A SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS

Charming cottage-style holiday décor in the mountains of North Carolina.

Learn how to bring home this comfortable, charming North Carolina mountain cottage-style holiday décor.

cheer, and—let’s face it—major décor decisions.

For Suzanne Price, avid home décor enthusiast, decorating for Christmas is something she looks forward to every year. Located in Deep Gap, North Carolina, Suzanne’s cozy cottage is inspired by the local mountain charm and the community of people around her. “The mountain vibe is a whole different world. It is so laidback, and everybody here is sort of unique in his or her own way. People here are very down to earth,” says Suzanne.

She wanted her home to capture the seasonal mountain spirit by creating a welcoming atmosphere. Suzanne explains, “I was going for the comfortable cabin mixed with the classic cottage charm. I wanted to capture the charm of Christmas and wanted it to Suzanne’s be warm, inviting darling cottage and cozy.”With is truly nearly a Christmas every haven. nook and cranny of her home decorated,

BLANK CHRISTMAS CANVAS

Before plunging into the Christmas adornments, Suzanne clears her entire home of all décor. Instead of adding to her year-round décor pieces, she starts with a completely blank canvas. “When tackling a new project, the first thing I do is completely clear all décor. I take everything off and start from scratch. After I have cleared everything, I then start to place items slowly but surely,” explains Suzanne. There is no regimented process, however, since she creates a new look every year with completely new decorations. Suzanne states, “I never decorate my home the same, so I am always looking for new pieces to add and interchange.”

“I never decorate my home the

same, so I am always

new pieces looking for

to add and interchange.”

VINTAGE NOVELTIES

Suzanne’s main tip for finding décor is to keep an eye out all year long. She says, “In town, there are a lot of creative local artisans. I get most of my items through thrifting, and I also have several pieces that are my grandmother’s. My goal is to mix vintage pieces with new pieces.” Often the decorations she buys are not necessarily made for Christmas but still add a nice wintry touch. “Every time I go to town, I stop by at least one décor or thrift store. You never know what you will find. If you search all year long, you are bound to find some hidden gems,” explains Suzanne. Dinnerware and fun typographic art are just a few of the everyday functional items she has found outside of the Christmas season. Although things may not be marked as Christmas décor, when paired with holly, pine and sparkly Christmas charm, they can be completely transformed.

WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

Suzanne also takes to DIY to turn everyday items into something with a little extra joy for the holidays. “The rolling pins in my kitchen are fantastic décor pieces as well as functional. I burned them myself by hand to give them a rustic flare,” she says.

The rolling pins are a great example of festive yet functional décor that can be used all year long. While Suzanne was struggling to find the right chandelier for her home, she came up with the idea of making her own. By combining two radiant holiday wreaths on a light fixture, Suzanne was able to create the Christmas chandelier of her dreams.

One of the best ways to embellish a home for Christmas is with vignettes. Suzanne has a meticulous and particular process she uses to select items for her vignettes. She says, “First I pick out one item; then I go around my house and pick out pieces that are similar in color. I like to have a range in size and textures and fill in spaces with greenery and faux flowers and lights.” She uses a mixture of real and faux greenery above her fireplace to create texture and color. “On the mantel I was going for a full layered

look. I used the trimmings from my tree to build up the height. I put the fake greenery underneath and fill in with real greenery on top,” says Suzanne.

Challenges did arise for Suzanne in configuring the placement of the tree. Her furniture could not easily be moved, and she explains, “Without moving the furniture, it makes it difficult to place the tree.”Things don’t always go as planned, and Suzanne had to adapt to create the space of her dreams. But through trial and error, she was able to find the perfect spot for her focal point. Now lighting up the corner, her tree stands proud, in harmony with the rest of her festive room.

TREE & GLEE. Everything in the living room sparkles, while the tree stands tall in its own space. The stockings are “hung by the chimney with care.” And the mantel hosts an abundance of pine clippings, real and faux. Simple yet elegant throw blankets add pops of festive cheer to the scene.

CHRISTMAS CABIN. The holiday decorations and cabin design go handin hand. Keeping it simple with a few presents, some greenery and a winterwreath creates a cozy holiday feel.

|ABOVE LEFT| CRAFTY COUCH. This couch is the ultimate place to relax and escape the cold. A variety of pillows makes for a personalized and welcoming cabin space.|ABOVE RIGHT| FESTIVE FIRESIDE. A vintage Pepsi crate filled with pine branches brings a bit of Suzanne’s vintage collection into play during the holidays. The mantel gets its rich look with piles of pine stacked high to create a dramatic spray.|RIGHT| COZY COFFEE CUPS. Comfort and coziness abound in this charming kitchen nook. The ultimate coffee and hot cocoa station is a necessity during the cold winter months. And your mugs become décor with open cabinetry.

|ABOVE LEFT| WOODEN WONDERLAND. Wood elements predominate in this grand bedroom. Deer heads keep the cabin and cottage feel, while pillows, red-and-green bedding and a red throw celebrate the season.|TOP RIGHT| DRAPES & DÉCOR. Wood, functional and decorative, brings a warmth and earthy feel to the space. Mixing vintage with new makes this the perfect cabin reading corner. The “Merry” banner adds a festive air.|ABOVE RIGHT| SIMPLE SIGNS. A rustic sign greets guests entering the cozy cottage. A simple snowflake and tree ensemble sets the stage for the rest of the home.