HOLIDAY STYLE STEAL

1. Natural Tablescape

Pine boughs, pomegranates and wooden beads create a handsome organic centerpiece. Instead of the usual black candles, try dark green ones for a similar effect.

2. Bedroom Garland

Fresh boughs swagged over a headboard smell great. Spritz with water every day to keep fresh.

3. Simple Vignette

A small tree in an earthenware pot and vintage-style art bring a hint of Christmas to the laundry room.

grow up here. “The children help out on the farm and love playing with the animals,” says Shannon. “And who can resist the goats? They’re such gentle, playful creatures.”

Shannon and Sander were drawn to goat farming because of the goats’ friendly natures, and they’ve become passionate about the many health benefits of goat’s milk. Goat milk from their dairy is used in a range of products, including a creamy gouda from local cheesemaker Mountainoak Cheese; they also supply milk to processors through the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative.

So when they bought the property, it was for its location and the quality of the land. But then there was the matter of the 150-year-old farmhouse, which had last been renovated in the 1970s. Shannon loved the farmhouse’s simple, unadorned exterior, and wasn’t fazed by the laminate floors, DIY faux finishes and miles of honey oak. “I loved that nothing in the house had been updated,” she says. “There was no guilt when we ripped out the nonfunctional elements.”

A generous kitchen was essential for the boisterous family, who needed a large, functional island for prepping and dining. “We love to cook and bake, and we’re home a lot — there aren’t many restaurants around us,” says Shannon.

And for the design aesthetic, it was Shannon’s travels in the Netherlands that inspired her. “I love European farmhouses,” she says. “They’re timeless and more pared back, but they still have that warmth.” Oak floors, concrete

counters and vertical shiplap walls evoke a pastoral quietude not unlike a Dutch Old Master painting. Shannon made sure to layer in cognac, grey-green and burgundy accents as an effective counterpoint to all the pale walls and blond woods. “I’ve always gravitated to natural materials and colours found in nature,” she says. “I like a home’s interiors to have a connection to the surroundings.”

Even when she’s adding festive flourishes for Christmas, Shannon finds the most beauty in a less-is-more approach. “I start decorating in early December,” she says. “I love everything to be natural, so we always get a real tree, and real garlands and wreaths. The house smells amazing!”

Fresh greenery slung over vintage cabinets, doorways and mirrors is subdued but rich and textural.

As Christmas draws closer, wonderful baking aromas start emanating from the kitchen, whether it’s Shannon’s grandma’s Christmas pudding or her mom’s layered caramel shortbread. And when the big day finally arrives, Henry, Toby and Daniek wake up extra early to help with the goats, then return to the cosy farmhouse to open the gifts waiting under the tree. They may be yawning by mid-morning, but the family wouldn’t have it any other way: Shannon and Sander cherish every last moment of the holidays spent together, at home with their kids.

LEFT: Subway tile meets open shelving and a deep green feature wall for a modern-rustic vibe. Tile, Olympia Tile & Stone; sconce, Amazon; art, LD Shoppe. BELOW: The main-floor bathroom’s black and white palette and clear glass pendants are warmed up by a pale wood vanity. Tile, Olympia Tile & Stone; vanity, faucet, Ikea; mirror, Hudson’s Bay; pendants, Amazon. OPPOSITE, TOP RIGHT: In the principal bedroom, a wool throw and plenty of accent pillows make the space cosy. Bed frame, table lamps, Ikea; rug, Pottery Barn; sconce, Yantzi Home Building Centre.

Shannon brought depth and drama to Henry and Toby’s bedroom by painting the knotty pine ceiling a deep blue-grey. Even this space gets a festive touch. “I like to bring a bit of Christmas into the boys’ room,” she says of the mini tree placed in a crock. Bed frames, The Novogratz; nightstand, Ikea; wall colour, Steep Cliff Gray (2122-20), Benjamin Moore.

Mountainoak Cheese Goat Gouda is made with Chevron Dairy goat milk TOP LEFT: Daniek with Helen and Petra, a couple of the children’s favourite goats. TOP RIGHT: In addition to goats, the family keeps chickens. Shannon chose to leave the door of the old barn in its rustic state instead of repainting, which might have looked out of place. CENTRE RIGHT: A simple console, country crock and curved vintage mirror make for a welcoming vignette at the side entrance. Mirror, One of a Kind Antique Mall.