Rustic galvanized pieces, deep emerald green, buffalo plaid, abundant greenery and warm lights combine to create a simple farmhouse-style Christmas. I blended a few new finds with longtime favorites to build a cozy, unique holiday look that brings joy without fuss.
Welcome — come on in and see how my holiday plan unfolded into a simple Christmas decor scheme for our home. I’ve been sharing seasonal tours here for years, and I love seeing how different homes celebrate the season. This year’s approach leans toward cozy and uncomplicated: galvanized metal accents, dark green tones, black-and-white buffalo plaid, and lots of textural greenery.
Over the years my decorating has shifted. I used to decorate every room, but increasingly I focus on what matters most to our family and what brings the most pleasure without causing stress. Right now we’re in a temporary manufactured home with walls and carpet I didn’t choose, so the goal was to work with what we have and create a warm holiday feeling in the living and dining areas.
We dug out a few favorites from storage — our vintage nativity and a music sheet wreath were high on the list — and mixed those treasures with a few newer pieces. The result is relaxed, lived-in, and festive.
Galvanized, Green & Buffalo Plaid Simple Christmas Decor
The former porch pew now anchors the entry area and greets visitors with a vintage music sheet wreath I made years ago. Seasonal pillow covers make updating sofa pillows quick and affordable — I swap them on for the month and store them away when the season ends.
The entry table holds my grandmother’s nativity set — a sentimental piece we set out every year whenever it’s available. Small heirlooms like this instantly deepen the meaning of seasonal decor.
Without a fireplace, a bookshelf top does double duty as a makeshift mantel to display stockings, painted galvanized-style houses, small trees, and a JOY sign crafted from reclaimed materials. I kept this vignette simple this year — minimal faux snow and easy plug-in lights make it attractive and low-maintenance.
I painted a few small houses with a faux-galvanized finish to get that weathered metal look without sourcing original pieces. The scene feels cohesive in white, green, and metal tones and is easy to turn on and off thanks to remote and plug-in lights.
Here’s the daytime view without lights — I like how the metal, white, and deep green play together. Some wall art still resides in storage, so I used what I had on hand. The overall effect is comfortable and homey, which is exactly the point.
In the living room I added buffalo check throw pillows, a simple garland with lights on the cabinet, and a galvanized tray filled with candles and cedar sprigs on the coffee ottoman. A couple of white poinsettias give a clean, finished look to the vignette.
I couldn’t resist a vintage-look garland that echoes mercury glass beads; paired with a few small vintage ornaments it adds a nostalgic shimmer to the room.
The cozy buffalo plaid throw is fleece-backed and perfect for snuggling. It brings texture and pattern to the seating area while tying in the black-and-white check theme that appears throughout the space.
Simple trays are an easy way to compose a centerpiece: cedar boughs, galvanized snowflakes, tags and battery votives create an instant, tidy display.
One small upgrade this season was adding a real leather chair. By selling some pieces we no longer needed, I saved toward this chair and a large rug. It’s comfortable, looks timeless with the farmhouse vibe, and the small brass casters on the front legs add a bit of character.
I still enjoy setting a simple table. Brass candlesticks lift the mix of rustic and refined elements, and a deep green tablecloth plus buffalo check napkins create a warm, inviting base.
To finish the place settings I used printed green-and-white tags tied with jute around folded napkins. This small touch takes only minutes but makes guests feel seen and welcomed.
I like wreaths on chair backs to add a bit of ceremony to the table. Faux cedar wreaths tied with jute are durable and reusable — they look good from a distance and save the hassle of dried-out greens.
Did you notice something missing? We don’t have our Christmas tree up yet. We always get a real tree and wait until early December so it stays fresh. I’ll add photos once it’s in place and will share them in the newsletter.
I hope this tour of galvanized accents, deep green tones, and buffalo plaid offered a few approachable ideas for a simple farmhouse Christmas. Wishing you a warm, joyful holiday season — thanks for stopping by!
Sources for items shown above:
- Buffalo check pillows and napkins in coordinating black-and-white checks
- Cozy buffalo check and fleece-backed throw
- Small painted galvanized houses and tutorial to create a faux galvanized finish
- Lamb’s ear garland and picks for soft, silvery greenery
- Slim brass candlesticks for a touch of warmth
- Glass vintage-look garland and pearl/frosted leaf garlands for shimmer
- Galvanized containers and bottle brush trees for tabletop vignettes
- Mini faux cedar wreaths to decorate chair backs