A Vintage Christmas at the Lake

Decorating Our Century-Old Limestone Cottage with Anna’s

There’s a certain kind of magic that settles in when winter arrives at the lake. Maybe it’s the way the sky blushes pink at sunset, or how the cold sharpens the feeling of warmth inside. But in our century-old limestone cottage — full of creaky floors, stone walls, and that old-Europe charm that makes Christmas feel almost inevitable — the season fits like it was made for this place.

This year, I partnered with Anna’s to bring a vintage, eclectic, cozy-European Christmas to life… and I swear, the house smiled back at me.

The Kitchen: A Cozy Cocoa Moment

If Christmas had a flavour, it would 100% be this scene.

The second I spotted those red bows at Anna’s, my heart did a full-on jingle. Then I saw the placemats… and the mugs… and the garland… and suddenly I was in the store acting like I had been hired to decorate Santa’s personal kitchen. I simply had to bring it all home.

The warm reds, the soft greens, and the beautifully collected textures came together so sweetly on our little island. Now it’s become our daily invitation to pause, breathe, and sip hot cocoa like we’re starring in our own Christmas movie.

Sweet, simple, warm… and just festive enough that even the cinnamon sticks feel proud to be here.

A View Made for Winter

There is nothing — and I mean nothing — like a lakefront sunrise in December.

I curled up under the softest green blanket from Anna’s, bow mug in hand, watching the sky melt from gold to rose to blue. The only Christmas décor this moment needed was a simple wooden tree on the coffee table and a soft candle glow.

Old-world simplicity at its finest.

The Mantel: A Storybook Christmas

Our limestone fireplace has always felt a little magical, but dressing it for the season with pieces from Anna’s made it feel straight out of a Christmas storybook.

The garland drapes softly over the stone, layered with bells that catch the light and wooden beads that bring that old-world charm — the kind that makes you wonder how many winters this house has seen before ours. The stockings hang sweetly and look like they’ve been passed down through generations… even though they were picked up just yesterday at Anna’s.

And the red poinsettia — bold, classic, and beautifully bright — settled in like it was meant to be here all along.

It’s warm, whimsical, and wonderfully timeless — exactly the kind of mantel where you’d expect to find a crackling fire, a good book, and the quiet magic of Christmas lingering in the air.

The Banister: Garland for Days

There’s a gentle fairytale feeling that settles in when a staircase is wrapped for Christmas. Our 50-foot natural garland from Anna’s drapes in soft, sweeping swags that instantly made the whole house feel enchanted.

And the bows — oh, the bows. Anna’s endless ribbon selection is like a grown-up candy shop. I chose a rich velvet and had each one personalized, giving the garland the sweetest, storybook touch. Paired with warm brass bells that shimmer as you walk past, the whole banister feels dreamy, nostalgic, and just a little magical.

A staircase that glows with Christmas — simple, soft, and full of wonder

The Dining Room: Where Christmas Gathers

Our dining room already carries so much quiet charm — warm wood tones, arched built-ins, and shelves practically begging to be filled with tiny holiday villages. But once everything from Anna’s found its place, the whole room transformed into something even sweeter: it now feels like a little Christmas market tucked right inside our home.

And sure, it may not be the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt (a girl can dream!), but it might just be the next best thing.

Brass candlesticks glow beneath the chandelier. A lush garland winds down the table, textured with bright red berries that look like they were gathered from a snowy path. On the shelves, miniature houses twinkle, wreaths hang with velvet ribbon, and every corner holds a tiny bit of festive wonder.

It’s cozy, curated, and delightfully whimsical — the kind of room where you linger long after the plates are cleared, soaking in the glow like you’ve wandered into a warm Christmas stall on a winter’s night.

A Christmas That Feels Like Home

In a house with this much history, decorating for the holidays is less about “styling” and more about storytelling. Anna’s helped me bring in textures, colours, and pieces that look like they’ve been collected over years — even though they were picked up this week.

Our little limestone cottage by the lake feels warmer than ever, glowing with that old-European Christmas charm I love so much. And if you open the door, you’re likely to be greeted by the coziest scent drifting from the kitchen… see below.

A Little Christmas Simmer Pot Magic

Because no cozy Christmas home is complete without a scent to match the mood, I like to finish the season with the simplest, sweetest ritual: a holiday simmer pot.

Just combine:
+ A handful of fresh cranberries
+ A few slices of citrus
+ Sprigs of rosemary
+ Whole cloves
+ A cinnamon stick
+ And a pot of gently bubbling water

Within minutes, the whole house smells like Christmas morning and a fresh wreath blended into one. It’s bright, nostalgic, and impossibly cozy — like a tiny bit of magic simmering on the stove.

Top it up with water every hour or so, and the magic lasts all day.

Photography & Copy by Chantelle Strong @chantelle.strong