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Carla Bethany Interior Design Blog

Holiday

A Colorful Christmas 2021

December 8

Nearly Natural Christmas Tree

I got a late start to decorating this year. My goal every year is to have a colorful Christmas. Typically, I start in October and spend days layering decor, and by December, my home looks like the best of decor. I try to collect only things that inspire me and fit my style through the years. I don’t try and change colors or themes yearly but gravitate toward the fun and colorful.

Colorful Christmas tree

This year I have inspired my new wall art that spent most of the time laying face down on a chair. I never got around to having it hung until last week, and I’m still in love with it. The colors were reminiscent of some ornaments I bought four years ago from Target.

Christmas tree colorful 2021

I like to anchor my Christmas tree with a set of ornaments and fill it in with specialty ornaments. My tree this year is from Nearly Natural, and I love the flocking and branching. Its Nearly Naturals 7.5′ Flocked Manchester Spruce. I love the warm lights and the bendable branches. The branches bend so that I can layer multiple ornaments on one branch.

Christmas Tree Carla Bethany
Target ornaments

The topper for my tree is a DIY paper star I learned quickly by watching Youtube. I don’t have step-by-step directions because the video was simple and straight to the point. Here is the link to the instructions: “How to Make a Paper hanging star.” I bought some glitter scrapbook paper from the hobby store and used some hot glue to attach it to the top of the tree.

DIY paper star Christmas tree
Colorful Christmas tree

My approach for decorating the rest of my home was to sprinkle a little bit of Christmas throughout. The mantle was inspired by the Packed Party’s new holiday collection available at Walmart. I grabbed a few new Christmas items from this collection. I used the garland to wrap around my “Holiday Christmas Pre-lit Cascaring Pine Wreath” from Nealy Natural. Then I updated my stocking and stuffed them with plastic bags.

Nearly Natural Christmas Tree
Mantle Christmas tinsel
mantle christmas decor

The stocking holders are also from the Packed Party. They might be my favorite new thing for this year. Also, the glass Christmas trees are fun, and to balance the mantle, I mixed in my nutcrackers. The retro lightbulb responds to music when played. I’ve always wanted to use tinsel garland, so I did this year.

Packed Party Lights

Rainbow Dining Room Colorful Christmas 2021

I kept the dining room effortless with bottle brush trees in rainbow order. The colors blend right in with my wallpaper and chairs. I think I missed an opportunity to wrap my chairs with a ribbon. I have never done that or hung ornaments from the chandelier. Who knows, I might have part two the close I get to Christmas.

 
 
IT’S A COLORFUL LIFE 2021 CHRISTMAS TOUR SCHEDULE
 
MONDAY:
Dimples and Tangles  ||  Haneen’s Haven  ||  Casa Watkins Living  ||  Kate Decorates  ||  Speaking of DIY  ||  Joyful Designs Studio
 
 
TUESDAY:
Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss  ||  Maggie Overby Studios  ||  Pender & Peony  ||  Serene & Co.  ||  Zig & Company  ||  SKG Designs
 
 
WEDNESDAY:
Home With a Twist  ||  Southern Hospitality  ||  The Pink Clutch  ||  Diana Rose Spier  ||  Carla Bethany  ||  Blue Agate Abode
 
 
THURSDAY:
Our Fifth House  ||  Southern State of Mind  ||  Kaleidoscope Living  ||  tatertots and jello  ||  Mum Little Loves  ||  Southern Nell’s Gracious Living
 
 
FRIDAY:
Join in the party on Instagram by posting your colorful Christmas decor and using #ItsAColorfulLifeTour!  
See you there!
 
 
 
 

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Previous
  1. Maggie Overby says

    December 8 at 6:13 am

    Loving all the bright colors against the white background! Such a fun mix!

  2. Lori Nell says

    December 8 at 9:25 pm

    Such a joyful color palatte! I love the tree and the large tinsel garland is just spicy!! Beautiful home tour.

  3. Jennifer Griffin says

    December 11 at 9:49 pm

    Carla, love your bright and color-full tour! 😉 And, all of your fun Packed Party pieces!! Weren’t they so good this year? Thanks so much for touring with us!

  4. Jennifer Griffin says

    December 11 at 9:50 pm

    … and I can’t believe that tree topper you made! It’s fantastic!

  5. Dorothy Mooney says

    December 15 at 11:25 pm

    Your house is darling. Just an FYI…”dining” does not have a double ‘n”. I’m a former teacher and this is a very common spelling mistake. 🙂

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carlabethany

I am Carla Bethany Hayden, an Atlanta based Home Decor Blogger. I love mixing patterns and fun colors. I welcome you to my online home. Have seat stay awhile and let me know if you have any questions. When I am not blogging here you can find me on Instagram @itscarlabethany.



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There are no words to describe my love for my Mama There are no words to describe my love for my Mama fully. She was my biggest fan, my greatest supporter, and the one who helped me navigate life through its many ups and downs. She prayed for me, encouraged me, and always believed in me, even when I doubted myself.

I owe her my life's work and every accolade I've achieved. She saw me through undergrad, guided me as I navigated Corporate America—even though she had never experienced it herself—and kept me grounded through it all. 

She prayed with me in moments of joy and in times of need. She stood proudly by my side on my wedding day and cried with me through some of the most challenging moments of my life.

My mom saved my life in more ways than I can count. Her love and guidance shaped the person I am today, and her passing has forever changed me.

On November 26, 2024, Esther Gleaton went home to be with her ancestors. I find comfort in knowing she is finally at rest, free from pain, and in eternal peace. 

My mother bravely faced a short but aggressive battle with Plasma Cell Leukemia, spending 72 days fighting inpatient at the Northside Hospital Cancer Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. She fought with courage, grace, and incredible strength.

In sickness and health, my father, Orbie Gleaton, was by her side daily. He saw her through the very dark days and celebrated the joyful moments with her. 

His love and devotion to my mom never wavered—he never left her side. The love they shared is eternal and serves as a beautiful testament to the bond they built together.

Mama, your love will guide me forever. You are my heart, and I will carry you with me always.

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As we proceed (God is doing a great work)
Is that this work
Did not begin with you (God is doing a great work)
Our mothers' mothers 
And fathers' fathers 
Planted seeds
When we were but the faint notion of a dream 
In their mind
They hope for a harvest a legacy, a great work
So make your next step forward
Help us to connect the dots and see
"Wherever you go in this world you will never be a "Wherever you go in this world you will never be alone. You carry with you the hopes and prayers of the ancestors. There will be days in this life when you feel alone, but know that the ancestors are with you. When you go for that job interview remember that you are carrying the ancestors with you. Everyone who has ever cared for and prayed for you goes with you when you are alone. Some of those people will never get to have your experiences or go in those boardrooms, but you carry them with you. You are the manifestation of an impossible dream - through middle passage, slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow, segregation, civil rights - they believed that it was possible. My sister(s) you will never be alone because we all go with you."— Maya Angelou

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