I wanted to try something a little different this year in our family room.
As with most families, this is our most used room of the house. Its where we relax and watch movies together. Its where naps are taken on lazy weekends. And, its the room where we gather after opening gifts on Christmas Day.
Off season, our family room is typically a showcase to some of my favorite antiques…a collection of vintage globes and maps, local pottery and our favorite leather bound books.
Inspired by these collections, our room has started to take on a new look and feel this holiday season. I’m not quite sure what to call this theme. Maybe a little bit of travel or navigation? Think: Santa traveling the world the night before Christmas. Surely Santa must use maps and reference his globes before making the trip. Maybe he uses a vintage compass and even snaps a few photos along the way.
We’ve begun to transform this room to really embrace the start of this idea.
The family room is drenched in light during the day time. Large windows on three walls really showcase the trees and wildlife surrounding our home. At night, we have thousands of white lights throughout the room to shine through these windows.A slim 9-foot artificial tree stands in the corner of the family room. A variety of ornaments focused on the theme of travel and navigation decorate the limbs. Small and medium sized vintage globes are wired into the tree as unexpected ornaments. Globes ornaments were sourced from both Michael’s and World Market this year. Scrapbook paper with maps and travel postcard designs were folded into paper airplanes and stars. A metal compass rose sourced from Amazon for only $12.99 was a perfect alternative to a star topper. Accents of plaids and reds fill the couch with pillows and throws.
A large built-in holds the television in this room, but also transforms to a perfect place to continue the theme and showcase some Christmas collectibles. Larger globes and antique maps fill a metal sleigh atop the built-in.
Vintage globes and large rolled vintage maps fill Santa’s sleigh. The red sleigh was a steal….only $59.99 last year at HomeGoods. The garland on top of the built-in repeats some of the world and travel themed ornaments from the tree. Vintage icicle garland and crystals add to the trim and multiply the shimmer of the white lights.
French doors were decorated with lighted wreaths. An antique camera and compass were wired into one of the wreaths; a family heirloom from my father-in-law who has passed away.
A stack of vintage luggage (which holds board games and puzzles) display more vintage globes and ornaments. An antique cardboard cutout hangs from a photo of my daughters.These vintage mercury glass ball ornaments are a little scratched or imperfect. They have been retired from tress, but fill this vintage travel case with Christmas cheer. Books and knick-knacks are packed away during Christmas so I can showcase some of my Santa collection. Scout, our labradoodle, wasn’t happy to be bumped from her favorite chair so that photos could be taken today.
Surely this theme will play out further over the next few years. And, off season, I have a shopping list of items to keep an eye out for….more vintage cameras and maps, travel themed ornaments and much more! Merry Christmas and happy travels!
