The Christmas decorating continues over here this week and today I’m taking you through my front entryway. On Monday last week I shared how I decorated my living room and dining room and on Wednesday how I spruced up the mudroom, kitchen, and family room for Christmas. The entryway tour today is part of another week-long tour of homes – All Through the House hosted by Town and Country Living and The Everyday Home – with each day focusing on a different part of the house. Today is porches and foyers, Tuesday we’ll take a look at living and family rooms, Wednesday is kitchens, Thursday is dining rooms, and Friday is kind of a wildcard and could be anything from bedrooms to sunrooms. Make sure you check out the other blogs participating (at the end of this post) for a whole houseful of Christmas decorating inspiration this week.
My entryway was the very first part of my house that I decorated this year, which seemed fitting since it’s where people first walk in when they come over.
Directly inside the front door, on the right, is a little built-in bench.
I really wanted to keep the main focus of the entryway on the lit staircase garland you see in the first photo, so kept this bench area very simple. I added a bronze sequined pillow I made a couple years ago – it can often be found somewhere around the house and always seems to make a guest appearance in my holiday photos. There’s just something about that sparkle…
I recently hung this handsome horse on the wall in the bench area and gave him a little sparkle and greenery of his own for the holidays – a gold beaded garland I had (you can see it on the living room mantle in my Christmas house tour last year) and a few sprigs of greenery cut from the yard.
I feel like the sort of knit texture of the horse is extra perfect for this time of year, though he will live here in all seasons.
Looking back toward this area from the hallway you can see the swag I hung on the inside of the front door. (p.s. I often get asked about my entryway rugs – they are drop dead gorgeous and unbelievably forgiving. You can find them here.)
Christmas decorations do not have to be complicated or expensive to be beautiful. This is just a swag I grabbed at the grocery store last week and tied a black and white striped ribbon around the top.
My house is a classic center-entrance colonial with the living room on one side of the entryway and the dining room on the other. I love this view from the foyer into the living room, where I put our Christmas tree.
I hung a kissing ball from the entryway light for a fun little touch. You can see how I made the bow for it here.
I used a pre-lit garland on the banister and made some simple ornament clusters out of shatterproof ornaments. I first tried with glass ornaments and that didn’t end too well… I also took a regular old pillow and tied on the same black and white striped ribbon I used on the door swag and kissing ball to make it look a bit like a wrapped present. The cane chair was a piece I rescued from the dump and made pretty again.
On the table next to the chair I put together a simple little vignette with some more silver ornaments under a glass cloche and ribbon wrapped around antique spools.
The free printable watercolor that inspired a lot of my Christmas decorations this year is on this table too. You can download and print for personal use here.
I’m so glad you stopped by today – make sure to check back with the other ladies coming later in the week as we make our way through the house. You can find them all below, and the links will take you to their posts once they are live.
Just beautiful, Jen. I love that view of the tree.
Thanks, Kim – that photo was sort of a last-minute one I took at I walked past that view. I sit by the tree as much as I can these days!
Thanks, Kim – that photo was sort of a last-minute one I took at I walked past that view. I sit by the tree as much as I can these days!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen your foyer in detail. LOVE the checkerboard floors!! They look like painted wood, is that right? I absolutely love that look! Great idea to put a ribbon on a pillow instead of buying new holiday pillows (wish I would’ve thought of that sooner). Your foyer is just stunning, Jennifer. Thanks for joining the tour!
I kind of realized the same thing as I was taking these pictures. I think there are pretty much only two views of the entryway I’ve ever taken pictures of. And you’re right – it’s painted wood. I violently hated it the first time I saw the house and was sure I’d paint over it, but within a month of moving in I completely changed and LOVE it and will never ever paint over it now. Funny how that kind of thing can change so dramatically once you live with something for awhile!
I kind of realized the same thing as I was taking these pictures. I think there are pretty much only two views of the entryway I’ve ever taken pictures of. And you’re right – it’s painted wood. I violently hated it the first time I saw the house and was sure I’d paint over it, but within a month of moving in I completely changed and LOVE it and will never ever paint over it now. Funny how that kind of thing can change so dramatically once you live with something for awhile!
love this so much, jennifer! the horse!!!!
I’m pretty sure his name is Walter. Though also possibly Chester. Thanks, Cassie :)
I’m pretty sure his name is Walter. Though also possibly Chester. Thanks, Cassie :)
Saw this from Kim, I’m inlove with your Mistleball on your entry lightin! Everything is just chic and fabulous!
Mistleball – what a perfect word for it, I love that! Thanks so much for the nice comment :)
I agree! I love your floors! LOVE the kissing ball too on the light. It all looks so beautiful, Jen. x
Thanks so much, Danielle :)
Gorgeous decor! I love all of the greenery. :-) And what a great way to use those vintage spools! Perfect for this time of the year. I love the classic style of your home and the way that your more modern fabrics and decorating pieces keep the aesthetic very fresh and very fun.
That’s the look I’m always going for so THANK YOU for saying that, Maria!
Gorgeous decor! I love all of the greenery. :-) And what a great way to use those vintage spools! Perfect for this time of the year. I love the classic style of your home and the way that your more modern fabrics and decorating pieces keep the aesthetic very fresh and very fun.
So much gorgeousness!!! Your entry is absolutely stunning and the Christmas touches you added are just perfect. Love it all!
Thank you, Vanessa!
Thank you, Vanessa!
So pretty! I love your printable and the ribbon added to your pillow!
Thanks, Jennifer :)
So, so pretty! Love the garland and lights on the banister! I am swooning over your checkerboard floor and that shot into the living room is stunning! Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much, Denise! That’s definitely my favorite view this Christmas :)
I absolutely love that floor! My sister had something similar in her kitchen, but it was linoleum, not wood. It looks gorgeous in your entryway! Oh, and your Christmas decor is pretty too – just can’t get my mind off that floor :).
Haha, thank you! I know, the floor is kind of a show-stealer ;)
I love your whimsy touches in your beautiful home. Love that horse. where did you get him? Happy Holidays!
Thanks, Laura! Home Goods for the horse – I’d been holding back on the faux taxidermy but he was just too cute :)
Love so much about your home! Don’t know why, but that pink scallop pillow on the chair makes me swoon!
Thanks, Megan! I really like how that pillow came out too. Sometimes the simplest things just work, I guess :)
Love so much about your home! Don’t know why, but that pink scallop pillow on the chair makes me swoon!
What a lovely entry to your home! I love all the amazing touches – that pillow wrapped in ribbon like a present is divine, yet simple! So happy to be touring with you!!