Text by Hannah Jones
Newly constructed yet teeming with history and charm, the home of Mindy and Steadman McPeters beckons guests inside and welcomes them with warmth—especially during the holidays. Nestled in the quiet, rural town of Hollywood, Alabama, the McPeterses’ home is a true farmhouse. “This is a style that speaks to our soul,” Mindy says. “This is what our forefathers lived, worked, and grew in. It has an image of history that will live on if we continue to embrace the heritage.” The couple kept that in mind from the conception of their home in 2015 to today. Shiplap walls, beamed ceilings, and antiques galore bring history back to life in the home.
Their Christmas décor is no exception. To fit with their design, Mindy and Steadman use many vintage decorations or antique-style pieces. “When we think of a farmhouse Christmas, vintage Christmas décor with a hint of country Christmas comes to mind,” Mindy says. And as you step inside, the dedication to this passion is evident. An antique ironing board holds a display of vintage Christmas décor, including a copper fireplace and tree vignette Steadman gave to Mindy. Beside it, an antique sled Mindy’s aunt gifted Steadman holds a large jingle bell.
In the dining room, the décor speaks to a simpler time, with a small farmhouse table flanked by six chairs. Mindy filled a rustic wooden carrier with greenery and cotton and tied a banner of sheet music around it, a recurring theme throughout the home. “Music is our life,” she says. “Growing up, Steadman and I both sang in Southern gospel groups, and my father played the drums for a group during my childhood through early adulthood. His inspiration of music drove me to love music even more.”
The kitchen is where the couple’s creativity truly shines. Their cabinetry and vent hood were all handcrafted surrounding an antique mushroom wood island with built-in shelving. Above the island, two galvanized tin light fixtures draw the eye upward. To the side of the kitchen, the couple added a breakfast nook overflowing with vintage pieces and creativity. The space is anchored by a large farmhouse table with a centerpiece of a sweet gingerbread house for the season. Along the far wall, Mindy added one of many trees throughout the home, this one featuring candy and treat memorabilia sure to fill the dreams of every child on Christmas Eve. Beside it, the couple placed a vintage mantel strung with a banner of sheet music.
Through a passageway of mistletoe-laden wood beams is Mindy’s favorite spot and the family gathering place. Upon first glance, the eye is immediately drawn to the fireplace with its mantel decked in a rustic garland and tartan stockings, but the real treasure sits across the room. The Christmas tree is swirled with ribbons of burlap and buffalo check and the ever-present sheet music banners. Mindy coordinated the ornaments and picked a variety of red, white, black, and natural wood pieces that are either antique or vintage style. Right here is where you’ll find the family throughout the holiday season. Enjoying each other’s fellowship, the couple celebrates with son Charlee by baking cookies, reading the Christmas story, and warming up beside the fire, crafting holiday memories and history every step of the way.
See more of Mindy’s farmhouse style on Instagram at @mcpetersfarmhouse, and see the full home tour in our Country Cottage Christmas issue, on newsstands now.
