Thursday, May 31, 2007

Welcoming Touches

I'm always looking for new ways to add welcoming touches to the front entryway and porch. Here are some wonderful ideas from an old favorite book, "Country Living and Country Lifestyles", 1992 (published as a weekly series of "cards" to go in a loose leaf notebook by Time Life books). Happy decorating!!

~ Clay pots of flowers on the steps, or marching up the rungs of a stepladder
~ A whimsical mailbox, or mailbox decoration
~ A slate and chalk near the door for messages
~ A tiny statue of bunnies nestled in the greenery by your front door
~ A newly planted tree
~ Seasonal pleasures: flowers in summer; cornstalks, gourds and Indian corn in fall; holly and pincones in windowboxes for winter; and tulips and crocuses in spring
~ A huge clay pot of daisies
~ An attractive lantern lighting the doorway
~ Rag rugs or braided rugs as doormats

Suggestions for a back door entrance:

~ Line the path with pots of flowers or windchimes
~ Hang freshly starched curtains, lace or a frilly valance on the back door window
~ Mount a woodpecker door knocker or an amusing plaque or a slate and chalkboard bearing a message of welcome

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2 comments:

Suzann said...

Joanne -
I love these and I'm making notes of them so that I can use them to spruce up my home for the summer months. Perhaps these simple touches will make me feel that this house is less icky. (new house (for us) and needs lots of TLC)
Suzann

Anonymous said...

These ideas look very pleasant and they create a warm atmosphere indeed. French houses have not the same patterns as US one (or british ones). We rarely have backdoors and no front porches. Yet your ideas are good. I also decorate our front door even if it doesn't look lide US front doors. Sweet Sunday to your dear Joanne.