An 1896 Italianate gem becomes a growing family’s new home.
What would attract an active family with young children to a century-old home? According to its owner, Katie Baker: everything. The historic home especially shines at Christmas.
Finding a Historic Home
“It was perfect in every way for our growing family,” Katie says. “My husband and I weren’t actually house-hunting, but when this historic home went up for sale in the rural town my husband grew up in, we toured it and made an offer the same day it hit the market. We immediately fell in love with the unique and intricate exterior, which was unlike any other residential home we’d ever seen. It’s an architectural gem that is just steps away from the quaint downtown and was originally built by an immigrant in 1896 to model his childhood home in Italy. We loved the idea of owning such a beautiful piece of history and having the opportunity to make our mark on it.”
Katie lives in the Carterville, Illinois, with husband Ryan, three sons (Jack, 14; Henry, 7; and Alden, who is a newborn), their dog, Kal, and cat, Jasper. Her design goal was to create warm, cozy and inviting spaces her entire family could enjoy.
“This home is very large, with tall ceilings, lots of nooks and irregularly shaped spaces, so that was a bit of a challenge. But I also saw it as an opportunity to get creative and embrace the home’s natural charm,” Katie notes. “I used timeless antique pieces I’ve collected over many years to furnish and decorate, including beautiful, warm wood furniture, oil paintings, Persian rugs, gilded-framed mirrors and unique antique lighting.”
The main level of the home has 10- and 12-foot ceilings, as well as an octagonally shaped room, all of which were challenging to decorate. However, Katie tapped into her eye for design to work with them.
“I wanted to maintain the elegant ambiance true to the home’s style while adding character and modern functionality to the spaces,” Katie explains. “I added picture-frame molding to the walls that otherwise would have been difficult to decorate; architectural features—such as corbels, which were original to the home but found hidden in a corner of the basement; and transformed what was a coat closet into a library nook with an antique rolling ladder.”
From House to Historic Christmas Home
Katie, who shares her design ideas, DIY projects and seasonal décor on her Instagram page (@baker_nest), found creative ways to personalize the century-old house so it would feel like home to her family.
“My mother’s family has done an excellent job of curating our family’s heirlooms over centuries,” she says. “One of my favorite pieces is an oil painting of my great-great grandfather that was painted in 1860. I remember having it in our home as a little girl. And now, I proudly display it in my own home.”
Sentimental Christmas ornaments create a nostalgic ambience during the holidays.
“I have a collection of our family’s Christmas ornaments that date back to around the same time frame,” Katie says. “I have many Christmas trees in our home, but my favorite tree is the one with family heirlooms and handmade ornaments from my mom’s childhood, as well as ones my husband and I made as children and the ones our children have made.”
In addition to her cherished family heirlooms, Katie has many collections that she displays throughout her home, including jadeite, transferware pottery—“in just about every color”—oil paintings, antique stoneware/crocks, vintage and antique U.S. flags, vintage Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments, ironstone and even a Windsor chair collection.
To spotlight her heirlooms and collections, Katie chose a subtle color palette.
“I like to keep a neutral color palette for the basics and big items that are more expensive and difficult to change out. I think that keeps the spaces timeless,” she says. “I add color and texture seasonally with textiles, florals and smaller items.”
Overcoming Obstacles in the Historic Christmas Home
Katie shared some of her favorite success stories in styling her home:
“The dining room has 10-foot-high ceilings and a very large, open wall that wraps a corner along the stairway that leads to the basement,” she explains. “I chose to put my entire oil painting collection in this space—from floor to ceiling—to create an eye-catching gallery wall. It’s the first thing people see when they enter the dining and kitchen space, and it’s just … ‘wow’! It’s one of my favorite spaces.”
As the only female in the family, Katie used her creative spirit to carve out her own niche.
“The main living room is what I like to refer to as my living room, because I live in a house full of boys,” she says. “It’s part of the octagon-shaped room and has a 12-foot-high ceiling, so furniture arrangement and wall décor were a bit of a challenge. I added picture-frame molding for a touch of elegance and character. I also added some of my favorite antique furniture—including a hand-built, pre-Civil War-era cabinet—and painted the walls white to draw attention to the antiques in the space.”
While some homeowners might see a small guest bathroom as a decorating challenge, Katie sees it as an opportunity to flex her design muscles and make a styling statement.
“Guest baths are some of my favorite spaces to create,” she says. “They’re typically small and easy to change, so I have more fun with the colors and patterns I choose. For the powder room on the main level that most people use, I chose a blue-and-white jungle toile wallpaper, painted the wainscoting and sink base, and trimmed in gold fixtures.”
Katie’s overall goal is for her historic home, at Christmas and otherwise, to be a warm and welcoming place for family and friends.
“Walking through a home’s front door is like meeting someone for the first time; it’s the equivalent of a ‘first impression.’ I want our guests to immediately feel comfortable and welcome,” she points out. “For me, creating warmth is all about intentional décor. My home is an extension of my family and me, so almost every piece I include in my home has a story. Décor with meaning is authentic—and that’s what makes a home cozy and inviting.”
Folk Art From the Heart
Katie built a side business as a result of her love of handmade barn quilts.
“I have always loved the classic designs of old quilts,” Katie says. “They are true pieces of American art that tell our nation’s history from a woman’s perspective; and, being a former history teacher, I was especially drawn to those stories.”
She had seen pictures online of large quilt squares painted on wood and hung on barns, and she fell in love with the idea. However, she had concerns about the large barn size fitting into her home.
“I realized the need for smaller, more practical versions of the barn quilt for the majority of us that don’t have barns,” Katie says. “I started making barn quilts for my own home, and after posting pictures to social media, the response I received was overwhelming. This popularity led to my side business of making barn quilts, teaching classes locally and writing DIY pattern books. I have lectured and instructed classes at national fairs and for the American Quilter’s Society.”
Love this Christmas cottage? You may also love Christmas Curb Appeal: A Bungalow Beauty in Boise and A Natural, Nostalgic and Nautical Christmas Cottage. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration!
