Guest Proof Your Living Space for Entertainment

Are you ready for your guest?

Does the gathering room provide sociable seating areas?

Is the gathering room spacious and functional?

Does the gathering room have a defined entrance?

Glad you are here today. Always enjoy the visit. Wishing all a Merry Christmas...

Can't you tell, I get so excited this time of the year?  It's another reason to spend time with family and friends.

I am also excited to share what works for me during the holiday!

as

entertaining can be very stressful

but,

on the other hand,
it is an enjoyable occasion as quality time is spent together.

Let's begin!

with the WOW Factor

I just want to "WOW" each guest with a festive and  welcoming entryway,

as

the foyer serves as a pass through,

and

an easy access to the living area, which is crucial at this point.

Merry Factor

So happy when my guest mingle,  navigating freely around the room

just

because of the layout
(the heaviest piece of furnishings anchored along the longest wall),

but

not against the wall,
small- scale furniture mixed with big furnishings creating a balance for the room
and
less is more

Joy factor

I love the joyful noise

as conversations are engaged simply because of proper furnishing placement.
(sofa and small chairs facing each other creating a 1-on -1 conversation or a group conversation).

and

ample seating (an ottoman can serving double duty: seating, and a place to rest your glass.


How do I know my home is guest-friendly?

...the guest definitely 

not rushed to leave....

 Thanks for stopping by the Houz.

Happy Holidays!

Susan @ MiMI's Houz

images via pinterest

Celebrating the season

Christmas greetings from the Houz...

So glad you are here as we celebrate the holiday with our white tree  adorned with white lights and snowy pine cones. The holiday excitement begins with a trimmed tree and ALL the gifts under and around  it. 

Oh what fun it is as we anticipate the joy of family members gathering to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Here it is.. trimmed and I'm loving it.

Colorful and shimmering ornaments purchased at the end of the season. 

Couple of years ago, I decorated a birthday party in January and used these pine cones to reflect a wintry scene.  This year I decided to adorn my tree with the pine cones .. a little natural look. Surprised at how they attach to the branches without ornament hangers.

I have a passion for my birds.  They really compliment the ornaments. At least two birds on the tree.

I added my white roped ornaments and poinsettia clips creating a little inspiration.  Another sale at the end of the season.  Best time to add to your collection.

White bird definitely makes a statement.

Eye catching white feather wreath displayed on a ladder. A target find last year. Target is a great place to shop after Christmas. Check out the reindeer.

Sharing also a festive vignette on my beverage cart.  Snow flurries and ornaments demonstrate winter wonderland.

Thanks for stopping by the Houz and hope you were inspired.

Susan @  MiMi'z Houz

holiday table setting

Happy holidays!

Oh what fun it is to decorate for the holiday.

It's so rewarding to take the old and the new and create a perfect design, one you love and  an inspiration to others.
Most of my decorations are from previous years. I am loving my holiday table as it's a reflection of me.

Take a look...

Simple but yet festive.

 Not sure how long the reindeers have been around but so precious.   Always part of my annual decor.

Sometimes it's using what you have. Instead of hanging my wreath, I placed it on the table creating a stunning centerpiece.  The glittering wreath helps set the mood for the holiday.

Peacock, pine cone and a frosted
ornament top the winter white plate and charger. Love the peacocks I purchased at the end of the season....soo pretty.

Each year I find new ways to display my decorations. I love the many ways ornaments can be used.

From my home to your home, 

Merry Christmas.

Susan @ the Houz

deck the mantle

Tis the season to be  jolly!

Christmastime at the Houz... 
Just like a child in a candy store this time of the year, especially when I pull out my Christmas bins and visit my favorite stores: so many choices, so many pretty displays and sometimes I am just overwhelmed,

but

I enjoy the moments humming carols as I decorate. Are you one that sing or listen to carols while decorating?  What's your favorite Christmas song?

Let's go caroling as you take a look at my Christmas Mantle!

Ready?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 

Silver bells...

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...

Do you see what I see?

Oh Holy Night! The stars are brightly shinning...

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Silent Night, Holy Night...

The first Noel...

Joy to the World...

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer...

It came upon a midnight clear...

Away in a manger...

 

Christ the Saviour is Born ...

 I wish you a Merry Christmas

Susan @ MiMi'z Houz

harvest time

Welcome to Thanksgiving dinner @ MiMi'z Houz... a tradition that happens every 4th Thursday in November.

A home where we extend a warm welcome with a big smile, a kiss on the cheek, a big hug and/or a hand shake.  

We compliment each other.  We say thank you and we are thankful. We are f-a-m-i-l-y.

Getting so excited for the family feast. Can't wait to serve a yummy dinner.  Take a peek at my table scape for this special day.

Dinner served buffet style 

to accommodate 20 plus family members and friends

son, daughters, grands, siblings

nieces, nephews, in laws

family friends

The aroma from the kitchen brings us all 
together for a traditional feast

Immediately following dinner, we play games.

My favorite is "auction" and "blind bidding".

Family members donate a gift for the auction

as we sponsor a child for Christmas. 

Love their expressions.

We watch the game

We do late nite Christmas shopping

We do table side chat, sharing childhood memories

 and thankful moments.

We do all this in one day!

A family with a circle of love

Happy Thanksgiving

Susan @ MiMi'z Houz

fall touches

 Welcome!  As always thanks for stopping by and sharing a few moments with me.

Are you ready for the holiday?

I'm almost, a few steps closer than last week.

but

my kitchen area needed a little fall fluffing before guest arrival.  Always those last minute changes or additions.

Referring to my kitchen counter.  Even though I used it for food preparation, it should be festive also.

What was my inspiration for setting the stage?

white leaf plate with gold trim 

Take a look

I love to decorate with plates.  A simple and inexpensive autumn design:  I placed a decorative can and a tiny pear on stacked white plates. Very festive.

I love to adorn my home with a fruit arrangement.

  I love fruit!

The addition of tiny pears completes the fall look while the wall plaque enhances the fall color palette.

White and a punch of color...

Thanks for stopping by the Houz.

Susan @ MiMi Houz

last minute finds

Love these silver and gold pumpkins

 Hello world! So thrilled that you are visiting the Houz today.

Thought I would share my last minute fall finds 
I had my eyes on these pumpkins for a while. I knew it would happen... they would eventually be 80 % off

and

I would buy at that price.

It happened and here they are.
Aren't they just gorgeous?

At home...sitting in the lantern

Perfect centerpiece for side table

Love the foliage, a little contrast

The picks..very complimentary

Happy thrifty shopping!

Thanks for stopping by the Houz.

Susan@ MiMi'z Houz