CURB APPEAL

A farm cottage in Saskatchewan, Canada, exudes Christmas charm for passersby.

How do you make a small home festive and functional during the Christmas season?

The answer is a covered porch and lots of garland. “This is a shotgun house,” says interior designer Kaitlyn Blair of Spruce Homes. “They take out one house and put two houses in instead. We have a lot of these in Saskatchewan.”

WINTER WEATHER

For an area with short summers and long winters, it’s important for the homes to have all-season capabilities. “In Saskatchewan we get up to minus 40 degrees during the winter,” Kaitlyn says. That means building a large porch for functionally. “People like to have a big porch to hold outdoor equipment and be able to put on their boots,” she says. Conversely, during the summer, the porch serves for relaxation. “Summers here are short but beautiful, and people want a porch to relax and be protected from rain,” Kaitlyn says.

CHRISTMAS COZY

Because the home is long and skinny, the front porch and exterior become important for curb appeal. While the front of the home is small, Kaitlyn added tons of festive flair through outdoor holiday decorations. “We did the garland around the big front porch,” she says. “We also suction-cupped the wreaths on the windows to make it feel cozier.”The charming architecture and cozy vibes create a picture-perfect look that’s very appealing for the holidays.