well… i waited for the cleaning lady but wasn’t able to take pictures afterwards.
then we had a two big groups of company.
and lots of other things.
then today the sun is hiding behind gray skies but it’s clean enough and when i started taking pictures most of the kids were asleep.
but here is our home all decorated for christmas.
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annie is begging to decorate the gingerbread houses.
Home Alone is finishing up.
i am supposed start dinner.
but Waffle found a skunk last night…. so i get to bathe a dog right now.
whatever you are doing right now i will trade you.
anything.
please?
ha ha ha
feel free to ask questions.
i will answer them. 🙂
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Q: where did you get your gingerbread houses? They look like a perfect gift to a child packaged like that!
A: target in the bakery section.
Q: where do you keep your toaster and mixer?
A: it’s kind of funny actually… i didn’t include the picture because the cabinet door was open but i will include it here for you.
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we keep the toaster IN the middle drawer and all the bread in there too.
then when the toaster is being used… we plug it in under the counter and leave the drawer open while in use.
when done… unplug and close the drawer.
and then there is no bread box on the counter either.
Q: How do you keep them clean? Are they the ikea ones with the washable slipcovers?
A: Yes they are from ikea. we bought an extra set of slipcovers (thinking ahead….) and we have washed them all once since april.
they clean up really nicely! we are happy with them!
Q: Did you buy all the bulbs in your boxes at the same time or have you been gathering them for a while?
A: i have been collecting for many years. I just pick them up at the thrift shops when ever i find them.
and the santa mugs i have also been collecting for many years.
now they are priced higher which is so annoying so i never pay more than $5 and even that is high in my opinion. 🙂
Q: My question (is not house related) but I LOVE to know what people are reading; including magazines, blogs, devotionals, in their Bibles, and books.
A: i have been reading anything at all. SAD.
but i always check in with Shannan to find out whats good and what to read next.
Q: …that green beadboard wall! Did you trim the edges with moulding or just cut an even edge?
And that tinsel tree, I assume it’s vintage?
A: the tree is not vintage. crazy right? I’ve had it probably five years or more though.
there is no brand on it though. 🙁
and for the green bead board… we just cut it evenly. there is no trim piece.
And we have one more board to cut in half and put on the top before the wood trim.
Q: it looks like the back of that gray dresser backs up to an open railing. Is the back painted too??
A: i have mentioned about 5 times that i want to just quick paint the back but i never have gotten around to it.
but yes it should be painted. i agree with you. 🙂
Q: I LOVE your basket with blankets in it……where did you find it?
A: tjmaxx 🙂
Q: My question…..You have a basement…..(stairs)….I am dying to know what you are doing with it….
A: we do have a basement.
i never go down there. there are no windows. and there is carpet. and unpainted wood.
it’s hard for me.
ha ha ha
just kidding.
it’s a finished basement. there is a pool table, a sectional, a projector screen and an xbox down there.
the basement doesn’t need me.
🙂
i am sure we will make it more “us” but it’s not on the top of the list of projects right now.
Q: What is the square footage of your house? The main floor looks open and spacious!
A: i don’t even know. 🙂
i never asked.
im sure craig knows but i don’t.
Q: Are you ever worried something is going to fall victim to those precious big dogs with those long, waggy tails?
A: Not really. They don’t jump up on stuff and nothing is down low for them to get into. 🙂
Q: Wondering about gray paint on your wall. What is the name of it?
A: Seashell Gray by Valspar (sold at lowes)
Q: How about the pennants over your kitchen sink? Are they fabric or paper? Did you make them or buy them? Where from?
A: i bought them two years ago from Leslie Padgett’s etsy shop Salvage 517. (currently empty)
they are made from vintage christmas tablecloths and there is sheet music sewn on them too.
Q: what is the shade of green that you painted your dining room cabinet?
A: Catnip by Valspar
Jen Sullivan - I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your family picture on the wall!! It is such an amazing picture!!!
Katrissa Howard - Hi Meg!
I just love this home tour! I came back to it again today because we’re in the (early) stages of a Kitchen/Family Room renovation and trying to shift the neutral color of those rooms from (existing) beiges/off-whites to whites/grays. I remember loving the gray on your walls from these pictures so I came to look at them more closely today. Does the gray tend toward blue at all? Our kitchen cabinets will be white, but the bigger pieces of furniture in the rooms we’re redoing are brown (big sofa, built in bookshelves and black (kitchen table, tv console). I decorate with pops of colors – currently reds and some greens (more yellows in the summer) and also rustic burlap and wood. I’m looking for a gray that will work with both the browns and the blacks and I’m wondering if this is it. It looks like it from the pictures! { I’m not putting the pressure on you to make the decision for me, just curious as to your thoughts!} Thank you so much! I love your blog so much! I feel like you’re a kindred spirit! 🙂
s - Loved the tour – your home is so liveable yet beautiful. Mine is so undecorated and clutter-y- too lived in lol. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.
jennibell - Love the close-up of Christmas at your house!!! I was showing my husband all the kitchen pics in relation to other parts of your main living area. . .we are contemplating moving and your kitchen layout looks really functional. Thanks for sharing!
iralee poore - so pretty!!! i love that you guys painted everything white! i love the airy open and clean feel but its not boring visually bc of all the pops of color and black/white pops!
Rachel - Glitter JOY. Giggle. I think there is still glitter in my bag from last year from the JOY I brought home.
paige - meg!
i have to tell you, i’ve kept your blog up for days & come back to it over & over…i am smitten with your home & how you’ve decorated for christmas!!
love everything!!
especially your wreath over the chalkboard & how you color grouped the balls. my goodness….
i smiled out loud over & over
merry merry!
kel - Wondering about gray paint on your wall. What is the name of it? We are repainting- I bogged down in the paint samples. I’m avoiding the decision…. afraid to go too dark. I’m sure you have answered this before- but I can’t find it!
Kelly - How about the pennants over your kitchen sink? Are they fabric or paper? Did you make them or buy them? Where from?
Kristen K. - Meg…Merry Christmas!!! At least it’s midnight here in Philadelphia…and all is (FINALLY!) quiet. Whew! So I got to sit for a moment and look at the gorgeous photos you shared with us. Thank you! My favorite thing about your home(s) isn’t really a ‘thing’…it’s that your home reflects YOU and your family, your faith, your real life! Craft supplies in the hutch instead of dusty china that no one uses, photos of joy all around, but not over-the-top fru-fru style…color and Scripture and more smiles and vintage (a.k.a. stuff-with-a-story) finds. Just love love love your style, and the way you tell your family’s story. Thank you for sharing! 😉
beth larson - Meg, Hi friend! Just couldn’t resist telling you that my hubbie got a skunk in a trap today (by accident) and it sprayed and although it wasn’t a direct hit, it’s Christmas and the smell of skunk is permeating our house….hahahaha hohohoho, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a good night!!! Feeling for you having to deal with a skunky dog too- xox
I hope you got your card~ : )
Beth Larson
Lori - Your home looks beautiful! I’m so glad you shared photos! Merry Christmas 🙂
Lisa - I just love how bright and cheerful your home is. You and Craig have done an amazing job transforming this house to your personalities. I tend to decorate with mostly whites and neutrals but your home makes me want to add color. Merry Christmas!
Tracy - It looks lovely and festive! I especially love your green stools 🙂
Merry Xmas to you and all the Duerksens! I hope our Xmas card made it to you!
Lisa - Love your vintage bulbs and Santa mugs! Are you ever worried something is going to fall victim to those precious big dogs with those long, waggy tails? 🙂
Jill D - I have that same Christmas tablecloth! Passed down from my grandmother and mother. I remember it being used every Christmas when I was a child. Such memories.
Christine - Merry Christmas!!
Love the decorations.
Especially love the green beadboard!
Now sit back and enjoy it!
So So pretty!
Amanda Medlin - I love what you’ve done with your new house and how you have made it YOU. I have a question and forgive me if you’ve answered previously, I went through old posts and couldn’t find it…what is the shade of green that you painted your dining room cabinet? Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Jenny B. - LOVE everything! It looks so homey and Christmassy, yet uncluttered. I know… you waited until AFTER the cleaning lady came! ;). I want to pin every picture! My favorite things… the green beadboard coat rack, your kitchen, the backsplash and countertops (and the bunting!), the little collection of pictures on the wall by the gumball machine, the big basket of quilts (I need one of those!), the computer area with the big D and the 5 and the pictures and the crib spring with all the Christmas cards… 🙂 Sigh… Lovely.
Karyn - I saved the springs from our crib and it’s taking up space in the basement. I was just about to throw it out then I saw the green one by your computer. Now I have to keep mine!! Thank you for all the lovely pictures! I think of you each time I drive I-135 to get from Denver (home now) to Emporia (home home).
Jacci - Lovely 🙂 I really like the way the dining area is turning out. Good choice with the cow print. My question is… did you find a book called The Art of Neighboring at the craft house this summer?? I think I may have left it there 🙂 Merry Christmas, Duerksens!!!!
Beth ann - Lovely! Your hone looks so comfortable, inviting and homey! I was smiling at the progression of kiddos waking up and moving about. No real question than how to I make a stubborn 3 yr old go to sleep so I can wrap presents aaannnddddd have a glass or 2 of wine…. ha!
Kimberly - Love the how peaceful it looks and all the vintage pieces!
What is the square footage of your house? The main floor looks open and spacious! Is the basement completely finish?
Andrea - Meg….one more crazy question…I LOVE your basket with blankets in it……where did you find it?
Andrea - I loved seeing your home all decked out for Christmas!!! I love that your home is neutral, but colorful all at once. I am not sure how you pulled that off but I love it. Your collection of vintage ornaments is so beautiful and I love how you displayed them! (I am copying that next year!) I also collect santa mugs and loved seeing your collection. My question…..You have a basement…..(stairs)….I am dying to know what you are doing with it….I imagine a wonderful big craft/sewing room…..(cause that I what I want to do with our basement)
Happy Holidays!
Jane - I have some Santa mugs and a pitcher that my mom had when we were growing up. I love how you display yours!
Jen - I have some of those same Santa mugs! I love the little display box! I always struggle with how to display them.
LOVE the quote on the chalkboard too!!
Question : it looks like the back of that gray dresser backs up to an open railing. Is the back painted too?? Silly, I know. But I think I would have to paint the back if it was going to be “open” like that. :-/
Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
Amy - What a festive house! My favorite thing is the picture of the 5 kiddos in their bathing suits that is above the desk. I assume it’s your 5. I know I can’t see it well, but it looks like such a real life moment.
Tami Vik - I love that green beadboard wall! Did you trim the edges with moulding or just cut an even edge? You always find the best stuff! And that tinsel tree, I assume it’s vintage? Fabulous! Good luck with the dog washing!
Melissa - I just love your home! I couldn’t believe you have 5 kids and your house looks like this so it was a relief to know you have a cleaning lady I was about to ask you if you were born with super powers or you learned magic along the way LOL! I guess having older children helps as well, I have a 5,7,9 so even when they do help I need to supervise or come behind and finish up.
I also noticed you have many drawers and cabinets which is something we lack around here I bet it hides alot of things so I will be looking for storage furniture from here on out!
THANKS FOR THE POST!! 🙂
–btw I am MeliMelsss on instagram 🙂 So glad I found your blog!
Tessa - You have made me love green even more with this post!!!
Julie - Thank you so much for sharing. I adore the boxes of baubles and the wreath. Merry Christmas to you and your Family.
PS: Posted your card the other day too.
Rachel S - One more question…where did you get your gingerbread houses? They look like a perfect gift to a child packaged like that!
Rachel S - LOVE your cute house! Love all the white with your happy colors everywhere. Your kitchen is just perfect and that silver tree (vintage?) is so cute on the counter. One question for you is where do you keep your toaster and mixer? I would love to have more counter space, but we use those 2 appliances (plus the coffee maker) so often that they take up my precious space.
Enjoy your Christmas with the family in your new home. I always love to see your spaces! So inspirational.
Amanda M. - I LOVE your home. I’ve LOVED all your homes! Here’s my question and I think you’ve talked about it before— Those white couches. How do you keep them clean? Are they the ikea ones with the washable slipcovers? I want white couches so badly but, boys. boys. boys. I have two boys that are 5 and 7. I’m pretty sure it would be an issue. Do you wash yours often?
Julie - Your home feels so inviting and charming! So pretty!!
Kelly S, I know your question was directed to Meg, but I’m currently listening to an audiobook on YouTube, “Hudson Tsylor’s Spiritual Secret” and enjoying it a lot. What a simple, incredible faith this missionary to China had! So inspiring!
Andrea - Oh Meg! Thank you so much for the photos!
Did you buy all the bulbs in your boxes at the same time or have you been gathering them for a while? (I’m guessing they come from places like The Barn?)
Also how long have you been collecting the Santa cups?
Lisa - Here’s my question…. Can I hire you to decorate my house?! Please!? I’ll fly you to Oregon to help me! Haha! I really love your style. 🙂
Melissa - Love love love – it looks so pretty. simple and pretty
Kelly S - Cute, cozy and colorful house. My question (is not house related) but I LOVE to know what people are reading; including magazines, blogs, devotionals, in their Bibles, and books.
I’m LOVING The Auschwitz Escape (book), my devo is Awake My Heart by J. Sidlow Baxter (love love love), reading through Bible in chronological order (I’m in 1 Chronicles) and also reading Timothy Keller-Prayer-Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God (awesome).
Merry Christmas!!!!
Kelly (Pam’s friend from Liberia) 🙂
Meghan - Can I move in?
Tami - LOVE your home, so cozy and warm! Happy Holidays! xoxo