Step Inside Jenny and Dave Marrs' Holiday-Ready Farmhouse

Yes, they're the hosts of HGTV's renovation show Fixer to Fabulous, but Jenny and Dave Marrs are also the parents of five kids who inherited their love of celebrating Christmas. Dave, who grew up in the snowy Colorado town of Black Forest, competed with his siblings from spring until December to find and cut down the best tree they could find on their parents' property. Down in central Florida, the weather was warm but Jenny spotted Santa in the sky almost every Christmas Eve. Together in their charming farmhouse in Bentonville, Arkansas, these two took their very-different Christmas traditions and blended them. "We don't go away for Christmas," says Jenny. "We're always here. That's what we do."

Jenny and Dave's home was originally located in downtown Bentonville. The duo had been living and working in Bentonville for about 10 years when they received a contract to tear the house down. "We just couldn't," says Jenny. "It was too beautiful." Instead, they broke it into three pieces, loaded it onto tractors and trucks and dragged it — "through the mud," recalls Dave — to its current location. Now, the renovated home is the heart of its surrounding property, which the Marrs filled with dogs, sheep, kittens, cows, alpacas, a donkey and a horse.

On the front porch, fresh green garland hangs from railings and around the front door. Seasonal pillows and a knitted throw create a cheerful spot to relax on the porch swing.

The home was built in 1903, "so the living room is cozy," says Dave. The Marrs wanted to maintain the integrity of the home, so they kept the original layout but bumped out the wall adjacent to the front door for their growing family. Jenny keeps the Christmas decorations in this room soft, muted and calm. "Our house is chaos," she says. "So calming is good."

After expanding the footprint of the living room, the couple installed built-in shelving on the new wall. During the holidays, the built-ins display Jenny's favorite Christmas tchotchkes. "I love bringing in brass," says Jenny. "I have brass reindeer that are so cute."

The living room might lack a traditional fireplace and mantel, but the Marrs family loves their rustic wood-burning stove. Copper accents and a brick surround make the area extra cozy.

“The first time I walked through this house, I knew this would be the tree spot," says Jenny. "It’s the perfect bay window for a tree." Much like Dave's family growing up, the Marrs' kids work to find the perfect tree. "We always get a real tree and real garland," says Jenny. "Even though it makes a mess, I don't care because it makes me happy." Dave always sets up the tree lights. "The star is struggling this year," he laughs.

Fun fact about Jenny: She loves decorating for Christmas, but doesn't enjoy putting ornaments on the tree. "So I bring the kids in," she says. "And we keep it very simple. Each year we get a new ornament.” (Pictured: the family ornament from 2022 and an Eiffel Tower ornament the Marrs got in Paris after getting engaged.)

The Marrs got the sweet nativity on the top shelf during a trip to Assisi, Italy, because St. Francis of Assisi is said to have created the first one ever. Above it, seven stockings made from Turkish rugs hang from the railings of the staircase. "These rugs are ripped, so they turn them into stockings, pillow covers, stuff like that," says Dave. "Nothing gets wasted." A charming gallery wall running up the wall adjacent to the stairs features pieces by the Marrs kids and paintings owned by Jenny's father. Jenny switches art in and out the frames seasonally.

At the bottom of the stairs, Jenny and Dave keep a portrait of their 18-year-old German Short Hair, Dolly, hanging year round. "During the holidays, I always put a little holiday cheer on Dolly," says Jenny. (The portrait was created by local artist Buddy Whitlock.) Before opening presents on Christmas morning each year, Jenny takes a photo of her kids together at the top of the stairs. It's a tradition from her own childhood: "We always thought it was a pain, and my kids do too — but it's what we do!"

"We got rid of the island and peninsula in favor of a big table because we have a big family," says Dave, who built the table years ago. "This is where life happens. On any given day our kids do homework here, and we sweep it out of the way for dinner, then we sweep it out of the way for games and friends coming over and conversation. There's always one more seat at the table." Jenny switches out the runner in the kitchen seasonally. For the holidays, her printed maroon rug gets all the love.

"I love pops of red for the holidays," says Jenny of the wreath she hangs on her hood vent each year. She bought it back in college. Wooden utensils and cutting boards paired with brass hardware and a copper teapot add rustic and charming function to the countertops. Velvet ribbon on the pendant and wreath offer subtle holiday flair.

"Speaking of red, I do love pomegranates," Jenny says. "I love anything fresh and real — like bringing in nuts and fruits." Behind the bowl, Dave's grandma's handwritten peanut butter cookie recipe is framed and on display.

The Marrs keep their dishware collection minimal, so they opted for open shelving instead of upper cabinets in the kitchen. The shelves display dishes the family uses daily, including plates Jenny and Dave received at their wedding — "We used to have a set of 12, and now we're down to four," says Jenny — and handmade ceramic dishes passed down from Dave's parents.

A second flocked Christmas tree rests on the back porch in front of a wall of windows. "I love natural light," says Jenny.

"For holiday decor I like to bring in natural elements," says Jenny. "We always have real cuttings I get from outside and dried hydrangeas from the bushes out front. The muted palette [ties] in with the rest of our house."