CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH 116 PAGES OF CLASSIC INSPIRATION

décor
8 of our all-time
favorite holiday
homes in every style
Plus,
merriment in
the mudroom,
fresh gift
ideas, and
4 tree themes
to try

2023 | Display until 01/02/2024

From the Editors of Cottages & Bungalows • $13.99 US

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EG Media investments LLC

Create
a cheery
French
Country
kitchen

Classic
Christmas

Comebacks

Hello, friends!
As another holiday season approaches, those of us who
love to go all out with festivities find ourselves looking for
inspiration and wondering how to top our last decorating
endeavor.
As we brainstormed on what we might bring to you in
this special yearly issue, we felt the same way—how do we
top ourselves? To our delight, we realized we have a bevy
of beautiful holiday home tours at our fingertips within
our family of brands that include American Farmhouse
Style, Atomic Ranch, Cottages & Bungalows, Flea Market
Décor and Romantic Homes. We pored through them all
and we’re proud to bring you a collection of our favorites
from over the years. From traditional and bright to
romantic, kitschy, modern and farmhouse-style, we hope
this interesting variety of lovingly decorated homes will
spark your creativity.
We’ve also included fresh décor finds and gifts in
Holiday Shopping (page 38), three stunning themes
for your tree in Get the Look (page 34), how to style a
tree with flowers (page 18) plus a peek inside designer
Courtney Warren’s brand-new book (page 78).
We hope your holidays will be filled with coziness, lots
of loved ones and warm memories to be cherished for
years to come!
Cheers,

Kelly McMaster, Brand Leader

HOLIDAY
décor
2023
EG MEDIA INVESTMENTS LLC
Rima Dorsey: Managing Director/Publisher
EDITORIAL
Content Director: Jickie Torres
Brand Leader: Kelly McMaster
Managing Editor: Meryl Schoenbaum
DESIGN
Design Director: Gabby Oh
CONTRIBUTORS
Autumn Krause, Christine Murphy, Claudia Reese,
GAP Interiors, Jessica Luque, Jillian Chapman,
Jo-Anne Coletti, Lindsay Jarvis, Margie Monin,
Meryl Schoenbaum, Morgan Anderson, Sarah Wagner,
Stephanie Agnes-Crockett, Susan Daggett, The Jolly Christmas Shop, Toni Mogensen
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Allison Corona, Bret Gum, Christopher Bradley,
Hayley Little, Matthew Gallant, Ryan Kelly,
Sara O'Brien, Tracy Leber
ADVERTISING
Suzy Bailey: Account Representative
Leslie Huddleston: Account Representative
Christina Walker: Account Representative
Sebastian Tirkey: Advertising Traffic Coordinator
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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

3

décor

ontents
2023

On the Cover

Our cover tree is the star in the home of Tracy Van
Volkinburg of Dorr, Michigan.

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

Her full Christmas home tour can be seen in our
December 2021 issue of Cottages & Bungalows, available
in digital format at cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/
product/cottages-bungalows-dec-jan-2021-digital/ or
visit Tracy on Instagram @plaids.and.poppies or her blog
at plaidsandpoppies.com.
Photography by David Sparks
Back cover photo by Hayley Little
Design by Gabby Oh

Holiday Homes

6 An Elegant Holiday in White
THIS BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC HOME IS THE PERFECT
FOUNDATION FOR SIMPLE, CELEBRATORY STYLING.
BY GAP INTERIORS

18 Festively Floral
HOW TO DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS IN A WARM CLIMATE.
PRODUCED BY KELLY MCMASTER

22 Creating Cozy: A Coastal
Country Christmas
COLORS, TEXTURES AND PATTERNS ABOUND IN A
DESIGNER’S HOLIDAY HOME.
BY AUTUMN KRAUSE

38 Holiday Shopping
FIND SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL
(INCLUDING YOU!) WITH THESE GREAT GIFTS.
COMPILED BY KELLY MCMASTER

42 Festive Farmhouse
SUBTLE HOLIDAY DÉCOR AND MODERN FARMHOUSE
TOUCHES HARMONIZE IN THIS PACIFIC NORTHWEST HOME.
BY JILLIAN CHAPMAN

6
42

56 Decorate a Vintage
French Kitchen
A WOMAN’S LOVE OF FRANCE IS REFLECTED IN HER
CHRISTMAS KITCHEN DÉCOR.
BY MERYL SCHOENBAUM

64 Just Like the Ones I Used
to Know
A CHEERFUL CHICAGO HOME PUTS A FRESH SPIN ON YOUR
CHILDHOOD CHRISTMAS MEMORIES.
BY STEPHANIE AGNES-CROCKETT

82 A White Christmas
THIS SCANDINAVIAN FARMHOUSE-INSPIRED HOME
ILLUSTRATES THAT YOU DON’T NEED SNOW TO GET IN THE
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!
BY AUTUMN KRAUSE

98 Shiny and Bright
THIS HOME’S UNIQUE ORIGINAL FEATURES AND A BLEND OF
OLD AND NEW DÉCOR MAKE THIS 1958 HOME SPARKLE FOR
THE HOLIDAYS.
BY LINDSAY JARVIS

82

104 Whimsical Wonderland
ENTER A FAIRY-TALE LAND OF CHRISTMAS STYLE.
BY MARGIE MONIN DOMBROWSKI

110 Christmas in Pastels
PASTEL BAUBLES PAIRED WITH A SUMPTUOUS JEWELED
DÉCOR MAKE FOR A MAGICAL ENGLISH CHRISTMAS.
BY JO-ANNE COLETTI

Etc.

3 Editor’s Letter
34 Get the Look
78 Holiday Book Review
114 Be Our Guest

64

104

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

5

Creating Cozy

AN ELEGANT
HOLIDAY

Written by GAP Interiors
Photography by Robin Stubbert
Styling by Christine Murphy

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

THIS BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC
HOME IS THE PERFECT
FOUNDATION FOR SIMPLE,
CELEBRATORY STYLING.

“When I was growing up, my
bedroom was white. I have always loved the
calm and easy feel it brings to any room.”

hristine Murphy loves
the color white as
it echoes the snowy
Canadian landscape
at this time of year and turning her
home into a winter wonderland.

Christine and Steve Murphy
purchased their lovely red brick
“designated heritage” home (circa 1860)
over 20 years ago, but, as with many
old houses, the layout did not work for
modern family living, so they made the
decision to reconfigure it. Two tinsmiths
built the Cunningham House. “I love
the beautiful brickwork on the outside
of the house and tall ceilings inside,
but my favorite feature has to be the
windows, still with the original glass,”
Christine says.
Christine, originally from the United
Kingdom, moved to Canada in 1987.
“I was working as a residential care
assistant in a nursing home for the
elderly when an opportunity came up to
take care of a lady in Toronto. I was just
24 years old,” she says.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023
8

The Georgian/Regency-style house Christine shares with her
husband, Steve, their two children and their French bulldog has
been their home for 23 years. “It’s in the heart of a village called
Streetsville, in Mississauga, just outside Toronto,” Christine
says. “The village is very quaint; it has historical houses, shops,
buildings, churches and a wonderful community feel.”

RESPECTFU L RENOVATIONS
Retaining the original charm in as many features of the historic
house as possible was vital for Christine and Steve, but there was
still a lot of work to be done to make this their home. “It was the
character of the house that made me want to live here the most.
And there is a large garden for the children to play and grow,” she
says. “When we purchased the house, it was decorated in orange

and brown. There were carpets covering the pine wood floors and
the beautiful windows were concealed by lace curtains. The walls
were covered with wallpaper dating back some 30 years.”
The kitchen was to be the most important room for their
growing family, so they turned their full attention to this space.
“The biggest renovation we made was moving the kitchen from
its original place to the room next to it which used to be the
stables,” Christine says. “It is a larger room and was never used.
The opening was boarded up when we moved in. We replaced the
windows and put in French doors on each side of the room. We
also found and laid old pine floorboards. There is no heat in this
room, so an Aga cooker was the perfect choice. It is the heart of the
home and it also makes the best toast,” she says.

Fun Fact:

In summer, the home and garden iare
transformed. “I am an English lavender
farmer and my passion for this beautiful
herb has increased over the last five years,”
Christine says. “I have just over a thousand
plants and I love to travel to the lavender fields
in Provence, France, each year to bring back
French lavender oil and monogrammed linen
to make sachets. I visit the brocante markets
and use a renovated vintage caravan to sell my
lavender wares at country shows.”

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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“White has an elegant feel to it.

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

I try to go with natural tones and textures, with
wool throws in winter and straw baskets that hold
extra pillows and blankets.”

TOP, RIGHT •

Dressed in White. Christine uses

white hydrangeas for her holiday mantel along with
additional white flowers and greenery foraged from the
home's property while on her daily nature walks.

The new kitchen provided a perfect blank canvas for
Christine to decorate and, after careful negotiations, she
managed to convince Steve to paint the salvaged wooden
flooring white. The walls and ceiling are also white and,
contrary to feeling cold and empty, the uninterrupted lightness
serves to highlight the vintage pieces and original features,
giving it a French country house feeling.
“When I was growing up, my bedroom was white. I have
always loved the calm and easy feel it brings to any room. There
are so many different shades of white that easily blend, which
makes them work beautifully,” Christine says. “White also
creates a bigger and brighter look to any space. It has an elegant
feel to it. I try to go with natural tones and textures, with wool
throws in winter and straw baskets that hold extra pillows
and blankets. I try to decorate with classic items that are not
necessarily trending, but that never go out of style.”
HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023
12

Ultimate Upgrade. This dreamy kitchen was
originally the stables, believe it or not! "My favorite part
of this room is the sloping ceiling and views of both
sides of the garden," Christine says.

As an avid collector of vintage pieces, Christine has filled
the home with interesting furniture and objects perfectly
incorporated into the overall design. “As far back as I can
remember, I have always loved antiques,” she says. “Spending
my childhood at my grandmother’s house with her antiques
has stayed with me. When I was 14, my grandmother moved
from her house and I took the antique floral handles from
her doors. They are now on the bedroom doors in this house.
I particularly love English and French antiques, but my
favorite piece has to be the Swedish Mora clock we purchased
a few years ago. The wooden carved design is so beautiful. It
adds such a special touch to our living room.”

Fir-ever Friends. Christine and her family traditonally
choose fresh trees of various sizes from a friend's nearby tree
farm. Here, she displays one in a simple white pot.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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Garden Views. The family is able to cook, enjoy a meal
and gaze out their kitchen window into the gardens to watch

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

the wildlife or their children play all year-round.

Tasteful Touches.Fresh baked goods, aromatic dried fruit
slices, freshly foraged greens and flowers are the simple additions
that make this holiday home so special. Christine makes use of
vintage linens, collected plates and classic serverware to enhance
her Old World aesthetic.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

15

Textured Goodness.
Christine uses a mix of many textures
to enhance her all-white bathroom.
Ruffles, embossing, ornate wood art,
wainscotting and shiplap all adorn
this quaint space.

Contrary to feeling

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

cold, the uninterrupted

lightness of white serves to
highlight the vintage pieces
and original features.

BELOW, LEFT •

Elegant Simplicity. Christine placed

BELOW, RIGHT •

Cozy Corner.

A cozy reading nook or

a simple white bottlebrush tree inside a pedestal vase,

a spot to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa is created with a

adorned the tree with mercury glass ornaments along with

charming iron daybed and whimsical bench.

a few favorite treasures for an elegant display. Vintage books
and a lush wreath of greens complete the look.

A CU RATED CHRISTMAS
Christine has been selective with her Christmas decorations.
A perfectly framed and proportioned fir tree displayed in a
pale-gray basket in front of the arched window in the living
room is unembellished with baubles or tinsel, yet it makes a bold
statement as its green foliage shines against the white backdrop.
“Christmas is the most exciting and special time," Christine
says. “Our families come together on Christmas Eve. We host
a Christmas evening for neighbors and friends every year too.
I love to bake, so I get to make more treats at this time of year.
We always choose a real Christmas tree from a tree farm and
we do something different every year. My friend’s property used
to be a Christmas tree farm and she still has mini trees growing
everywhere, so she kindly lets me dig some up to use for festive
decorations and then I replant them in spring.”
The décor gives a timeless feel to this old house and Christine
skilfully enhances it with her found treasures. She discovered an

old sled at an antiques fair and knew at once that it would become
an annual addition to her festive displays, filling it with gifts for
their two children, Carl and Laura, but sometimes Millie, their
French bulldog, has different ideas! “The family help to decorate
the tree and I make the wreaths and garlands,” Christine says.
“One of my favorite decorations is a pair of winter ice skates I
found in a country antiques shop.”
Simple and natural are the buzzwords for Christine’s Christmas
decorations: vintage dolls and foliage wreaths add interest and
fun among the white décor. Textured sisal rugs and bare wood
furniture bring a rugged country style and the large chandeliers—
one positioned directly above the dining table and the other
hanging centrally in the living room—bring a touch of class and
luxury to the understated rooms. The bedrooms and bathroom
flow seamlessly with the rest of the house, with thought and
restraint sprinkled over everything, like the first dusting of snow.

To see more and follow Christine, visit @lavenderflowerstudio on Instagram.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

FLORAL
DECORATING FOR
CHRISTMAS IN A WARM
CLIMATE.
PRODUCED BY Kelly McMaster
STYLED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY Toni Mogensen

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

hen you live in a region with milder
temperatures, the holiday season can feel
like it’s passing you by. While others are
sipping hot cocoa in cozy sweaters by a
roaring fireplace, warm-weather residents are often still sweating and
shopping in flip flops. For Toni Mogensen, a stylist and content creator
who lives in Central California, it’s a perfect reason for her to use her
favorite décor accessory: flowers! We asked her why she chose this
nontraditional approach to her tree and mantel.

HD: Toni, what inspired you to ditch the
more traditional tree trimmings for this tree?
Toni: I was most definitely inspired to create
this floral tree because of my love for all
florals! I honestly can’t believe I’ve never
styled a Christmas tree with flowers before,
but with temperatures often in the 70s and
plenty of flowers available to me, I felt there
was no reason not to! Flowers bring me
so much happiness in my daily life. I love
waking up to flowers next to my bed and
walking into our living room and smelling
the aroma of a beautiful bouquet. Florals
will always and forever put a smile on
my face.
HD: What is it about flowers that draws
you in?
Toni: I just never tire of their colors, their
intricacies and their aromas. They truly are
my favorite décor items to style, to spend
my money on and to have in my home all
year round. Flowers are an instant “pick me
up” and can be found at the grocery stores,
flower shops, online shops and flower farms.
They add a special touch to any space. And
faux flowers have come such a long way as
well. No longer stiff and unrealistic, there
are an abundance of amazing choices
out there.
HD: So, tell us about your process for
your tree!
Toni: I started by loading up on oodles of
flowers from The Dollar Tree and a few
larger single flowers from both Michaels and
Hobby Lobby.
HD: Any tips on flower color strategy?
Toni: Yes, I balanced out the brighter flowers
with white floral stems as well as white and
gold ornaments. White and gold would
truly work with almost any color flowers
you decide upon, although silver and white
always look amazing together too.

Toni’s Terrific
Mantel

Toni draped her fireplace mantel with a faux garland embellished
with the flowers she found at The Dollar Tree. Fresh florals from
her local Trader Joe’s add a fragrant statement to her mantel and
living room coffee table.

HD: What was your next step?
Toni: After I brought my flowers home and got our faux tree out
from storage, I spent time fluffing the tree. It really makes a big
difference! If you have a real tree, just make sure to complete any
trimming before you start to decorate. Then starting at the top
of the tree, I added flowers as I walked around the tree. I always
step back, even take a few quick photos, and assess how things are
shaping up. Photos reveal gaps, odd placements and more than
you might think, so I tweak as I go after reviewing a few photos.
HD: What was the final step?
Toni: I added the white and gold ornaments and then tied velvet
ribbon to a set of beautiful mercury glass ornaments from Balsam
Hill and hung those as my final touch. I had so much fun with
this tree—so simple and so many options for variation! I really
encourage everyone to try at least one tree this year with fresh or
faux flowers—and watch your family and friends’ faces light up!
To see more of Toni’s home, visit her on Instagram @toni_marianna.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

21

Creating Cozy

A COASTAL
COUNTRY

COLORS, TEXTURES AND PATTERNS
ABOUND IN A DESIGNER’S
HOLIDAY HOME.
WRITTEN BY Autumn Krause

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING BY Hayley Little

ayley Little is a stay-at-home mom, and after
one look at her vibrant and joyful interiors you’ll
want to stay home with her—especially during
the holidays.
The part-time stylist lives with her family on Sovereign Island, located off
the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Hayley and her husband, Terry,
have renovated and built eight houses together, and though she doesn’t have
any formal design training you can see she’s become quite the expert.
“I am inspired by so many things,” Hayley says. “I love seeing people’s real
homes on social media, and I’m a home design and magazine addict.” For her
own holiday home, she captures the Christmas spirit and turns it into magical
interiors bursting with color, patterns and textures.
“Christmas is a big deal in my family,” she says. “I decorate our home
in a coastal-meets-country style and extend my holiday décor out of that.”
Hayley’s designs are ideal backdrops for holiday entertaining.

Trimming the Tree.
“Ornament shopping is a great
excuse to spend hours in the
Christmas section collecting new
baubles,” Hayley says. The ornaments
become part of the family’s
memories as they all decorate
the tree together. “I have precious
memories of Terry lifting the kids up
on his shoulders to reach the top
of the tree,” Hayley says. She layers
ornaments of different sizes with
similar gilded finishes.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

23

Have a Holly.
Christmas wouldn’t be
the same without some
strategically placed holly,
Hayley says. She uses faux
holly from Pottery Barn and
puts it in a white vase on
the coffee table along with
holiday mugs, also from
Pottery Barn. Guests can
pick their own to enjoy

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

during their visit.

“There’s a lot of pattern-mixing here,

but it works because the patterns are different sizes
but the same color intensity.”

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

25

Festive Tablescape.
Setting the Christmas
table is an act of love
and creativity for Hayley.
“I use the ‘more is more’
approach,” she says.
She begins with a red
tablecloth and then
adds color, playfulness
and a mandatory bit of
sparkle with blue printed
plates, green apples, an
assortment of greenery
and glass votives.

BELOW •

Kids rule.

Hayley makes the holidays
special for children as well

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

as adults and sets a special
table for the kids. Tableware
featuring winter scenes is
sentimental for her and
catches the attention of
young guests. “It reminds
me of holidays and happy

26

memories,” she says.

FESTIVE FEASTING
The Christmas feast is a hallmark of the season and Hayley’s
takes place in a stunning navy dining room. “Originally, the
dining room was an outdoor space,” she says. “We added the
French doors and awning windows to convert it into a room.”
She and Terry brought further personality to the space by
lining the ceiling and walls with tongue-and-groove, laying
the timber floors, building a bench seat and adding an antique
silver pendant. “We inherited the navy-blue windows and I
was happy to keep them,” Hayley says.
During yuletide, the room’s navy-blue elements take on a
crisp, wintry feel, and Hayley adds some holiday spirit with
sweet apple wreaths and holly. Hayley doesn’t just deck the
halls; she decks the chairs as well, placing holly, red ribbons
and jingle bells on the back of the French ladderback chairs. “I
love the bells on the back of the chairs,” she says. “It makes the
most festive sound every time someone moves.”

“Originally, the dining room was an

outdoor space. We added the French doors and awning
windows to convert it into a room.”

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

LIVING ROOM CH EER
Hayley and Terry transformed
the living room by laying timber
floors and adding custom cabinetry.
They gave the walls fresh paint,
installed white shutters and hung
beautiful linen curtains. During
Christmastime, Hayley turns it into
a wonderland of cheer and style,
making it the perfect place to unwrap
presents while drinking frozen cocoa
(in Australia, Christmastime is in
July).
“There’s a lot of pattern-mixing
here,” Hayley says. “It works because
the patterns are different sizes
but the same color intensity.” The
printed rug and polka-dot pillow
pull out the blue of the plaid throw,
while the red block pillows give the
eyes somewhere to rest. Everything
combines to create a serene interior
that’s full of merriment.

A TREE FOR A LL
Every year, Hayley’s Christmas tree
is an opportunity to try something
new and, more often than not, she
changes her designs. “I go on the
hunt for the perfect decorations,”
Hayley says. “I prefer a traditional
tree with pops of unexpected color.”
Her tree is faux from Balsam Hill
but you’d never know it, especially
once it has been adorned with

Tiny Tree. A sweet petite

OPPOSITE •

tree sits on Hayley’s kitchen

yellow and dark, so Hayley and Terry ripped it out and started fresh by

Winter White & Blue. The original kitchen was tiny,

bench. Its ginger-jar decorations

opening it up and using every bit of available space. “It’s a light, bright

tie in with the kitchen’s wider

and white kitchen,” Hayley says. She styles it with personal favorites, like

color scheme.

her blue and white Spode dinnerware. During the holidays, the blue and
white color combination takes on a frosty, wintry feel.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

29

“I decorate our home in a coastal-meetscountry style

and extend my holiday décor out of that.”

the profusion of ornaments that Hayley curates.
Decorating the tree is a family affair. Since Hayley
selects the ornaments ahead of time, she already
knows everything will go together so her family
can decorate with abandon. While blue and silver
is a common color scheme for Christmas, Hayley
redefines it by adding gold, which exudes warmth.
Icy blues, golds and silver give the tree a gilded,
elegant feel. Extras like a Santa gift sack invoke the
exciting moment when all the presents get to be
opened on Christmas morn.
With her innate understanding of contrast
and cohesion, Hayley’s designs are intricate yet
soothing and reflect the themes of Christmas itself:
excitement, joy and peace.
To learn more about Hayley, visit mumlittleloves

on Instagram.

LEFT •

Cold Cocoa. The cocoa bar has a fun twist—since

Christmas is during the summer in Australia, Hayley makes it a
frozen hot-chocolate bar! She sets the bar atop a handmade
bone inlay cabinet from India and celebrates the fun of the
season with an immersive tableau. “I try not to overthink the
rules,” she says. “The plaid is the hero here, the mugs and
flowers pull in the colors from the plaid, and the mercury glass
trees add height and sparkle.” By abiding to a strict color
palette, Hayley’s tableau seamlessly pulls together.

Pillow Talk. Amid the different patterns, an illustrated
throw pillow draws you in for a closer look. The pillow is a
nostalgic take on the North Pole and has a variety of colors
and details. “It adds a touch of whimsy,” Hayley says.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

CREATIVE
CHRISTMAS
COLORS
HERE ARE HAYLEY’S TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR
HOLIDAY DÉCOR MERRY AND BRIGHT.

• PALETTES & PATTERNS. Choose a
pattern or color palette you love and
repeat it throughout your home. “I
chose plaid and use it in most of my
rooms. Then I pull colors from the plaid
to splash everywhere,” Hayley says.
• BREAK THE RULES. Don’t be afraid to
mix patterns. Hayley says to ignore
the rules and have fun. From stripes
to spots to plaid, her philosophy is the
more the merrier!
• DISPLAY CHERISHED PIECES.
Handmade trinkets, especially from
your children, should be treasured
and displayed with love. “They bring
a touch of whimsy that is so innocent
and endearing,” Hayley says. They will
immediately lighten the spirit of
any décor.
• TAKE A BOW. Brightly colored ribbons
are great for adding a pop of color.
“They look festive and can be tied
everywhere,” Hayley says. “Tie bows on
chairs, ginger jars, door handles—
anywhere. Just put a bow on it!”
• GO FOR THE GLITTER. Always add a
little bit of sparkle with fairy lights, glitter
and tinsel. Gild and done!

Bedtime Story. The master bedroom
only needed a little spiffing up. Hayley and Terry
refinished the Tasmanian oak floors and painted
the walls in a denim color. After falling in love with
a brass bed by Martha Stewart many years ago,
Hayley pined after it until stumbling across this one
on eBay. “It was brand new, unassembled and only
an hour drive from my house. I had to have it,” she
says. “It was given a holiday makeover with a plaid
throw and holiday-themed pillows.

Get the Look

PRODUCED BY Kelly McMaster
PHOTOS COURTESY OF The Jolly Christmas Shop

CHOOSING A THEME FOR
YOUR YULETIDE TREE HAS
NEVER BEEN EASIER.

Tannenbaums

Selecting a Christmas-tree theme is a wonderful way to express your interests, match the décor of a room or get
the family involved in this yearly activity. However, you may find yourself feeling Grinch-like running from store to store
looking for just the right pieces.
The Jolly Christmas Shop, a year-round online shop based in Loganville, Georgia, makes it a pain-free task. With unique,
hand-selected items added continuously to the site, you’re sure to find everything you need to choose a theme and fill
your cart with all the trimmings. With prompt shipping to over 30 countries and outstanding customer service, The Jolly
Christmas Shop has been spreading cheer since 2012 with “unique Christmas décor you won’t find in a big-box store.”

Dashing Through the Snow
SWISH YOUR WAY TO A SKI-LODGE LOOK WITH THIS
SNOWY AND BRIGHT THEME.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

1.

Chalet Cabin Glass Christmas Ornament.

Let's get ready to go to the cabin and hit the slopes, by
Raz Imports, $24.99 each.
2. SNOWBALL CHRISTMAS-TREE SPRAY. This fun
snowball spray is perfect to add some dimension and
flair to your tree or wreath, 31” long, $19.99.
3. SKI SIGN CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS. Add these

34

darling metal ski signs to your tree or wreath for that
ski-lodge vibe, set of three, $29.
4. RED, GREEN AND WHITE BALL GARLAND. This
4-foot-long garland features ball ornaments of different
sizes and shapes—perfect to add to your tree, drape
along your mantel or place around a door, $119.
5. WHITE MATTE CRACKLE GLASS ORNAMENT.
Unique ornaments that have a stunning milky-white
appearance with tiny crackles that resemble ice, sold
individually or as a set, from $10.99.
6. ICED BALL GLASS CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT.
Ornaments coated with sparkling ice-like glitter. Sold
individually or as a set of three, from $13.99.

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Celebrate the Season

Blue Floral Delft
Ornament. This gorgeous 5-inch

finished with gold glitter, made by Raz

ornament features a white glass ball

2. WHITE AND GOLD TWEED WIRED

with delft-blue floral decals and is

CHRISTMAS RIBBON. This festive

1.

HUES OF BEAUTIFUL BLUE AND
DREAMY CREAM ARE FEATURED IN
THIS VERSATILE TREE THEME.

Imports, $22.99.

ribbon features white tweed with
tiny flecks of gold thread and gold
embroidery on the edge, 4" wide x 10
yards long, $69.99.
3. DELFT SANTA WITH TREE
ORNAMENT. This stunning 7-inch

Santa is wearing a bright blue robe
trimmed with white fur and a blue and
white delft-patterned shirt, $26.99.
4. GOLD TEXTURED GLASS FINIAL
ORNAMENT. These textured, 12-inch

finials make a big statement, sold
individually or as a set of two, from
$25.99.
5. LIGHT-BLUE GLASS FINIAL
ORNAMENT. These eye-catching,

15.5-inch-tall glass ornaments add
an icy-blue shimmer to your tree, sold
individually, $52.99.
6. CHAMPAGNE OR SILVER
GLITTERED POINSETTIA TREE PICK.

Beautiful 23-inch-long poinsettia stems
are covered in glitter, $18.99 each.
7. CERULEAN-BLUE QUILTED BALL
GLASS ORNAMENT. Gorgeous 6-inch

round ornament features a quilted
design with sparkling silver glitter in
the grooves, $25.99.
8. GOLD GLITTERED HOLLY
CHRISTMAS TREE SPRAY. Unique holly

stem has leaves with a lovely edge
and covered in shining gold glitter.
Each stem is 29-inches long, $28.99.

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

35

Holiday Cheer
THIS STUNNING RED-AND-SILVER
TREE THEME IS DESIGNED TO
IMPRESS.

Red Jeweled Snowflake
Ornament. Each 4-inch bejeweled
1.

glass ornament is made of a dark-red
glass with a snowflake made of silver
jewels and glitter, sold individually or
as a set of three, from $18.99.
2. SILVER JEWELED CHRISTMAS
TREE GARLAND. This spectacular

garland is sure to add sparkle to your
tree. The plastic strand measures 6
feet long, $64.
3. SILVER GLITTER, RIBBED GLASS
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT. Each

4-inch ornament is made with silver

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

glass and a ribbed design with
champagne glitter dusted on the
edges, sold individually or as a set,
from $10.99.
4. RED TASSEL CHRISTMAS
ORNAMENT. A long, bright-red

tassel with a silver ball at the top
encrusted with sparkling jewels adds
the glitz and glam to your tree, sold
individually, 8 or 10 inches long, from
$9.99.
5. SILVER TINSEL CHRISTMAS TREE

1

SPRAY. This vintage-style spray is

2

made of shimmering silver tinsel
and works perfectly for your tucking
in your tree, wreaths and garlands,

3

28-inches long, $10.99.
6. RED TINSEL-EDGE POINSETTIA
STEM. Make a statement with this

stunning poinsettia in a deep, bright
red trimmed in sparkling tinsel,
26-inch-long stem, $12.99.

4

7. SILVER TINSEL TASSEL
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT. Sparkle

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and shine with this 11-inch-long
silver tinsel tassel, $13.99
Visit the shop on Instagram
@thejollychristmasshop and the website
at thejollychristmasshop.com.

The Ease of

eBooks
COTTAGES
& BUNGALOWS

Highlights of 2022:

Favorite

Home Tours

Did you know
that we have
downloadable
eBooks full of
cottage goodness?

With notes on why we love them!

• Easy to access
• Put it in your pocket
• Enjoy exclusive content
Tour four of the most
charming & inspiring homes
of the past year

Visit cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/ebook/
or scan the QR code

Want Daily
Farmhouse Inspiration?

FIND US ONLINE!
facebook.com/AmericanFarmhouseStyle
@AmericanFarmhouseStyle
Pinterest.com/AmericanFarmhouseStyle

Nautical
Ornaments

Visit: AmericanFarmhouseStyle.com
to sign up for our Newsletter!

In Downtown Mystic
25 Cottrell St. 2 Holmes St.
860.889.3793 Open 7 Days

MysticKnotwork.com

Holiday Shopping

1

2

Click, click, click!
COMPILED BY Kelly McMaster

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

3

LIKE REINDEER HOOVES ON THE ROOFTOP, GET YOUR SHOPPING DONE WITH A QUICK CLICK!

38

Find something special for someone
special (including you!) with these
1. Viking Whistling Kettle. Elegant and
great gifts.

4
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timeless, this kettle boasts a glass lid
so you can watch the boiling process,
a handle that stays cool and 3-ply
clad base for faster heating, $75. Visit
amazon.com/VikingCulinary.
2. Vintage Santa Matchboxes + Refills.
Elevate a household essential with
unique matchbox designs. The set
contains two vintage Santa matchboxes
with 4” red-tip matches, includes a refill
for each and has extra striking stickers;
$22. Visit thankfulgreetings.com.
3. Callidora Table Lamp with Vase
Holders. What's better than a beautiful
table lamp that includes vase holders on
each side?, $175. Visit oka.com.

4. Southern Chili Crisp. Small-batch and
handcrafted, this seasoning is perfect for
any dish that needs an extra kick. Made
with the highest-quality peanuts, garlic,
shallot and fresno chili flakes, $19. Visit
redclayhotsauce.com.
5. Christmas Plaid Square Bamboo Tray.
Serve up cheery servings of hot cocoa,
cookies or appetizers on this festive tray,
$62. Visit nathanandco.com.
6. Hongwu Pot. Timeless quality with
its bold and bright glaze, this pot is
hand-dipped for a distinctive finish
and corroded for a more matte effect,
available in 3 colors, $88. Visit oka.com.
7. Marble Pom Knit Slippers. Lush and
padded, these fleece-lined slippers with
a wide toe box, stretchy knit body and
non-slip microfiber sole are washable,
$48. Visit shop.verloopknits.com.

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8. Set of 20 Glass Baubles. This brandnew assorted set of glass baubles is
a perfect touch for your holiday tree,
wreath or displayed in a pretty bowl,
$195. Visit oka.com.
9. Twisted Tapers. These innovative
candles make creating a cozy ambiance
easy with their battery-powered LED
glow, sold in pairs, $25. Visit oka.com.
10. 3D Standing Snowflake Motif. This
stunning star is super simple to set
up with just a few connecting pieces,
then plug it in! It’s a perfect holiday
brightener for pools, patios, porches
or lawns. Business owners love it for
lobbies, plazas and shop entrances.
Available in two colorways and four
sizes, from $399 with free shipping. Visit
holidaylights.com.
11. Spicy Drink Salt Duo. Liven up your
favorite libations with this set of two
spicy drink salts: Spicy Margarita Salt
and Spicy Bloody Mary Salt, arrives in a
gift box, $18. Visit redclayhotsauce.com.

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12. The Fall Trio. Simple syrups
created for coffee and special
occasions with certified organic,
all-natural ingredients and
no preservatives, Daysie is
woman-owned, $42 for set. Visit
enjoydaysie.com.
13. Porcelain Bark Bark Gang Dog
Bowl. Feed your pup in style with
this colorful and whimsical bowl,
$14. Visit nathanandco.com.
14. GoSili Silistraws. Easily
connect flexible silicone straws to
create a colorful and fun drinking
experience, eco-friendly and
reusable, 4 pack, $6.99. Visit
gosili.com.
15. Holiday Wall Art. Attention all
lovebirds and holiday enthusiasts!
Ignite the magic of love and joy
with the "Kiss Me Under the
Mistletoe" wall art by artist Stacie
Dale. This addition will spark
happiness and cheer, $35. Visit
staciedaledesigns.com.

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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16. Noel Candleholder. This
gorgeous, statuesque candleholder
makes a perfect centerpiece for your
holiday table or a statement piece on
the mantel, $110. Visit oka.com.
17. Scalloped Gold Bowl. Ideal
for candies, a collection of special
ornaments, faux greens or potpourri,
this striking bowl is coming this fall.
Visit brookeandlou.com for pricing.
18. Il Boschetto EVOO with Truffle.
This beautifully packaged truffleinfused olive oil is the perfect gift
for anyone who likes to cook. Your
pizza, pasta, potatoes and popcorn
will never be the same, $25. Visit
lucysmarket.com.
19. Tree Charcuterie Board. Impress
your holiday guests with this modern
yet festive board, available in 4
colorways and two sizes, from $99.
Visit etuhome.com.
20. Williamsburg Merry & Bright
Doormat. Inspired by artifacts
culled from Colonial Williamsburg
archives, this doormat is made from
all-natural handwoven coir, handstenciled with eco-friendly dyes,
$76. Visit shopentryways.com.
21. Eat Chocolate, Drink Wine.
Wine and chocolate are the perfect
companions; Gary’s Improv
Zinfandel and trio of decadent dark
chocolates are no exception, $90.
Visit cliffamily.com.
22. Recycled Sailcloth Beverage
Bucket. Maine’s 1901 state flag is
not only historic but full of maritime
meaning, and it fits so well at holiday
time too! This collapsible bag
includes antique brass hardware,
an engraved brass bottle opener
and logo tag. Fill the center with ice
and as it melts it escapes through
the brass grommet hole in the base
of the water-resistant bag, made in
Maine, $100. Visit seabags.com.

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023
42

FARMHOUSE

CHRISTMAS IS A CHARMING AFFAIR IN
THIS PACIFIC NORTHWEST HOME WITH SUBTLE
HOLIDAY DÉCOR AND MODERN FARMHOUSE TOUCHES.
BY

Jillian Chapman • PHOTOGRAPHY BY Matthew Gallant • STYLING BY Sarah Wagner

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

43

The outside of the home isn’t
restricted by limited space like the
indoors. An abundance of wreaths,
frosted greenery and red touches
leave visitors with no doubt that
Christmas is here.

A smaller
home doesn’t have to
mean less holiday cheer.

W

hen it comes to Christmas decorations, many times
the strategy is to stuff every nook and cranny with
as much red and green as possible. But how do you
adorn your home when dealing with the restrictions
of a smaller space? This is a question dear to the heart of blogger Sarah Wagner of
Dreaming of Homemaking. Her large and rambunctious family of six has had to
learn how to live and decorate within the constraints of their cozy 1,200-squarefoot Seattle, Washington, home. Here’s how they do it at Christmastime.

LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE
Sarah and her husband have spent the last 14 years renovating and perfecting
their quaint space. With time, they were able to turn it into a dream home that’s
not only gorgeous but also functional. Sarah’s homemaking has centered around
one crucial concept: Love what you have. “I want to teach people to love their
home no matter the size or situation,” she says. This clear focus helped her utilize
her space wisely and document projects she’s shared with her blog readers and
followers. Sarah shares her unique décor and DIY projects, constantly encouraging
others to work with what they’ve got and love what they have.
Taking advantage of the outdoors is a great way to enhance limited living space. A roaring fire and
cozy patio furniture make for the perfect holiday hangout.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

45

As the designated kid zone in the home,
the mudroom is full of fun and festive
decorations along with functional items,
used to organize the kids’ school supplies
and schedules.

46

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

like the chalkboard and wire baskets

“I want to teach people to love

their home no matter the size or situation.”

Muted colors keep
from overwhelming the
living room. Presents
and a centerpiece of
ornaments dress up this

Sarah’s journey began with a lot of remodeling in their small Seattle home
to make it as functional as possible. “The house has been completely redone,”
she says. “The kitchen used to be mauve. We’ve redone every room since we’ve
lived here.” The renovations have allowed Sarah to create rooms that serve a very
specific function for her family, utilizing all her small space as much as possible.

more formal space.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

47

“I have to have the space be not just livable,

48

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

but also seem larger than it is.”

The combination dining room and living room is the first space you see when
entering the Wagner home. Ultimately, Sarah chose white and green holiday
décor to keep from clashing with the navy color of the fireplace.

SUBTLE CHARM
Sarah’s homemaking philosophies are
front and center when it comes to her
Christmas décor. Subtle and charming,
each room of the house has its own unique
touches. She always starts with what she
has in front of her and lets the function
and existing décor of her rooms dictate
where her holiday touches will go. “I
started trying to do red and green in the
front room,” she says, “but it really clashed
with the navy fireplace.” Faced with this
dilemma, Sarah switched tactics and
chose subtle hints of green. The mantel is
adorned with a pine garland, and greenand-blue plaid throw pillows incorporate
the existing blue tones of the room. These
décor pieces tie Christmas cheer in with
the existing color scheme.
Functionality and décor have to coexist,
especially in small homes. With only 1,200
square feet, Sarah strives to use her holiday
décor in a way that makes the space seem
larger than it is. “It’s easy to overdecorate,”
she says. “I have to have the space be not
just livable, but also seem larger than it
is.” To accomplish this, all that’s needed
are simple, subtle touches of décor. For
example, in the smallest room of the
home, the bathroom, Sarah adds
only a single miniature pine tree as a
holiday decoration.

TOP • A cabinet with glass doors is the perfect place to store décor and other

items Sarah isn’t using at the moment but still wants to be seen and appreciated.
BOTTOM • Utilizing space well is a main priority in the Wagner home. A stackable

washer and dryer with minimal décor help keep the laundry room usable, while light
touches of greenery make sure the room isn’t bare of Christmas cheer.

SMALL SPACES, BIG IDEAS
A smaller home doesn’t have to mean
less holiday cheer. If you have a section
of free space, don’t be afraid to up the
décor. For example, the Wagner home
boasts a small but festive hot cocoa corner.
A nutcracker, mini Christmas trees and
plenty of holiday mugs dress up the
otherwise empty space. Compared to the
minimalist décor of the rest of the home,
this charming nook ups the ante and
reminds visitors that while the decorations
are subtle, Christmas cheer is always front
and center during the holiday season.
To see more of Sarah’s home, visit
@dreamingofhomemaking on Instagram.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

49

In lieu of more traditional family portraits,
silhouette wall hangings of the children decorate
the wall in the family room. More greenery with a

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

touch of red brings Christmas to the dinner table.

DIY ADVENT
CALENDAR

PUT YOUR OWN SPIN ON TRADITIONAL DÉCOR
WITH A FUN DIY ADVENT CALENDAR.
What You’ll Need:
• Cricut machine and vinyl, or iron-on numbers
• Iron and ironing board
• Small fabric gift bags
• Large chalkboard
• 26 small Command™ hooks
• Treats or other items to fill the bags
• Chalk
• Small premade wreath

What You’ll Do:
1. If using a Cricut machine: Create a design for
numbers 1–25 on the Cricut design page. Make
sure you indicate that you’re doing an iron-on
design.

2. Load your vinyl into the Cricut. Make sure you put
the vinyl right-side down; then print and watch as
your numbers are cut. When the cut is complete,
remove the negative pieces, keeping the clear
liner intact. Preheat your small bags to prepare for
ironing on the numbers.
3. For iron-on numbers, follow the manufacturer’s
directions to affix numbers onto each bag.
4. If using a Cricut machine, place the number on
the bag with the shiny side up and apply heat
with the iron set on Cotton; then flip the bag over
and apply heat to the other side of the bag.
Remove the liner.
5. Once you have numbers on the bags, affix the set
of Command™ hooks to your chalkboard in rows
of five.
6. Fill the bags with small treats or other items, and
hang them on the Command™ hooks.
7. Use the last Command™ strip to place the small
wreath around the correct day.
8. Use chalk to decorate your chalkboard with a
“Christmas Countdown” title or any other way you
please. Feel free to add more greenery on top of
the board or even string some festive lights.

TOP • While décor in the rest of the home is subtle, this corner in the kitchen was deemed the “Christmas

Corner.” It’s a fun space full of Christmas cheer, where the family can participate in the DIY Advent calendar
and enjoy a steaming cup of hot cocoa in cheery Christmas mugs.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

51

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

EVERYDAY
CHRISTMAS
COLORS

IF YOU WANT TO TRY A SUBTLER
APPROACH TO CHRISTMAS DÉCOR
WITH NO LESS CHEER, FOLLOW THESE
FIVE TIPS TO DECORATING BASED ON
YOUR EXISTING COLOR SCHEME.
For Christmas, reds and greens can be
added to pretty much any space
as long as you marry them with the
existing décor.

USE GREENERY. No matter what your
everyday color palette is, natural
greenery in the form of garlands, a
Christmas tree and wreaths will work
with the color scheme. Even if you don’t
usually add green to your home, the
shades in florals and garlands will blend
in rather than stand out.
KEEP IT SIMPLE. You don’t have to
replace every item in your house so it
matches your Christmas theme. Instead,
simple touches will keep you away
from overdecoration. Add a garland to
your mantel or stair railing, or a string of
twinkle lights that will add festivity but
won’t overwhelm the space.
ADD TEXTURE. Use items you have
room for already, such as throw pillows
and blankets. Switching these out is the
perfect way to add a splash of holiday
cheer through texture.
THINK OUTSIDE RED AND GREEN. If you
don’t like red and green or those colors
don’t match your home, then don’t use
them. Other color combinations can
just as effectively conjure up Christmas
cheer without the loudness of the
traditional combination.

It’s a white Christmas in this kitchen.
The color of the kitchen creates the
appearance of more space, while the
rustic wooden beams give a border to

MUTE THE SHADES. Whoever said you
have to use bright-red and green? Try
more muted shades to keep the décor
consistent with your home. You could go
with a dark forest-green and maroon-red
that will blend in.

the open room.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

53

Frosted greenery throughout the master
bedroom heralds the coming holiday.
Warm slippers and large comfortable
blankets beg for a cozy breakfast in bed
on a crisp winter morning.

C
hristmas cheer
is always front and
center during the

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

holiday season.

TOP • A Christmas tree is all that adorns the kids’ room,

BOTTOM • Frosted greenery goes with almost any color

leaving them plenty of space to play while still enjoying the

scheme and is the perfect way to add a dash of cheer to

festive vibes in the rest of the house.

even the smallest spaces.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

55

Christmas Kitchen

A VINTAGE

FRENCH KITCHEN

A WOMAN’S LOVE OF FRANCE IS REFLECTED IN HER
CHRISTMAS KITCHEN DÉCOR.
WRITTEN BY Meryl

Schoenbaum
Tracey Leber

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING BY

A bowl of cocoa. Tracey serves homemade
hot cocoa in a vintage French café au lait bowl. A
French linen tea towel is placed beside it for extra
French flair.

“Vintage French Christmas

is always my theme. I love using vintage items in my décor—

especially in my kitchen.”

Blue Christmas. This view of

pieces that contain rosemary plants.

the kitchen offers a look at elements

Plaid throws are placed on the bistro

including a family hutch passed down

chairs and Tracey’s vintage French

to Tracey and her husband, Steve. “I

seltzer bottle collection is displayed on

recently repainted it blue and placed

top of the hutch.

it near an old farm table and French
bistro chairs,” Tracey says. The table is
topped with different vintage ironstone

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

57

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HOLIDAY décor | 2023

’T

he kitchen is called the heart of
the home because it’s an informal
space where family and friends
tend to gather for a warm meal and conversation.
While the living room and dining area are
typically the first places we think about when
decorating for Christmas, the kitchen’s role as
a cozy gathering spot for guests should not
be ignored.
Tracey Leber, an online shop owner,
photographer and stylist, has a profound love of
France and considers it her second home. She
owns an online French vintage shop called French
Larkspur (frenchlarkspur.com) and takes small
groups on tours to Provence each year. Therefore,
it was only natural for Tracey to decorate her
holiday home, including her kitchen, with a
French twist.
“Vintage French Christmas is always my theme.
I love using vintage items in my décor—especially
in my kitchen,” Tracey says. “Even though our
home is a newer build, the elements I have chosen
are mostly vintage, to give it more of a European
farmhouse look rather than new or modern. I
entertain during the holidays, and this space
doubles as a dining and entertaining area. The
vintage zinc sink can hold ice and drinks, and the
buffet can be set up with cocktails. This is a large
room, so it is perfect to use for holiday parties
and entertaining.”
Tracey lives in a suburb of Chicago with her
husband, Steve, and their three children. Their
traditional-style home, built in 2004, has four

Bells and berries garland. Tracey
creates a slightly different version of this
homemade garland every year. This one has
bells and dried rose hips tied to vintage French
ribbon she found in Provence.

Clean cut. A whitewashed vintage French
cutting board holds sink supplies, including
soap and a copper pan scrubber in a French
cheese mold and a eucalyptus sprig in a
vintage bottle. Completing the space are
vintage French breadboards, a linen tea towel
and a café au lait bowl with a rosemary plant.

“"Iadd elements from nature to round out
my Christmas décor:

fresh greens (juniper and eucalyptus are my
favorites), dried rose hips,

rosemary and pinecones.”

Advent stockings: Little stockings (24 of them!) hang on a vintage painter’s ladder as a unique Advent
calendar for the kids. The stockings were made from an assortment of vintage French linens.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

59

HOLIDAY décor | 2023
60

French café
style. Tracey collects
and sells vintage
French ironstone café
au lait bowls. They are
fun to decorate with
and useful to have
around the kitchen.
This is a product
shot with Christmas
oranges and a redstriped grain sack
table runner.

bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Tracey turned their
house into a home by displaying her travel
treasures. “My favorite hobby is traveling to
France and shopping the flea markets there,”
she says. “I am passionate about French
antiques, and I am always inspired by the
items I see at the flea markets in France. I love
incorporating those French flea-market finds
into my décor.”
If you enjoy decorating for Christmas, why
not extend the fun by starting sooner rather
than later? “I have always loved decorating for
Christmas and typically start early,” Tracey
says. “Since I have to photograph my Christmas
collection for my online shop, I usually start
decorating this space as early as mid-October,
and I add in fresh greens as they become
available around Thanksgiving.”

TURNING THE TABLES
Tracey finds ways to make sure her kitchen
can accommodate small or large Christmas
gatherings. “If I am going to have a sit-down
dinner party, then I have my grandmother’s
table that I use in this space; it seats 12 guests
comfortably when extended. Otherwise, I stick
to the farm table so there is plenty of space for
people to mingle.”
When it’s time to set the kitchen table for
guests, Tracey takes a minimal approach to her
vintage décor theme. “I usually keep my dinner
tablescape simple: a vintage striped grainsack table runner, candles or a strand of fairy
lights and some sort of fresh greenery, either
bought or from the garden,” she says. “When
I have a more casual get-together and use the
farm table, I like to pot and display herbs in

Snowboarding skills. Tracey often
photographs products for her online shop at a
local barn at Christmastime. Some of her favorite
kitchen items to have on hand appear in this photo:
a vintage French breadboard covered with snow,
a cheese mold holding cranberries and a vintage
French creamer.

various vintage containers from my ironstone collection,
which includes cheese molds, café au lait bowls and French
confiture or jam jars.”
As for the tableware, Tracey brings out her cherished
heirloom pieces and elements from her personal collection.
“My favorite glasses to use for a Christmas party are the
vintage pink champagne glasses that have been passed down
to my husband and me through his family,” she says. “They

are fun and festive to use. My go-to cocktail during the
holidays is French champagne with a few pomegranate seeds
floating in the glass. In the evening, I use strands of fairy
string lights to decorate the cocktail-station area, as they
add a very pretty effect. I love using colored glass bottles of
all kinds to add a pop of color to a room. I especially love
old French seltzer bottles and vintage French canning jars.
The green- and aqua-colored canning jars are particularly

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pretty at Christmastime, displayed en
masse. I pair the bottles with some of my
vintage ironstone collection, along with
fresh greens and dried rose hips for a pretty
mix. Repurposed dishes like vintage French
cheese molds and creamers also hold dried
rose hips.”
CHRISTMAS COLORS
Tracey decorates her holiday kitchen
in red, green and vintage. “I still love to
use the traditional color scheme of red
and green at Christmastime, but with
an emphasis on vintage items,” she says.
“Except for the plaid throws that I like
to add to the back of my bistro chairs, all
of my linens in the kitchen are vintage.
The stockings that are hanging on my old
ladder are made from vintage French fabric
and serve as our Advent calendar—there
are 24 of them. I put small treats in each
one for the kids to enjoy each day when
they come home from school as we count
down to Christmas. Then I add elements
from nature to round out my Christmas
décor: fresh greens (juniper and eucalyptus
are favorites), dried rose hips, rosemary
and pinecones.”
Soft colors in the room create a calm
ambience during the hustle and bustle of
the season. “The holidays can be a very
hectic time, so the soothing base palette in
the room of whites and pale gray help to
balance things,” Tracey says.
FROM COCKTAILS TO COCOA
“My go-to cocktail during the holidays is
French champagne with a few pomegranate
seeds floating in the glass,” Tracey says.
“I pair it with a selection of wines while
keeping the food selection fairly simple.
I follow the French apero style, focusing
on finger foods served on wooden bread
boards: crudités, marinated olives, spiced
nuts, prosciutto, sliced baguettes and
a selection of the best cheese—always
cheese!” Tracey also provides homemade

hot cocoa served in a vintage French cafe au lait
bowl as a nonalcoholic alternative.
Tracey feels the comfort and joy of the season
as she enjoys spending time in her vintage
French kitchen. “I love the extra pops of color
that are part of my Christmas décor, especially
in the kitchen, but I feel the space still has a
calming and soothing aspect to it,” she says. “I
am typically somewhat of a minimalist, sticking
to a more subdued palette of shades of white,
natural linen and pale gray, but at Christmas it
really comes alive with a festive feel, thanks to
the added red and green.”

To learn more about Tracey, visit @frenchlarkspur on Instagram and frenchlarkspur.com.

Christmas cocktail.
French champagne is
served in heirloom pink
Depression glasses on a
repurposed zinc seedling
tray lined with French linen.
Fairy lights and sprigs of
juniper add a festive touch.

Creative covering. Tracey’s eye for
creative design turned a vintage French
tea towel into a fabric covering to hide
storage. Also shown: a vintage French
tureen and cheese board that Tracey
painted gray to give it new life as a design
element, her collection of vintage French
bottles in varying shades of aqua green
and part of her ironstone dish collection.

Practical bag. “I
love to collect French
market baskets of all
kinds,” Tracey says.
“They are so useful for
many things: organizing
items around the
house, shopping,
decorating and even
gathering elements in
nature.” Her daughter
Halena’s basket holds
fresh evergreens and
winterberry sprigs.

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63

Like the Ones
I Used to Know
WITH VINTAGE SANTAS AND MODEL
TRUCKS, THIS CHEERFUL CHICAGO
HOME PUTS A FRESH SPIN ON THE
CHRISTMAS OF YOUR CHILDHOOD.
WRITTEN BY

Stephanie Agnes-Crockett
Bradley

PHOTOGRAPHED BY Christopher

W

hether you’re stringing
up Santas or polishing
off your 1950s
Christmas coasters,
the holiday season is the perfect time to get
creative with your flea market décor. Homeowner
Jennifer (Jen) Rippinger, who sells vintage
treasures at Antiques of Winfield, struts her
seasonal style at home and at the booth. “No other
time of year makes me this happy decorating,” she
says. “I love it.”

Santa is here to stay!

After having the first Santa for
two years, Jen “screamed when
[she] found the other one.” These
Styrofoam St. Nicks really do “see
you when you’re sleeping…”

PRETTY PALETTE
When it comes to styling your collectibles
for Christmas, as at other times of the year,

Globe-trotting Santa Claus presides over Jen’s “well-rounded” collection.
Jen, who has been collecting the orbs for 15 years, has about 45 globes, total.
Alongside the colorful globes, the vintage wooden skis bring a mixture of

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adventure and nostalgia to the cheery living room.

Poised beneath Santa’s head, the vintage Coca-Cola crate conjures up images of Christmastime soda
commercials, which have been featuring jolly old St. Nicholas since the 1920s. Along the opposite wall, three more
Santas peer out from the bookcase, creating a distinct (and merry) motif.

coordination is a must. But that doesn’t mean you have
to stick with traditional Christmas colors. While Jen’s
living room, with its green-checked couch and matching
evergreen stools, has earned the year-round title of
“Christmas room,” her kitchen palette features lots of aqua
blues, even during the holidays.
“In the last couple years, I’ve been doing more of the
greens and aquas,” Jen says. “Those are two of my favorite
colors that I instantly jump to.” With the help of some
handcrafted snowballs and miniature blue reindeer, Jen
captures a flurry of holiday spirit. Tiny green bottlebrush
trees and a cheery cocoa tin add to the winter wonderland,
while keeping within the color scheme. Jen’s delightfully
frosty kitchen proves that, with careful crafting, your

favorite accent color can become the basis for a vintage
Christmas display.

NOSTALGIC NOEL
From Santas to signs, Jen’s Christmas collections bring
festive flair to her home. While keeping her tree fairly
simple, Jen incorporates vintage Shiny Brite ornaments
and their boxes throughout her displays. In the “Christmas
room,” she loads up an old Coca-Cola crate with the
colorful baubles and displays the cardboard containers in
the bookcase. In the kitchen, she arranges tarnished aqua,
silver and gold globes on various cake plates. One year, Jen
filled up a big bowl with the baubles. “My husband asked,
‘Can we get these on a tree?’” she recalls.

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67

Functional and
nostalgic, vintage
chapter books are
perfectly at home in
the Christmas-themed
bookcase. The children’s
books, in addition to
brightening up the shelves,
are also quick and
entertaining reads. “Every
night, my husband will
grab one and read it in like
two hours,” Jen says.

[ Iip ]

Vintage
marquis
letters make
a “big impact”
throughout the
home. Jen tops her
display cabinet
with the number 25
in anticipation of
Christmas Day and
fills the shelves with
Shiny Brites
and pottery.

Jen also gathers glimmery Cody Foster houses,
charming miniature reindeer, beaming Santas and
festive signs. Her most prized Christmas treasure,
however, is a quirky snowman tea set. “My
favorite purchase is the vintage snowman mugs,”
Jen explains. “I bought that set to resell.” But,
as often happens with Jen’s favorite purchases,
she changed her mind once she saw it in her
house. “Reality came as I put it on my shelf,” Jen

says. “Hello? Snowman? Green?” She knew this
collection belonged on her shelf.
On top of the Christmas decorations, Jen has
multiple other sets that really add to her holiday
displays. She has more than two dozen vintage
scales, which contribute the perfect amount
of Christmas nostalgia to her arrangements.
Likewise, she collects vintage children’s books,
such as “Nancy Drew” and “The Hardy Boys,”

“I try not to be too ‘matchy-matchy’
with the colors.”

Add warmth
to your dining
room with a wool
“tablecloth.” Jen oriented
her space around
the unconventional
covering, crafting a
Christmas theme with
blues, greens and whites.
“That blanket was what
set it all off,” Jen says.

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71

Shabby Chic
style meets
Christmas décor in this
charming corner. Jen
coordinates a 1920s
filing cabinet with the
minty- green knobs on
the buffet and combines
the sparkly blue Cody
Foster house with
glimmery Christmas trees
and aqua reindeer.

CLASH WITH
PANACHE

At some point in your life, you’ve probably heard that you should
never combine stripes and polka dots. And while this may be true
when you’re getting dressed for your Christmas formal, interior
design is one exception to the rule. Read on to learn how to
(tastefully) combine multiple colors and patterns to turn this fashion
“no-no” into a decorating “Yes, please!”
1. Color Coordinate. When combining multiple patterns, consider
pairing two items of the same color. For Christmas, try experimenting
with different prints in the red family. Jen mixes an everyday floralprint with a buffalo-checked blanket in her daughter’s room,
creating a fresh holiday design.
2. Complementary Cohesion. You can also mix and match
different colored pieces with each other, provided that the shades
work well together. In the kitchen, Jen integrates aqua polka dots
alongside forest green plaid.
3. Scale by Size. When working with patterns in different colors,
Jen recommends “mixing up the scale with the sizes,” which means
pairing a bold and eclectic pattern with a more structured design.
4. Double Up. Alternately, if you have a favorite style, you can
repeat the same pattern but with different colors. Jen places her
green-dotted glass alongside her collection of teal polka-dot plates.
This maintains visual continuity while changing up the colors.

which “make a nice backbone for a bookshelf.” And her collection
of model trucks, which makes a statement regardless of the season,
definitely lends hominess to the setup. It’s easy to imagine that, just
last Christmas, these were still sitting under the tree. Plus, they happen
to be some of Jen’s favorite collectibles. “I’m a 50-something year-old
woman with 12-year-old boy toys from the ’80s,” she jokes.

COLLECTION CYCLE
While Jen usually buys items to sell them at her booth, she often
falls in love with her purchases and integrates them into her home
décor. Even so, Jen is surprisingly conservative with her acquisitions.
“If I don’t have a definite spot [for something], it goes to my booth,”
Jen says. “I don’t hold onto things.” She also strives to maintain a “one
in, one out,” ratio, meaning that every time she brings something
“new” home, she has to select one piece from home and sell it at her
booth. “I don’t like too much in my house,” Jen explains.
Most of the time, new additions take up only a temporary
residence in her home. “I buy like crazy,” Jen says. “I enjoy having
something for a while, then selling it and letting others enjoy it.” So
when it comes to gathering up Christmas collectibles, Jen’s vintage
treasures truly are “the gift that keeps on giving.”
To learn more about Jen, visit @jensfreshvintage on Instagram.

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Original to the
home, Jen’s wallpaper has
been in and out of favor over
the years. “It’s gone through
phases,” Jen admits. “I’m back
to loving it.” She pairs the
traditional toile pattern with
a matching blue wreath. To
the left, the vintage nursery
sign contributes warmth and
nostalgia to the entryway.

Decked
out with
snowflakes,
wreaths and
snowballs, the crisp
white furniture and
wall become part
of Jen’s delightful
winter wonderland.
Appropriately
enough, Mr.
Emmett, the
beloved family
corgi who now
rests at “the
rainbow bridge,”
used to love to chill
in the entryway.

Did you spot
Jen’s green
snowman tea
set here?

Floral prints and buffalo checks mix and
mingle in a surprisingly festive medley, thanks to
the use of red. Blue also functions as a Christmas
color here, flanking the bureau in the form of
holiday tins and a shiny tree.

SIGNS
OF THE
SEASON
When decorating for holidays,
placards make excellent
statement pieces. Jen, who
loves styling with signs,
offers her expert advice on
shopping for signs.

FIRST THINGS FIRST. Vintage signs are really popular right now, so you should prioritize them
in your flea market search. “I usually run around like crazy looking for that big or medium
sign,” Jen says.
GO BIG OR GO HOME! “I prefer the big impact piece,” Jen says. “I’m not a huge gallerywall person, so I’d rather have one big sign.” This approach is also a major timesaver,
since it can take years of collecting tiny items to create a single, cohesive display.
EXAMINE IT LIKE AN EXPERT. If you’re after a vintage sign, take a good look at the back.
While rust can be faked (Jen says there are a lot of reproductions these days), the rivets
and hangers are a much better indicator of age. On the other hand, if you don’t want to
spend a lot of money, there’s nothing wrong with saving on a reproduction.
READ IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT. While it makes sense to choose signs based on their
appearances, you may want to read the wording first to make sure that you want
to display what you’re planning to buy. Jen tells a funny story about the summer she
purchased a patriotic sign. It wasn’t until she got home and showed her husband that she
realized she’d picked up an old campaign placard for the mayor of her town.

Classy and elegant, vintage cake plates become miniature display cases.
Jen, who collects simple platters for her home and sells more ornate ones, creates a
tiny wooded wonderland with frosted bottlebrush trees. In the background, Jen lines
her shelves with an adorable assortment of cups and curios.

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78

CREATING YOUR
DESIGNER COURTNEY WARREN’S NEW BOOK IS A
GUIDE TO MAKING YOUR HOUSE FEEL LIKE HOME.
WRITTEN BY Morgan Anderson

I

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Courtney Warren

new book by designer Courtney Warren is an
in-depth look at interior design in a meaningful,
relatable and attainable way for homeowners.
The Story of Your Home explores the title
concept in a way that will have you looking around the room and
thinking to yourself, “What is the story of my home?” The author offers
design advice without suggesting that there is one right answer. She
emphasizes the need for each designer (that means you!) to find the
story of their home and make décor choices that help to tell it.

The Story of Your Home tackles each type of
room you may have in your home and ends with
the merriest decorating season: Christmas. But
before we get to that jolly chapter, let’s see what
Warren has to tell us about belonging, building,
recharging, playing and celebrating.
The living room is a place of belonging. It is
the room that immediately lays your worries to
rest because you know you are home. Your living
room should make your guests feel comfortable
as well. Warren highlights the importance of
finding a balance between museum-level décor
and circus-like chaos.
In each chapter, Warren includes “Action
Steps” to help you put her advice into practice.
This feature makes it clear that it takes equal
parts practicality and sentimentality to find the
story of your home. Complete with before-andafter photos, the Action Steps pull Warren’s own
stories into generalized steps that will help you
find the right design for your space.
The kitchen is all about building—building
meals, traditions, relationships and memories.
As you think back on treasured moments with
your loved ones, how many happened in or
around the kitchen?
The kitchen needs to flow, both for practical
cooking reasons and for ease of conversation.
The bedrooms of a home are all about
recharging and, for kids, playing. “The spaces
we inhabit greatly influence how we feel about
ourselves,” Warren believes. This is why she
feels the bedroom design should garner just as
much attention as the larger living spaces. Just
like the living room and kitchen, a comfortable
place to sit and relax is a great addition to
the bedroom. Pair that with a soft throw and
decadent candle and you have yourself a serene
oasis in your own home.
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80

Most importantly, Warren urges you to celebrate. “I could
continue to divulge all the design tips I know, but without this
chapter, the most beautifully appointed home could still feel
cold and sterile,” she says of the celebration chapter. Celebrate
the little wins. Treat your guests like family. Make new
traditions. Give compliments. Create your own holiday. Reward
yourself. Celebration is a necessary part of a happy life, yet it
can often be overlooked. Warren invites you to find new ways to
celebrate every day.
What better season to practice the art of celebration than
Christmas? First and foremost, Warren squashes the Christmas
colors debate once and for all—decorate with whatever colors
make you happy! The holiday season is a special free pass for
decorating in a way that might not match the rest of your home.
It’s an out-of-the-ordinary season, so why should the decorations
be anything but extraordinary? Likewise, the decorating process
should be special. As Courtney says, “The most effective way to tell
the story of your family through your holiday decor is to include
them in it.” When everyone is involved in the decorating process,
it starts the Christmas season off with tradition and invites even
more family connection throughout.
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest décor trends when
designing your holiday home. Warren encourages you to trust the
classics: ornaments, garland, ribbon, small trees and wreaths are

all you need to make a room feel like a Christmas dream. Again, even the simplest part of
the season breeds tradition and connection. Have a special piece of décor for each member
of your household. They’ll feel loved and appreciated each time they see that ornament on
the tree or the wreath decked out with pictures of them. To make the season even more
magical, include Christmas decorations in every room of the house. A small tree in each
kid’s room gives them an opportunity to display their interests and enjoy the season 24/7.
When you decorate with the story of your home in mind, you will find the task becomes
lighter. You can explore what your family and friends mean to you, plan layouts around fun
times to be had and cover your walls with treasured memories without losing the cohesion
of a put-together home. Warren reminds you that a house is not a home without a story,
and the story of your home comes from you. “You are the magic unicorn. You are the
superpower. You are the extra guac. You. Yes, you.”

The Story of Your Home: A Room-by-Room Guide
to Designing with Purpose and Personality by
Courtney Warren, published by Revell, August 2023;
bakerpublishinggroup.com.

Courtney Warren is an author and interior designer in Dallas, Texas. Her design blog and interior design services provide tips and tricks
for creating a beautiful home that represents you. She has been featured in print many times and consults on Fox 4 News’ Good Day
Program in Dallas. Learn more about her at courtneywarren.com.

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A

CHRISTMAS
A DESIGNER SHOWS THAT WITH HER
SCANDINAVIAN FARMHOUSE-INSPIRED
HOME YOU DON’T NEED SNOW TO
HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS.
WRITTEN BY

Autumn Krause
Ryan Kelly

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

Simple and sweet sentimentality guides Carleen Gorr’s

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styling. “I like items that have a story,” she says. “The old windows
and doors in the living room came from nearby farmhouses, the
chairs belonged to my grandmas and the cabinet with the chicken
wire is also a family heirloom.” Every time she is in the space, she’s
surrounded by good memories and old stories.

W

ith the
joyous
season of
Christmas
also comes the bustle of holiday
shopping and prepping, so simple
designs are a beautiful way of finding
calm and centering the heart.
Homeowner Carleen Gorr does this
with her bungalow-style home, which
is located near Alberta, Canada.
Carleen’s journey with interior
design has had a variety of chapters.
She’s honed her style over the years
with visual merchandising for her spa,
taking an online course and running
a vintage market. All these aspects of
her story have led her to connect with

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83

“I

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Charlie

fill our vintage buckets with
Brown trees, both real and faux.”

her style and express herself in her home, particularly
during Christmas. “I love Scandinavian farmhouse
style,” she says. “For the holidays, I go for a minimalistic
Swedish-meets-Danish style but with lots of coziness
because of our long and cold winters.” Raw wood, white
paint and dark greenery fill her home, and while they
appear simple, her beautifully styled designs are full
of details.

SERENE LIVING
Carleen sees her basic bungalow home as a blank
canvas—and that’s just the way she likes it. “I focused
on timelessness and simplicity when choosing the
finishes for our house, along with an open floor plan,”
she says. It’s the perfect backdrop for her whitewashed
aesthetic and allows her designs to both breathe and
shine. Her pursuit of “everything white, calm, simple and

The Christmas tree
stands in a place of honor
in the living room, where
natural light from the
ample windows makes
it sparkle. “It’s one of two
large trees in our home
during the holidays,”
Carleen says. “It was a
natural and easy way
to bring some metallic
glimmer to the neutral
living room.”

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85

Dark greens pop
against the neutral
dining room and kitchen
and bring a sense of
forestry magic to the
conjoined spaces.
“Greenery adds texture,
which goes so well with
the natural elements,”
Carleen says. She uses it
in many variations, from
a hanging installation
above her sink to small
sprigs at her place
settings to a full-size tree

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in the corner of the room.

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87

comfortable” is reflected in the living room, where light
hues, vintage finds and soft furnishings tell a gentle tale.
For the holidays, she punctuates her designs with dark
greenery and gilded touches. “I fill our vintage buckets
with Charlie Brown trees, both real and faux,” she
says. “I source them from my brother’s farm and then
supplement with more little trees from Ikea.” She leaves
the majority of the trees bare, which creates a stunning
contrast to her grand Christmas tree.

A GILDED TREE
Against the white and ivory tones of the living room,
the tree introduces gilded touches to the otherwise
matte color palette and is a triumph in styling. It
features champagne and silver bulbs, paper snowflakes
and gold stars. But when visitors get closer to it, they
see an endearing array of photos. “I decorate with
special ornaments and pictures of the boys and family

members,” Carleen says. “It’s a tradition I started when my sons
were first born.” A small village of gingerbread house gift boxes
from Home Sense are spread out beneath the tree. They add
whimsy and fun against the other packages, which are wrapped
in coordinating brown paper and bound with ivory ribbons. The
gift boxes, brown packages and paper snowflakes give a homespun
romance to the room and remind visitors that things don’t have to
be expensive to be beautiful.

Carleen’s holiday table is
artful in its restraint, yet luxurious to
the eyes. “I start with a pared-down
color palette, place mat and natural
garland,” she says. “It’s all about
having a few favorite pieces that
stand alone and shine.”

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89

DIY CANDLE
DISPLAY
Consider suspending your seasonal décor.
Carleen created a festive installation of
greenery and candles above her sink. It
doesn’t take up any space, it immediately
adds to the room and you can enjoy the
fragrance while baking Christmas cookies.
Here’s how to make your own.
1. Find a branch. Carleen foraged for a
sturdy branch that could withstand the
weight of dangling mason jars. “It’s smart to
go thicker over thinner,” she says.
2. Hang three vintage jars from the branch
and place tea lights inside each one.
Carleen says, “I use twine, but you can also
use ribbons.”
3. Add swathes of eucalyptus and berries
in-between the jars. “Hang them in bunches
from the stems. They’ll dry and last for the
entire season,” Carleen says.

There’s nothing that says Christmas more
than a retro sleigh! Carleen places hers in the
mudroom with a few of her favorite vintage finds.
The pickup-truck pillow, sleigh and miniature red van
give a sense of childhood nostalgia. They also give
Carleen ways to introduce red into her home. “I rarely
use color in my home, but during the holidays I try to
slip a little red in,” she says.

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91

Childhood
memories are the
basis for Carleen’s
guest-room aesthetic.
“I took inspiration from
the little dollhouse that
my grandpa made my
sister and me when
were little girls,” she
says. She built the room
around its clean lines
and vintage style.

“The main entrance to my home is one of my favorite spots to
style,” Carleen says. “I add lots of trees and gifts so when you walk in, you
instantly feel the magic of Christmas.” An intricate vintage bench is the
perfect place to put on shoes or leave a handbag for a visit. It’s also the
focal point for the tableau and Carleen styles everything around it.

A FOREST
OF TREES
Carleen’s crop of Christmas trees is
a simple way to add greenery to her
holiday décor. Here are her top tips
for creating your own mini forest.

1. Mix real and faux. “I combine both,” Carleen says. “The real
ones give off such a fragrant scent and the faux ones never
shed!” You get the best of both worlds.
2. Find the right vessel. “I often use vintage buckets that my
dad used on our farm to feed animals when I was a kid. It gives
a farmhouse feel,” Carleen says. Other ideas are woven baskets,
vintage crocks, wood crates and, in the case of faux trees,
wrapping the stands in burlap and securing them with twine.
3. Leave them unadorned. A bare tree harks back to nature.
Carleen decorates her main Christmas tree but leaves the rest
undecorated, aside from an occasional strand of twinkle lights.
“It’s simple and beautiful,” she says.

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Every room
needs a touch of
Christmas cheer,
and the master
bedroom is no
exception. Carleen
places a garland
and twinkle lights
over the bed and
adds in lots of
warm wood tones
for texture. When
the overhead lights
are on, it feels like
a wonderland,
and when they are
off and only the
twinkle lights glow,
it feels even more
enchanting.

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Little faux trees

NATURAL ELEMENTS

ABOVE, LEFT •

The dining room and kitchen are one space. Overall, Carleen keeps the home
more basic in anticipation of her style changing over the years. But in this area,
she committed to her Scandinavian farmhouse look and accented the walls with
shiplap. She declares, “I’ll never tire of it!” She enhances the room with natural
elements like trees and firewood and, of course, lots of greenery. “We bring in
the firewood as soon as the temperatures begin to cool,” she says. “For my dining
room tree, I decorate it with only a string of lights to maintain the simple and
clean look I crave.” Carleen uses wooden spoons and a watering can daily in her
kitchen and integrates them into her design as well, saying, “There’s nothing better
than decorating with items I use all the time.” It’s an approach that integrates into
Carleen’s minimalistic aesthetic and shows how clean design is a lifestyle, not
just an aesthetic. The space is a calming backdrop for such bustling traditions as
decorating gingerbread houses with Carleen’s sons and her many nephews!
Carleen’s home is peaceful and cozy in the midst of an often-chaotic season. Just
stepping inside of it is a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the quiet joy
of Christmas.

are the cornerstone of Carleen’s
Christmas décor—and also the
starting point for her designs. “My
mini trees are from Ikea, and I
purchased them many years ago,”
she says. “They are the first items I
bring out each year and the last to
get put away.”

Homeowner
Carleen Gorr snuggles with one

ABOVE, RIGHT •

of her farm goats.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

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98
Jessica and Sam’s house was part of a “Preservation Idaho Heritage Home
Tour” in 2017. A few days after the tour, a woman knocked at the Luques’
door to give them the Drexel surfboard coffee tabletop that’s now sitting
next to the pink tree. “[She] handed me the top, saying, ‘This belongs in your
home.’ It didn’t have the original base, so we improvised, although we would
love to eventually source the original base,” Jessica notes.

Lindsay Jarvis
Allison Corona
STYLED BY Jessica Luque

WRITTEN BY
PHOTOGRAPHED BY

AND

I

BRIGHT

UNIQUE ORIGINAL FEATURES AND A MIX OF
VINTAGE AND NEW DÉCOR MAKE THIS 1958 HOME
SPARKLE FOR THE HOLIDAYS—AND BEYOND.
t’s a wonderful life in this 1958 home, situated in the
Randolph-Robertson subdivision of Boise, Idaho.
The neighborhood was created during the post-World War
II/Korean War “boom” and was named after the men who
developed the area: W. Orth Randolph and the Robertson brothers.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023
100
ABOVE, LEFT • The vintage door was painted orange and is adorned here with a holiday wreath to greet visitors. Jessica and

Sam sourced locally quarried Oakley flagstone for the entryway flooring; it’s a stone commonly used in other mid-century
homes in the area. “It’s not perfect, but most people think it was originally here, so I guess we did okay,” Jessica says.
ABOVE, RIGHT • “The tinsel silver tree isn’t vintage, but we have had it for years, and it was my first attempt to get the coveted

‘aluminum tree’ look,” Jessica shares. The chair was an estate sale find, and Jessica made the pillow out of vintage 1970s fabric.

After walking through this mid-century gem in 2012, Jessica
Luque, interior designer and owner of Stussi Luque Design, along
with her husband, Sam, knew it would be their “forever home.”
“We immediately fell in love with all the original features
throughout the home; and, because I’m an interior designer,
I had a vision for what we could keep and what we could
improve,” says Jessica.
Filling the home wasn’t an issue for Jessica and Sam, who
had been collecting mid-century furniture and décor for years
before buying the house.
“We never had a huge budget or super-fancy, famous pieces,
but we did collect affordable pieces we loved,” Jessica says. “We
spent a lot of time shopping at thrift stores and estates—that

is, when you could still find mid-century treasures no one else
wanted. Our friends joke that we finally bought the house to fit
our collection of mid-century décor!”

A LOVING HISTORY
The home was built by Al Smart, along with the original (and
only previous) homeowner, Bill Stith. Bill and his wife, Roberta,
lived in the home with their three children until they passed
away. Many unique, original features shine on in the home,
including the kitchen, dining room banquette bar, living room
cabinetry and sandstone fireplace.
“All our surrounding neighbors knew the family well and
have shared stories with us about the Stiths,” Jessica says.

When Jessica’s collection of
vintage Pyrex and serving
dishes aren’t being used
for a holiday party, they’re
showcased in the dining room
hutch—original to the home
and still boasting its copper
“boomerang” hardware.
A mid-century candlestick
holder makes a cheerful
centerpiece for the vintage
dining table and Eames shell
chairs (all from Boise Vintage).

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101

Everyone in the family gets one of Jessica’s
handmade stockings. The embellished crochet
stars and pastel felt colors add a bit of retro style.
The sandstone fireplace is original to the home, as is
the checkerboard mahogany wall paneling, built-in
brass clock and directional copper can lights. The
Plycraft side chair was a Boise Vintage find and is
Sam’s favorite place to sit.

When the holidays roll around, Jessica and Sam
love to pull out their vintage ornaments and décor,
sourced from antique shops, yard sales, and friends
and family (including a whole set of pink glass
globe ornaments from Sam’s grandmother that he
inherited after she passed away). In addition to
having a real tree each year, “the pink-and-silver
tinsel tree, as well as the aluminum trees, always
come out. They feel very fitting to the 1950s vibe of
the home,” Jessica notes.
To keep the cheer going throughout the season,
the Luque family loves to listen to records while
cozying up by the fire or decorating their trees.
Jessica keeps her collection of vintage Pyrex, along
with serving trays and bakeware, in the original
dining room hutch. She loves to use these for all to
enjoy during Christmas parties at the home.

102

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

ROCKIN’ AROUND THE TINSEL TREE

Jessica has been collecting bottle-brush trees for years, and they are displayed here as part of a Norwegian village holiday
scene. The fireplace, built-in clock and wood paneling are all original to the home.

A vintage aluminum tree is adorned with a mix
of vintage and new ornaments. Sam painted the
mural—with inspiration from @Banyanbridges
(Rachael Jackson) and using colors to complement
the 1970s vibe of the bar. A sunken entertainment
room/bar was added in 1975. The plans for the
addition were drawn by Bill Stith, who was both the
original homeowner and builder.

To learn more about Jessica, follow her on
Instagram @stussiluquedesign.

HOW TO FIND
VINTAGE
MCM HOLIDAY
DÉCOR ITEMS
HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR SOURCING VINTAGE
SEASONAL TREASURES:
• Whenever possible, sourcing your vintage finds
locally saves on both packaging and costly
shipping, and it’s also environmentally friendly. Try
searching for nearby pieces on Craigslist or local
Facebook groups and make sure to keep checking
year-round. You never know when someone might
need to off-load a collection of vintage treasures.
• As with finding any vintage pieces, consistent
hunting is key: Enjoy the search—and search often!
Visit your favorite antiques malls, swap meets, flea
markets, etc., right after the holidays to catch sales.
• Are you looking for something specific? Try
searching on Etsy or eBay, but be sure to thoroughly
read the description, shipping information and seller
reviews before purchasing. Don’t be afraid to ask the
seller questions.
• Think outside the Christmas “box” and remember
that certain colors can read “holiday” if styled
correctly. Greens, reds, golds, whites and silver hues
already in your home can be a part of the holiday
display.

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103

Look closely
and you'll see
rose-gold hues and
tiny pink details—
one of Susan
Daggett’s favorite
accent colors—
in the tabletop
accessories. The
dining table was a
refurbished barn
table, while an old
wooden church pew
and farmhousestyle chairs create
an eclectic seating
arrangement. The
wall of vintage
mirrors was inspired
by Susan’s frequent
visits to antiques
shops.

WONDERLAND

ENTER A FAIRY-TALE LAND OF
CHRISTMAS STYLE.
Margie Monin Dombrowski
Sara O’Brien
STYLED BY Susan Daggett

WRITTEN BY

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

105

HOLIDAY décor | 2023
106

P

eople dream of creating a winter wonderland inside
their home at Christmastime. And year after year,
Susan Daggett, owner of Kindred Vintage Co., dives
into her holiday decorating right after Thanksgiving
and creates a charming scene that you would imagine belongs in a Christmas
storybook.
The 1926 vintage brick bungalow that she and her husband completely renovated
is located in the Chicagoland area of Illinois. It gets decorated from top to bottom in
garlands, baubles and flocked Christmas trees in several rooms. “We decorate every
little nook and cranny here when it comes to Christmas,” Susan says. “I try to make
it as whimsical as possible.” Here, she explains how she does it.

“We
decorate
every little
nook and
cranny
here when
it comes to
Christmas,”
Susan says. “I
try to make it
as whimsical
as possible.”

DREA MY DÉCOR
Putting a personal spin on her Christmas décor, Susan varies her color palette
and theme every year, adding in textures and sweet details that give her farmhouse
style a magical touch.
“I wanted to bring in pops of color that aren’t traditional Christmas colors—like
hot pink and teal—and blend them with traditional Christmas décor,” Susan says. “I
brought in flocked trees, furs, textures and pops of color that give it a different look.
I love mixing vintage with new things.”
Crystal chandeliers adorn each room for a little glamour. A wall of vintage
mirrors in the dining room is an eye-catching focal point that people notice when
they visit. Her fireplace mantel couldn’t hold stockings using traditional hangers, so
she came up with a better solution. “I found driftwood in the lake, and we ended up
bolting that to the mantel to hang the stockings,” she says. Of course, she strung up
an eclectic mix of faux-fur and cable-knit stockings and embellished them with a
colorful felt garland and feathers for a quirky touch.

A fairy taleinspired wallpaper design

OPPOSITE •

adds whimsy to the playroom.
The family reads a Christmas
storybook each night in the days
leading up to the holiday.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

107

A beautiful piece
of driftwood made it
possible to hang Christmas
stockings from the mantel.

J UST ADD MAGIC
Floral wallpaper patterns cover many of the walls, and at Christmastime they take
on a different personality, lending whimsy to the entire scene. In her two daughters’
playroom, for example, the woodland-themed wallpaper design feels right at home
with the kid-friendly Christmas tree festooned with old-fashioned ball ornaments
and a vintage toy car beside it. During the holidays, Susan says, “that tree is lit up the
entire time.”
Family traditions are important to Susan’s family, as she and her husband wrap 25
books as gifts for their daughters each year, and they unwrap and read them together,
one by one each night, as they count down to Christmas.
Making their home feel magical this time of year is something Susan hopes to instill
in her daughters as she reflects on memories of her own mother putting her in charge
of decorating various trees throughout her childhood home. “I think that’s something
I got from my mom,” Susan says, “so it’s always stuck with me.”

For more on Susan, visit kindredvintageco.com.

YO
U

I wish to
be an artist

D
DE

R

PPORT NE
SU
E

Ana, 10

U

Ana’s fight against a critical illness is not only physically
exhausting — it is emotionally traumatic. A spark of
hope can ignite a world of possibilities for Ana. With
hope, she can find light in the darkness of her current
circumstances. Feelings of trauma are replaced with
visions of a brighter future. Hope is found in a wish —
and you have the power to create it for children like Ana.

D O N AT E N OW AT W I S H .O R G

SU

ED

ED

YO

R

autoimmune
disorder

PPORT N

E

110

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

PASTEL BAUBLES
WITH SUMPTUOUS,
JEWELED DÉCOR
MAKE FOR A
MAGICAL ENGLISH
CHRISTMAS.

et in the quaint town of
Norwich, U.K., is a charming
red-brick cottage carefully
restored by photographer, stylist, content creator
and blogger Tamsyn Morgans. A single mom (of
Lola and Finlay), Tamsyn began her blog in 2013
and very quickly turned it into a place where
readers could be inspired. “I share my journey of
moving into my house that needed a lot of love
(with not a lot of cash) and how it has evolved
into a beautiful, eclectic home using reclaimed
and vintage pieces thrifted from car boot fairs and
auctions,” Tamsyn says.
Tamsyn is not just a photographer; she is a
storyteller too, conveying emotions and narratives
through her creative lens. Her storytelling has
earned her the Best Use of Photography award at
the Amara Interior Blog awards in 2018 and she
creates content for brands and magazines
such as Anthropologie, Annie Sloan, Eve Sleep,
Homesense, Mollie Makes and Reclaim magazine.

Light and Bright. The living room is light, bright and airy with a
beautiful high ceiling, an antique chandelier, large statement pieces of
furniture and a whitewashed floor for a Scandinavian feel.

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

111

Perfect Patina. Tamsyn loves nothing more than
browsing antiques fairs to add history and patina to her
home. Here, she’s assembled a vintage iron daybed
with vintage pillows and elderberry quilts, a French-style
chair, old pastel ornaments and even a Christmas tree

112

HOLIDAY décor | 2023

anchored in a European galvanized planter.

Tamsyn’s lovely abode is just as impressive: the quintessential
English cottage is brimming with Christmas charm. “I think
my festive style is very magical, lots of fairy lights and elements
of nature, with vintage items repurposed to use as decorations,”
Tamsyn says. “I am also a big collector of vintage glass
ornaments in faded pastel colors, so I use those everywhere: in
vintage bowls, hanging on twigs or from ribbon over a mirror
and, of course, on the tree.”
Tamsyn delights in mostly pastel colors throughout her home,
except for the dining room, where richer, more jewel tones are
displayed. “The dining room is at the back of the house and,
therefore, is a bit darker with more of a country cottage vibe,"
she explains. "It still has the original cast-iron range cooker,
which no longer works; however, I decided to repurpose the
inside by filling it with antique books. It is quite magical at
Christmastime, surrounded by fairy lights and jeweled tones.”
She believes photography plays an important role in telling
a story. Photographs connect us and provide a timeless link to
share with our children and for generations to come. And for
Tamsyn, a little extra prettiness from time to time captures the
beauty of the moment as it is right now.

For more on Tamsyn Morgans, visit her website, tamsynmorgans.com, and @tamsynmorgans on Instagram.

Twiggy How To. The twig ornaments tree Tamsyn
constructed from simple branches is brimming with character.
Here’s how she did it.
1. Gather sticks from your yard or a park, or you could use
bamboo garden canes. Use a hacksaw to cut them into
pieces that form a Christmas tree shape.
2. Plan out your Christmas tree by laying it out on the floor. Use
wire or string to fasten the pieces of the tree’s frame together.
3. Add fairy lights and ornamental bulbs.

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113

Be Our Guest
WRITTEN BY Kelly McMaster
PHOTOGRAPHED BY Bret Gum

in the

STYLED BY Claudia Reese

Mudroom

A STYLIST SHARES
HER TIPS ON
BRINGING FESTIVE
CHARM TO AN
OTHERWISE
FORGOTTEN ZONE.

T

ake your mudroom
from mediocre to merry with
some easy styling tips from
Claudia Reese (@ciaofabiana on
Instagram).
Homeowners Anne and
Frank Ventura of Newport
Beach, California, wanted to
continue the plaid theme of their
holiday home into their back
entrance, without taking away the
practicality this area needs.
Claudia shopped the Venturas’
home to add California winter
necessities to the coat hooks, like
a French market basket, a cheery
red hat and a favorite tartan
scarf. The shelf above displays
a bottlebrush tree with a cute
pair of reindeer nestled on each
side. Evergreen boughs on the
same shelf soften the corner of
the mudroom and jingle bells on
the doorknob are always a nice
reminder of the season.
“But the best accessory of all
might be Bodie the goldendoodle,
waiting for a holiday treat,”
Claudia says with a smile.