If Santa needs a house key...

How much planning goes into the decorating of your home's exterior? For many, a wreath and a a few twinkly lights on the shrubbery nearby is suffice. However, for those of you wishing to pack a holiday punch for your guests (and Santa himself) as they cross the threshold of your home, perhaps a little bit more is needed. Of course, it is a need/want thing, but don't these photos leave you wanting more??

As I see it, if the outside of a home makes your jaw drop open, then just imagine what holiday splendour awaits one inside...

Now, off you go to design your own dazzling entry: make Santa proud!!

Of course, a fairy door needs a little Christmas spirit, too!!

**photos 1 and 3 are from Better Homes and Gardens.com

**photos 2 and 4 are from Cottage Living.com (Tria Giovan and Wendell Webber, respectively)

**fairy door photo is my own...

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More exterior decorating ideas to follow in the days and weeks ahead!!

In through the Out door...

photo: House to Home

A while ago I wrote about grand front entries, and I must confess, I can't really say I have ever had one. Some of you live in grand homes that naturally possess foyers that make your guests know right away that they have entered into an elegant home - one that prides itself on being character-rich and exuding an air of quality and grandeur. While that is admirable, my homes have all been more along the lines of attainable, relaxed and casual.

I have never managed to wander over to the other side; basically because I am a very informal person. I could care less whether you serve me wine in a glass meant for red or white wine; taking out my good silverware seems like too much trouble (seeing as it requires hand washing); and I prefer a big old mug to a delicate tea cup. I like to wrap my hands around my mug of tea, as opposed to carefully balancing a china cup between my clumsy fingers. When I sit on my sofa, I want to fling my legs up on it, and the thought of formal rooms meant to be admired from afar makes me cringe inwardly. Needless to say, when you enter my home, you inevitably find proof that we live in our home...cats run in and out, children's shoes have been casually kicked aside, and mail inevitably lands on my piano - along with the odd gum wrapper, chapstick, and whatever the more messy occupants of my home toss on it. While I tidy often, I am no match for four comfortably messy people.

photo: House to Home

In my heart of hearts, I love crossing the threshold of someone's home and immediately feeling that people come and go there. Perhaps I see skipping ropes tossed across the arm of a rustic wooden bench, or a pocketful of "special" rocks placed in the purposefully placed bowl meant for keys only. I love the look of vintage hooks with a little boy's jean jacket hanging from it, a pretty pair of rubber boots lined up neatly waiting for a rainy day, a unique vessel to store umbrellas...from Strawberry Shortcake to a great Burberry-inspired plaid. The stuff of life...

photo: House to Home

Although I grumble when my kids and husband come in my front door instead of my mudroom, I understand the draw. Whether it is the convenience of popping one's head in to ask what's for dinner, or holler in a request for car keys, the cordless phone, or a drink of water on a hot day... sometimes the occasion just calls for it! I call it coming in through the out door. You're really not supposed to do it, but sometimes it is sooo much more convenient. I am learning to relax and realize that I shouldn't be the only one to be able to bend the rules (I always use the front door). Despite my desperate campaign to bar most everyone from using this entry, I have found myself adding a wooden screen door to my list of wants for the summer. Somehow, the sound of a child racing out the door to catch the bus, or join his/her friends... coupled with the inevitable squeak and slam of the wooden screen door...conjures up images of country for me. The sound is familiar, and if I close my eyes and concentrate, I can almost smell apple pie baking, hear the sound of little girls singing skipping rhymes, and bicycles skidding to a stop on gravel.

photo: Landstil.com

If you live in a home where everyone comes in the out door, take a deep breath, close your eyes and go to my "happy place". Because someday that door will be quiet, and the skipping ropes and rubber boots will all go away...and perfection will seem like a sorry alternative to the happy sounds of a family at play.

photo: House to Home

A grand entrance...

all photos above: House to Home

While this appears to be a small eating nook, it would also look lovely tucked into a large foyer...
(photo source: Ballard Designs)

I am not one to make a grand entry. Rather, I prefer to slip in; not necessarily unnoticed, but fairly quietly so as not to draw too much attention to myself. Some prefer bolder statements: they like to let others know they have arrived, very comfortable with eyes being drawn to them, and are more than ready to command some attention. Well, that's not me - but I do like the entrance of a home to make a statement!

Case in point: this stunning foyer featured in House Beautiful.

...and I don't know if this is from the same home, but don't you just love the wainscotting?? I also love a black and ivory railing. I have painted mine those colours in my last three houses...

Of course, the gorgeous blue wall colour attracts my eye; but also the lanterns, bench, and transoms (and you know how much I love those!) add up to a top-notch first impression! I have always said that there are two defining criteria that will let me know I have found my dream home - transoms above each door...and this incredible staircase detailing:

photo source: House to Home

Honestly, both are worthy of gushing to me, but I must admit that a couple of years ago, I actually passed up a home with both those pre-requisites! Why you ask? Well... although the house was loaded with charm and featuring my beloved transoms, scrolled detailing on the staircase, and beautiful fireplaces - alas, it was not in a location that would best suit my children. Sigh...Taking the high road, I chose my children's happiness over my fantasy house. How utterly selfless of me, no? We briefly mulled over the idea of purchasing it to renovate and "flip", but I knew in my heart of hearts I would be unable to restore it lovingly and then pass it over to someone else. So, actually, I am fairly selfish. I knew I would end up besotted with the finished product, and I do not need tug of wars going on between my heart and my brain. It's best not to take up too much space in my mind with trivial matters...(yuk, yuk...)

As if you didn't know, my favourite show home is River House, home of Seasons of Cannon Falls. Wouldn't you know that it has virtually all of my dream home features, including this staircase:

Look closely...do you see the detailing??!!

So, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for another gem of a home that can live up to the fantasy house of my dreams. I know that if I can't find one like it to purchase, we'll build one!!

Well, someday...

A dazzling front entry...and more

I do not have a dazzling front entry. I actually have the smallest foyer I have ever had in all my housebuilding history. My house is a back-split bungalow and in a bungalow, you have to squeeze as much living as you can into them. Instead, I opted to have a great mudroom which I really love and works well for our family. I do, however, love those homes that have large inviting foyers to greet guests. You know the kind- those that have large sweeping staircases, hall tables with fresh flowers on them. Lovely...

Overall, today's modern homes have gotten away from these details and instead use their space to host large kitchens, supersize bathrooms and walk-in closets. Are we exchanging style for size? We seem to place less emphasis on architectural features; in fact, building contractors are bleeding us with upcharges for things like more substantial mouldings and wainscoting that were quite standard in the homes of yesteryear. We are essentially building big boxes with lack-lustre finishes, unless we can afford to cough up the extra cash for finer details. So, it is no wonder that beautiful front entries have gone out the window...or the back door!

Making an Entrance!!

I love doors and I think the color of a front door is one of the most important exterior decorating decisions, aside from siding and shingle color. I love a door that draws my eyes to it as I drive by. Now that doesn't mean the colour has to be vibrant! In fact, the colour of your front door should make sense....whether it be a contrasting colour or blend in tone with the rest of the outside of the home.

Iam a bit quirky. Every house but my first has been a shade of yellow. Don't ask me why, it is just something I have to do to feel at home. I love a yellow house! To me, yellow siding evokes a farmhouse feel, is fresh and pretty, and makes me smile when I see one. That said, door color can be challenging when you have a yellow house. Navy, burgundy, and dark green do not reflect my personal style as I am drawn towards the softer shades for my own home. Thus, I have had cream, taupe, black, and back again to taupe, doors. These colours complimented the particular shades of yellow siding I have used on my homes. They were colours I selected to work with the trims and accents I decorated the exterior of my homes with. That brings me to garage doors. There is a general rule that you should not match the colour of your garage door to the colour of your front door if it is a strong colour. I am not normally too fixated on rules but this is a rule I whole-heartedly agree with! I believe a garage should blend into the background, especially if you have one of those great, carriage-style garage doors that have enough style without drowning in colour.

I have addressed the importance of lighting before. Again, step away from the common and select lighting that speaks to your style and complements the style of your home. If you live near the water, try exterior lights that have a "Nantucket" feel. If your home is traditional, select similar lighting- traditional, but not boring! Craftsman-style lighting looks great with bungalows and houses that have reflect the Arts and Crafts style. Hanging lanterns look beautiful on homes with front porches or porticos. Go for the wow factor out front and to stay on budget, use lighting that is more subdued (and cheaper) out back,

Mailboxes are another "new" exterior feature that you can have fun selecting. Vintage styles can now be found in stores or you can make your own out of wood (or purchase it ready-made) and embellish it the way you like. Select house numbers to match the finish on your door handle and your home will ooze style! Have fun with selecting these exterior finishes. you may not think they are important, but trust me, when you see the end result, you will be proud!