Welcome to the 151st Metamorphosis Monday!
Happy Holidays! Hope your weekend has been grand! I’ve been busy finishing the last bit of Christmas decorating for the front porch. Come a bit closer and check it out.
I usually use pine garland around the door for Christmas, but last year I had to buy enough to go around the door twice because it was sort of skimpy looking. So this year I decided to try cedar. I purchased 30 feet–enough to go around the door, down the center of my dining room table and across the mantel for $45.
An Alternative to Fresh Garland if the Budget is Tight:
If you don’t want to spend a lot for fresh garland each year, a super budget friendly way to create garland is to buy a few strands of inexpensive faux garland at a discount store and add real greenery to it from your yard. While on Christmas home tours, I’ve peeked under the fresh greenery of garlands around front doors and often there’s artificial garland underneath. You especially see this when the garland looks exceptionally thick and lush. Often the maker of the garland has started with a strand of artificial garland as the base and they have added magnolia, pine, pine cones, or other greenery from the gardens.
To make garland starting with artificial garland as your base, cluster the greenery you’re adding together in bunches, covering the stems of the greenery you’ve already wired on with the next layer of greenery, similar to how you cover a wreath form when adding fresh greenery to it. It’s okay to let some of the artificial garland peek out. You will only have the initial expense of the garland (which isn’t much if it’s purchased in a discount store. You’ll need some green floral wire to wire on your greenery. It’s also very inexpensive to buy.
Then you just add your fresh greenery to it each year, eliminating the need to buy garland for decorating. It’s definitely more labor intensive than just buying fresh garland each year, but it’s a great way to decorate with fresh garland and save a little on the cost.
My inspiration for the front door came from an ad torn from a old Grandinroad catalog. I’ve saved this picture for several years now, hoping to create the look for my front door some Christmas. At last, this was the year.
I did change the look up a bit, though. I didn’t use red ribbon since my front door is bright red and it would not have shown up very well. Also, I wanted the wreaths to appear to be hanging from each other, instead of having the ribbon running down the door behind and through the center of each wreath, as shown in the Grandinroad ad. The ribbon I used was a shimmery soft yellow/gold with touches of red and green. I tried plaid ribbon and though it was pretty, it was a bit too bright for the “feel” I wanted this year.
I bought my wreaths at Lowe’s. They were $12 each but they just went on sale a couple of days ago for $9.
I kept my colors around the door soft and muted this year. I just loved the look of the greenery, unadorned…no ribbon running through it and no baubles or beads this year.
Here’s a little tip in case you wish to create this look for your front door. If you just hang the wreaths from each other, the top wreath may lose its round shape and sag a bit from the weight of the other two wreaths below, unless you’re using artificial wreaths. Artificial wreaths may be light enough (weight wise) to hang from each other without causing the top wreath to sag.
My door is a wood door, so I placed a very skinny nail in the door on which to hang the second wreath. You would never know that just looking at it. I didn’t need to do that for the third wreath. It’s hanging by ribbon alone. The weight of one wreath seemed to be okay. But the weight of two was too much for the top wreath to handle without sagging in the center. The second nail did the trick.
The top wreath is hanging from a metal wreath door hanger, the type that goes over the top of a door. I attached a little ribbon to it with masking tape to hide the hanger. That way all the wreaths appear to be hanging from ribbon. I had three of those metal “over the door” type wreath hangers. Two were too long and would have caused the top wreath to hang too low, throwing off this whole arrangement. Fortunately, the third hanger was just the right length and worked perfectly. I got lucky there.
I always use the sled and ice skates on the porch at Christmastime. I just love them on the porch this time of year. I tucked left over cedar and Nandina berries from the yard into the top skate. This year I placed an on old pail found while antiquing, in front of the sled. I tucked an ice bucket down inside the pail and filled it with water and Leland Cypress and Nandina. I also tucked a few red and silver ornaments in on top.
Remember this lantern I used on the porch for fall and Halloween? It worked well surrounded by magnolia leaves on this Christmas porch.
Two artsy pics…just for fun.
Getting dark now–time to light up the garland. (Click for a Pottery Barn Inspired Garland Tutorial.)
As it was getting dark, I tried to catch some “blue hour” pics. (Click on the link to read about Blue Hour Photography.)
I’m still fascinated with the blue hour. Love the trees silhouetted against this blue hour sky.
The Debutante camellia is still blooming its heart out.
For a tutorial sharing how I linked the wreaths together to create this look, go here: Tutorial: Decorate a Door for Christmas with Three Wreaths
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Looking forward to all the Before and Afters for this Metamorphosis Monday!
To receive the latest posts, as well as updates about blog parties, subscribe via an RSS Reader or have BNOTP delivered right to your Inbox. You’ll find links to subscribe via RSS and Email on the sidebar to the right. Thanks for reading; so glad you are here!
Reading this post via e-mail or RSS feed?
*If you are reading this via email or RSS feed, to view all the Before and Afters linked for Metamorphosis Monday, click HERE.
Metamorphosis Monday:
If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday you will need to link up the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz.
In order to link up, you’ll need to include a link in your MM post back to the party.
If you’d like to include the MM button in your post, just copy and paste the Met Monday button to your computer or grab the html code from underneath the MM logo under the “BNOTP Parties” header at the top of this blog.
PLEASE DO NOT type in all caps…it spreads the links waaaay out. Thanks!
Let’s try something fun today! Please visit the person who linked before you and after you…that way everyone will get some visits. Hope you’ll visit more, of course.
Welcome! Thanks for coming to the party!
Oh my this is so beautiful Susan! Looks like it came right from a magazine for sure! I love the 3 wreaths on the door. I would love to find a sled- have the skates just need the fun sled to go with them!!
Thanks for the great party! Off to check out some of the other great posts!
bee blessed
mary
The "artsy" pictures look like a print for a Christmas card! Love all of the greenery in your outdoor decor! And thanks for hosting! 🙂
Susan your porch looks beautiful. I love the triple wreaths and I prefer cedar too. Thanks so much for hosting.
Oh my gosh! What a porch you have created! Too darn adorable!!!
m ^..^
Susan your front looks gorgeous!! LOVE the wreaths on your front door! Thanks for hosting, Martina
You have such a beautiful and welcoming front porch, Susan….christine
What a spectacular Christmas greeting from your front porch. Stunning.
I loved your house decorated before but I really think this three stack of wreaths is just too fun. I could do this on my windows since they are so tall. Thanks for the inspiration.
WOW! Your outdoor decorating is amazing! Love the 'blue hour' photos. That's cool.
This is totally amazing, wow! You're a very talented copy cat Susan, this is the best I've seen! Thank you for hosting. Merry Christmas.
FABBY
Just spectacular! I love the look with the 3 wreaths, and the whole front of your house is just stunning!
Susan,
Your home is wonderful. I have wanted to create that look too, it hasn't happened yet :). Yours looks great! Thanks for hosting,
Debbie
Holy Curb Appeal! That is so festive and inviting!
Thank you for hosting!
Kerry at HouseTalkN
So pretty and festive, Susan! Love the new look for your door! Happy week!…hugs…Debbie
Your porch looks stunning! I really love your blue hour photos including the ones you did over the summer. Beautiful!
Jeanine
Your porch is stunning and so festive. Love all the wreaths you put in the windows too.
Amazing! It's enough to make Martha Stewart jealous.
Your home is beautiful! thanks for hosting!
Sherry
Your front entry looks wonderful, Susan! Love the triple wreaths. I also love the "artsy" pictures ~ how great would that be to print out and frame.
Susan, this looks just gorgeous! Thanks so much for hosting.
Marianne 🙂
Your house is gorgeous – great job! Thanks for hostessing the party.
Mary
Love it all Susan, looks VERY warm welcoming, and soooo festive!!!
Your porch looks amazing! I love the 3 wreaths.
Dee
The photographs with your house decorated with the blue hour in the background are just stunning. I captured the blue hour in a recent photograph and linked to one of your previous posts about it. Your front porch really needs to be in a magazine.
Wow! So Pretty !! Makes me wish I had decorated more this year.
Wow……it's all so Pottery Barn!! LUV LUV LUV, Susan! So very elegant and chic and welcoming!! GREAT job! 🙂 Your entire house is amaaaazing!
xoxo laurie
Your porch is stunning and beautiful! I love all the greenery…very inspiring.
Thanks for hosting!
Kristen
Sophia's
What a festive entry. Thanks for hosting.
Your house looks amazing!
As usual, great job on the Christmas decor! Please tell us how you did the artsy pictures. They look like post cards!
Hi Pat,
The camera I bought recently (Nikon D5100) has a setting that takes the pics and creates that look. But you can also upload your own pics to Photobucket and use the "effect" setting there to do something very similar. I did a post long time ago that has the steps to do this at Photobucket. The "effect" that come closest to the look of the pics in my post is "Fresco." There are all kind of effects you can add to pics at Photobucket. Here's the link to the post about Photobucket:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/08/welcome-to-32nd-metamorphosis-monday.html
Hi Susan, your porch is gorgeous! So elegant looking. hugs ~lynne~
hey how are you? cute blog! I'm trying to find some local bloggers in the savannah or south georgia area and I came across your blog and I'd love to network with you! I'm definitely following you and I hope you'll visit my blog and follow me too! :o) Also, please feel free to email me at [email protected] so that I can have your contact info for some ideas in the future such as giveaways, business/social opportunities, meetups, etc. Hope to hear from you soon!
Susan, your photography is fantastic! Your porch is gorgeous. My metal wreath hangar is red, so it doesn't show at all against my red door. I purchased my big glass jars at Target today, so I'm hoping I can transform my counter into a baking center like yours. I hope it works out. Merry Christmas!
Very inviting and you pulled out all the stops didn't you! Love the night shots and could that sky look any bluer?
Susan, your Christmas home looks gorgeous. And, your blue hours photos are stunning.
Thank you for hosting. I shared my "new" dining room this week.
So gorgeous, what a feast to the eye.This Metamorpghosis Monday is by the way, one of the most gloriouys ones I have seen, there is so much talent out there- I have so enjoyed looking at all the other participants work!!
Have a great run up to Christmas.XX
Bea
Susan, Your entry is beautiful! I love the garland and the sled with skates is adorable. Thanks for hosting.
xo,
Sherry
Inspiration overload!!!! LUV IT!!! franki
Wow Susan- your door turned out wonderful. I like the three wreaths lined up. It's a very grand and inviting entrance!
The camellia blooming is wonderful. What a nice treat at this time of year!
WOW!! Stunning outdoor decor Susan! Looks just like a Pottery Barn catalog image!! Thanks for sharing and for hosting!!
xo Lynda
amazing! absolutely amazing!
Just beautiful, your so blessed to have such a beautiful house and life
Good Morning Susan,
Oh my goodness, how lovely your Christmas porch is! So very welcoming indeed..
Its just amazing and so beautiful!
I have joined you today with a post on our new banquette for our kitchen.
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth
"Home is Where the Heart is"
Oh Susan, your porch looks GORGEOUS!!! I love the 3 wreaths and thanks for the TIPS! I adore the PB inspired garland around the posts too. All the wreaths and candles at the windows are beautiful. The whole house is gorgeous. I award you 1st prize:):) XO, Pinky Hope you get a chance to come see our REAL sleigh!
A beautiful entrance I can certainly appreciate. Up here in the North if my entrance looked like that the first snow storm would blow everything away – boo hoo. There are advantages to living in the South during Winter.
Spectacular porch! Really stunning, inspiring me to venture out in the rain to cut magnolia branches, and then to Lowe's. I will try a copycat of your design on my Southern California front porch, so please send me your best Southern Decorator vibes. Thanks for hosting this terrific parrty. ~CJ
Thanks for the tips on using fresh greenery in with the faux garland. It is the best of both worlds!
Everything looks great and fun!
Love the blue hour pictures =)
Mary
Hi Susan…
Ooooh…your front porch looks gorgeous, my friend! I really do like the trio of wreaths that you created for the front door…that's a great idea! Love the sled and skates! Ever since I seen yours (many moons ago) I have searched for a sled. Nothing has come available (at least in my price range). All of your garlands looks fabulous…so full and beautiful! Thank you so much for the tip about using an inexpensive garland as a foundation to add the fresh greenery. That's a GRAND idea!!! I sure appreciate you sharing that with us.
Well dear lady, thank you again for hosting another Met Monday! I'm so glad that I can join in with the fun this week! Sending you and your family…warmest wishes and many blessings for a Merry Christmas!
Love ya,
Chari
I love how your porch is equally beautiful by day or by night.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Your house looks stunning Susan. Love the look of the three wreaths.
Beautiful!!! Ann Johnson mentioned your blog so glad I found it.
Tip: instead of nails, I often use sewing needles to hang pictures and other things — they are very strong and leave teeny-tiny holes.
Great idea! I use those to hang pictures inside but didn't even think about it for the door and wreath.
Thanks for hosting each week. Your home is lovely! I'm happy to be linking this week.
~ Julie
Hi Susan, i've come rather late to the party so I will visit a few before me. Thanks once again for being the great hostess that you are. This is such an inspirational post. Your porch looks super fantastic. Right out of a magazine. All your elements are so precious. I love the magnolia leaves around the lantern. And your columns are wrapped so grand. Everything comes together beautifully!
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful home with such beautiful Christmas decor. I LOVE it! And thank you for hosting the linky party.
Warmly, Michelle
Your front porch looks amazing, straight out of House and Garden, it puts my piddly little wreath to shame. Lots of inspiration for next year though.
You have a very inspiring blog.
Lee
Susan, this is stunning! I'll bet quite a few will be using your front porch as the inspiration for their front porch. Yours looks like it could easily be in a magazine. Love it! Thanks so much for sharing and for hosting this fab party!
CAS
Absolutely gorgeous Susan!! I love your large front lights also.
I forgot to suggest that you try using Commando hooks in place of putting nails into your front door. Even though the nails make small holes, you can avoid them all together this way and you can find them pretty much anywhere.
Hi Lori,
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried those last year and when it rained, they let go. They don't like water. lol But they seem to hold okay at the bottom where there isn't any really stress being put on them. Thanks again for that suggestion. I really hated putting a hole in the top of the column, even though it was a tiny one.
Susan, As usual your porch is stunning. I do have a question. When I arrived home toay from a vacation I went looking for the Dec. 11th Met Moday and read your post but at the end it said that you had removed the usual links to others idaes. Where can I find those links or are they gone for good?
Merry Christmas and Thanks.
Liz
Oh Liz, I think I goofed and deleted in error. Last night when I was setting up the Tablescape Thursday party in InLinkz, I made an error and deleted it. I'm thinking now I may have deleted the MM one, too. 🙁 I'll email InLinkz and see if there's any way to restore it. I can't believe I did that. 🙁 Sorry.
Yay, looks like InLinkz can restore the collection…should be back later tonight hopefully. Please check back to view!
Liz, hope you see this. InLinkz was able to restore the links back! Yay! InLinkz rocks!
your entry is just soooo magnificent!
Susan, your house looked stunning for the holidays! You really outdid yourself~so many wonderful elements. Bravo!
Gorgeous! Does anyone have tips for keeping birds from nesting in wreaths? They find mine as soon as I put them up and inevitably wind up in the house when the door opens in. While the dogs and cat love that chase, I’m not too fond of it!
Wow, I haven’t that happen yet. I have had them nest in my front door basket in the spring. I hope someone has an idea for you, Ellen. I bet your dogs and cats do love the excitement. 😉
How did you do candles in the individual windows with the wreaths, it looks so pretty at night.
Thanks in advance!