Remember when I told you that a magazine was coming to a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere in Kentucky with a camera crew.
And I said “big announcement” and I was over-the-moon and decorating like Princess Kate was coming for tea?
But I didn’t mention the magazine or details…..or if they even knew I lived down the street from a chicken barn….
….because I was super nervous that they might change their mind.
Guess what?
Yikes.
They didn’t. 🙂
Because next month Better Homes and Gardens is road tripping it to Kentucky to photograph the farmhouse at Christmas time for next year’s special Christmas Ideas issue.
I know….right.
Better Homes and Gardens.
{gulp}
I am just as surprised as you are.
Truly.
I still can’t believe it.
I keep wanting to drop Better Homes and Gardens casually into conversation….but every time I do….
….my eyes open wide and my eyebrows go up….and I start to giggle.
It’s like when I found out I was having twins.
It took me a while to adjust.
So that is the wonderful glorious incredible news.
And as exciting as that is….there is a little down side.
The bad news is that…..
….I can’t really show you this year’s Christmas tour decorations.
I mean….I can tell you that I’m using gold and silver and the occasional glittered reindeer head and making my own tags and ornaments and building pallet wood wreaths.
And I can show you the Gatehouse tour which looks like the farmhouse’s crazy cousin that shows up randomly from places unknown with pink hair and butterfly tattoo.
But they want everything to be fresh and new and exciting for the magazine….
….so the actual decorations will have to wait.
And I can show you a few projects and vignettes.
But I have to keep mum on everything else until next year.
But Christmas without a little farmhouse decorating?
Seriously?
Just between us….and please don’t tell the gatehouse….
….but I needed a little break from all that color.
I mean….I love pink and blue and bold graphic pattern….but I like to visit it.
And then come home to a house decorated for Christmas like this. 🙂
So….to keep us all company….
….I thought it might be fun to revisit the Christmas farmhouse from 2012.
With all its neutrals and textures and classic Christmas with a little twist.
I can’t wait for you to see next year.
It’s one of the most fun projects I’ve ever worked on.
But until then….I hope you enjoyed the Christmas tour and….
….may all your days be merry and bright.
PS By the way….just in case you were wondering….yesterday…..
….it snowed. 🙂
Here’s a little more Christmas inspiration for you from the 12 days of Christmas team:
Christmas Garland from Washers
Colorful Christmas Centerpiece
Pottery Barn Inspired Ornaments
How exciting!
Awesome! Karianne!!! How wonderful for you. Dying to see B&H now ... you have such a fabulous touch for decorating. Today we are for the 25th years, doing the Antietam Illumination. Pop by for a visit ... TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon
Love, love, love it! 'And the stockings were hung on the shutters with care- In hopes that Better Homes & Gardens soon would be there! Congratulations!!!! How very, very exciting! xo Diana
Congratulations! That is so exciting! I can't wait until the magazine comes out!
as well they should be coming to your house!! What have they been waiting for?! grin! I'm so very, very excited for you and now that the "cat…um magazine…is out of the bag" we can brag on our rockstar friend!!! Love ya girl, to the moon and back! Heather
That is so exciting! Congrats! Your home is gorgeous!
What a sense of achievement . Congratulations!
Congratulations KariAnne! That is fantastic news, I am so happy for you and the rest of the world that doesn't yet know you and your cute personality and brillant decorating. Can't wait to see the spread in BHG.
That is such exciting news I am so happy for you there is no one that deserves it more!!! You go girl! I know one day I'll be saying that Karianne. You know I knew her when .......=)
Your home is beautiful. Although you may not remember me, we lived about a block away from your parents on Waddill Street. At this time of EACH year, I remember your family caroling in the neighborhood. We looked forward to it so much. Just a really good holiday memory for us. Merry Christmas.
Congratulations! A few years ago, after we moved into our last new house BH&G contacted us about a photo shoot. I felt much like you....shocked, surprised and WOW, a bit overwhelmed! I had never even known anyone else that had their house in a national magazine! All those years and all that money spent on decorating magazines was justified! You will be amazed at how they set up for each shot. Enjoy it!
So excited to see it....everything is so beautiful! I love how real you are! And it snowed here (Bixby, OK) yesterday too! 5 inches. Beautiful....I just love your blog, and am so excited everyday when I get your email!
Woohoo! That is SO exciting, Karianne!! Congratulations :)
So very excited for you......I'm new to your site and I am very inspired.
Wow...that's big! Congrats!
Making us KY Proud! BHG certainly scooped So. Living. Their loss. However, I think your literary skills in painting a picture for the reader are deserving of a monthly column for SL. Thanks for the snowy photo of the gatehouse. I knew it would be beautiful. We've got more ice coming tonight. Speaking of ice, I need 3 of the tinsel snowflakes for my monster red hutch. Tell me where to slide into.
Congrats, and can't wait to see it next year in print.
This is the Best News Ever!! I'm making sure my Better Homes and Gardens subscription gets updated so I don't miss it!! Ooooooo can't wait til next Christmas 2014 already!! You so deserve this nationwide exposure!! Congratulations!!! Wishing you the Very Best!! Merry Christmas!!
That is just PHENOMENAL news!!! I am so so happy for you but not surprised at all - the effect that your work presents is so polished and beautiful and professional, yet so down-to-earth, warm, and attainable. Your talent and hard work is being rewarded as it should be!! Don't forget us "little guys" who love your blog and to open our mailboxes to share in your post every day!! :) Wishing you the merriest Christmas!
Woo Hoo! What an amazing thing to be a part of! So excited for you! Can't wait to see it! I always buy that magazine and take it on our annual beach trip in October and sit on the beach and gather Christmas ideas! I know yours will be amazing! Life to the full! Melissa
I am not surprised BH&G is coming to your gorgeous home. Your home is beautiful and so are you. Congratulations!
Congratulations! You deserve it!….You crack me up with the "cousin with pink hair and a butterfly tattoo!" Have a great weekend!
Time to renew my subscription! I can't wait to see one of my favorite bloggers in print! On real paper! And on my coffee table! :-) Congratulations! So happy for you!
Congratulations! I look forward to seeing your feature. So glad I subscribe to it!
OH....so that explains it!!! I've been checking and double checking and sometimes triple checking your blog on a daily basis wondering why you haven't invited us in to look around this year...I of course took the tour of the gatehouse but was just sitting on pins and needles waiting for the farmhouse reveal...I remember you had exciting news for us all but I didn't connect the dots...I'm so very excited for you! Congratulations!!! You deserve all the glory!!! Merry Christmas!!!
That's awesome! Making Kentucky proud! You are so inspiring.
WooHoooooooo, KariAnne! But a year is a long time to wait. I know it'll be gorgeous, though!!
Happy Advent and Merry Christmas. This announcement is like opening a window in the advent calendar and seeing something you never expected! Yipee - can't wait to see the reveal- I know it will be amazing. Your creativity makes us all wish we were in the top 3%. Enjoy your snow and stay warm- we are dealing with much ice and loss of trees.
I'm not surprised! Congratulations :) Everything looks marvelous! Debbie
Congratulations! How exciting! You and your beautiful home deserve the recognition. Happy Holidays!
BOY, did it snow! :) And today, the sun shining on all that beautiful whiteness! I AM SO EXCITED about BH&G coming to your HOUSE! This is fantastic! Here's the catch, though...we have to wait a whole YEAR! We're counting on you to remind us, and often. That's one issue I'll definitely be buying and displaying on my coffee table for years to come, right next to whatever Southern Living's Christmas Cake of the year that I love to look at but never make . .. ;) Congratulations, my friend! Happy dance!!!
I'm so pleased for you that you're receiving all the attention you deserve. You are one amazingly talented decorator. I would KILL for those shutters... well, not really, just a figure of speech. ;) I will live vicariously through you as my blog winds down for good. So glad we me. xox
that is 'met' not 'me'. Was that Freudian?? lol
Wahhh! I don't wanna wait a whole year! There, now that I let my inner three-year-old out, I just want to say that every time I look in BG&G, I think, hmm, KariAnne should be in here--she could knock this outta the park! What a thrill. Thanks for letting us along vicariously for the ride.
That is so exciting! You have arrived (like we didn't all already know it!) Cannot wait to see your feature, but I guess I'll have to. A year is a long time away. Congrats, my friend!
WOWOWOWOWWWWW!!!!! That's SO EXCITING!!!! Congratulations to you!! -breida
Oh that's so exciting! A well deserved Congrats! Love that magazine but a whole year to wait :o!
Oh KariAnne, I am so excited for you!! First Missy makes the cover of This Old House Magazine, Marian (a life long friend) got word that her manuscript was accepted and will be published as a Harlequin Inspired Suspense book, and now you will be in the BH&G Christmas edition!! Congratulations!! I am so excited for you!!!
Surprised???? Not at all, and I'm pretty sure you should get used to it!!! I think you will be making the rounds with all the shelter magazines...... Just wondering what took them so long!! Everything you do is awesome & fun & I know we all feel lucky to get to watch & share in all of your creativity. One question though---will you be wearing a hula skirt in the article??? haha Have a great weekend-you're the best :) Kim
This? Is HUGE!!!! So, SO PROUD for you!!! Coincidentally, I picked up a sort of obscure little magazine the other day. It was a precious little woodsy-meets-cottage-holiday-type. It's called Holiday Cottage. I sat with my green chai tea, curled up with this precious little magazine, drinking I. Every detail that makes a house cozy, no matter if it's a castle or a cottage. And there, as I turned over page 39, I felt a sense of home. Of maybe if visited here??? What THA What? And then I saw the milk glass....and the "I Hope You Dance" quote....and that front porch, And I thought, "Ahhhhhh, of course-it's my friend KariAnne's house!" While I haven't personally BEEN to Thistle wood Farm, I have visited with you there many times! Cheers, my Friend!
SO excited for you KariAnne!! Squeal and red lipstick kind of excited!! xo
Congratulations Karianne,you surely deserve it!!!!!!! :-)
I knew it!!! Fantastic!! What a treat for their readers! Congratulations!!
KariAnne, You decorate beautifully and with such fun style! Thank you for sharing! I wish someone like you lived close by, I'd hire you/them to decorate my home for the holidays. : ) Congrats on BHG!
Super duper mega congratulations, sweetie. Well deserved. You are welcome to link your holiday posts at Pink Saturday this month.
NEXT YEAR? That is a long time to wait! This couldn't happen to a better person! I am so happy for you. I will wait . . . . even if I have to wait until next year. Patience IS a virtue. Bobbie
Congrats on your wonderful news, KariAnne, so well deserved! I will be sure to pick up that copy!
That is awesome with a capital "A" Wow,,,you are so talented and I can't wait to see what you will come up with! You do know that all of us regular peeps just get frustrated when we decorate though,,,we just want it all to look like your beautiful house!! But we keep trying :) I love that you called the gatehouse the crazy cousin!! I love the gatehouse too, but I am a neutral and traditional girl at heart! But it is fun to try new things! Have a wonderful day!
Your farmhouse is gorgeous! Look forward to seeing it in the magazine. Welcome to the world of snow! It is -37 Celsius, in Alberta, Canada. How is that for winter? Take me away to Mexico or anywhere warmer!!!
My first thought... what took them so long! ;) It will be a beautiful feature I have no doubt! Enjoy every minute... and then tell us all about it!
I will for sure buy a copy of BH&G when you are featured. And then hopefully, someday we will cross paths and I can have you sign it...you are going to be a celebrity! Congratulations!
Congratulations..Your home is perfect down to the last detail..Good job KariAnne...
awesome !!!!!! what a honor !!!!!!!!
Oh, Karianne. What a dream come true. Honestly--I started reading my mom's Better Homes and Gardens magazines when I was 11 years old. I remember it so clearly. I would pore over the magazines, starting in 6th grade--and I loved them. Absolutely loved them. Still do! So now I've been loving BH&G for 39 years!! It'll be so wonderful to see you featured there! Congratulations!!
Exciting news, Karianne! You seem to be making the magazine rounds. I just bet there will be more on the horizon. Can't wait to see the article. No snow here, but it is COLD! I'm staying inside and busy with getting my own "halls" decked. Absolute bliss! ~ Sarah
I'm so excited for you, Karianne...and can hardly wait to see your home in the magazine! I know it will be wonderful...good for you!! Your home is beautiful! XO
Yes, I will be so overjoyed to see you in BHG, but, my friend, I wish I could be standing right next to you while you find your issue at the store next year so I can shout to all the other shoppers that "We have a celebrity in the house!!!" I think I would be a smiley, overjoyed, tearful MESS! Congratulations!
oh Karianne, I'm not surprised in the least!!! what took them so long??!! you are the best there is!! congratulations!!!! xoxo
That is so fantastic! I'm so glad for you. I love B&H! I've taken that magazine for years and years and years. You go girl!
Not only are you an amazing decorator, you are so good at keeping a secret!!! And what a fabulous secret. Congratultions, I look forward to seeing you in BHG!
Awesome news! I love your style.
Well, I am not the least bit surprised that BH&G is coming to your house…it is so beautiful at Christmas and any time of year…you go girl…!!!!….so happy for you!!!
Oh wow!!! Squealing and biting knuckles. I am so excited for you.. but then, a year is a ,sigh, long time to wait. But then, I am not the least bit surprised!! Well done you. Congratulations my friend.
OMG, that is AWESOME and amazing, Merry Christmas! How exciting for you, looking forward to next years issue, ha!
They are featuring you because you are awesome and they want everyone to know it! Congratulations KariAnne... you've made it! Susan
Congratulations, KariAnne! That is so exciting. Loved the little peeks we got and can't wait to see this year's decs in BHG next year! :)
Oh!! How exciting! I can't wait to see it. Be sure to have the snowplow ready because you never know when our crazy Midwestern weather will dump several feet of snow on us. In Indiana we got nine inches of snow the other day and from all indication you're going to be getting something soon. :-( Stay warm and dry! Congratulation again!! You deserve it cuz you are one talented lady.
Congratulations, Sweetie! It couldn't happen to a more wonderful person (or a more beautiful home) - love you!
I'm not at all surprised! When I open BH&G I expect to see something that looks like your blog. Congratulations!
Oh how wonderful - congratulations to you. Hope you remind us in November about your tour in the magazine so we don't forget. Mary
Rockin Sassafras Rock Star........... that is awesome!!!!!!!!!!! First Auburn. well. you know. Now this. Cool year. Really cool year. LOVE YOU. C
The "Rise and Shine and give Gid His Glory (glory, children of The Lord)" decoration takes me right back to church camp in the mountains of North Carolina. My best friend, Angie and I, would awaken the rest of the cabin with our most wonderfully harmonious redemption of this song. Every morning. Six o'clock a.m. Needless to say, we were the most popular in the group. Indeed--Rise and Shine and give God His glory!!
This must be very exciting for you. You home is so beautiful and very welcoming, I love to look at all the pics you post and read your blog. I am surprised you haven't been in more magazines Before now.
Karianne, This is over the top amazing new!!!! I just don't know how we're all going to waut until next year. I mean next year, is a year away - a year = 365 days. 'That aint right' BH&G WOW -Weeeee!!! This is so super cool!! Were you over anxious?? Did you get scared or were you super organized? I would be a nervous ninny. Well, congratulations Doll!! A year it shall be....
Wow, BHG!!! Congratulations Karianne!! I'm so excited for you, what a fun time you must be having getting ready for them! I will have to be sure to pick up that copy next year. I can't wait to see what you do, you always make everything look amazing. It's no wonder they asked you to be featured. Debbie :)
Congratulations! How wonderful they will feature your home. It's beautiful! Sherry
Congratulations! But it looks like you deserve a feature :) Can't wait to buy the issue. Have a good one!
KariAnne . . . this is incredible news!!! I am so excited for you. It's going to be a gorgeous photo shoot and you'll be beautiful in it. Congratulations!!!
Totally RAD! I was wondering why we hadn't seen the farmhouse. Should have known! Congrats, K.
CONGRATS, KariAnne!!!! I knew it was going to BHG or maybe Country Living or...anyway...one of the BIG ONES!!! I don't know how you do all you do, but your joyful spirit, your humor always, ALWAYS makes my day so much brighter. Thank you for being you! (Wet pants and all!)
KariAnne, look. . . .I'm happy for you, thrilled really (no really, I am). But I don't have words to tell you how bummed I am re: waiting an entire Y E A R to see your cotton-pickin' farmhouse all gussied up for the holly-daze. To say more just might make me sound selfish and it's too close to Christmas and Santa might still be kind-of on the fence about me, know what I mean? So congratulations, blah, blah, blah. Kayden
I am thrilled for you!!!! How exciting is that??? (Apparently worthy of several exclamation points and question marks....) I don't blame you a bit, I'd be over the moon too! You deserve it so very much! Congratulations!
How exciting Kariann! Congrats and can not wait to see it next year in print!
KarieAnne, I told you that you were on the verge of hitting the Big Time and I was right! Congratulations on Better Homes and Gardens doing a spread on your Christmas house! How exciting. I knew that one day I would be saying "I knew her when....." I am so excited for you and can't wait to see next year's Christmas issue!! hugs, Norma
So happy for you...I'm renewing my subscription today!
Yay, this is such wonderful and happy news. And we can wait...yay we can wait...maybe not patiently...but we can wait. How exciting to have all your hard work and decorating recognized by a magazine. Your house has probably never been cleaner. Bwahahaha....seriously. Your home is always lovely and I always enjoy coming over for a visit to see what you are up to! Merry Christmas, Debbie
KariAnne, That's so exciting & I'm sure you've earned it through lots of work creating a beautiful home, and sharing it online ... have a wonderful holiday.
well, if every a home lived up to the title of that magazine it's yours! Congrats!