Eleven Gables: Keeping Room

Welcome to Eleven Gables! Today I am finally jumping back into the world of blogging tours after a much-needed break. :) I wish you could come over and decorate cookies with me while we sip coffee, but this little peek around will ha…

Welcome to Eleven Gables!

Today I am finally jumping back into the world of blogging tours after a much-needed break. :)

I wish you could come over and decorate cookies with me while we sip coffee, but this little peek around will have to do for today. Sugar Cookies are on my to-do list for next week!

I have partnered with 11 Magnolia Lane and 29 other beautiful homes (I'll link to them all at the end of this post) to give you a peek inside our assigned rooms. My hope is that you are inspired to fluff and puff your own home with your own special touches. I hope you made it over from Life on Cedar Lane. If you missed Andrea's tour, you MUST see it! So much gorgeousness!!!

Now, onto the kitchen!

barstools / blue and white rectangular jars

This year, I kept everything very simple with touches of blue and white, copper, and fresh greenery cut from the garden.

tea towel

The view of the pool is one of my favorites. I was going to tuck away the soaps and paper towels, but I thought I'd show you how we live. I just keep it all corralled on a silver tray with a vase of whatever is alive outside.

tree / Fairy Lights / candles / copper cookie cutters / teacup ornaments

This tree is one of my favorites. I simply decorate it with my Christmas copper cookie cutters! Easy!

In a bowl on the kitchen table, we keep our advent supplies. This (updated) activity set is what we read each night at dinner.

I made this easy Advent Wreath in a bowl using THESE candles placed in THIS candle holder. The holder is the perfect size to nestle down in a bowl and place cuttings around. I found THIS ORIENTAL BLUE & WHITE BOWL for such a great price! My friend bought this one and made an advent bowl too (it's in my Shop Highlights on Instagram)

Pitcher / copper pot / platter

Fresh herbs at reach brought in from the garden

Dishes

Next to my stove, I keep kosher salt with an olive wood spoon, fresh garlic, and butter in THIS butter bell.

Plates

Gingerbread houses from Dollar Tree used as decoration and as a little hint of what is to come to the blog next week!

A little peek into the formal living room.

Y'all, I put this house together this morning. I ran out of icing with no time to make more. HA! I will decorate it with the girls at our annual gingerbread house party. Remember my house last year?
I put it on my Instagram.
It's going to be hard to top it; but STAY TUNED!!!

(2018 house)

An angle of our keeping room that I don't show very often. It's usually covered in "we live here" supplies... blankets, socks, laundry to be folded, dog toys, etc. The TV is hidden behind retractable pocket doors. Our "Family Tree" is adorned with a fraction of our handmade ornaments and the paper chain my boys made when they were toddlers. I cut strips of scrapbook paper and the boys glued the chains together. I keep this in its own special bin so it doesn't get crushed.

I love that we moved the family tree to this spot this year. It opens up the room a bit and doesn't feel claustrophobic. I can keep "Ruby's chair" in the corner so she will have her perch on which to hunt squirrels.

Christmas pillows from my friend's shop Jenny Steffens Hobick.

Lampshade from The Enchanted Home.

vases / basket tray / stockings / ribbon / garden stool / Fairy Lights

Thank you for joining me today on this peek around the kitchen and keeping room!

I do hope you will subscribe to my blog and Instagram.

I usually post every day on Instagram and talk way too much to "the girls (chickens) of Eleven Gables"

Now, go say hello to Laura at Duke Manor Farm!

Merry Christmas!

love,

Emily of Eleven Gables

velvet ribbon / teacup ornaments

You can shop rooms of my home

HERE

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XOX,

Emily

* links to products you may be interested in purchasing are included within this post. I make a tiny commission off your purchase, but it does not increase the price for you. I encourage you to purchase through your favorite blogger's links. This is how we earn an income so that we can continue to provide you with beautiful, quality posts. Thank you!

Monday, December 2nd (Front Porch/Outdoor Spaces)

Tuesday, December 3rd (Entries/Dining Rooms)

2019 Holiday Home Tour | 11 Magnolia Lane

Wednesday, December 4th (Living Rooms/Dens)

Thursday, December 5th (Kitchens, Laundry Rooms, Misc Spaces)

Friday, December 6th (Bedrooms)

Christy at 11 Magnolia Lane | Jenny at Evolution of Style | Heather at The Heathered Nest | Shand at Quarters One | Amanda at Sincerely Marie Designs | Christy at Our Southern Home

If you liked my Christmas blog post, make sure to read my previous years' posts:

A Chinoiserie Christmas 2016

Before & After Christmas Tour

6 comments

Choosing the Perfect Slim Tree for a Tight Space

6:31:00 AM

Christmas

Choosing the Perfect Slim Tree for a Tight Space

Are you searching for the perfect tree? Not too big, not too small, not too short, not too tall? I have partnered with Tree Classics to bring you this gorgeous Kennedy Fir Tree . This is the 7.5' Kennedy Fir Slim …

Are you searching for the perfect tree?

Not too big, not too small,

not too short, not too tall?

I have partnered with Tree Classics to bring you this gorgeous Kennedy Fir Tree.

This is the 7.5' Kennedy Fir Slim Artificial Christmas Tree with color changing LED lights.

The Kennedy Fir Christmas Tree features Tree Classics "Quick Set" lighting system. This innovative technology automatically connects all string lights within the trunk of the tree, so all you need to do is pop each section together and plug in the tree! It took me less than five minutes to completely set this tree up! I was so excited, that I immediately called a client and told her about it. She had one ordered and set up in her entry a few days later!

The needlepoint stockings were purchased with each new baby. I found some similar ones HERE.

The brass planter was picked up at an antique store for $20. To raise the tree up inside the planter, I had a sweet friend make me a 16.5" square platform 8" high. I forgot to take a photo of it down in the planter. Ugh. Sorry about that!

Here is what it looked like when I received it.

It just slips down into the planter and raises the tree up a smidge.

I also added the Merry and Bright Vintage Ornament Set to mix among my own vintage ornaments...

Our family ornaments are a collection of handmade, a few of both of my grandmother's ornaments, and some we have collected through the years.

I purchased my ribbon at a little shop in NYC, but found some similar for you HERE.

When my boys were little, we made this paper chain over two Christmases. We use it on our tree every year. It reminds me of the sweetest memories and the tiniest chubby hands with glue sticks.

See how real the branches look?

They are so life-like.

My favorite nativity in blue and white.

This was handed down from my mother, but I would purchase THIS one in a heartbeat!

See? I do use color in my home!

My boys were MOST EXCITED about the color changing option of LED lights. They are right and have won me over! I love the colorful, vintage vibe that the tree is lending to our home.

Remember our Tree Classics Tree from last year?

You can see more of it HERE!!

This year, I added the Bethlehem Star Tree Topper and Silver Sequin Tree Skirt. I think they really finish the tree!

Thank you, Tree Classics, for inviting me to participate in your 12 Days of Christmas.

One last look at my vintage Christmas tree...

Merry Christmas, darlings!
Your comments are like a gift...
I love to hear from you!

Here is a peek at last year's Christmas tour...

See more of it HERE!!

Follow Eleven Gables for Daily Updates and Inspiration:

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XOX,

Emily

5 comments

Eleven Gables Home Spring Home Tour, Part 2

5:06:00 AM

2016

Eleven Gables Home Spring Home Tour, Part 2

Welcome back to Part Two of Eleven Gables Home Spring Home Tour! I am so happy you are here. If you would like to start at the beginning (a very good place to start), click HERE for Part One . topiaries Come on in and let's…

Welcome back to Part Two of Eleven Gables Home Spring Home Tour! I am so happy you are here. If you would like to start at the beginning (a very good place to start), click HERE for Part One.

topiaries

Come on in and let's head to the kitchen and keeping room!

barstools | lanterns | blue and white

Our home is a collection of things I love... most importantly, boys! My husband and I have four sons. Next week, our oldest turns into a teenager. Gasp! Time is flying!!

The island is the place where we gather for breakfast, snacks after school, and homework. I always keep fresh fruit in arms reach. Halfway through photographing the kitchen, the oranges dwindled away (all the neighborhood kids were outside playing basketball). Pretty much my life these days. Food disappearing as soon as it hits the shelf. I don't mind. That's what it's for. :)

similar dough bowl

sink | faucet | similar blue & white jar

These windows open out to the pool area. From here I can easily serve lunch to all the boys and their friends.

When we moved into our home ten years ago, the first thing we did was transplant all of the existing landscaping. There were about 60 overgrown nandinas that we planted in the woods creating a secret garden. I saw Camilla at our nursery and while I didn't know a thing about them, the thought of them was lovely. So I planted three. This is the first year they have ever bloomed. They bud, but Oklahoma weather freezes them out every year. These glorious camilla have bloomed for a month straight now. I am in love.

Partway through my photoshoot we had a little earthquake and my large Spode platter crashed to the ground. I wrote about it on here. A dear reader sent me a link to another platter. Turns out it is the 200th year anniversary platter (extra large size) and it was on sale! It has already been shipped and is on its way! A reminder that life on earth is temporary. Easter is the perfect time to remember to store up treasures in heaven, for that is what really matters.

dining chairs

The view from the keeping room into the kitchen.

blue and white jar with lid

Flowers from the supermarket in a pretty blue and white pot are my go-to. Such a pretty punch for low cost.

The Keeping Room is right off the kitchen. Our family gathers here. These are the most used areas of our home.

Blankets are everywhere. They keep us cozy when snuggled up with the boys watching a movie or playing a game.

oriental footbath

This year, I purchased pre-planted tulip bulbs in a pleasing color that can easily be transplanted into my flowerbeds. The entire container was just plopped into a pretty footbath. Quick and Easy Centerpiece. See Tour 1 for another quick centerpiece.

I've never shown you this perspective before. We keep the TV tucked away on the far left. The far right is my hidden appliance cabinet.

Pussy Willow was a favorite as a child. My grandma once planted a pussy willow tree for me at one of her homes. Whenever I see it, it is always a sweet reminder of her precious friendship toward me. This spring, I added it to the pots on my mantle for a dramatic statement.

faux topiary boxwood flanking front door

The exterior is beginning to bloom out! I can't wait to add more boxwood and hydrangea to the landscape this year.
Be sure and see my dining and formal living room all dressed up for Spring HERE!

boxwood wreaths on plates

Today, I'm joining with a talented group of friends for a SPRING Home Tour and Design Party. Go visit their blog posts for tons of inspiration!

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Confessions Of A Plate Addict

Housepitality Designs

Slightly Coastal

Make sure and stop by my Instagram to participate in our hashtag series #HomeSpringHome. Show us how you've sprinkled Spring in your home for a chance to be featured on all of our accounts!! We can't wait to see.

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See that little bar on the right that says "Subscribe to Eleven Gables in your inbox"... please put your email in there so you won't miss one post!! I would hate for you to miss out on all the fun!!

Happy Spring!!

xox,

Emily

**affiliate links are used in this post. This allows Eleven Gables to make the smallest commission on your purchase, but does not increase the price to you. Thank you for supporting small business! xox

20 comments

Christmas in the Kitchen

Choosing the Perfect Slim Tree for a Tight Space

Eleven Gables Home Spring Home Tour, Part 2