A Christmas Kitchen with Vintage Nostalgia
Enjoy a Christmas kitchen tour, overflowing with vintage, repurposed finds and nostalgic charm.
Christmas is a magical time; a time when we can enjoy seasonal beauty in so many forms. It’s a time to savor fond childhood memories, and remember the sweetness of times gone by. Our kitchen, the heart of our home, seemed the perfect place to gather and display our sentimental treasures. Of course there’s plenty of repurposed junk projects mixed in, too. Enjoy A Christmas Kitchen with Vintage Nostalgia tour!
Today’s post kicks off the official start of the Christmas season, and I’m joining a creative group of ladies for a Blogger’s Best Holiday Home Tour! Thanks to Kelly at The Tattered Pew and Mansa at thisissimplicite for organizing! Today’s the second day of this week of home tours; hopefully you can enjoy all the inspiration! If you’re visiting from The Ponds Farmhouse, welcome! I’m sure you’ll see that Rachel and I share a love of vintage junk finds! I could be happy moving right into her amazing home!
First, A Short Introduction!
There’s a lot of new faces on this tour, so let me give you a short introduction! I have a passion for vintage junk, which you will quickly see! I sold vintage for many years in various shops and owned my own store with a friend for 6 years; it was a blast!
These days my repurposing and refreshing projects continue, but I get to keep all the fun stuff I find;) And inspire my readers to let their vintage live it’s best life, too!
Of course, we live in an old house:) We’ve lived in our fake farmhouse for 18 years now, and are still working on it! We finally finished our upstairs bathroom {“Vintage Modern Bathroom Remodel Reveal”} this past year; major accomplishment! Our 3 now-big kiddos have learned many skills working alongside Mr. Fix-it and I while we work on home and vintage projects.
Nice to meet you! Now…onto the Christmas kitchen tour!
A Christmas Kitchen with Vintage Nostalgia
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Decorating the Christmas Kitchen with Sentimental Nostalgia
This year has been a time of sifting through family treasures and saying goodbye to family places. Our 4th generation family cabin was passed on to new owners, and I ended up bringing home a lot of memory-filled things! What better inspiration to decorate around for Christmas then sentimental items?
In typical farmhouse fashion, our main entrance is through the back door, where you land right into the kitchen. I used a vintage gingham pin-up light that hung over the cabin’s sink as our cheery welcome. High up on a rustic shelf I continued the red and white theme with vintage enamelware from the cabin, also. Many memories of chubby babies being bathed in big red and white enamelware basins and washing dishes alongside the generations come to mind.
Vintage Winter Decor and Good Junk for the Entrance
Our entryway greets you with vintage skis, sleds, mittens and scarves, with plenty of greenery and lights mixed in. Bedsprings and crib springs are one of my favorite decorating standby’s, because I change up my decor so often! This “Christmas” decor can last all winter, which is long here in Minnesota!
Soon this crib spring will be filled with Holiday photo cards, clipped simply with old clothespins, or Christmas- colored “Rit Dyed Clothespins”.
Repurposed Vintage Junk-Filled Kitchen
Years ago after a couple bites of pancakes, Mr. Fix-it and I popped the first peel and stick brick off our harvest gold-filled kitchen. Ever seen the movie “The Help”? That’s what we moved into, along with a washing machine that had to be hooked up to the sink faucet {catch some befores in “Our Home’s 15 Year Anniversary”}. By the end of that first day, we had taken a wall down, with a little help from our little kiddos;)
Slowly over quite a few years, we remodeled the kitchen, infusing vintage junk finds, many from the curb. I designed the layout, the custom cabinets, and picked out all the classic farmhouse features. Just this weekend we finally installed an old door on our walk-in pantry; I love it’s chippy charm.
You’ll also see many of our vintage repurposed projects throughout our home. A vintage ceiling tin awning, a printer’s tray filled with junk, and silverware art spelling EAT are just some of the things we’ve made through the years {see more in “16 Best Vintage Repurposing Junk Projects”}.
Everyday decor gets a bit of special added for the Holidays. Rolling pins got a little ribbon and greenery on my “DIY Stenciled Rolling Pin Display”, with curved fork holders.
The red and white gingham and grainsack theme continues with an easiest-ever candy cane mason jar centerpiece {get the how-to details in “9 Easy Ways to Decorate with Bottles and Jars for Every Season”}.
Incorporate a Cozy Reading Nook in your Kitchen
All through the year, the cozy sitting area I created at the end of our kitchen is the most prized spot in the house! It’s not big, but the tufted loveseat and high-armed chair welcome family and guests alike. I love the Christmas season when I can tuck a small tree here, too. {“9 Must-Haves for Creating a Cozy Sitting Area in the Kitchen”}
An enamelware-topped vintage kitchen table became the perfect coffee table for this spot. A “Quick and Easy Christmas Crate Centerpiece” adds just the right amount of decor, while leaving enough space for my favorite stack of Holiday magazines.
(yep…that’s the “new” door! I just love it:) And it’s so much easier to take pictures in here when you can’t see into my messy pantry!)
Decorating with Vintage Finds, En Masse
The last wall of our kitchen is filled with a cabinet I designed to look like an old house built-in. I love decorating the glass-front cabinets throughout the seasons. I can enjoy all the cute clutter behind closed doors and still have a clean countertop down below. This also serves as our buffet line when we entertain.
I maybe went a little crazy filling it with vintage and sentimental items this year; I just had so many family items I wanted to enjoy (and I’ve maybe been into vintage scales a little lately;) All these things just put a smile on my face when I’m standing at the island making supper. And we can all use some sweetness…especially this year!
That’s our Christmas decorated kitchen! I hope you enjoyed the tour. This year, especially, decorating with sentimental, nostalgic pieces feels right. Remembering good times, trusting that the Hope for a grieving world will overcome. I wish you a Merry Christmas!
To continue all the beautiful Blogger’s Best Holiday Home Tour Inspiration, visit This is Simplicite next!
And if you enjoyed A Christmas Kitchen with Vintage Nostalgia, become a Lora B Insider down below to keep the ideas and inspiration going!
Please Pin, Share, and Enjoy the Rest of the Inspiration!
Monday’s Tours
The Tattered Pew // My Thrift Store Addiction // Simply 2 Moms
Worthing Court // Bricks N’ Blooms // Open Doors Open Hearts
Tuesday’s Tours
Lora B Create and Ponder // This Is Simplicite
Shiplap and Shells // The Ponds Farmhouse //
Wednesday Tour’s
Stone Gable // Midwest Life And Style // Follow The Yellow Brick Home
Noting Grace // My Wee Abode // The Farmhouse Life
Thursday’s Tours
Aratari At Home // Caitlin Marie Design // Sweet Pea
Fiddle Leaf Blog // First Day Of Home // White Arrows Home
Friday’s Tours
Cottage On Bunker Hill // The Aspiring Home // Lantern Lane Designs
DIY Beautify // Cassie Bustamante // The Flowering Farmhouse
Sharing at these lovely parties:
All About Home(featured!)
Charming Homes and Gardens(featured!)
First time visiting today, love your holiday decor. We grew up in the 50’s (hubby in St. Paul) and adore all the vintage. I’ll be back! and must look at the other posts you have done. Wondering about the red crinkled ribbon…on tree and shelf…did you do this with wired ribbon, or did it come this way? so cute.
Glad you found your way here, Jillian! I got the ribbon at Joann’s a couple years ago in the trim section. Yes, it came that way! I used a coupon and basically bought the whole bolt:) Thanks!
I agree we can all use some sweetness this year and you delivered that in spades! I’m drooling over your wonderful vintage Christmas kitchen decor!
Thanks, Sara!
Lora, I so enjoyed your vintage Christmas kitchen. It feels so warm and cozy, like a big welcoming hug. Your details are amazing and you are a definite vintage Queen. Thank you for inviting me in. Merry Christmas to you and your!
Lora! You have my vintage junk-loving Christmas heart pitter-pattering! So…I am very happy with my vintage-traditional decor this year with a bit of old world and Victorian elegance… but after this tour I am ready to go digging back through my totes to drag out some of my vintage Christmas kitsch! Everything here is so adorable! Of everything you shared, I am smitten over that big concrete/chalkware? garden rooster! I have been eyeballing one at a local antiques store for months and now after seeing yours I think I must adopt it!
So fun touring with you, and I am also happy to be featuring you at this week’s All About Home party.
Merry vintage Christmas!
Awesome, thanks for the feature, Amber! Yes, I recently picked up Mr. Chicken from the front garden of an estate sale. He’s cement, and his base was breaking, so I got him for a score! He’s my first real vintage garden ornament; that’s why he’s living safely inside right now:)
Oh my goodness – your home is an amazing vintage treasure trove of goodies! You’ve done such an amazing job decorating it for Christmas. So cozy and inviting!
Thanks, Suzy! I went a little overboard with filling the cupboards this time, but am having fun looking at it all! I’ll definitely be ready for less and calm in January:)
Lora,
Your tour was so beautiful. Look for your feature on Wednesday’s Charming Homes & Garden Link Party
Wonderful! Thanks, Rachel:)
Lora, Thanks for sharing your lovely kitchen at Vintage Charm!
Your welcome, Cecilia!
Such a cozy Christmas kitchen!
Thank you!
Lora, this may be my very favorite post of yours! Everything about it made me happy! I think your first two sentences really captured the mood of your home tour. It made me nostalgic for my own childhood. I know you’ve gone through the process of letting go of beloved things this year, and maybe you poured some of that sentiment in here. I especially love the unique signs (like the Eat one with flatware) and all the goodies in that amazing cabinet that looks like a built-in. Bravo, my friend!
Your kind words warm my heart, Crissy:) Thanks so much! I love that it made you happy; we could all use more of that this year!
This is giving me all the Christmas nostalgia! SO beautiful!
Thank you!
I have been busy putting up Christmas decorations myself but i took a break with a hot drink so i could see what you have done. It’s always so much fun and inspiring to see all the hard work you do and how enjoyable it is to take my time and see all the wonderful details. Your decor is always so warm and wonderful, i love all you do, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Marlene! I hope you’re having fun doing your decorating, too! I’ve got more to do this weekend:)
I bet this is the room everyone congregates in. It’s so warm and inviting, especially that awesome sitting nook. I could get very comfy with a pot of coffee in this room. So many interesting festive vignettes to admire!
Yes, it totally is, Marie! Cozy, cute, and where the food is;) Basically, it’s our “family room”!
I just love all of your vintage Christmas decor. So fun seeing how you’ve decorated your farmhouse for Christmas!
Thank you, Jennifer! All these Christmas blog tours are so fun; I love seeing everyone’s homes:)
Lora, your vintage Christmas home is so pretty. Just love the peppermint mason jar centerpiece. So simple but perfectly cheerful!
Thanks! Yes, I love the simplicity and charm of that peppermint centerpiece; so easy!
Love the touches of holiday in your kitchen! The mini wreaths in the windows are perfect!
Thank you! Think I’m going to do the same in our bedroom; it’s just such a classic and simple touch:)
It’s perfect and vintage beautiful and cozy and has such great character! Thanks so much for sharing it. I think my fave is the garland hung under the cabinets but that’s only if I had to choose just one thing! 😉 Love it all really! Pinned
Thanks, Cindy! I’ve displayed our Christmas cards under there before, but this year I wanted to see just evergreen garland against the crisp, white beadboard; I love the lights at night:)
So many beautiful vintage touches, Lora. I love it all!
Thanks, Jen!
Lora I loved your Christmas kitchen tour! All of the vintage and sentimental pieces were beautiful and so special. I saw so many pieces I loved…like the green bread box and the red and white gingham trays! Beautiful! Merry Christmas!!!
Thank you, Kelly! I do love my vintage kitchen pieces; fun to use them all for Christmas!
I am in love with your Christmas kitchen Lora! I am all about vintage, and it was so much fun to see all of yours. Thank you for the inspiration.
So glad you enjoyed it, Kim! Especially at Christmas, I love using all my fun vintage finds:)
Lora, just as you described Rachel’s beautiful home, I could easily make myself at home in your charming vintage kitchen–so many lovely details! Have a joyous Christmas season! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Yes, you and I share a lot of favorite things, Cecilia! Lots of cupboards for dishes is what we both need:)
what a cozy and charming home! love those skis, and I need some mints!!!!
The little blue skis were actually my husband’s when he was a kid; makes me love them even more! Insider secret…the old fashioned peppermints are the cheapest at Walmart;)
Your vintage kitchen and sitting area is so cozy and lovely, Lora… I can’t help but think of Paula when I see your love for formerly loved items! so many touches that are special, like the greenery garland on your backsplash above the counter, ribbon on your rolling pin (which I may have done, too!), and your cozy Christmas tree! Pinned, and sharing!
Yes, Paula and I share a love for sentimental old things, definitely! We love the stories that go along with it all:) Thanks for sharing, Julie!
It’s lovely, so warm and inviting.
Thanks, Madeline!
Lora, I loved all the vintage bits in your kitchen; you always make it look so cohesive. I wanted to reach into the Mason jar and snitch a peppermint stick! I forwarded this post to my SO so he could see what I was raving about!
Yes, I think some of those peppermints get stolen throughout the season, Kathy;) I love popping a broken piece into my coffee!
Thank you for sharing pictures, I love your kitchen, sink, cupboards and all. What wonderful ideas you share. I would love to keep the pictures to refer to when we get to remodeling our farmhouse kitchen. It’s past time and you have got my ideas rolling . Thanks again for all, Happy Holidays
Glad you enjoyed it, Jody! Oh, the kitchen remodeling…so much work, but when you take the time to customize it for yourself, you can enjoy it forever! Definitely pin this post on your kitchen dreams board!
I loved seeing full room shots of your home. I’ve visited your blog countless times and this is the first time that I’ve seen your beautiful kitchen. Of course, the vintage lover in me had to slowly scroll through all of your pictures, admiring each one.
Glad you enjoyed it, Paula! What I really need is a wide angle lens; that would help things considerably! And then there’s the issue of keeping the kitchen clean while my very full house of people are all around!
Lora how beautiful is your home! I LOVE your kitchen!!! I loved reading all the history behind your home – pinned! xoxo
Thanks, Stacy! I loved hearing about the history of your house, too!
Lora,
Oh my gosh! I loved it all. I also loved how you personalize the post with your history! I have so much to learn about blogging. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Rachel
Thanks, Rachel! And I’m thinking I’ve got so much to learn about IG…how the heck can people have so many followers? I suppose I shouldn’t be skipping whole weeks to post…that would help:( So many things to learn about so many areas; can’t keep up!
Lora – I’m in vintage bliss! I love all things vintage and I keep pouring over your pictures looking at all the fun details. What a cozy kitchen you have! I adore the settee and can imagine sharing a warm cuppa in such a beautiful room! It’s an honor to be a part of this home tour with you!
Thank you, Jennifer! If you’re in vintage bliss, you’ll be right at home around here:) I’m excited to see your home tour this week, too!
Lora!! Your kitchen is vintage heaven!! I absolutely love the way you did simple things like add a ribbon to a rolling pin. I recently decorated our kitchen for Christmas and I initially struggled with where to put little touches and where to put a full on Christmas display. You did the balancing act so well. PS I LOVE YOUR NEW DOOR TOO!!! and Why don’t I have a cozy corner in the kitchen?? I’m there ALL day long with a 3 and 4 year old at home haha XOXO
Thanks, Aliya! Yes, the balancing act of a lot in some spots and barely none in others is a fine line I try to think about all the time! And seriously…you should add at least 1 cozy upholstered chair somewhere in your kitchen; you will love it!
Lora,
Where do I start, this is vintage beauty at its best.
The sitting area looks so cozy.
The door on the pantry adds character. Your home is filled with so many treasures.
Loved the old awning.
Cindy
Aw, thanks so much, Cindy! We are enjoying it, indeed:)