Holiday Home Tour on Cape Cod

Two days till Christmas...and of course I'm not ready! Anyone else feeling the panic setting in?  Thinking that an all-nighter may be necessary to get everything done?  My to-do list is still looking awfully long...baking and wrapping top the list, along with a dozen miscellaneous things.

 But grab a mug of hot chocolate (or a cup of coffee with an extra shot of caffeine!!) and take a few moments to enjoy these holiday pics...

Last Sunday I headed down to Sandwich (on Cape Cod) with my husband and daughter for the town's Holly Days Holiday Home Tour.  Sandwich is such a pretty, historic town, and I was excited that we were going to get a peek inside some of the residences.  Also, Lee Repetto from The Spotted Cod had told me that her friend, the very talented stylist and author Matthew Mead, was going to be decorating three mantles in one of the homes for the tour.  So despite the seven inches of snow we woke up to on Sunday morning, we headed down to the Cape.  Fortunately the Cape had heavy rains that morning, so most of the snow had been washed away, but it was dreary and cold! But most of the homes welcomed us with their fireplaces blazing, so we were able to warm up our fingers and noses as we toured the homes.  Here are some of the town's historic homes (not all of them were on the tour)...

Our favorite home was the Captain Ezra Nye house, built in 1828.  Let's go inside...

When you enter the front hallway, this living room was on the left.  Matthew decorated the mantle with fresh greens, oranges for a burst of color, mercury glass for sparkle and some silver garland.

I loved this little reading nook...it's tucked behind the living room and was so cozy and inviting!  I wanted to plop myself down into one of the leather chairs and stay the afternoon!

Lee designed this mantle, title "Winter Garden".

Her arrangement included terra cotta pots, gardening tools, pine cones, moss and a few well placed pears. 

The third mantle was in the family room, which is part of the new addition that sits at the back of the house.  Here Matthew continued using natural elements, this time with greens, pine cones, berries, pomegranates and limes.  Simple items that you can find outside and around you house (or the grocery store!)

After touring the home, we headed outside to the barn, where Matthew was giving a presentation on holiday decorating.

Michaela capturing some images for her photography class.

Out in the barn, a seaside inspired mantle gave a nod to the town's coastal location.

I did get to meet Matthew and speak with him for a few minutes...and forgot to get a photo, ugh!  But look for his creative designs in Country Living soon.

In between house viewings, we popped into The Brown Jug to have some lunch. Along with delicious soups and sandwiches, they offer specialty foods, ceramics and linens from around the world, along with a large selection of wines.

And a few more photos from the last house we visited...

Santa even made an appearance at one of the houses on the tour!

We stopped in The Dan'l Webster Inn before heading home (to use the restrooms...shhh...don't tell) and were greeted with this festive tree.  I loved the unique tree topper...and explosion of blue balls!

I'll be back tomorrow with our holiday table...two ways.  

Now...where's my "To-Do" List?

As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.

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