2024 Old Castle Cottage Holiday House Tour

As the garden season winds down, we at Old Castle Cottage embrace the changing rhythms of the year, transitioning from the vibrant blooms of summer to the cozy glow of Christmas. The magic of the holidays comes alive in our home, blending garden-inspired touches with timeless traditions. This year, our Christmas decor celebrates the beauty of nature and the charm of vintage treasures. We invite you to take a tour of Old Castle Cottage as we transform our home into a winter wonderland. Check out some of our favorite holiday decor items for 2024 here.

A Welcoming Entrance

The journey begins at our doorstep, where a handcrafted wreath and festive doorway set the tone. Made from fresh evergreen branches, dried hydrangeas, dried alliums, and seed heads gathered from the garden.

Living Room Warmth

Inside, Old Castle Cottage comes alive with the glow of my new King of Christmas tree. This year, I opted for a more traditional style, and I just love the twinkle of the lights. The tree and mantel are decorated with natural textures and earthy tones, accented with hints of blue. Both feature a mix of vintage and new ornaments in shades of gold, alongside dried hydrangeas, dried alliums, lotus pods, and sprigs of magnolia. The fireplace is surrounded by a cherished vintage nativity scene that belonged to my grandmother, adding a touch of family history to the room.

If you like the look of paperwhites and amaryllis they make fantastic holiday gifts. Check out my favorites from Jackson and Perkins here.

Library: Santa’s Woodland Cabin

The library, affectionately dubbed “Santa’s Woodland Cabin,” hasn’t changed much since last year. I foraged for more branches, and our snowy owl, along with his feathery friends, joined us again to celebrate my granddaughter’s first birthday. To mark the occasion, we’re creating a magical “Winter Onederland” theme. Santa seems to have left many of his belongings behind—his skis, snowshoes, and sleigh bells. Of course, no woodland theme would be complete without amaryllis, paperwhites, fresh greenery, and a whimsical mushroom or two.

Bedroom Retreat

In the bedroom, we’ve kept things simple yet elegant, layering snowy white linens with fur throws. A flocked Christmas tree adorned with delicate lights and a large white bow completes the serene, festive retreat.

Dining Room

The heart of any holiday gathering! We’ve set the table with our treasured vintage China passed down through generations, complemented by a centerpiece of fresh greenery, pinecones, Amaryllis and a snowyowl or two. It’s a nod to tradition while celebrating the whimsy and delight of woodland
creatures that put smiles on my grandchildren’s faces.

Kitchen

This year, we’ve got for a timeless theme featuring the window draped in garland, bowls of pinecones, and paperwhites from Jackson & Perkins. The fresh bay leaf wreath is my one of my favorites year after year. The smell of Christmas cookies has been wafting from the kitchen all month and I’ve included my favorite Christmas cookie recipe for Scandinavian Almond Bars here. If you love almond, you will not be disappointed!

Join Us in the Festive Spirit

We hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into Christmas at Old Castle Cottage. By blending the beauty of the garden with cherished holiday traditions, we’ve created a home that feels as warm and inviting as the season itself. We’d love to hear how you incorporate nature and your garden into your holiday decor! Share your ideas as we celebrate the joy of the season together.

From our cottage to yours, we wish you a Christmas filled with love and a touch of nature’s magic.