I’m really trying to plug through this Christmas tour and today I’m back with the kitchen and mudroom. There haven’t been any significant changes from last year, but these are two of the most lived-in spaces in our home and they absolutely deserve a spot in the holiday lineup.
Like most homes, our kitchen is the true heart of daily life. We spend more time here than anywhere else, so I love making it feel merry with greenery, ribbons, a cozy coffee and cocoa bar and our Christmas china layered right into everyday use.
I am still so in love with the renovation we did a few years ago to level out the island and peninsula and brighten up the cabinets and backsplash. Just look at this view from the sofa in the den! The line of sight between these two rooms makes me SO happy when we are all gathered together doing life here.
A festive bowl of fruit and a candle look pretty from all sides here on the peninsula, and are short enough to keep things wide open between the two rooms.
Throughout the kitchen, I swap everyday frames and decor for Christmas photos, little bowls of candy and sentimental pieces from years past. All of our holiday decor lives in large tubs in the basement and attic, and when the Christmas items come out, everyday pieces go right back into storage. It’s the only way to keep things manageable.
At the sink, I bring in holiday dish towels and my favorite Williams Sonoma hand and dish soap. It smells absolutely divine and instantly makes even the most ordinary tasks feel seasonal.
One little corner gets a Happy Everything frame, a few decorative plates, and festive candy. A red cookbook pulled straight from the shelf adds just enough color without needing anything new.
Since we moved the coffee station to the beverage bar earlier this year, this counter has turned into a sweet-treat zone. It’s always a hit with the teens. I’m using my Byrd’s cookie jar, Grandma O’s vintage chip jar, and a few other festive pieces from my collection.
Decorative towels hang from the oven, though my boys still do not understand the concept of a towel that is not meant to be used. They’ve survived years of being wadded up, used as pot holders and pressed into emergency clean-up duty. Thankfully, they wash and iron beautifully. :-)
The island is the most-used surface in the kitchen, so the small tree works perfectly. It adds Christmas cheer without sacrificing prep space for meals, baking or homework sprawls. Mother didn’t do her Spode tree this year so I added her collection of ornaments to my own!
I’ve once again replaced our everyday china on display with our Christmas china. The classic Spode Christmas Tree pattern never gets old. Most of the collection came from our wedding years ago, and Mother and Daddy-O usually add a new serving piece each year.
The opposite counter holds cookbooks most of the year, but during the holidays it becomes a decorative spot. The mailbox is Magnolia Home, the Happy Tappers have been favorites since the boys were little, and the countdown sign was a gift from a friend many years ago.
Between the island and the bar sits a custom table made from wood reclaimed from an old Georgia farm. The height lands between table and counter height, making it incredibly versatile. On normal days it holds something seasonal and pretty, and when entertaining it easily becomes a gift table, buffet or bar. The candy cane runner is from Target last season.
The beverage bar itself continues to be a wonderful addition to our kitchen. On the left is our coffee and hot cocoa station, with mugs stored below and creamers tucked into the fridge. On the right, I keep a beverage dispenser, straws, napkins and all my cocktail supplies in the drawer underneath.
And, finally, here’s a peek of the kitchen from the mudroom!
The mudroom is our most-used entryway, so I added the Elf door hanger to the garage door again this year. The JOY boxwood garland came from Target after Christmas a few years ago. The pet bowls were originally from my shop and were Elsa’s very first Christmas gift. They’re still in use today, alongside a simple white water bowl.
This year, I also moved the boys’ old advent calendar into this space. It’s purely decorative now, but I love seeing it every day. It’s such a sweet reminder of Christmas mornings from years past and feels right at home here where we’re constantly coming and going. As Christmas cards arrive, I use simple painter’s tape to adhere them right to the door. There’s something so charming about watching that little collection grow throughout the season. And, with them in such a thoroughfare of activity, I find the boys looking for new ones every time they come and go!
I’ve got many more spaces to share, so stay tuned.
Dixie Delights Classic Christmas Home Tour 2025
video tour | exterior lighting | exterior + entry | living room
den | office + powder room | kitchen + mudroom | dining room
adult bedrooms | teen bedrooms | porch + pool
Christmas Decor Shopping List
Remote Tree Switch | Monogram Guest Towels | Magic Light Wand
Balsam & Cedar Candle | North Pole Pillow
1″ Red Velvet Ribbon | 3″ Double Face Satin Red Ribbon
Record Player | Elf soundtrack vinyl | Battery Tree Candles
Taper Candles | Wreath Hangers
affiliates
Holiday DIY Video Series
How to Make Christmas Bows | How to Spruce Up a Basic Wreath
How to Make a Greenery Bouquet | Easy Flower Arranging Tips + Tricks
2 Ways to Tie the Perfect Bow | Candy Cane Calzone
Other Holiday DIY
2 Easy Ways to Hang Christmas Wreaths | Paper Bow DIY
Painted Lamp Shades | Reindeer Kid Art | Tinsel Trees
All Holiday & Seasonal Decor | All things Christmas