Have I mentioned that I am a natural kind of girl?
Natural textures talk to me.
Pinecones & fresh clippings,
Birch logs, gathered pinecones in baskets by the fireplace-
love it all- and out on the front porch-
natural decor is a year round kind of thing.
Today it is all about Christmas in July. I mean, this year has been one of those bugger kind of years so far-so I definitely don’t think we can talk about ideas for Christmas too early. Twinkle lights, candles, and beautiful twinkling trees- it is one of my most favorite times of the year.
My favorites for Christmas are realistic faux trees- I love to put them up right after Halloween and leave them twinkling away into January.
And I also love to incorporate a bit of natural touches as well. Outside by the front entry is a favorite place to deck the halls with faux & fresh touches.
One of my favorite looks each year is gathering the lanterns on the steps and on the landing and using led candles in them to light them up.
And while we are talking about Christmas in July right now and ideas you can start planning for- this look actually works all year long.
For example- buckets of flowers and greens in the spring with the lanterns
and chunky pumpkins with eucalyptus in the autumn.
For a nature inspired look – think about what you can find right in your own yard.
Clip fresh greens like boxwood, cedar and pine for a holiday look. I love to also add juniper clippings and fresh oranges to the pots.
In the summer -you can use small pots of flowers as accents as pumpkins in the fall.
In the lanterns – I used LED chunky wax melt candles
(except for the small lanterns which are regular candles.) I love the little bit of rustic charm they add.
The old cast iron urns get a sprinkle of Christmas the easy way.
I used a $6 garland from Traders and looped it on top of the urns
and called it good. Seriously- so easy, inexpensive and it works perfectly. I decorate the urns on both sides of the door with the clippings
and then added my favorite touch- a few oranges and tangerines for a pop of color
and traditional meaning for the season.
Around the door- a garland of fresh cedar – and this wreath is a fresh wreath that was a custom order
and that completely knocked my socks off when I picked it up at the flower market.
I am obsessed with the blue thistle added to it.
And for a spring or summer version- you can add dried flowers to a faux Christmas wreath.
At the bottom of the first set of steps,
I added a couple of faux trees in pots for a bit of charm
and at night…
they twinkle as guests approach.
The best part?
The led candles and those little topiary trees can be set to be on timers
which makes it easy to add ambiance outdoors while you enjoy being next to the fire at night.
So even though this area is small,
it is easy to add an abundance of charm that is welcoming and
full of Christmas cheer.
I am sharing all the sources for getting the look at the bottom of my post-
and you won’t want to miss my friends who are sharing
Courtney I am in love with all of your natural Christmas decorations, and quite jealous! Everything is so fresh and beautiful. Everything fresh dies over night in Arizona! I will be back visiting this post to enjoy all of the beauty! Have a merry Christmas my friend! xo
Courtney, how elegant and natural! The wreath on your door is absolutely stunning and I'm in love with the black cast iron urn with the Trader Joe's greenery. Thank you for touring with us!
Beautiful, as usual. Love christmas in july. actually i’d love christmas all year long. just found you on you tube. love all your presentations. thanks for sharing all your talent with us. kathryn
Courtney I am in love with all of your natural Christmas decorations, and quite jealous! Everything is so fresh and beautiful. Everything fresh dies over night in Arizona! I will be back visiting this post to enjoy all of the beauty! Have a merry Christmas my friend! xo
Thank you so much Randi! Merry Christmas to you as well!
Nothing better than a porch full of lanterns and pretty greenery! This looks so charming and inviting!
Thank you – and I am obsessed with those lanterns and fresh greens. 🙂
Courtney, how elegant and natural! The wreath on your door is absolutely stunning and I'm in love with the black cast iron urn with the Trader Joe's greenery. Thank you for touring with us!
Thank you Jennifer! It is a small front door area- but so fun to decorate simple and natural.
Courtney, your fresh greenery and lanterns set the perfect welcoming touch to your beautiful home! So gorgeous!
Thank you so much Kathleen!
Like a beautiful winter cottage in the setting of an enchanted forest! Beautiful!
Oh I just love the use of fresh greenery outdoors! Beautiful entry! xox
So pretty! Where are the lanterns from? Thabk yoj
They are unfortunately no longer available
Fun to think about christmas now! Can you share the source for the porch lanterns? THEY’RE lovely.
Unfortunately no longer available.
Beautiful!
Hi COURTNEY,
Beautifully done, as always.
Can you tell me the size of the faux trees on the front porch.
Merry Christmas in July,
Vickey
Beautiful, as usual. Love christmas in july. actually i’d love christmas all year long. just found you on you tube. love all your presentations. thanks for sharing all your talent with us. kathryn