A post all about a charming Christmas fireplace village.
There is something so quintessentially charming about a little hillside village in France or Italy. My favorite place I have been in Italy? Positano. The layers of houses, the sea breeze and sunsets- beyond. I loved wandering the cobblestone streets and meandering through the stacks of charming houses perched on a hill. And I felt the same about Roquebrune in France. I might just sit and stay awhile next time I am there- absolutely enchanting.
When I ordered these little houses- I had a different place in mind for them. But when they arrived and I saw all the details- the Lit Christmas ‘Village’ had with all those houses with a charming roof and glowing windows- I had a different idea. I thought why not create a charming little hillside village with them- much like Positano or the villages in France?
What I Love: The tall stately buildings, cozy glowing windows and doors and details.
Christmas Village Inspiration
Need I say more? Look at how beautiful and charming this view is. Positano has the most incredible energy- and at night? Pure Magic.
A Very Merry Christmas Village
Creating the hillside village was not difficult- my husband thought I might be a tad crazy. Which- I can’t disagree with- but hey, you have to have a little crazy to be a little creative, right?
Stacking layers of houses and those twinkling lights in windows started to appear one by one. And before I knew it- the whole ‘hillside’ was glowing away beautifully. Much easier than building a hillside village- this simply required a bit of planning and stacking and then plugging in.
The Christmas Village
I am so in Love with how this turned out. I have to tell you, when I walk into the bedroom in the afternoon and evening and this fireplace village is glowing away- I just stop and stare. It makes me smile every time I see it- and I am transported back to the magic and charm of those beautiful hillside villages in Europe.
The Details
This is a faux fireplace- you might remember that I have had logs with twinkle lights on them here before. But behind that is just a simple black canvas that is perfect for a stack of houses. I left a layer of the logs all around- to use as ‘backdrop’ in between and around the firebox area. There are a couple peeking out here and there- but you wouldn’t have to leave the wood if you didn’t want to.
You could absolutely create a village inside a regular fireplace that you aren’t using as well- or just enjoy them on a sideboard or around the base of the tree. Linking a similar village on top of the mantel in the cottage -and you just might see these popping up in a couple other places soon. *This is a Tree Collar version below- it is smaller on size but not on charm.
Fill your Fireplace with Charm
This is a LARGE fireplace mantel- I am not sure if you can fully appreciate the size from the photos- but it is almost as tall as I am and the firebox is quite wide. So I used 3 sets of Lit Christmas Village to create this. It actually took almost all 6 blocks of 2 houses to go just the width of the firebox. You can stack up some wood blocks as shelves or use a platform shelf (like for spices) in layers – and if you have a smaller fireplace-you can use just one or 2 sets for a similar look.
Each set of 2 houses plugs from one right to the next – there is a little cord you simply plug on to the next one and so on. There is just one that plugs into the wall for each set that lights that set up. And they also have a timer which I love. They automatically turn on when it starts to get a little darker in the late afternoon everyday and greet me when I walk in and turn off several hours later.
Though I am not finished with the mantel styling or tree in here just yet (waiting on a couple things to arrive) I wanted to share this look earlier rather than later. Those shipping delays are real folks- so if you are looking for a little European village charm in your home this season- shop them now and with the Early Black Friday deals at Balsam Hill starting already- it’s a perfect time to grab these.
Shop the Look
Click to shop this look :
LIT WOODEN CHRISTMAS VILLAGE | FAUX SNOW | Smaller TREE COLLAR VILLAGE
What do you think of how this fireplace turned out? I am obsessed with it. Pretty sure it just might stay up all winter long too.
Stay tuned for a closer look at this mantel when I get it all finished- and a video on putting it all together- there are a couple tricks to get them to stack and continue to link and work- and stay tuned for several more of the 12 Trees coming your way this week and next.
- Some Affiliate Links. I am Balsam Hill’s Brand Ambassador but not a sponsored post- just sharing my love of them and these houses.
Cassandra E says
This is gorgeous. I clicked over to the catalog, and they should be using your photo! Their photos don’t have half the impact yours do.
Courtney says
So kind of you Cassandra!
Rebel Harrison says
Thank you, this is stunning. just to clarify, how many units did you order and arrange. In reading it sounds like two but when I count houses it looks to be a minimum of three?
Courtney says
Yes- I used 3 sets because this fireplace is so large -but you could use 2 if you have a smaller firebox and get a very similar look by splitting each set of two houses. (if that makes sense) Hope that helps! I will try to explain it more in the next post
Kathleen says
OH MY GOODNESS!!! ALL OF THIS IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!
Courtney says
Thanks so much Kathleen!
kathie says
i too love your european hillside! that is just how it reallt does look with all the tall slender houses set on a hill or a winding brick street. truly like europe and your viallage as well!
Debi says
I’m an to see the Full post of your firepl mantle because i love the greenery! I hope you’ll tell us What all you used for that.
Mariann says
Thank you for the complete details on how you did this. Positano is wiTHout a doubt one of the most BREATHTAKINGLY beautiful places. Merry Christmas 🎄
franki Parde says
Positano…ahhh…one of my “all time” favs, too!! Your rendition is positively Positano!! franki
Mary says
ABSOLUTELY beautiful! Stun rend of the Positano hillside!
Jody says
Just beautiful, love it!
Sue Deder says
Quick question….how do you hide corDs? Both large cords and that ugly little box for the batteries when you have the cordless, Small twinkle lights? You could probably do a full blog post on this topic. I’ll bet others would like to know as well.
Chere’ Sterk says
Oh wow and wow again! Unbelievable! I have two words to describe this creative genius!
Cheryl Gordon says
So BEAUTIFUL! I lOve sitting in the dark with the Lights on.
i love having my birthday in december for this reason, so magical.
Can you send a photo of the back? What did you use for risers? LOve this and lOve your Your posts!
Courtney says
Hi Cheryl! I have had so many folks ask about putting it together- I am going to do a post on it to explain more.You can use wood blocks or risers or anything that works for the right height- it is super easy. Stay tuned for more.
Martha says
This is stunning! What did you use to stack the houses to make them resemble the Positano hills? I can’t take my eyes off this!
Courtney says
Hi Martha! Thank you! I used pieces of wood blocks to create ‘risers’ of different heights. I will do a post to explain more soon!
Sandra garant says
ThiS Hillside house gireplave design is absolutEy the most outst ideato meet the needs of many oF us! Can’t wait for the
Next exciting chapter in time for us ti have forchristmas!!
Gail says
You have the best ideas
Just beautifl
Karen B. says
I love this! It’s no wonder it makes you smile each time you see it lit. It is perfect for your location and so charming.
Karen B.
carol rizzo says
Placed an order yesterday for one of the charming Lit Wooden Christmas Old Town buildings set. Can’t wait – it’s on it way!
Erica says
Wow, wow, W O W…Im obsessed! I just ordered the village set. I didn’t realize you used multiple sets. How many houses in one set??
Courtney says
I used 3 sets – there are a lot in each set but this is a very large fireplace so it took most of one set to go across the first row. I will be sharing more about how to create it.