Text by Bethany Adams
It’s time to deck the halls with festive farmhouse charm! Our Country Cottage Christmas issue is on newsstands now, and to celebrate, we’re sharing a few of our favorite style insights from the bloggers and Instagram personalities whose homes fill the pages with magic holiday moments. From collected treasures on display to festive DIYs, check out these ideas before you grab your copy and delve into some of the season’s most enchanting spaces.
Karen Reynolds – @therustedroost
These veteran remodelers and Ohio transplants made an Alabama farmhouse all their own—and at Christmas, it’s filled to overflowing with vintage Christmas charm. Karen displays her favorite collections in festive ways, like timeworn rolling pins tucked into kitchen crocks with sprigs of greenery and holiday accents.
“I like a found, country, vintage look with my Christmas décor just like the rest of my house all year long. It has a great flow and a relaxed, comfy, cozy feeling.”
—Karen Reynolds
Margy Richter – @theoldhouseonmain
Christmas is Margy Richter’s favorite holiday, and it shows in every inch of her 1890 Utah cottage—both inside and out. For a fun porch display, she and her husband transformed vintage doors into a pair of white Christmas trees topped off with greenery and splashes of red.
“I try to change my decorations every single year. I might use the same things, but I change where I put them and how I use them.”
—Margy Richter
Ashley McAlpin – @joyhouseinteriors
A renovated historic farmhouse is the perfect backdrop for nostalgia-inspired Christmas magic complete with cheerful red tones and abundant antiques. In the dining room, Ashley added Old-World glam with a garland-draped mantel and a flurry of sparkling snowflakes hung from the chandelier.
“I love garland, and I put it anywhere I can . . . I think it just makes the space more welcoming and warm.”
—Ashley McAlpin
Destanee Franks – @southernlifestyled
Despite being newly built, the Franks family’s home is full of history, and the décor shows off Destanee’s knack for blending distinct styles. Two trees contribute their own personalities to the dining area, pairing vintage-style tinsel and mercury glass with simple silk ribbon and white lights.
“I keep our home simple and cozy. I love mixing vintage items with new and adding pieces that have a story.”
—Destanee Franks
Amy Wilson – @amywilsondesigns
Over the years, designer Amy Wilson’s décor style has gone from untouchable elegance to cozy comforts—especially at Christmas. If you’re decorating an oversize tree, take a cue from one of the 15 in Amy’s home and mix your traditional ornaments with wreaths and large-scale wooden décor pieces.
“I try to have a flow through my home. Each tree has its own unique look, but they tie together with color.”
—Amy Wilson
Amber Lyon Ferguson – Follow the Yellow Brick Home
When decorating her 100-year-old Kentucky home, Amber makes ample use of beloved antique collections and traditional holiday décor elements. Recreate the holiday topiaries she crafted with boxwood balls, dowel rods, craft berries, and red ribbons.
“I go by the William Morris philosophy: Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
—Amber Lyon Ferguson
Amy Allen – @a.little.love.designs
Starting with a front porch dressed in fresh greenery, Amy Allen fills her home with Christmas magic early in the season. In lieu of a wreath, consider adorning your front door with antique-style bells and ribbon framed with foraged garland.
“If I can use real garland, that’s what I use. Anything I can get from my yard that I can incorporate into my home décor, I try my best to do.”
—Amy Allen
Cindy Fowler – @redesignedspace
This airy Florida abode plays host to Cindy Fowler’s growing family—including eight grandchildren—meaning the Christmas season is extra special. Working with an extra-wide mantel, Cindy opted for an asymmetrical display that balances dangling garland with a grouping of embroidered stockings.
“I really feel like white walls are beautiful in a home, but if you don’t layer with textures, it just lays flat.”
—Cindy Fowler
