This summer, as I was clearing out the garage, I came across a bag of pinecones I had collected and dried for a craft project. Needless to say I never made it to the project, so I decided to use the pinecones to make a rustic wreath (DIY here).
The wreath caught my attention because loved the light snowy grey coloured pinecones (I thought it would stand out against my dark grey front door) contrasted with the red cardinals. It felt like a picturesque winter scene. After finishing the wreath, I knew it was the centrepiece and jumping point for this year's winter porch theme - A Winter Woodland vignette.
Jump ahead a few months and as I was turning my winter wonderland porch into a reality, I happened to be talking with a friend and she offered me her daughter's fully re-furbished vintage sled. This sealed the deal on the winter woodland theme, it was official! She did make me promise that if it snowed (which it only does once or twice a year in Vancouver), her daughter could have the sled back. Deal! With a few little details and additions, the sled was ready for display.
Below I have listed My 5 Essentials To Creating A Winter Woodland Porch.
Happy Holidays, fingers crossed it doesn't snow until January so I can keep the sled! Thanks Shelley, Cheryl and Addy!
Krista
My Top 5 Essentials For A Winter Woodland Themed Porch
1. Consider your colour palette and textures to go with your theme.
I added pops of solid and patterned reds to contrast the greenery and natural wood elements. As red is also a go-to Christmas colour, I used it in items such as cushions, cardinal birds, Ilix and winter berries (faux and natural) add colour, as well as in multi-patterned red and white Christmas ornaments to add some depth and texture. I had a cozy buffalo check blanket and found some 3" wired buffalo check ribbon at Michael's. Buffalo check feels very outdoorsy, yet still has an essence of elegance.
To play on the woodland theme, I found some twigs and pinecones and sprayed them with glitter spray and then dipped the pinecones in loose gold glitter while they were still wet. I wasn't going for a perfectly covered glitter pinecone, just a bit of added sparkle. Because who doesn't love the shine of glitter, even with an earthy woodland theme?!?
I also added birch bark LED candles and birch logs to bring in some texture. Layering the front door mat also added texture to the mostly-natural fibered happy holiday mat.
*Buffalo Check Ribbons & Blankets (above and below) and Birch Bark Candles (above)
*Layered door mats
2. Group items into clusters of 3-7 things to create interest groups and small areas.
I wanted to create a cozy sitting area on one end of the porch, a few spaces that felt like mini forests full of trees, pinecones and greens and lastly, a space for the cardinals to take winter shelter - hence the antique bird house in the urn!
3. Add interest by mixing and matching object heights.
Adding various eye lines to a grouping of objects or plants immediately changes the view and the interest of the observer. I like to use different height and width pots (in this case I kept flow by using all galvanized metal) and upturned pots and crates to rest lanterns and items on top of.
4. Add lights and candles (lots!) to brighten and soften the look.
In addition to a row of large warm white LED lights I have on the outside veranda roof, I wound smaller lights around the railing and door garland. I also placed fairy lights in the urn and outdoor planter for a little extra twinkle.
All of the birch bark candles are battery operated, as well as the large galvanized "Merry" candle holder and the white ceramic Christmas Tree Farm votive.
I love how pretty the lights looks at night when it's dark and they're glowing.
5. Play with greenery and natural materials
For a winter woodland theme, there can never be too much greenery! I used it in garlands, planters (post here), swags, arrangements and as an accent to lantern handles tied with ribbon. Greens automatically ground winter themes and bring an outdoor freshness to holiday decor. Try use a combination of greens such as cedar, noble fir (great colour!), pine, holly and eucalyptus to add depth to any planter or arrangement.
*In arrangements (below)
Don't compost your leftover greens, click here to see how I used the extras to create a holiday table scape and indoor arrangements (see post here).
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