Step Inside Santa's North Pole Retreat (We're Totally Stealing These Rustic Decorating Ideas)
You've got to see the Elf Village of tiny houses.
Each year, Santa visits every child's home in the entire world and helps himself to milk and cookies. Inviting us into his home, if only virtually, is the least the Clauses could do in return. And, since 2016, they have by listing their North Pole home on Zillow. Want to pop over? Go ahead. In fact, more than three million people have already joined in this modern Christmas tradition, which includes a 3D tour of Elf Village (a community of tiny homes) and a link to the official NORAD Santa Tracker where kids can track Santa's precise location on the big night (though they better not stay up too late if they want to be on the good list).
Now, as it turns out, the North Pole is a pretty good place to invest in real estate because over the last six years the 25-acre property has increased in value from $650,000 to $1,154,137, according to Zillow's estimate. And, more importantly, this 200-year-old log cabin gem is brimming with rustic Christmas charm and cozy everyday decorating ideas you can use. So, this holiday, head to the full tour of Santa's home on Zillow for fun with this kids, but in the meantime, here's a look at the Country Living editors' 10 favorite things about the jolly guy's home style.
Cute Signage
A vintage-style road sign points the way to Santa's toy shop and reindeer stables. You might not have as may outbuildings as the big guy, but you can use this idea at home to point to your herb garden or the kids' treehouse.
Mudroom Nook
In a snowy locale like the North Pole, a mudroom is essential but doesn't have to be big (or even a room), as this nook proves. A bench for taking boots on and off, a coat rack, and space to store that overflowing bag of letters to Santa is really all you need.
Cookie Oven
What baker wouldn't love this cozy kitchen? Merry red accents are just the thing to balance the warm natural wood tones, but the star of this kitchen is the 12-setting cookie oven, which has specialized settings to bake all your Christmas cookies to perfection, whether crispy, chewy, or soft—including a gingerbread house setting. (An elf invention, the cookie oven is not currently available to the public.) Also in this open concept living area is a river stone fireplace for roasting chestnuts.
(Almost) Screen-Free Office
Okay, there are some things Santa has to pull out the laptop for, but otherwise he keeps it old-school with a rotary phone, typewriter, and a globe and maps for planning his routes. There are so many home office ideas to love here: (1) the desk made from a repurposed door and saw horses, (2) the antique shelf with tiny cubbies used for organizing supplies, and (3) the cozy vibes brought by the handwoven rug and plaid throw draped over a leather wing chair. And, of course, a crafty guy like Santa must have a sewing table in this office.
Mad for Plaid
Santa and Mrs. Claus use plaid accents throughout their North Pole cabin, but in the main bedroom it takes centerstage. All the fresh evergreen garlands paired with the classic pattern reminds us of another charming tartan-filled Christmas house tour.
Tiny House Inspiration
You know we love our tiny houses. But did you know Santa's elves started the trend? It's a little-known fact, Zillow reports. The Elf Village on Santa's property features an array of architectural styles and ingenious small-space decorating ideas.
Rough-Hewn Staircase
You might not expect such a chunky staircase in such a small space, but this hewn log staircase totally works.
Bucket Sink and Mason Jar Pendant Light
Does this elf read Country Living because we appear to share a love for clever ways to repurpose galvanized buckets and mason jars in home decor.
Also, that cheeseboard reminds us that we need to head to the store for some light Christmas lunch foods to tide everyone over till the big feast.
White Paint for a Small Kitchen
White kitchens are a classic for a reason. The light and airy shade really opens up this tiny elf kitchen that miraculously fits a farmhouse table for six and a Christmas tree.
Yoga Room
Each elf's home reflects their unique aesthetic, interests, and backgrounds—and the yoga space incorporated into this Eastern-influenced design reminds us that there is always, always room for a yoga mat.
Terri Robertson is the Senior Editor, Digital, at Country Living, where she shares her lifelong love of homes, gardens, down-home cooking, and antiques.
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