A Minnesota Cottage Christmas

History, tradition, and fresh greens shine in a timeless 1912 bungalow.

- WRITTEN BY KELLY MCMASTER I STYLED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARY LUKAS PIERCE

Snow-dusted porches, fragrant garlands, and a tree filled with memories bring Christmas magic to this 1912 home and homeowner, Mary Lukas Pierce, cherishes every moment.

A WHITE BEAR LAKE CHRISTMAS

Nestled in the lakeside community of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Mary, a professional photographer and stylist, owns a home that carries both the charm of history and the coziness of a storybook holiday. White Bear Lake has a rich past-once a bustling resort town in the early 1900s and even rumored to be a gangster hideout. Today, it thrives as a vibrant community with quaint shops, popular local restaurants, and a festive downtown that comes alive each Christmas with carolers, sleigh rides, and Santa visits. Just blocks away from Mary's home, the lake itself remains a year-round gathering place, offering everything from ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter to swimming and boating in the summer.