Christmas Porch

I am in Christmas decorating mode, adding and subtracting to different parts of our home. It was finally warm enough to get the front porch decked out for the holidays.

Back in June I gave my porch a bit of a makeover (SEE THAT HERE). I typically know my makeovers or redecorating is good when I can reuse the same basic elements through the seasons and simply need to change out the details to make the space fit the season. My Christmas porch decor started with creating a new painting for this wall. I have a 2 sided painting that works for Summer and Fall so I decided to paint a new plywood board with a winter scene. This will get something springy on the back of it come March or April.

Like my other paintings, I painted this using ONLY wood scraps as paintbrushes. I call it "Snowy Trail in the Woods". The red behind the dark sky is the original color of the plywood, which was on our porch covering up the original tongue and groove flooring. 

A felt Christmas pillow sits in a vintage metal chair that doesn't get any sitting in these days. A fake poinsettia (too cold for a real one out here) sits in a thrifted, brass bucket along side a green snowflake lantern also from a thrift store. A little pine tree sits in the green metal planter. It has lights that come one when it is dark. I sprinkled fake snow on the tree to help it stand out from the green planter.

On my little, green wagon that is a porch staple, I added Christmas to my toolbelt holder that I made last year (see that DIY HERE). A friend gave me two, tall, red lanterns. I added white bottle brush trees and battery operated lights and snow to this one. 

The little ice skates are a thrift store find from many years ago and will go to my grandson if they fit him this year. A Charlie Brown tree from the thrift store sits in an enamelware bowl (I hot glued it to the bottom) I had used to collect rosehips in. I added fake snow to the bowl and the rosehips I didn't string earlier in the fall.

Next to thee green wagon sits a black bench that holds a vintage Washington State Cougars, wool blanket that I got for $2 from a thrift store. The ice cream bucket that I painted earlier this fall holds freshly cut juniper branches and curly willow branches. The dusty green color of the juniper contrasts nicely with the pine green bucket. The garage sale, rattan hanging planter holds faux greenery, also purchased at a thrift store.

Two wreaths that were in brand new packaging, but that I got at a thrift store hang from ribbon on the front door. 

Around the door hangs thrifted garland and lights. I might still get or stencil a Christmas front door mat, but I am happy with the cheerful, welcoming porch that greets guests into our home. Here is a picture at dusk with the lights on.