Welcome to the Storybook Cottage A Little House Christmas Kitchen. It has been transformed this holiday season with rustic touches inspired by “Little House in the Big Woods” by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
A Little House Christmas Kitchen
Our kitchen is a simple farmhouse style featuring white cabinets and an eat-in area.
One wall contains a small shelf that holds the daily aprons. For this season I’ve selected simple styles in red and white. All these vintage beauties were once worn by the fabulous female cooks in my family.
Ma’s China Shepherdess
Did you spy the arrangement on top of the shelf? It’s my rendition of Ma’s china shepherdess figurine attending to her flock.
“The little china woman had a china bonnet on her head, and china curls hung against her china neck. Her china dress was laced across in front, and she wore a pale pink china apron and little-gilt china shoes. She was beautiful, standing on the shelf with flowers and leaves and birds and moons carved all around her, and the large star at the very top.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the Big Woods, page 62.
Historical note: the china shepherdess figurine was inherited by Laura’s sister Carrie but at the time of her death the figurine was sadly unaccounted for.
In the bay window, an old antique wagon contains seasonal greens and simply wrapped brown paper packages.
Charlotte
Charlotte has been happily tucked in amongst the packages.
“She had a face of white cloth with black button eyes. A black pencil had made her eyebrows, and her cheeks and her mouth were red with the ink made from pokeberries. Her hair was black yarn that had been knit and raveled so that it was curly. She had little red flannel stockings and little black cloth gaiters for shoes, and her dress was pretty pink and blue calico.” ~ “Little House in the Big Woods”, pages 74~76.
But does she have red flannel stockings and little black cloth gaiters for shoes? Indeed she does.
The Little House Table Setting
The tablecloth itself is made from Little House on the Prairie fabric. I created it in a prairie petticoat style and will feature a tutorial in an upcoming post.
A wax paper runner was laid on top of the cloth and then topped with freshly clipped evergreens. (The wax paper protects the fabric from the sap.)
Some red berries were clipped from the yard and sprinkled on top of the greenery. They join a few crisp red apples for color.
The sweet log cabin centerpiece was part of a pair of birdhouses I found a few months ago at an estate sale. My ever dashing personal pioneer man, Mr. Decor, cut a door into the house so that I could add a votive.
“Once upon a time, sixty years ago, a little girl lived in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, in a little gray house made of logs.” ~ Little House in the Big Woods, page 1.
(Caution: never leave a burning candle unattended. LED votives are a great choice as a safe alternative.)
The Pioneer Place Settings
Each place setting features a vintage tin plate and enamel cup. The plate is topped with a personalized patchwork napkin.
The napkins are topped with a simple piece of greenery tied with twine accented with a red and white peppermint stick.
“In each stocking, there was a pair of bright red mittens and there was a long, flat stick of red-and-white-striped peppermint candy, all beautifully notched along each side.” ~Little House in the Big Woods, page 74.
But what of the red mittens?
Don’t you worry!
Also feast your eyes on the log cabin styled gingerbread house in the background.
Do you love peppermint sticks?
Laura
Please enjoy all of the other posts in the “Little House” series.
Little House Christmas Tree and Decor
Laura’s Red Mitten Garland
Little House Holiday Breakfast
Becoming Laura Costume Challenge
The Homes of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Good Morning Laura,
So enjoyed this peek into your festive, charming and with a dash of whimsy Kitchen!
Darling touches throughout.
Happy Monday!
Jemma
Oh my word, this is such a great post and I love how you are recreating scenes from the book. Can't wait to see more. Amazing.
Love your pretty table and tablecloth and the wonderful aprons. So many fun touches, Laura! Perfect for breakfast, lunch or yes, dinner, too!
Your table is just beautiful Laura. In fact your kitchen looks wonderful. I am loving your aprons and that shelf too!
Laura, I am totally captivated by this lovely post. Your kitchen with your family aprons, the little wagon, the log gingerbread house and that amazing table. The loghouse centerpiece is so perfect. I feel as if I stepped back in time to a place where all the noise has been stopped and peace and calm is present!!! Just stunning!
This is my favorite so far!! Ann
Love that tablecloth!
Your tablecloth is what I”m drooling over. Then then I see your aprons!
All the colors pop with your white cabinets! Really nice!
Completely charming!! I just love that tablecloth – wow, you are so talented!!
everything looks so lovely.. i love the little mittens hanging over the chairs.
Oh how I wish I were your next door neighbor. Such a lovely post. Thank you for sharing.
Hello Laura,
I grew up in a log cabin. About ten years ago I wrote a book about it, along with my parents. I wpuld like to send you a complimentary copy. May I have your address? Email me ladylydiaspeaks@comcast.net
I love your Christmas kitchen.
I love your kitchen. I can't wait for the gingerbread log cabin reveal. The bird house turned votive holder is genius.
Precious and so creative! Where did you find the pretty white chargers under the tin plates? What are they made if? Your centerpiece must be so fragrant!
I love your sweet kitchen with all the rustic greenery.
This is just a lovely post. I've so wanted to go outside and cut greens, but it has been TOO cold. Thanks for the great idea–with the wax paper. Such a simple solution. Love all the naturals, I may just have to go look in the basement, for artificial. Merry Christmas, Sandi
Sweetness everywhere on this post. Loved it all!
Hi Laura, Everything looks lovely! I especially like the tablecloth that you made! Thanks for sharing your home holiday décor! Blessings, Janet
Oh my gosh Laura how ever do you do it? Such attention to detail and such a lovely tablescape! Thanks so much for sharing at Vintage Charm! Merry Christmas! xoKathleen Charm Bracelet Diva {at Home}
Laura, this is charming and I really love the tablecloth and aprons! I use both in my vintage kitchen year round 😉 Thank you for sharing @Creating Christmas! Have a blessed holiday!
Love your decorating, Laura!! Pinned and Facebooked–
Hi Kate D I found the white chargers at Pier 1 a few years ago but they are still carried there. Wishing you all the love, joy and peace of season as well as a very Happy New Year!
Hi Laura, just wanted to let you know I am featuring your charming kitchen in my post tomorrow! Blessings, Cecilia