christmas with antique farm house

 

🎄Welcome to the English Cottage Christmas event

 with Antique Farmhouse! 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at my home, and with the help of Antique Farm House. I’ve created a very nostalgic and comfy look for my family. 

This is the perfect time to bring those same vintage, cozy vibes into your own home this holiday season.

Let’s create the most memorable Christmas together!

 

There are so many festive pieces featured in this English Cottage Christmas event, that I couldn’t fit them all in my reel.

There’s nothing quite like the wonder of Christmas morning. All the anticipation, excitement and joy! All the feelings you’ve had of Christmases past come rushing back!

 

Sentimental at times, but there is a sense of hope as well.

Nothing can match the sight of your glowing tree at sunrise, the smell of bacon emanating from the kitchen, tiny footsteps coming down the stairs, and the gasps and giggles heard at the sight of all the gifts under the tree…

 

all those dear early morning Christmas memories truly live in my heart!

🎄The inspiration for my tree was the beauty of nature done in a fanciful way. I imagined an enchanted forest where Father Christmas lives in a charming little stone cottage, definitely another time and place! 

I started with a new 6’ Noble fir from King of Christmas and added my own white lights. Owls, nesting birds, deer, little red toadstools, and lots of little pinecones. 

Of course, we have to bring in the sparkle with lots of vintage glass ornaments and baubles! This little tree is finished off with just a touch of old-fashioned tinsel for all the nostalgic reasons I can think of!

What a difference a month makes! Here’s our antique hutch all decked out for Christmas. 

Here’s my festive hot cocoa bar! This look is as simple as setting out some cute mugs, a cozy plaid throw and a fun little electric kettle! 

Add some instant hot chocolate mix, a few marshmallows and maybe a candy cane or two! No need to fuss. Keep it simple, my friends!

 

Here's a fun little plaid table that has all the vibrant holiday colors and textures I love!

So, friends, I’ll see you in my stories soon, where I’ll give you some up close and personal looks at some of my favorite items, and I’ll also be sharing a BONUS tablescape using so many ofthese same Antique Farmhouse pieces set up in a whole new way!

Happy Christmas! ♥️

ciao fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on Instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials”  

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

 

princess Kate's favorite Christmas treats

Kate Middleton is known for her elegant and stylish fashion choices, especially during the festive season. For Christmas, she often opts for classic colors like reds and greens and sometimes incorporates plaid patterns into her outfits.

 

Tartan has a rich history and various connotations in fashion. Tartan plaid is deeply rooted in Scottish culture, often associated with clans and families.

 

I love how Princess Catherine wears plaid, as it can be dressed up or down, making it a versatile pattern that has stood the test of time.

 

During the holiday season, the royal family wears the most beautiful and stylish plaid patterns, especially in red and green to evoke a sense of warmth and festivity at Christmastime.

 

Now here's something I love just as mush as Kate does... Sticky toffee pudding!! It's a Christmas classic, and it’s no surprise that Kate enjoys it during the festive season. Here’s her simple recipe for you to try.

If you've never had Sticky Toffee Pudding, you're in for a real treat!

 

And here’s another traditional Christmas dessert…

 

King Charles also has a fondness for traditional Christmas desserts, including plum pudding. This rich, steamed pudding is packed with dried fruits, spices, and often a splash of brandy or rum, making it a festive favorite.

 

Prince William and the Princess of Wales have several cherished holiday traditions that they enjoy with their family. 

They make sure to spend quality time together as a family, often baking and decorating Christmas cookies, and watching holiday movies like "Elf," which is a favorite of Prince William.

 

Like all of us, they also hang stockings by the fireplace and leave out very British mince pies and milk for Santa and the reindeer.

 

They continue the tradition of attending a Christmas church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, a long-standing Windsor family custom.

 

I love that Kate and William have started creating their own separate holiday traditions, including hosting their own holiday party with Kate's family. This allows them to have a more private and relaxed celebration away from the larger royal family.

Plaid always brings out the true spirit of the holidays, whether it's adding a plaid pillow on your sofa or brightening up an outfit with a bit of tartan. 

ciao fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on Instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials” 

 Do you add a little plaid to your Christmas traditions?

Photos and recipes courtesy of People Magazine

 

 

set up an easy hot cocoa bar

Hi, friends! 🎅🏻 🎄 I’m sharing my simple and festive hot cocoa bar today. This is as simple as setting out some cute mugs, a cozy plaid throw and a fun little electric kettle!

 

Everyone can serve themselves and garnish with their favorite holiday treats like candy canes, marshmallows, and warm spices. It's a win-win for everyone!

 

A seldom used counter space next to our family room fireplace is the perfect spot to set up this cozy cocoa bar. I recently purchased this handy copper colored electric kettle and I just love how fast it heats up the water.

 

Most everything you see is vintage except the kettle and the fun Hot Cocoa Recipe sign. The sign is actually a print printed on canvas from Olive Branch Farmhouse. From a distance, it really looks like an old vintage chalkboard sign.  

I recently found this wonderful plaid throw at Marshall's. It's the quintessential tartan plaid for Christmas! 

  

Of course, we must have Santa mugs! These are vintage, and somehow drinking out of an adorable Santa Claus mug makes the cocoa taste a little better.

  

Here’s another little fun vintage-inspired hot cocoa bar I set up last year in my kitchen. I brought together some of the same cute holiday collectables that remind me of a cozy winter's day.

 

My favorite time-saving tip is to use chocolate milk for the cocoa and keep it warm in a mini crock pot. 

Here’s another take on hot cocoa… a Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate! Yes, it’s worth a try. It’s soooo good.

 

This is one of my recipes was published in Country Sampler Farmhouse Style magazine a few winters back.

 

It’s really quite simple to make and a fun way to surprise your guests during any holiday celebration.

 

In case you haven’t heard, I started a new Instagram page in October and named it Claudia FabianaHome. My former page, Ciao Fabiana, is still up, but after getting a new phone, I was no longer able to log into this account, so the new profile was born!

 

I hope you’ll follow along with me on Instagram for all the latest projects and décor I will be sharing in 2025.

 

 

 

ciao fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on Instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials” 

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

 

looking at farmhouse style for autumn

Aren't you really enjoying these sunny days and the gorgeous beach weather? It seems like summer just snuck up as this year seems to be whizzing by!  

 

So, here we are basking in the joy of summertime, while in the magazine world they’re staying one step ahead of the seasons, and are already looking at fall! 

 

I just love the new Autumn cover of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style. In fact, I recently found an antique card catalog cabinet similar to this one that I’m almost done refurbishing for my living room. I’ll share that soon!  

 

The main focus of the fall issue are the lovely home tours featured in the “Fresh Farm-Style Homes” section. One of my favorites is a new look at Liz Marie Galvin’s 19th-century Michigan farmhouse. 

 

As a regular contributor to the “Do-It-Yourself Farmhouse” section, I’m happy to share that I have several projects, recipes and DIY ideas included in this fun issue. 

 

Here’s a fun vignette I styled in my backyard to highlight this DIY stenciled pillow for Halloween. It’s a super easy project that will look great on a front porch throughout the month of October. 

 

I actually stenciled several different ones with fall greetings, as well, and they’ll last seasonally right through to Thanksgiving. They’re so cute in my front yard and in the back garden. 

 

How about stacking a couple of benches on top of each other to create a stylish shelving unit? My good friend Dennis Marchese* makes these beautiful benches out of mahogany and classic metal hairpin legs. 

 

Mums, pumpkins, picnic baskets, plaid throws and other vintage collectables create a fun fall-inspired focal point in my living room when styled on these stacked benches.  

 

Here’s the full, uncropped photo of what you’ll see on page 8 in the “Country Seats” section. We recently added shiplap to the back wall of our living room, and I just love the texture it adds to the room. 

 

I found a pair of vintage iron sconces for a great price at a local consignment store. They now flank our antique Welsh cupboard in this room.

My favorite shot in this issue has got to be this one that you see at the bottom of this next page...   

 

Here’s the full snapshot...   

I arranged a collection of vintage framed silhouettes above the mantle in my family room. A group of muted pumpkins sits below along with a few mercury glass votives holding little mums.  

 

Two female busts that I painted black frame out the top of the mantle, as do the tall black taper candles on pewter candlesticks. 

 

A last-minute addition of floating feather Monarch butterflies is my favorite touch, as they add a bit of whimsy and color to this autumn vignette.

A blank wall in my dining room featured this lovely arrangement of vintage transferware turkey plates and platters. Isn’t this a fun way to show off a collection for Thanksgiving ? 

 

Layered Turkey Quesadilla Pie 

If you know me, you know I love to cook, and I love to eat! So, when given the opportunity to contribute 2 “Easy One-Pot Meals”, I was thrilled! 

I've been cooking both of these recipes for years and years, so I’m happy to share them here with a real fancy picture, just like the one in this issue. 

 

California Chili (with sweet potatoes, avocado & bacon) 

The recipes are of course included in the Autumn issue, and I’m not able to share them here on the blog at this time, but when you buy the magazine, you’ll be able to fix these comfort food dishes for years to come, just like me!

I hope you’ll be able to read this issue of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style on your own to really enjoy it in its entirety.  

 

It’s really packed full of amazing décor, project ideas, recipes and heartwarming stories. My contributions are just a little bit of over 100 pages of fun! Check it out when it hits newsstands on July 13th, or enjoy it on your Kindle HERE! 

ciao! fabiana    

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram! 

 

*If you live near Orange County, California, you can order the mahogany benches directly by emailing Dennis at farmfresh2020@yahoo.com  

  

**Some affiliate links have been included for your convenience.