Merry Christmas, friends! Welcome to our coastal cottage Christmas tour! You’ll have to picture a warm greeting at the door, two pups jumping for joy, a big hug with a hello, a plate of Christmas cookies and a steaming mug of coffee or tea waiting for you just around the corner. You’ll really have to imagine the cookies because I haven’t made any yet :). Oh, well. I’m not Martha, but maybe I’ll get the cookies done by Christmas day.
Come on in, I’ll give you a peek around our seaside home including the Tiny Cottage, our bedroom, the snug, the kitchen and main rooms of the house.
I’m so glad you’re here. Is this really our fifth Christmas in this house? Math isn’t my strong suit but I think so, we’ve lived here four years — we moved in just a two months before Christmas in 2021. Wow, how time flies. And as long as I’m attempting math, I’ve been sharing my home here on The Inspired Room at Christmas for nineteen years (four homes over the years!).
Our entry is an especially happy place in the house for Finnegan, whose favorite job is following everyone who comes and goes…from any room or up and down the stairs. He even naps with one eye open so he doesn’t accidentally doze off and let anyone sneak away without him.
He’s such a sweet pup–always keeping an eye on me (even through the garland, just in case I try any funny business and somehow slip out the door without him). I’ve never had such a velcro dog, but I love it!
By the way, I will link some sources throughout this post, but if you don’t see something, you can always find my home sources on my LTK (use the handy search bar there!) or my Amazon storefront is a good spot to check too. Leave a comment or message me if I can help you find something!
It’s too bad these dogs have such a “ruff” life. I know they think everything I do is for them :). They are partly right, ha!
This is the little bed nook in our Snug! The Snug is on my list of “next projects” :) but it is so cozy as is.
I’m in love with our new floral duvet and striped sheets from Piglet in Bed–they have wonderful cotton and linen bedding and more for the home. And could there possibly be a more adorable name for a brand? I don’t think so!
This is the Tiny Cottage where my parents live. It’s connected to our home but it’s fully functional for them and their lives. It is the CUTEST! My mom just told me she ordered a new couch so I guess we’ll stay tuned for new updates in here in 2026, too! Meanwhile I think it’s the coziest!
Love her new cafe curtains in here!
And all of their personal touches make it so homey and a happy place — everything tells a story! As a meaningful home should.
They added these bookcase/benches recently, too. They are perfect here, not too bulky but functional.
My parents also got a new round coffee table! (I believe it’s this one from Wayfair–but this one on Amazon looks similar so I’ll double check!). They love it because it has a nice large surface, the shape makes it easy to walk around and they can tuck some pillows and blankets underneath, which makes it extra convenient in a small space.
Our dogs love going over to visit Grandma and Grandpa in the Tiny Cottage and then coming back for a nap by the fire.
The Christmas season can be such a busy time for us all, but I love it once the hustle and bustle of it winds down and we can take a deep breath, slow down and focus on the meaning of the season.
I look forward to when this space will be filled once again with our three children, spouses and little ones, all celebrating Christmas together. Seasons change but each one is so special.
We’ll gather in the this kitchen to prepare food and bake cookies.
The little ones will be delighted by the festive touches and we’ll be delighted by the little people (who remind us so much of their mamas!).
The island will serve us all as it was intended to and we’ll enjoy preparing meals and conversations here.
We’ll squeeze around the table, and we’ll even add an extra one. We don’t need a big home to create one that feels welcoming to all, but we do have to get creative sometimes!
These paper trees were a fun find this year–I picked them up in a few styles and colors. They fold up nice and compact for small space storage, and a magnet makes them easy to open and close.
This is where we’ll play games and laugh together.
And we’ll have to ask the dogs if they wouldn’t mind scooting over or getting into their dog beds so people can sit.
We didn’t set up the big tree this year, not because we didn’t feel festive but because we realize in our more compact home we don’t need it to feel festive!
We have enjoyed the twinkly lights on these pretty faux trees, though. The rattan cart is the perfect spot to set a tree!
For unto us a child is born…. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Merry Christmas, friends! We’ll return after the holiday with our annual Christmas video!
Thank you for the holiday tour, everything makes me feel warm & welcome. Happy Holidays to your whole family ⛄️🎄
Beautiful. What is it about Christmas that makes everything look so magical. Is it that we take extra time? I’m not sure.
Just lovely. I wouldn’t change anything.
Simply Christmas honey and elegant! Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas to you & yours 🎄
Simply Christmas honey and elegant! Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas to you & yours 🎄
Thanks for sharing your beautiful home. Everything is so lovely and tasteful. I love the touch of green with the wingback throw and the pleated lampshade. The striped sofa gives such a cozy English cottage feel 😊
Love your cozy home. You have done a beautiful job decorating.
Your house looks amazing! All of my favorite things, and colors. And your dogs are so adorable. Finnegan just smiles all the time. Thank you for sharing!
This was soothing to the soul…a wonderful way to relax with a cup of tea on Christmas Eve. Thank you.
I had not decorated my bedroom this year until I saw your tour and it motivated me to do more. I love my Christmas bedroom now!! Love your cottage!!
Thank you for your amazing inspiration all year! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Wishing YOU & Yours “PEACE & BLESSINGS!!” ❤️
f&M
What a lovely home- thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! What an absolutely lovely home. I love to see what you do in a smaller space since we have a smaller space as well. I also follow your daughter, Courtney, and could Forest be any cuter? Enjoy your family!
It’s lovely and cozy! Your mom and dad’s place is, too!
I love your small trees! They work great in your space.
Merry Christmas!
Just beautiful and cozy
What a beautiful Christmas home tour for 2025! I thoroughly enjoyed viewing your lovely cottage style home! The blue & white color scheme is so soothing & calming & exudes warmth!
What a beautiful Christmas home tour for 2025! I thoroughly enjoyed viewing your lovely cottage style home! The blue & white color scheme is so soothing & calming & exudes warmth!
Loved all your pictures, and enjoyed each one. Your home looks ‘lived in”, comfortable, and lovely. How wonderful that you’ve make it ‘yours’. We’ve moved many times, and our home here in NC is much smaller, but easy to maintain. We lost our dog about a year and a half ago, (we’ve never been without a dog – after now 62 yrs. of marriage) But – after following your blog, and seeing Finnegan, I fell in love with his sweet face. So – we got a puppy, now 16 months old, furry & black and white – he’s full of energy, and like yours, is with me like Velcro. (love that description!) – Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy and love.