Christmas in a Door County Cottage

By Produced by Carol Schalla. Written by Andria Hayday. Photographs by King Au
A cottage nestled along Green Bay in Wisconsin's Door County glows with traditional charm, providing a snug retreat all winter long.
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Ice, water and sky

The winter holidays are especially magical at this cottage-style home on Wisconsin's Ellison Bay, when the cove freezes over and the snow-frosted woods are quiet. With virtually every room oriented toward the waterfront, the Door County home captures a blue-and-white tableau of ice, water and sky.

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Spacious but cozy

The living room showcases the home's signature paneling as well as a coffered ceiling and a fireplace made of local stone. Transom-topped windows let in lakefront views and make even moderately sized rooms feel spacious and airy. At Christmas, the painted Dala horses and red tulips on the table reflect the homeowners' Dutch-Scandinavian heritage and spirit.

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Holiday tradition

Wood shoes filled with imported candy are reminders of the family's Dutch-Scandinavian heritage.

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Soft blue and cream

Simple, elegant holiday arrangements of soft blue and cream suit an everyday Nordic aesthetic.

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Scandinavian straw

Straw ornaments are traditional Scandinavian favorites.Many Door County year-rounders have Scandinavian roots. The peninsula's rugged landscape appealed to the Swedes and Norwegians who settled here during the 1800s.

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Flexible dining

Beside the dining area's built-in cupboard, French doors with transoms open to the enclosed porch. As in the living room, the dining area features planked, white-on-white walls, a decor that reflects both Scandinavian aesthetics as well as cottage style. Cherry floors visually anchor the traditional furnishings and antiques. 

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Dutch-inspired decor

Delft tiles accent the dining room's tumbled marble hearth.

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Cottage style in the kitchen

White-painted cabinets with inset doors, classic bin pulls, "footed" toe kicks and curvy brackets bring cottage style to the kitchen.

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Year-round charm

Vintage-look lighting and a subway tile backsplash add to the kitchen's charm all year, though festive touches such as the hand-stitched towels hanging on the oven share a holiday message at Christmastime.

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A porch for most seasons

A heated fir floor keeps this porch cozy on all but the coldest days. In summer, wicker furniture replaces the hickory.

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Master suite

The first-floor master bedroom's high wainscoting varies the home's panel theme.

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