Hello dear friends! I am absolutely thrilled to be participating in the Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours hosted by the talented Kelly of The Tattered Pew. Her green and blue tour is truly stunning! If you are coming over from This Is Simplicite let me welcome you to Storybook Cottage. I absolutely loved Mansa’s bright holiday tour! This year I am sharing A Prairie Wonderland Christmas.
Christmas Through The Years
If this is your first visit to Decor To Adore my name is Laura Ingalls Gunn. I am one of the golden girls of blogging as I started way back in 2008.
My husband, known as Mr. Decor to readers, is an intricate part of assisting me in creating a completely new holiday theme each year. Our two children, Sweet Guy and the Fashionista have grown up on the blog, and often contribute to my shenanigans. Rounding out our merry clan are the two doxies, Pony and Gracie. Past reader Holiday Home Tour favorites include Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Little Women. 
A Prairie Wonderland Christmas
This years theme is A Prairie Wonderland Christmas.
It is in celebration of the Little House book series written by Laura Ingalls Wilder as well as the upcoming 50th anniversary of the television show.
Every week since Thanksgiving I have been sharing Little House inspired crafts, recipes, decor and more.
Post have included a glittery Thanksgiving wonderland and a guest bathroom refresh, among others.
This week all of the recipes, crafts and decor are inspired by The Long Winter.
If you have never had the opportunity to read the book you are in for a treat! The story is set in the town of DeSmet in Dakota Territory during the severe winter of 1880-1881. Blizzard after blizzard sweeps through the town. The train, which the settlers depend on to bring much needed supplies, cannot getting through. Food and fuel become scarce. With no more coal or wood, the Ingalls family resorts to twisting hay to keep their stove going so they don’t freeze to death. Edging on a spoiler: the town bands together to survive and Christmas is a joyous occasion.
The Entry
We begin the tour in the small entry.
The antique mirror and tigerwood dresser offer a peek at the color scheme and theme.
The vignette features a snow covered train loaded with barrels and our treasured schwibbogen. Mr. Decor is a retired Air Force veteran and we lived in Germany for three years. This lovely folk art custom originated in Seiffen, Germany. The town is known for its woodcraft tradition. The origin of the candle arch is related to the mining traditions of the Ore Mountain region. The arch symbolizes the mine tunnel entrance. The candles represent the torches used to illuminate the mine interior. They feature various scenes but I selected the glorious Nativity.
The Living Room
The entry leads into the open concept living room with it’s gigantic hearth. When we first moved in the brick was the original rusted orange shade that was quite popular in the 1980s. It was transformed two years ago with a German schmear treatment. You can see my favorite little photo bomber, Gracie.
Our gas fireplace provided very little heat so we created a stacked birch log insert to hide a rather large black hole.
Mr. Decor created the mantel trees out of repurposed fencing that was knocked down in a recent tornado.
A simple garland was created with twine, pinecones and a touch of greenery.
I made the stockings a few years ago from an old pillowcase as well as scraps of linen and lace.
The JOY sign, wooden snowflakes and snowball pick (cut apart) came from Hobby Lobby this year.
The rest of the hearth is decorated with an antique sled (a nod to Little House in the Big Woods) as well as some brown paper packages.
The sled came from Germany. The wee longhorn ornament is a nod to our home state as well as Pa helping on the cattle drive in Little House on the Prairie.
The printed tags feature snowy scenes from all of the books which were illustrated by Helen Sewell and Garth Williams.
Winter Vignette
I added a square of sheet music to the plain brown back of the Hello Winter sign for a bit of interest as well as a small touch in keeping with Pa’s love of music.
I try to adhere to the concept that a mirror should always reflect something beautiful.
My collection of antique sleigh bells come out every year.
The Tree
On the opposite side of the living room the Christmas tree shines.
My neighbor was getting rid of the tree last year and I had always wanted to try my hand at flocking. You can see the flocking process and Mr. Decor making the sled inspired tree box HERE.
I couldn’t resist filling the box with hay.
Every year I create about 20 limited edition holiday ornaments. A tutorial for this years ornament is coming on December 12th.
Our family usually hosts a few holiday gatherings and we encourage guests to select an ornament off the tree to take home.
Skates and sleighbells are a nod to the romance of Laura and Almanzo.
Wooden snowflakes from Michaels were transformed with some glue and glitter.
The Dining Area
Adjacent to the living room is the formal dining space.
Earlier this week I shared the room lit by candlelight.
But I find it charming in the daytime too.
The name cards were created from twigs and pinecones from my front yard.
They are in remembrance of Laura’s calling cards in Little Town on the Prairie.
This Week’s Video
You can see more of the tablescape, how I made our Advent centerpiece, and the creating Ma’s cranberry sauce in this week’s video. If you wish to view the video in a larger format just click on the black box in the lower left hand corner that says Watch on YouTube.
I hope you have enjoyed A Prairie Wonderland Christmas. I’ll be back on Monday.
Here’s a sneak peek of our upcoming Cozy Prairie Kitchen.
Enjoy,
Laura
Up next is LeCultivateur. You will love Emily’s holiday home tour full of romantic touches!
Be sure to scroll down and visit the rest of the ladies sharing their home tours today as well as each day this week.
Bloggers’ Best Holiday Home Tours
This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best 2023 Holiday Home Tours. Thirty talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each home tour by clicking the links below. Enjoy!
Monday’s Tours
The Tattered Pew // StoneGable // Worthing Court Blog
Southern Home and Hospitality // Our Crafty Mom // My Thrift Store Addiction
Tuesday’s Tours
A Life Unfolding // Living Large In a Small House
Cottage On Bunker Hill // Bricks ‘n Blooms // Cottage In the Mitten
Wednesday’s Tours
WM Design House // The Ponds Farmhouse // Shiplap and Shells
Simply 2 Moms // Robyn’s French Nest // Amy Sadler Designs
Thursday’s Tours
Midwest Life and Style // White Arrows Home
White Lilac Farmhouse // DIY Beautify // Thistle Key Lane
Friday’s Tours
She Gave It a Go // Pasha Is Home // This Is Simplicite
Decor to Adore // Le Cultivateur // Peacock Ridge Farm
* This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. I may earn a small compensation from qualifying purchases. You can find out more HERE.
Beautiful holiday decor throughout your home. Really enjoyed your tour!
Laura,
Your home is so lovely for the holidays. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration.
So grateful for you, and merry Christmas friend!
Brendt
Laura,
The Long Winter is a book I always think of in the colder months. I can remember the twisting of the straw with clarity as well as Pa following the rope out to the barn in the snow storm. Almanzo’s heroism added to the drama of this particular book. It’s my favorite book and I think these are my favorite Christmas decorations from DTA. You and Mr Decor have captured it all beautifully.
Ann
Stunning!
Laura I’m loving your prairie wonderland Christmas theme. Your home looks fabulous with your snowy holiday decorations. I simply adore the ornaments on your tree, especially the skates and dollies. Happy Christmas Laura!
Laura, your prairie wonderland decor is so charming! I fondly recall reading the Little House books with my three kids when we homeschooled. It’s a pleasure to join you and I wish you a joyous Christmas season, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Thank you for the tour of your beautiful Prairie Wonderland decor. I especially love the Little House tree ornaments!
This is such a fun idea, Laura. I love that your themes have been based on books. Little House on the Prairie was my favorite series to read when I was little, and I still watch the TV show from time to time.
The ornaments on your trees are so beautiful, too. So creative. Happy to be touring with you this week. Pinned!
Oh Laura, everything is so beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful Prairie Wonderland! Everything is so spectacular !
Unbelievable, Laura. Just fabulous! Were you working on this all summer? Certainly thinking it through I imagine. Every detail is lovely and I truly appreciate all the thought that goes into each vignette, ornament and placement. I love the Mr. Decor is in on the game and did the mantel trees and tree box. This is so very clever and thoughtful — just like you!
Everything is so lovely, Laura. I love your Range nook in your kitchen. It is stunning. Blesisngs to you.
Laura your homes looks wonderful! The white accents really brings such a warm and welcoming feel. Happy Holidays!
so pretty Laura…as you know I bring out all my books and re-read them every now and then…and they are just as entertaining and educational as if reading for the first time. You captured the essence of Little House in all your decor and don’t we love it when our spouses and children join us in our sometimes “different” or ‘unique” endeavors whether it is Christmas or not. Have a great Advent, my friend. We must never forget the reason for the season. Merry Christmas.
Laura, I loved seeing your home and getting to know Mr. Decor, your children, and your cute little photo bombers. I have a few of those myself. Loved the birch screen you made for the fireplace, I look forward to reading more about that.
Your holiday home is beautiful! I love the snowy white every where. I know snow is a rate weather for your area but we are expecting a storm starting tomorrow. Your beautiful decorations have given me some inspiration to get busy and finish mine up. I love the little wooden sledge under your tree. I was trying to decide what I wanted under ours and now I know exactly what to get DH to start to work on.
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful Christmas decorations past and present. They never fail to inspire and dazzle. So wonderful to see your family participating as well.
I love that you create ornaments every year! What a fun tradition.
Love the hand made ornaments on your tree. I always loved those books when I was growing up! Nice to tour with you. Merry Christmas!
What a fun idea to have a traditional theme like Little House on the Prairie!! I was obsessed with those books growing up ;)! Love everything in your beautifully decorated Christmas home Laura!
Hi, Laura dear.
I’m afraid there’s an error on your next post about trendy or traditional Christmas decoration. Look forward to reading that when that’s corrected.
Merry Christmas!
~Kelley
Oh! I see new posts and all is well!
Hugs from Missouri this week, from Connecticut this weekend. Good Husband’s mother will celebrate her ninetieth birthday. A huge family gathering!
Then back to Guam on Wednesday.
Fa-la-la!