Hello again friends! I’m so excited to be sharing my kitchen and dining space today as part of the Vintage Christmas Tour of Homes hosted by Amber at Follow the Yellow Brick Home!
Amber has an amazing old home full of antiques, and her styling always enhances that vintage beauty so be sure to visit her!
We are starting in the kitchen today, and it is definitely the heart of our home, especially since we combined our kitchen and dining. If you’re new, you can read more about our home and five-generation property HERE.
The kitchen is full of Victorian and Edwardian-era architectural details I have restored and installed, including the wormy chestnut bead board, wormy chestnut counters we made years ago, doors, trim and many accessories. For Christmas, I found some plaid blanket scarves on eBay I loved and used them to make curtains, a sink skirt and a couple of runners. This was the basis for all the accessories I used, and I love how it turned out.
I added lots of red checks and ticking to pull everything together in a festive Christmas color palette.
I decided to use some of the mini stockings I made for my shop to hang over the window with dried oranges. I love these, and they come in different fabrics and are super cute on a tree or garland.
I’ve had the hanging lantern several years, but it had an amber shade, so I decided to try this shade my daddy found for me on the property here that goes on an antique Coleman gas lantern, and I love it so much more than the amber one, and even though it’s not an exact fit, it certainly works.
The shelves are stair treads from the old house, and I’ve used vintage Blue Ridge Poinsettia platters, grandmother’s spaghetti angel candle holders and Commodore candy cane as well as Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles, J & G Meakin Romantic England and Mason Vista red transferware. Mother gave me the vintage Fenton Hobnail decanter and glasses as well as the Noritake Perspective glassware.
I actually found the Santa mugs at Walmart a few years ago and love how they coordinate with the red and gray in the Blue Ridge pattern.
I love to add greenery every where I can drape it, so over the platter is no exception! The garland over the cabinets is about 15 years old from Michael’s, and I love it, unfortunately they have not had any like this in years.
My vintage Mirro “I Love Lucy” percolator is a favorite find from a few years back. The cream and sugar are part of a Chinese tea set my grandmother gave me years ago.
I always hang aprons on the screen door from the old house. I installed the door here, fitted with hardware cloth and an old tablecloth, because the HVAC return is in the mud room/pantry and needs ventilation. The trim is all restored from the old house as well.
My grandmother made the two smaller aprons.
My centerpiece is simply an old board as a base that I have placed granddaddy’s yule log on with fresh greenery, pine cones, dried oranges, pomegranates, orange pomanders, etc.
I used a base of faux greenery on the light and added fresh pine and dried orange slices. I love using the ribbons and bows just to add color for the season.
The window is from the old house, and I’ve hung some vintage cards from my grandparents, and a couple I found at a thrift store. The oil lamp was my great grandfather’s, who first owned this property, and the buffet was inherited from a relative. The castor cruet set was great grandmother’s, and the basket is an antique Cherokee river cane egg basket that I treasure.
I made the portieres and restored and installed the wood trim.
If you have been here before, you will know I sold the black ladder back chairs because they were not comfortable, so I found these antique 1930-ish Bassett chairs on Marketplace. I really didn’t know they were old until I looked at the bottoms, then had to do some repair work gluing and clamping loose joints. I love them, though, and they are the right scale and comfy as well.
I made the dining table about 17 years ago and had a local craftsman make the base from a Victorian railing pattern book after daddy helped me design the basic shape of the base.
For my table, I used vintage silver trays as chargers then layered a Mikasa Italian Countryside dinner plate, J & G Meakin Romantic England plate and a Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles Christmas salad plate. The napkins were from World Market a few years ago, and the flatware is 1893 Wallace and Sons Louvre sterling. I’ve been collecting the Cristal D’Arques Durand Longchamp glassware since the 1990s.
I also added salt and pepper shakers at each setting.
We have a small house here, but it certainly is warm and cozy at Christmas, and because it is filled with things that mean something to me, it is special indeed. Of course the most important thing is having it filled with my family:-)
There is a behind the scenes video tour on my channel, so be sure to watch then subscribe for a special video we have planned for next week.
I posted my Victorian living room last week so be sure to go by and see how I’ve used some very special antique and vintage items in this room as well.
There is also a video tour of this room…
Thanks so much for stopping by! There are some amazing tours to see, but first go by and visit Debra at Common Ground next on this tour! She is a master at vintage styling, and I know you will be inspired!
Absolutely gorgeous! Love all the tartan – well as a Scot it made me feel right at home!
Author
Thank you so much Liz!! I was wondering what the distinction is between plaid and tartan🤔 I know tartan is plaid, and the significance with clans, etc., but is there a way to determine what plaids are tartan? I don’t want to mis-represent anything☺️☺️
I so much enjoyed seeing your kitchen decorated for Christmas. I slowly scrolled through your post, enjoying every picture that you shared.
Author
Thank you so much Paula!!
Oh I’m loving it so much! The light fixture above your table was a favorite! So fun doing this tour with you.
Anita,
Wow, I loved it all! The light fixture above your table was a favorite! So fun doing this tour with you.
Author
Thank you so much Rachel!!
Merry Christmas Anita! Your home is so beautifully decorated for Christmas and I so love the plaid sink skirt and curtains!
Author
Thank you so much Shirley!! Merry Christmas to you as well!!
Love the idea of using a scarf to make curtains! Lovely as always especially your table. Merry Christmas!
Author
Thank you so much Carolyn!! They are great resources for a pop of pattern and color:-)
I’ve never seen so many gorgeous pops of plaid and red in one place, Anita, I’m in love! All the cozy layers from the kitchen to the living room are just magical. I love it all. It’s stunning! Wishing you and your family a merry and bright holiday season, CoCo
Author
Thank you so much CoCo!! Wishing the same to you:-)
Gorgeous! I love the plaid.
Your home is warm, inviting and special.
Merry Christmas from New Hampshire!
Christine
Author
Thank you Christine!! Merry Christmas to you as well!
Your kitchen truly is the heart of the home! I adore all of the touches of tartan and the ticking striped stockings. Glorious!
Author
Thank you so much Laura!!
Such a beautiful home, I love all the traditional decor, and your kitchen is so adorable with the plaid and transfer ware!
Hugs, and Have a Happy Holiday Season!
Author
Thank you Sandi! I hope you have a happy holiday season as well!!
Love, love it all! I so love using antiques and vintage things. I love your style.
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Author
Thank you so much Rhonda!! Merry Christmas!
So lovely, Liz. I see things that our family owns too, which is fun. I think I will try the silver trays as chargers. Most important is the warmth and invitation to stay your home presents. Thank you.
Author
Thank you so much Nancy☺️☺️ Yes they work so well as chargers, and I feel like the elevate everything too☺️☺️
Your home is decorated so beautifully for the holidays. True plaid perfection and your table is stunning. Happy holidays!
Author
Thank you so much Kim and the same to you☺️☺️🎄❤️
Your home is always amazing; so unique and one-of-a-kind. What I loved most is all the wonderful black Tartan plaid paired with the lace curtains. Just gorgeous. Thankyou for the sweet intro shout out!
Author
Thank you Debra☺️ I just fell in love with that tartan☺️☺️
Everything was like a step back in time!!!
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Author
Thank you very much Denise☺️☺️☺️
Hi Anita, I’m hoping over from Amber’s tour and so excited to see your beautiful Christmas decor. Love the plaid in the kitchen and what a treat to see your charming dining room too. Happy Christmas!
Author
Thank you so much Michelle!!
Loved it all!! You always decorate so beautiful. I love your screen door and it’s so nice that you were able to take so much of the old house into your house and use the wood, and things from your parents and grandparents. Thank you for sharing this Christmas tour of your kitchen and I love the living room one too you do very beautiful work have a very Merry Christmas 🎄
Author
I appreciate that so much Debra, thank you and Merry Christmas☺️☺️
Hi Anita! Oh, my, everything is so beautifully decorated at your home for Christmas! I enjoyed my tour. Merry Christmas and be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Author
Thank you Shelia!! Merry Christmas friend❤️❤️☺️
I loved your Christmas tour!!! Everything looks so beautiful!! I love all the traditional touches and colors that you used!!! So very pretty!! Happy Holidays!!!
Author
Thank you so much Emily!!
Hi Anita, I enjoyed that tour so much! Your videos always take me back in time, away from the present. It’s like a breath of fresh air. When I enter your home through your tours, it’s just the best feeling. Everything is absolutely beautiful! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
@sunnydaycabin
Hi Anita, Everything is just gorgeous. I know when you do your tours, I will get the opportunity to visit a time reminiscent of days gone by. I find such a feeling of comfort & nostalgia every time I visit, thank you. I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
Author
Carol, that means so much to me – thank you!!
WOW, what a lovely and enjoyable tour and video!! I just love your home and style!! The plaid curtains a true hit for me! Think they were my favorite but so much to like. Also, you did good on the kitchen chairs. They are so regal. I bet your family just loves coming home to their beautiful, cozy Christmas home!! Merry Christmas and have a Happy and Healthy 2022!
Author
Thank you so much Linda!! I always love when my husband thanks me or just remarks how thankful he is that I try to make it cozy and comfortable for him☺️☺️
Anita I am so glad I found your lovely blog! Your homestead is Christmas perfection! I was in love the moment I saw the paid in your kitchen and then once I saw your chandelier with the ribbon on the dining room it was over! Stunning! Pinned so many pictures for next year’s inspiration! Merry Christmas!
Author
Oh I appreciate that so very much – thank you!!
So warm and cozy. Love the table scape, what time is dinner? Love it! And my favorite color is plaid!
Author
Thank you so much Laura☺️☺️☺️
Such a beautiful tour! I’m in love with the blanket scarves turned curtains! Love the pattern and how beautiful they are in your home. I love all the red and white dishes. All so inspiring!
Author
Thank you so much Kristin!!
Oh it’s all so perfectly magical! Every detail warms my heart. Love the DIY plaid curtains!
Can’t buy this kind of Christmas at Hobby Lobby! You are such a true talent all around. What a gorgeous tour. Love the video too!
I can’t tolerate LED lights except just a few little strands of battery operated lights if they are warm. Otherwise I literally get nausea and a headache, can’t explain it. The look of vintage style lights just can’t be beat.
Merry Christmas and thank you so much for joining the tour!
Author
Thank you so much Amber, and thanks for including me on the tour!! Yes, that makes sense – I read that the color LED Christmas lights, specifically the blue, are actually really bad for eyesight and can contribute to macular degeneration😳😳 The pulsing of them was very disorienting too.
Anita I love your curtains and sink skirt. What a great idea! I like the new white shade as well. Really looks terrific. Is your silverware passed down as well? I loved the tour! Merry Christmas.
Author
Thank you Susan!! I found the silver about 10 years ago and add serving pieces as I can☺️
Anita,
I think I say the same each year, but your home was made for Christmas! It is just so cozy and festive. I can just imagine the special memories made here! Merry Christmas!!
Everything, everything here is beyond beautiful!! So warm and intimate, and so very charming!!