Simple greenery, pinecones, my favorite coastal blues, and splashes of green create a cozy and natural Pine Tree State holiday living room!
The Pine Tree State
When I look out my windows here on the coast of Maine, I see crisp blue water edged with dark evergreen trees. This year I took my inspiration directly from this view and decorated our living room for the holidays with simple greenery, pinecones, and of course a few coastal touches. And while I would never abandon my favorite blues, even for the holidays, this year I added in splashes of green. I have to say I am loving it! And since the kids won’t be home for Christmas this year, I decided to do something completely different from our usual tree covered in collected ornaments. I can’t wait for you to see it!
I have been so busy getting the house decorated that here it is Friday evening and I am just getting started writing this blog post for tomorrow. So, while I am usually quite “chatty” with all of you, today I am making this heavy on the photos and light on the words. Maybe you will like it better this way!
Grab you eggnog and let’s get going!
Blue and Green
Throw pillows and blankets are an easy way to add color to your home! For the holidays I mixed in some patterns with pops of green to go with my usual shades of blue and tan.
The Tree
I have never done a “themed” tree, but I thought this was a good year to try something completely different! Maine’s nickname is the Pine Tree State, so I decided to take that literally! I spent evenings with the hot glue gun attaching blue velvet ribbons to over 100 pinecones, which I then tied to the branches. Glass pinecone ornaments from Walmart add some extra sparkle!
The Fireplace
As you know, the fireplace is one of my favorite spots to decorate seasonally. I found the vintage artillery basket and large bells at a local resale/vintage store a couple years ago. Greens, giant sugar pinecones, and a triple bow are naturally festive!
The garland on the mantel is fashioned from four faux garlands. I use one of those cheap bendy garlands as the base, wrapping the branches around the other garlands to fasten them together. Faux juniper picks add extra fullness and a little blue!
Decor
Pinecones, greens, and some nautical pieces scattered around the room complete the holiday look!
Next Week
Thank you for joining me on this living room tour! I hope you have found some inspiration, or at least a little holiday cheer!
Next week I will be sharing the dining area. Here are some sneak peeks!
I hope your days are merry and bright!
beautiful … I love the simplicity of the greens and pine ones!! wishing you a peaceful holiday season!
Thank you, Claire! I wish the same for you!
Such a salute to your beautiful state. I love the natural, earthy theme. I always feel like I’ve had a mini visit to Maine when I read your blog. Thank you for sharing with all of us. I can’t wait to see the dining room all gussied up (that’s southern for dressed up) for the holidays.
Julie
Thank you, Julie! This spot I now call home is so inspiring to me! The natural holiday decor just feels right to me this year!
Molly I love the pinecone tree, it’s fabulous and of course all your details are always so inspiring. Happy holidays💙💙💙
Thanks, Ann! I do miss all the ornaments we have collected through the years, but the pinecones are fun too! Thanks for reading!
Love this, My Giant Pinecone wreath, collected Pinecones, from other states, is on the front door, it goes in each year to the florist for an touch up and always have an Floppy bow on it. ( made this wreath)
Our Tamarac trees have the tiniest little pinecones, made an small wreath as well.
Ya colors blue velvet and green Beautifulllll. I always take the outdoors especially here in The Northern Woods with surrounded by the pine trees and incorporate into the Christmas decor.
No theme tree here never ever.
This year was Tartan traditional Red and Green Plaid, Last year did Gingham Red Check, Red Ticking, Linens, Bows, etc.
Thank you,
💙💚🌲🌲💙💚⚓️
Your wreath and tree sounds beautiful, Karen! So much to love about life in this great state of Maine!
Molly, as usual, everything about your holiday decor is enchanting. I love how you embraced your Pine Tree State with blue ribbon pinecones all over the tree. It’s the most beautiful tree. I love how greens enhance blue and are a natural combination for the holidays. I can’t wait to see your dining room! xo
Thank you, Juliet! I did have fun pulling this tree together. It is all the things I love — blue, natural elements, and this beautiful state of Maine I now call home!
I don’t do themed trees either since like you I love to see my collected ornaments but I just love this pinecone tree with all those blue velvet bows and the pinecones! it is really gorgeous and so maine! maybe I will have to do extra tree with bows and pinecones! I also love all the pops of green that you added to the living room. so cozy.
amy
I do miss all my ornaments, but maybe it is better this year not to put myself through that emotional roller coaster, if you know what I mean. So this year I am embracing my new life here with a tribute to Maine! I am sure you could find a spot for a pinecone tree next year!
I will start by saying that I am not a fan of the beach. What I mean by that is I’m not like everyone else where I currently live, that runs to the beach for every vacation or any little thing they do.
Im originally from Buffalo, NY and had the greatest love for winter and the snow when I was quite young. My parents moved us to California when I was young and we were more geared for the mountains. We headed to the mountains for everything and Lake Tahoe was basically our ocean..lol.
After getting married and spending many years as a military spouse, we finally settled down in NC.
I’ve always had a fascination with all the states up past NY. I’ve never been to that part of the country and have always wanted to visit. I’ve lived on both the west coast and the east coast. The west coast has some of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen. I feel like Maine probably has some of that as well.
Your view is pretty but I have to say, your home has brought back many childhood memories for me. I am soooo in love with your tree! I’ve never seen one prettier dressed in pinecones! Im also in love with your dog! So precious! The mantle, the hearth and other decorating are just what I’d expect to see in your part of the country and add just the perfect touch. So thank you so much for sharing this with us! Merry Christmas and many happy days ahead!
Hi Shirley — Thanks for taking the time to write! I am glad you enjoyed my post and how I have decorated our home for the holidays. I am so inspired by this beautiful state I call home now. You definitely need to make a trip up to New England sometime! I grew up in New York and we lived for many years in the Washington D.C. area. I went to college in New Hampshire, though, and I always felt most at home in New England. So happy to finally call it home! Hope you are enjoying the holiday season!
I absolutely love every element of your natural Christmas! Simply beautiful!
Thank you, Debra! It just feels right to decorate this way here in Maine!
Simply stunning, Molly! I can appreciate not wanting the emotional twinge of family and keepsake ornaments and trying a new approach this Christmas Season! Your whole house looks divine, and your nod to the Pinecone State is perfect…such a warm, inviting holiday scene 🎄
Oh, thank you so much, Traci! New traditions call for a new tree!
Love your beautiful pine cone tree! We have a pine tree in our backyard and over the years, I’ve made a lot of things with them. You have inspired me to use some on our porch tree! We have the same plaid throw!
Thanks, Jane! It was fun to do something different on the tree this year! You should definitely use some pinecones on your porch tree!
Looks terrific! My mantle is filled with mismatched finials. Love them with my greens. The New England season is here!!!
Cheers!
I love the idea of the finials with greens! I just have a small collection of finials. Happy holidays, Melissa!
Everything is just so pretty. Happy holidays, my friend.
Thanks so much, Renae! Same to you!
Beautiful, as always! I love how you created the pinecone tree and am especially impressed (though not at all surprised) that it was all a DIY
Thanks, honey! It was fun to do something different this year, though I do miss our regular ornaments!
Molly,
Your home is decorated perfectly for the holidays. I love all the greenery and large pinecones. Just stunning. I’ll share a link on my Sunday, Dirt Road Adventures.
Thanks so much Rachel — both for your kind words and the share! Your home is always so festive at Christmas too!
I love the dried oranges! I may borrow that idea! Did you use a dehydrator?
They are so easy! Slice oranges about 1/4 inch thick. Arrange in a single layer on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Place in a 175 degree oven on convection mode for 4-6 hours, turning the slices about halfway through. Have fun!
Lovely, lovely.
I could move right in!
How or what do you do with Gurgle pitchers for other holidays?
Where else would you use them?
What size tree do your use in the bucket? Is it real? Artificial?
Happy holidays.
Hi Ethel — So sorry for my delay in responding. The holidays got away from me! Thank you for your kind words! Most of the time I leave the gurgle pitchers empty on the window sill. Sometimes in the summer I will stick some flowers in them, but they have enough character to stand on their own! Ours is a 7 1/2 foot artificial tree from Balsam Hill!
I’m in love with your pinecone tree Molly. and everything else for that matter. The blues throughout your home are so gorgeous. You have such a gift.
Aw, you are so sweet, Kim! The pinecone tree was something different for me this year, and I really love it!