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You Haven’t Seen Christmas Decorating Until You’ve Seen This Michigan Farmhouse
Christine and Gabe Bridger, Chicago residents who grew up in the Midwest, sought to provide their children, Emelia and Jenson, with a similar experience of wide-open spaces and rural freedom, leading them to discover a picturesque three-acre property in Fennville, Michigan. Despite the original 400-square-foot, 100-year-old farmhouse being in poor condition and too small for their family, the Bridgers were committed to preserving its original structure due to their DIY-oriented Midwestern sensibilities. They viewed the existing structure as the "heart of the home" and were determined to integrate it into their renovation plans.
The renovation involved transforming the original farmhouse footprint into a living room. The couple decided to expose the structural wood planks, which were never intended to be visible, creating a unique charm with their varied widths. For holiday decorating, they embraced a hands-on, homespun approach. For instance, they created gift ribbons from old plaid shirts, pulling loose threads to create fringe and sewing pieces together for longer strips. Christine often adds small embellishments like ornaments, candy canes, doilies, or old brooches to these wrapped gifts.
In the kitchen, custom elements such as the island and open shelving were crafted from reclaimed old beams and ceiling rafters, emphasizing a connection to the home's history. The Bridgers studied local farmhouses for inspiration, collaborating with architectural firm The Drawing Board, Inc. and contractor Jon Faris. Their objective was to retain the existing space's essence while significantly expanding it by adding 1,400 square feet.
Homemade salt dough ornaments are a key component of their Christmas tree decorations. The recipe involves combining all-purpose flour, salt, and warm water, kneading the mixture, rolling it out, and cutting desired shapes before baking. The sunroom incorporates hand-hewn iron accents and reclaimed ash floors, with the wood for the floors sourced from Barnstormers Wood, a professional farm dismantler. This choice intentionally connects the interior to the white ash trees present in their yard.
For the holiday season, they craft DIY apple and pine garlands, which feature apples punctured with a skewer and strung onto Fraser fir garlands, paying homage to the adjacent apple orchard. The entry features a custom steel railing by Forged by Design, providing an industrial contrast to the whitewashed wooden structure. They also transform vintage sweaters into Christmas stockings by tracing patterns, cutting, and sewing them, then adding loops and monograms made from metal house letters.
The bathroom, designed in a black and white farmhouse style, includes a sconce spray-painted red, providing a festive pop of color against dark walls, black-and-white "Atlas II" tiles, and a Kohler trough sink salvaged from Chicago. Pendleton towels further enhance the color scheme. The kids' bunk room is adorned with plaid flannel sheets and Pendleton blankets, complemented by barn-style sconces for reading. A DIY mitten garland, made from vintage mittens sourced year-round, celebrates Michigan's nickname as the "Mitten State," with yarn pulled through the tops of the mittens to create a festive display.
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