrote how we can make a lot of DIY ideas and now it’s all updated and ready for you.
So grab a cup of coffee and come for a virtual tour.
I hope you love it as much as I do.
Do you remember when I told you I knocked on the door?
This was the door.
Look at that booty on the lanterns.
And the wreath.
And we haven’t even discussed the actual front door. Have you ever seen anything like that before?
On the amazing scale – if 1 is the perfect chocolate cake, and 100 is finding a yard sale where every glass of milk is marked with a value of $1.00….
…it’s 250.
*sigh*
It’s classic, farmhouse, timeless, new barn wood, burlap and vision all rolled into one.
Let’s open the door together and take a tour of the house and I’ve compiled a list of 20 home decorating ideas to make all our holidays more fun.
20 decorating ideas from southern living idea house
Idea #1: Magnolia wreaths
Let’s start with ideas from the outside before we head inside the house.
This is the back porch. They didn’t go overboard here with the decor – but every little detail makes a statement.
Look at the beams above the back door, aren’t they amazing?
Magnolia wreaths are hung on the exterior windows from ribbon (think velvet that you can only do on a porch) pinned over the molding.
Idea #2: Drape jute rope over a porch swing
The balcony is very beautiful and wraps around the entire house, and has many different seating areas.
It’s kind of hard to see and I wish I had taken a better photo, but the porch swing in the back has jute wound through the strings on the porch swing.
Then they tied the rope at the top.
Idea #3: An easy centerpiece
I love the juxtaposition of the vintage farmhouse table fabric with the wicker chairs.
And look how easy this centerpiece is.
They just took a simple magnolia wreath and added pomegranate and artichokes.
Idea #4: Make an outdoor sculpture with magnolia leaves
Look at these gorgeous magnolia crosses on either side of the front door.
It would be easy to make your own by using a wooden base and then gluing faux magnolia leaves onto the wood.
And add a burlap ribbon to the center.
Idea #5: Mix styles
I love the combination of stripes and patterns in neutral gray with fresh greenery.
This still feels fresh to me 10 years later.
Mixing styles works for the holidays and throughout the year.
Idea No. 6: Decorate French doors and add curtains
Wreaths on either side of French doors are the perfect way to add a little holiday to connect the inside with the outside.
And look at those curtains on the balcony. It is the same upholstery fabric.
Such curtains are a great way to transform a balcony into a larger room space.
Idea #7: Matching ribbon-tied topiaries
I think the kitchen is very neglected when it comes to decor.
The symmetry of the topiaries on the kitchen island is very beautiful.
I love the idea of tying ribbon around the base of the topiaries as it is an easy way to add a little holiday to any plant.
Idea #8: A simple centerpiece
This is the most beautiful centerpiece on your dining table.
There are layers of cedar mixed with magnolia and eucalyptus.
You can add fake candles to hurricanes as well.
Idea #9: Wrap plants in burlap and tie them with ribbon
Look at the plant on the side table.
Isn’t that a nice idea?
It is wrapped in burlap and then tied with a red ribbon. It’s an easy houseplant holiday idea.
Idea #10: Add dried hydrangea to the tree
I loved this simple idea.
I have been drying my hydrangeas for years.
What a fun idea to add dried hydrangea to your Christmas tree.
Idea #11: Add branches to the tree for texture
And then?
Did you see?
There are branches tucked into the tree for a rustic look.
I also loved that there were two different types of ribbon wavy together and tied around the tree.
Idea #12: Create a rustic swag shelf
My favorite thing about this greenery from the shelf?
It could take you all the way from now until winter (and maybe even fall).
It’s the colors and choices in greenery – the perfect way to celebrate Christmas if you love neutrals.
Idea #13: Add hydrangeas to a wreath
This is another great idea.
To match the tree, this wreath has dried hydrangeas added along with cedar, pinecones and boxwood.
Then a layer of ribbon and burlap to finish the garland.
Idea #14: Add swag to either side of the door
This was one of my favorite ideas from home.
And one of my most pinned pins.
Look at the layers of this spoils – pinecones, ribbons, pine branches, and twig branches all layered together.
Absolute Christmas perfection.
Idea #15: Add a eucalyptus swag instead of a wreath
And then?
Look at the eucalyptus swag on the door.
It starts with a bundle of eucalyptus and then there are layers of burlap, twigs and pine cones as well.
Idea No. 16: The Ottomans
This bedroom is so sweet.
I love the hint of blue and white.
But my favorite thing in the room are the two ottomans at the end of the bed for storage.
I think it would look so cute with a Christmas pillow on top of each pillow.
Idea No. 17: Built-in bench
This was one of my favorite rooms in the house.
The bathroom/closet area is very beautifully designed.
I also like the idea of installing a bench between two cabinets in the closet area.
(Quite an aside: I’d be happy with just one of the cabinets and that floor).
Idea No. 18: Add touches of green with green bottles
This laundry room is filled with natural light.
There is a washer and dryer countertop with built-in baskets on the side.
I love the idea of the subtle nod to the holidays with the green bottles.
Idea No. 19: Miniature topiary
These mini covers add a touch of greenery to your laundry room.
Add terracotta pots like these or clay pots and group the plants in odd numbers.
You can also add small cedar trees or even a winter herb garden.
Idea #20: Pack your bag
The best idea that came to me from this idea house.
To move in.
Who is with me? 🙂
