My Houzz: Nature-Inspired Christmas Charm in a New York Farmhouse
Fresh garlands, wreaths and simple decorative touches help this couple’s revamped home come to life for the holidays
Photo by Shawn Lang
The couple bought their green 1972 Ford F100 Ranger online. “It’s great for all the trips to the lumber yard — and it matches the house,” Lang says, who’s pictured here standing in the truck bed as Prepelica looks on. The truck is also perfect for bringing home their Christmas tree, which they cut down each year from Pine Farm in Youngsville, New York, on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
The couple bought their green 1972 Ford F100 Ranger online. “It’s great for all the trips to the lumber yard — and it matches the house,” Lang says, who’s pictured here standing in the truck bed as Prepelica looks on. The truck is also perfect for bringing home their Christmas tree, which they cut down each year from Pine Farm in Youngsville, New York, on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Inside, the farmhouse-style renovated kitchen includes more nature-inspired touches. “Adding some wreaths and garland go a long way in our kitchen,” Lang says. Three wreaths hang on the original built-in hutch, with plaid ribbons for an extra festive look. The collection of baskets above the hutch are from local antiques shops. The couple also display their white ironstone serving pieces on the hutch.
“The kitchen was pretty much a blank slate when we moved in,” Lang says. “It needed cabinetry because there was a lack of cabinets, but we knew we didn’t want any upper cabinets because of the built-ins. We wanted to keep the design simple.”
During the kitchen renovation process, Lang used Houzz photos to find ideas.
All of the stainless steel appliances are new, including the BlueStar range, and the white countertops are quartz. The pendants are from Barn Light Electric Co.
The nine black-and-white framed prints in the corner are watercolors of vintage kitchen utensils by Muriel Favaro, a friend of the couple.
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“The kitchen was pretty much a blank slate when we moved in,” Lang says. “It needed cabinetry because there was a lack of cabinets, but we knew we didn’t want any upper cabinets because of the built-ins. We wanted to keep the design simple.”
During the kitchen renovation process, Lang used Houzz photos to find ideas.
All of the stainless steel appliances are new, including the BlueStar range, and the white countertops are quartz. The pendants are from Barn Light Electric Co.
The nine black-and-white framed prints in the corner are watercolors of vintage kitchen utensils by Muriel Favaro, a friend of the couple.
Find a kitchen designer near you
The butcher block came from a local butcher, and a vintage pitchfork hangs above it. “We picked surface and decor that could hold up to the humidity and grease of the kitchen,” Lang says. “Plus, we liked the three-dimensional look of the piece.
“We love to switch out the butcher block seasonally,” he says. “We added clippings that came from our Christmas tree with winter berries in an old sap bucket.”
Above an original wood door that leads to the great room is a collection of vintage copper bundt molds. The stocking belonged to Prepelica when he was a kid.
This original built-in is used as a home bar and to store the couple’s collection of vintage barware.
“We love to switch out the butcher block seasonally,” he says. “We added clippings that came from our Christmas tree with winter berries in an old sap bucket.”
Above an original wood door that leads to the great room is a collection of vintage copper bundt molds. The stocking belonged to Prepelica when he was a kid.
This original built-in is used as a home bar and to store the couple’s collection of vintage barware.
“The kitchen is definitely the heart of our home,” Lang says. “We love to cook and bake around the holidays, and it’s a perfect space for guests to cram into when we host parties.” The kitchen also leads out to the porch.
The giant picture window replaced a previous bay window, and the couple installed a hammered copper farmhouse sink. “We like the warm look and feel of copper,” Lang says.
The kitchen originally lacked counter space, so the couple opted for lower cabinets along the length of the wall. Lang designed and built the island using reclaimed wood found in the barn on their property.
In the corner is a collection of breadboards that Lang has collected on trips to flea markets in Europe over the years. The floral arrangement on the counter is by their neighbor and floral artist, Jill Wiener of Earthgirl. This room didn’t have the original hardwood flooring found in the rest of the home, so the couple installed similar-looking engineered wood flooring.
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The giant picture window replaced a previous bay window, and the couple installed a hammered copper farmhouse sink. “We like the warm look and feel of copper,” Lang says.
The kitchen originally lacked counter space, so the couple opted for lower cabinets along the length of the wall. Lang designed and built the island using reclaimed wood found in the barn on their property.
In the corner is a collection of breadboards that Lang has collected on trips to flea markets in Europe over the years. The floral arrangement on the counter is by their neighbor and floral artist, Jill Wiener of Earthgirl. This room didn’t have the original hardwood flooring found in the rest of the home, so the couple installed similar-looking engineered wood flooring.
Browse farmhouse-style kitchens
This entry table is the first piece of furniture the homeowners added to the great room. The base is an old sewing machine stand that they topped with an antique wooden tabletop. The room features a majestic coffered ceiling and chestnut wainscoting. “The original owners of this house owned a wood mill and the condition of the finishes was incredible,” Lang says.
The couple’s favorite part of this open space is the entry table. “We always do something different with it each year. It’s a great welcoming to our guests,” Lang says. “The butterfly cloches we make and sell through our online shop, and we were inspired by antique cloches.” The couple work with collectors to find the butterflies, some of which are 20 or 30 years old. “We propped the cloches up on vintage books to create staggered heights,” Lang says.
The mini Christmas tree is also from Pine Farm in Youngsville. (Here’s how the homeowners decorated this entry table for fall.)
The mini Christmas tree is also from Pine Farm in Youngsville. (Here’s how the homeowners decorated this entry table for fall.)
The previous owners used the great room as a storage area and exercise space, and when the couple moved in they too wanted it to be multifunctional. “With all our experience living in lofts, we knew we wanted to create zones to give the space purpose,” Lang says. The living area is on the left, and on the right is the dining area and a fireplace.
This space is the main gathering room when the couple entertain. “The great room is already a cozy room in the house, so adding a little greenery makes it so festive,” Lang says. Simple touches of green and plaids adorn the space this time of year.
“We love entertaining, and this space is a hub for that because it’s a wide-open space that leads out to the front wraparound porch,” Lang says.
This space is the main gathering room when the couple entertain. “The great room is already a cozy room in the house, so adding a little greenery makes it so festive,” Lang says. Simple touches of green and plaids adorn the space this time of year.
“We love entertaining, and this space is a hub for that because it’s a wide-open space that leads out to the front wraparound porch,” Lang says.
“We just purchased the antique portraits from our friends at DC Kingswood,” Lang says. “We didn’t know where to hang them yet so we just left them there for the meantime.”
Lang likes to mix colors and sizes that, in his words, help create an “organic” to the home’s interiors. The stairwell features a gallery wall of the couple’s growing collection of framed silhouettes. “I saw some used in an old country home, and I thought they would look great in our home,” Lang says. He notes that silhouettes can be hard to find and expensive, but he’s been able to collect small ones from local shops, artists and estate sales. “Together, all these small ones make a statement,” he says.
Lang likes to mix colors and sizes that, in his words, help create an “organic” to the home’s interiors. The stairwell features a gallery wall of the couple’s growing collection of framed silhouettes. “I saw some used in an old country home, and I thought they would look great in our home,” Lang says. He notes that silhouettes can be hard to find and expensive, but he’s been able to collect small ones from local shops, artists and estate sales. “Together, all these small ones make a statement,” he says.
The plaid blankets stacked next to the plaid sofa are mostly vintage wool Pendletons, which Lang began collecting last year. The couple bought the sofa at a yard sale for about $50 and upholstered it in the blue-and-green Ralph Lauren fabric.
The couple have had their dog, Rocco, pictured, for over 14 years. Read more about Rocco in his Pet’s Place feature.
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The couple have had their dog, Rocco, pictured, for over 14 years. Read more about Rocco in his Pet’s Place feature.
Find an upholstery or furniture repair professional near you
During the holidays, Lang and Prepelica swap out their regular throw pillows for plaid ones. “It’s not necessary to go overboard with the holiday decorations,” Lang says.
“We got the larger sofa bench at an auction and reupholstered it in a natural linen fabric,” he says. He painted the legs of the vintage coffee table white.
Shop for plaid pillows on Houzz
“We got the larger sofa bench at an auction and reupholstered it in a natural linen fabric,” he says. He painted the legs of the vintage coffee table white.
Shop for plaid pillows on Houzz
Hanging above the original chestnut wainscoting are two Dutch botanical-inspired paintings done by a friend.
“We love this style of painting and asked a friend to re-create them with a black background that is moody and dramatic,” Lang says. “We got the paintings custom framed 5 inches wide. We knew we wanted a statement.”
The couple decorate their Christmas tree with a different theme each year. “This year we wanted to reflect our love for being inspired by nature,” Lang says. “There’s little bird nests in the tree and tiny cloches with mushrooms and paper butterflies.”
“We love this style of painting and asked a friend to re-create them with a black background that is moody and dramatic,” Lang says. “We got the paintings custom framed 5 inches wide. We knew we wanted a statement.”
The couple decorate their Christmas tree with a different theme each year. “This year we wanted to reflect our love for being inspired by nature,” Lang says. “There’s little bird nests in the tree and tiny cloches with mushrooms and paper butterflies.”
An old Victorian buffet serves as a bar in front of a door that once led to the kitchen. The couple make it festive for the holidays by adding fresh garland. They enjoy making a classic Manhattan as their go-to winter cocktail.
“We root household pothos and schefflera plants in vintage bottles — we love looking at their sculptural root system,” Lang says.
Think You Haven’t Got Space for a Home Bar?
“We root household pothos and schefflera plants in vintage bottles — we love looking at their sculptural root system,” Lang says.
Think You Haven’t Got Space for a Home Bar?
The hallway that leads to the bathroom and kitchen presented an opportunity to create a useful little corner. When the couple removed the layers of wallpaper in here, they discovered hand-painted patterns that inspired the red-and-white wallpaper they ended up choosing.
“We love to play with scale,” Lang says. “The corner table is pretty small, but that large urn filled with flowers really makes a statement.” At Christmastime, the urn is filled with pine clippings, and a garland and wreath adorn the mirror. Wiener created the floral arrangement.
“We love to play with scale,” Lang says. “The corner table is pretty small, but that large urn filled with flowers really makes a statement.” At Christmastime, the urn is filled with pine clippings, and a garland and wreath adorn the mirror. Wiener created the floral arrangement.
The homeowners start their Christmas morning in this space, lighting the fire, turning on holiday music and then tearing into their gifts.
When it’s cold outside, the little stove and the stone hearth and rocking chairs make this a perfect place to relax. “When the fire is on, we’re usually in the rocking chairs reading a book or favorite magazine,” Lang says. “The great room is where we spend most of our winter nights by the fire.”
The couple installed plate shelves around the room to display their collection of vintage blue transferware they’ve found at local antiques shops.
When it’s cold outside, the little stove and the stone hearth and rocking chairs make this a perfect place to relax. “When the fire is on, we’re usually in the rocking chairs reading a book or favorite magazine,” Lang says. “The great room is where we spend most of our winter nights by the fire.”
The couple installed plate shelves around the room to display their collection of vintage blue transferware they’ve found at local antiques shops.
The mantel decor is all about layering. “We use mostly faux greenery and garland, then add some large pine cones we collect on our property,” Lang says. “We always add a wreath and of course our plaid stockings.”
In the corner of the great room is a dining area with a farmhouse-style table. “We love to dine here with our close friends and family for an intimate dinner,” Lang says. “For Thanksgiving we host a Friendsgiving; we’ll have a holiday party and a party for springtime and summertime. We enjoy hosting seasonally.”
The dining chairs were lime green when the homeowners found them at a thrift store. “We sanded them down and re-covered the cushions with a natural linen,” Lang says.
The dining chairs were lime green when the homeowners found them at a thrift store. “We sanded them down and re-covered the cushions with a natural linen,” Lang says.
Photo by Shawn Lang
The couple’s truck is seen here after a snowfall last winter. Next to it is the barn, painted in the same white and green as the house. It’s used as Lang’s studio space and as a workshop for refinishing vintage furniture and storing extra pieces.
The couple enjoy having an expansive property where they can entertain outdoors during the warmer months. In the summer, they hold a large barbecue for up to 100 people.
See more of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More on Houzz
20 Festive Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces
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Browse popular Christmas decorations
The couple’s truck is seen here after a snowfall last winter. Next to it is the barn, painted in the same white and green as the house. It’s used as Lang’s studio space and as a workshop for refinishing vintage furniture and storing extra pieces.
The couple enjoy having an expansive property where they can entertain outdoors during the warmer months. In the summer, they hold a large barbecue for up to 100 people.
See more of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More on Houzz
20 Festive Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces
Find an interior designer
Browse popular Christmas decorations
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Shawn Lang and Kristofer Prepelica of The Farmhouse Project and their Chihuahua, Rocco
Location: Hortonville, New York
Size: 2,500 square feet (232 square meters)
Shawn Lang and Kristofer Prepelicalove creating a cozy vibe for their home during the holiday season. Whether they’re hosting a gathering or spending an evening together at home, they enjoy making their renovated farmhouse in Hortonville, New York, feel warm and inviting each winter. Lang, a consultant in product design, and Prepelica, an oncologist, both take a nature-inspired approach to holiday decorating. They make garlands each year after scouring their 2-acre property for pinecones, berries and twigs.
The couple bought the 1800 farmhouse six years ago as a weekend retreat from New York City and have slowly been restoring it room by room. “A year ago we moved up here full-time, and Kris will commute back down to the city,” Lang says.
The green-and-white-painted exterior is decorated with pine garland that spirals around the pillars of the wraparound porch and wreaths with red bows that hang in the windows, giving the farmhouse a classic and natural holiday look. In the fall, the couple dress up the porch with yellow mums from the farm down the road.
See how the homeowners decorate their home for fall