Jenny Marrs Christmas: 20 Natural Farmhouse Ideas From Her 1903 Arkansas Home on a Budget

A Jenny Marrs Christmas feels simple, warm and very real. The Fixer to Fabulous star opened her 1903 farmhouse in Bentonville, Arkansas for an HGTV holiday tour, and her look is all about natural things: a real tree, real garland, rust ribbon, a big brass star and seven stockings sewn from old Turkish rugs. “In terms of holiday decor, I really just like to bring in natural elements,” she told HGTV. You can see her rooms in the HGTV holiday home gallery. This gallery turns that farmhouse feeling into 20 cheap, cozy ideas inspired by her home, from yard clippings and dried flowers to brass touches and a family brunch table. Each one lists what you will need and quick steps for your own Jenny Marrs Christmas..

Jenny Marrs Christmas Starts With a Real Tree

This room shows the full Jenny Marrs Christmas mood. A real tree stands in a bright bay window with long rust ribbons and a brass star on top. Fresh garland runs down the stairs, and stockings sewn from old rugs hang from the banister. Little brass reindeer sit on a shelf. Nothing here is fancy or costly. It is the same easy look you see in our farmhouse Christmas decor ideas, built from greenery, old textiles and a few warm metal touches..

You will need: A real tree, a stand, rust ribbon, a brass star topper, fresh garland, a few simple ornaments.

How to make it: Set the tree in water by your brightest window. Hang long ribbon lengths from the top down. Add the star last, then drape garland on the stairs.

Jenny Marrs Christmas Stockings Sewn From Old Rugs

Jenny hangs seven stockings made from old Turkish rugs on her banister, one for each person in the family. Rug stockings feel rich, last for years and never look like store copies. You do not need a pricey rug. A worn runner, a thrift store mat or a remnant from a carpet shop works well. Cut the shapes, back them with plain cotton and add a loop. For more ways to hang them, see these Christmas stocking holders.

You will need: An old flat weave rug or runner, cotton fabric for lining, heavy needle and thread or fabric glue, cotton tape for loops.

How to make it: Trace a stocking shape on the back of the rug. Cut two pieces per stocking. Stitch or glue the edges, line the inside and add a tape loop.

The Big Brass Star on a Jenny Marrs Christmas Tree

“I love bringing in brass,” Jenny said, and her tree wears a large brass star. A layered metal star like this one adds that warm shine without any plastic. Look for old brass stars at estate sales, or spray a cheap wire star with a brass finish. Go bigger than you think, since a large star looks right on a tall farmhouse tree. You will find more choices in our Christmas tree topper ideas.

You will need: A wire or metal star, brass spray paint, a drop cloth, floral wire.

How to make it: Spray the star outside in light coats and let it dry. Wire it to the top branch so it stands straight and steady.

Hang a Cranberry Wreath Over the Stove

One of the sweetest details in her kitchen is a red cranberry wreath over the stove. Jenny bought that wreath back in college, and it still comes out every year. A berry wreath brings bright color to a white kitchen and looks great against plaster or tile. Use a faux berry wreath for years of use, and hang it with a removable hook. It fits right in with these grandma style kitchen decor ideas.

You will need: A faux cranberry or red berry wreath, a removable hook, a short ribbon.

How to make it: Clean the hood, stick on the hook and let it set. Hang the wreath with a ribbon loop and fluff the berries.

Dry Hydrangeas From Your Own Yard

Jenny uses dried hydrangeas from the bushes in front of her house. Hydrangeas dry beautifully on their own, and they cost nothing if you have a plant nearby. Pick the heads late in the season when they feel papery. Pile them in a pressed glass bowl like this one for an easy Jenny Marrs Christmas table piece that lasts all winter. It is the kind of free decor we love in these cozy cottage decor ideas.

You will need: Late season hydrangea heads, garden snips, a glass bowl.

How to make it: Cut the heads with long stems. Hang them upside down in a dry spot for two weeks, then trim and pile them in the bowl.

The Jenny Marrs Christmas Porch Tree With Dried Flowers

On the back porch, the Marrs family has a flocked tree filled with those dried hydrangeas. The soft cream and blush heads look like snowy flowers against the white branches. This is a great trick for a second tree, because you need almost no ornaments. Just tuck the flowers deep into the branches. A wall of windows and a knit throw finish the cozy look. See more ideas in our flocked Christmas tree ideas.

You will need: A flocked tree, eight to twelve dried hydrangea heads, floral wire, a knit throw.

How to make it: Wire a short stem onto each flower head. Tuck the biggest ones deep in the tree, then fill gaps with smaller heads.

Brass Reindeer on the Shelves

Little brass reindeer stand on the built in shelves in her home. A shiny deer like this one is small, simple and easy to move from room to room. Group two or three on a bookshelf with a bit of greenery, or line them up on a window sill. Thrift shops often have old brass animals for a few dollars. Give them a quick polish and they bring that Jenny Marrs Christmas shine again. Find more ideas in our brass Christmas decor ideas.

You will need: Two or three brass or gold animal figures, brass polish, a soft cloth, a few evergreen sprigs.

How to make it: Polish each piece and wipe it dry. Set them on a shelf at different heights and tuck greenery around their feet.

Jenny Marrs Christmas Garland for an Old House

The Marrs farmhouse was built in 1903, and older homes look best with simple fresh garland. This snowy porch shows the idea. Long green ropes run along the railings and frame the steps, and that is all it needs. “We always get a real tree and real garland,” Jenny said. Real greenery smells wonderful and looks right on old wood trim. Find more ways to dress the entry in our Christmas front porch ideas.

You will need: Fresh or faux garland, zip ties or soft wire, garden gloves.

How to make it: Measure the railing and cut the garland a little long. Tie it at each post and let it swag a bit between.

A Plain Wreath on an Old Wood Door

Her style is about natural things, so skip the bows and let a plain twig wreath stand alone. On an old wood door like this one, the shape and texture do all the work. You can make one from yard clippings tied onto a wire ring in under an hour. It also suits a back door, a barn door or a pantry door. For more door ideas, see these old door decor ideas.

You will need: A wire wreath ring, evergreen clippings, green floral wire, a door hook.

How to make it: Cut clippings into short bundles. Wire each bundle onto the ring, overlapping as you go, until the ring is full.

Let Hydrangeas Fade to Soft Vintage Colors

Dried hydrangeas do not stay one color. As they age, they fade to dusty purple, sage and cream, like these. Those soft colors suit a farmhouse home far better than bright red plastic picks. Mix faded heads from different bushes in a pitcher or basket, and they will last through the winter. Her farmhouse look loves this kind of free color. More porch ideas live in our winter porch decor ideas.

You will need: Dried hydrangea heads in mixed colors, a pitcher or basket, scissors.

How to make it: Trim the stems to different lengths. Put the tallest in the back and the shortest in front so every head shows.

Pomegranates as a Natural Centerpiece

Fruit is one of the cheapest natural decorations you can find, and it fits a Jenny Marrs Christmas table perfectly. Pomegranates add deep red color, and they look lovely on a dark wood table next to a plate of powdered treats. A single poinsettia bloom finishes the corner. Swap the fruit for fresh ones each week and nothing goes to waste. It works on a coffee table too, like the ones in our Christmas coffee table decor ideas.

You will need: Four to six pomegranates, a wood tray or board, a glass cake stand, a poinsettia stem.

How to make it: Set the tray down first. Group the fruit in one corner, split one open and add the stand and flower last.

A Wooden Bowl of Walnuts and Hazelnuts

Pomegranates and walnuts in a wooden bowl make a classic farmhouse table. This simple spread shows how little you need: a carved bowl of hazelnuts, a red apple, a few walnuts and fir sprigs. Guests can open the shells and snack while they talk. Keep a small shell opener on the table and it becomes part of the fun. For more small table treats, see these Christmas table favor ideas.

You will need: A wooden bowl, walnuts and hazelnuts in the shell, apples, fir sprigs, a shell opener.

How to make it: Fill the bowl two thirds full. Lay fir sprigs around the base and set the apples and loose walnuts beside it.

Hang Old Pots Where You Can See Them

Farmhouse kitchens always showed off their pots, and yours can too. This old stone hearth hangs a kettle and pans right out in the open next to wooden buckets. At home, a simple rail or a few hooks can hold copper or iron pots near the stove. Add a sprig of greenery to one handle for the season. Learn more in our vintage kitchen features.

You will need: A wall rail or sturdy hooks, two or three old pots, a short evergreen sprig, twine.

How to make it: Fix the rail to a wall stud. Hang the pots by size, then tie a small sprig to one handle with twine.

Open Shelves With Simple Pottery

Open shelves full of everyday pottery feel honest and homey. This old cottage kitchen keeps it plain: brown pitchers, metal tubs and a wooden bowl of apples. At Christmas you only need to add a little green. Lay a few cedar sprigs along the front edge of each shelf and leave the dishes as they are. The look is calm and lived in, just like our Christmas bookshelf decor ideas.

You will need: Handmade or thrifted pottery, a wooden bowl, apples, cedar or fir sprigs.

How to make it: Clear one shelf at a time. Put back the larger pieces first, then the bowl, then lay greenery along the edge.

Clip Branches and Cones From the Yard

A Jenny Marrs Christmas starts outside. Branches loaded with cones like these make wonderful free decor. Clip a few long pieces from your own trees or ask a neighbor before they trim. Stand them in a crock, lay them on a mantel or tie them into a swag for the door. The cones stay on for weeks indoors. For more ways to use them, see these Christmas door swag ideas.

You will need: Garden pruners, pine or spruce branches with cones, a stoneware crock, twine.

How to make it: Cut branches at an angle. Shake off loose needles, then arrange them in the crock or tie the stems together for a swag.

A Jenny Marrs Christmas Brunch Around a Big Table

A big family table can be the heart of the kitchen instead of an island. Set it for Christmas brunch with white plates, linen napkins, a tray of warm cinnamon rolls and a pitcher of juice. Run greenery and pomegranates down the middle, and let the real tree in the corner finish the scene. Benches seat extra kids with no fuss. More ideas wait in our farmhouse Christmas inspired by Martha Stewart.

You will need: A long table, white plates, linen napkins, a fresh greenery runner, pomegranates, cinnamon rolls.

How to make it: Lay the greenery down the center first. Add fruit every foot or so, then set the plates and fold the napkins on top.

Set Out a Simple Nativity

A nativity set brings a quiet, meaningful corner to a busy house. This one rests on soft green moss, which feels natural and fits the farmhouse look. Put yours on a high shelf, a deep window sill or the top of a cabinet, safe from little hands. A bit of moss or a few cedar sprigs underneath is all it needs. More family tree traditions are in our old fashioned tree at Grandma’s house.

You will need: A nativity set, a sheet of preserved moss, a few cedar sprigs.

How to make it: Lay the moss on the shelf first. Place the largest figures in the back and the animals in front.

Woolly Sheep for a Barnyard Mantel

Barn animal figures add a sweet country touch to a Jenny Marrs Christmas mantel, and these woolly sheep make everyone smile. Line up a little flock on a mantel or a side table with greenery around them. They suit a farmhouse home and pair well with a nativity. Kids love moving them around all season. Fellow HGTV stars love a homey look too, as you can see in this Chip Gaines style decor guide.

You will need: Three to five sheep or barn animal figures, cedar sprigs, a small wood crate.

How to make it: Set the crate on its side as a little barn. Line the sheep up in front and tuck greenery around the base.

A Bowl of Oranges and Peanuts

Oranges and peanuts in the shell were classic Christmas treats in old farmhouses, and they still make a cheerful bowl today. The bright orange pops against green fir and brown cones. Use a metal bowl or a plain crock, and add a piece of burlap for texture. Refill it all month and let everyone snack. Tuck a few oranges into stockings too, like these DIY stocking stuffer ideas.

You will need: Fresh oranges, peanuts in the shell, a metal bowl, a burlap square, pine cones.

How to make it: Lay the burlap in the bowl. Add the peanuts, set the oranges on top and tuck cones around the rim.

Real Fir Branches for Your Own Garland

Jenny loves real garland, and for your own Jenny Marrs Christmas you can make it for far less than store ropes. Fresh fir branches like this one are soft, full and smell like a winter forest. Ask a tree lot for the trimmings they cut off the bottom of trees, which are often free. Wire them onto a long rope and drape them on a mantel, banister or door. See more ways to use garland in our Christmas garland arch ideas.

You will need: Fresh fir trimmings, a length of sturdy rope, green paddle wire, pruners, garden gloves.

How to make it: Cut the branches into short pieces. Wire each piece onto the rope, all facing one way, overlapping until the rope is full.