Saturday, November 27, 2010

Outdoor Christmas Decor and Front Staircase~

It has been non-stop Christmas decorating around here!  I am happy to say that the front staircase and the outdoor decorations are done!!  Of course, every other weekend it has been an unseasonably warm 70 degrees...well, not today!  It was cold and windy!!  Happens every year.  I really think someone with a really bad sense of humor throws a switch the Friday night after Thanksgiving because they know all us Southerners will be out in force decorating our homes for the impending holiday season!  By the time we were done, I couldn't feel my fingers and toes!!

The staircase first.  We are really going for a more natural feel/look this year.  I am over the plastic and faux!  Although, I did use faux greens as real just doesn't last long enough.

Large pinecones along with burlap ribbon bows set the stage for this year!  I ordered a box of these big babies a couple years ago from Washington state.  I love them!  Hubby says he wants to see the trees they came from because they have to be pretty impressive.  These babies are HUGE! (about a foot long each)
The burlap ribbon came from Pottery Barn.  I made the bows myself.  I fringed the ends of each, very easy to do...just pull a few horizontal strands out.

You can see that we swag our garland.  The garland is lit with white lights as well.  It is soooo pretty at night.  You can catch a glimpse of one of our photo walls upstairs in this picture.  It is a series we had done when our oldest  was a senior.  The cheerleader versus the volleyball player!!  For one picture we actually had the girls "switch" uniforms!  We also have the injury series...this was the year our oldest blew out her foot tumbling and our youngest had shoulder surgery.  The photographer captured our year of injuries in a really funny way!

There are two of these...one on each french door leading into our study.

Front door with lighted garland and wreath.  Our daughters were both competitive figure skaters at one point. The skates were our oldest daughter's first pair.

Each window on our house is adorned with a wreath like this one.


View of the front porch.  The porch is adorned with lighted garland around the doorway, a wreath, wreaths on the windows, lighted topiaries, lanterns, as well as lighted snowflakes.

Overall view of the front.

I am still working on the interior decor.  The vintage tree is up in the living room, the staircase done, and  the elves have officially made their debut (pictures to come).  During the course of next week, the dining room table will be set, the family room decor put in place and the "big" tree chosen and decorated. 

Did I mention, shopping, baking, shopping some more...  I am hosting my bunco group on the 21st, so I am really ready to get things done this year so I can sit back and enjoy the festivities!


16 comments:

Megan // Honey We're Home said...

Lauren, you are seriously go, go, go! Your holiday decor is awesome and your home is GORGEOUS! That exterior picture is wonderful. I'm so jealous of the wreaths on the outside windows- can't get Jimmy up there, but would love to do wreath on our windows too! I also really love what you did to the front door- those are the same colors I'm using for our front door wreaths- so classic and pretty. How cool that your stair garland has lights!?!? I bet that's so pretty at night. I could write a book, ha!

Jessica said...

Your front door looks gorgeous! And the front of your house is beautiful! Nice work!!! :)

Lili said...

so beautiful!!!

Judy said...

You are way ahead of me. We got all the Christmas stuff out last weekend and I did get the tree up and mantle partially done yesterday but now I'm being lazy and uninspired to finish up anything. The plan is to finish up the den today, then do the dining room and foyer and maybe the outside by tomorrow. At the rate I'm going, NOTHING will get done.

Happy Sunday!
Judy

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Beautiful!!!! 5 stars, my friend!

Maillardville Manor said...

SOOOOO Beautiful!!!! I love it! The pine cones and ribbon!!!
The Garland is to die for!!

Unknown said...

Lauren it is all so beautiful. I love the natural look and the outside is stunning. What a fantastic house to decorate for Christmas. Beautiful, my friend.

Cassie {Hi Sugarplum} said...

that looks so beautiful...I love the natural touch of pinecone and burlap. And you are a seriously amazing bow-maker!!! Can't wait to see the inside!

Michelle @ Ten June said...

So pretty!!! Great job. My theme this year includes pine cones as well- how can you not love them?! Your gigantic ones are fabulous! Especially with the burlap ribbon- so pretty :) Hopefully I can find some good ones between our yard and Hobby Lobby ha ha!

Decorchick! said...

Wow Lauren!!! Everything is just stunning! I am in LOVE with that burlap ribbon. Never knew it existed. Your home is gorgeous and love the way you decorate it. Just lovely!

Sandy @ Cottage Style Decorating said...

I love the more simple look of pine cones and burlap! Also love your lighted snowflakes and wreaths on each window. I have always wanted to do that. I'm still trying to put together what I want to do outside. Thanks for the ideas!

Sherman Unkefer said...

Wow! I love al of your garland! It is truly beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Oh Lauren, your staircase it so pretty! My mantel and your stairs would get along great! We've had our giant pinecones for years now and they still look perfect.
The wreath on the front door is awesome, I love how you used your daughters skates.
Londen

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Gorgeous!! I love the natural look too.

Wow, the outside of your house is gorgeous, I love all the wreaths and touches outside too!!

Anonymous said...

You are light years ahead of me. Thanks for the inspiration. I really liked Eddie Ross's post about how he uses Faux garland, as a foundation, then stuffs them with natural greens. Go have a peek.
Best,
Liz

Brandi said...

Wow! you have a gorgeous home! I love you holiday decorations! Your stairs are gorgeous too. Is that paint or carpet?