My Simple Cozy Christmas Porch & Entry
Hello, friend, and welcome to my Christmas porch and entry tour! These spaces are two of the smallest in my home, and you’d think that would make them so much more challenging to decorate, but they’ve actually become my favorite. Within both of these spaces, I’ve created a big impact with just a little paint, and for each season, I add simple touches to make my house feel cozy and inviting. I am excited to show you what I’ve done this year on this Bloggers Best holiday home tour, hosted by Kelly and Mansa. If you are stopping over from DIY Beautify, welcome! Isn’t Cindy’s dining room so creative and charming? She’s a tough act to follow, but I will do my best! (At the bottom of this post you will find a shoppable gallery with everything I’ve used . This gallery features affiliate links. I appreciate your support.)
Our old house in Maryland had a huge wraparound porch that I loved to decorate. Our family relaxed, ate meals, and laid in the hammock reading, and I was sad to leave it behind in exchange for this little porch. However, this small but mighty space has really grown on me in the almost 2 years that we’ve lived here. (Also, we now have a back patio for meals and lounging instead; I will share a tour of that space next week!)
By the way, if you look closely at these photos, you will see a set of lights hiding behind the planter because I was waiting for a splitter to arrive and I didn’t remember or notice when I took these photos… I started a new job and the last couple of weeks were crazy and my brain is tired… so please forgive me! I am just seeing it now as I write.
When we first moved in, I replaced and painted the door (at the time pink, and I just repainted it orange this fall), changed out the lighting, repainted the drab gray paneling in white, added new house numbers and new door mats. 
This little space has become somewhat of a sanctuary to me over the past 8 months of being home with the family. You see, each morning I head out for an early run or walk in the dark, a time to find some peace and solace. When I return home, I sit quietly on the porch and meditate or pray, sometimes both, and I thank the universe for all of the good that 2020 has brought me. It’s especially peaceful sitting there this time of year with twinkle lights on, and all around us reminders of the goodness of our neighbors.
To keep this space feeling calming, I added simple and earthy touches to this little porch for Christmas. The snowman wreath was put together using 3 various sizes of natural grapevine wreaths wired together. I’ve done a wreath like this several times in the past, usually adding a scarf, but this year, the simple naked snowman felt just right.
Just to the right of the snowman sits a large gray concrete planter. I picked up this little Christmas tree from the farmer’s market and adorned him with orange slices. A word to the wise, here in North Carolina it can still get a little warm and humid so these dried orange slices will be heading to the garbage after the holiday. Oops.
They sure do look lovely with the orange door for the moment though!
In the small modern black and white planter, I added some pansies which are hardy enough to handle NC winters. I selected white and purple, as purple is a complementary color to orange (though one of my least favorite colors, to be honest!).
My favorite element of this Christmas porch hangs upon the door, vintage brown leather skates I found years ago at a yard sale. I had always wanted white vintage skates, but I found these for a steal and picked them up anyhow. Now I am glad they’re brown instead of white. Funny how that works out.
I filled the skates with fresh greenery picked up from the ground at the farmer’s market. I asked the vendor I bought the little tree and my fresh garlands from if I could take some of their trimmings.
And of course, there are the cedar garlands. Cedar is my favorite when it comes to garlands because it has a light and ethereal feel to it – plus it smells incredible. Look at how it cascades over the corner of the door.
As you can see, I also added a new modern sign that reads “Ahh, home” from my friend Brooke’s shop. It happens to fit perfectly between our house number and mailbox, like it was meant to be there.
Another new addition to the porch is this $13 “I Hope You Brought Wine” mat which seemed perfect for our home. 
Now let’s head inside to the entry!
Just like our porch, our entry is a very small space, and we’ve just room for a show bench and some statement. I stenciled these walls shortly after we moved in and I love the black and white whimsy they bring. To make it a little more festive, I changed out the art for the season with this elf quote, added a disco ball, and some twinkle lights. For the frame, I use Custom Picture Frames for everything, and you can get 20% off your order there using code CASSIE20. 
I placed my favorite blanket scarf, hat, and boots here for photos, but usually this bench is truly a mess of sneakers and slides, because we live here.
Our little one, Wilder, is two and he loves this little disco ball. When the sun shines on it, he loves to watch the “barkles” (sparkles) dance around our home.
When the door is open to this space, the new orange color plays with the black and white patterns.
When it’s closed, the old front door shade of pink remains on the inside and still feels just as fresh and fun. 
Our living room, which I shared with you Monday, is just off of this space, which my little office nook sitting adjacent to the doorway.
From the entry, you can see right into the living room and especially into my “office” which is also decked out in twinkle lights. “When in doubt, add lights” has been my theme this Christmas.
Where my gold bells hung previously in our entry, I added our Christmas countdown.
That’s all for my little porch and entry. Small spaces can still be packed with personality, right? Thank you so much for coming by today. Feel free to check out my living room, kitchen and dining room here, and come back next week for more!
As you head out of my door, be sure to pop into Jen’s bedroom door over at The Flowering Farmhouse. You are going to love her modern farmhouse style!
If you have missed out on the rest of the Blogger’s Best this week, you can find the full line up below.
Looking for something? Check below:
Monday’s Tours
The Tattered Pew // My Thrift Store Addiction // Simply 2 Moms
Worthing Court // Bricks N’ Blooms // Open Doors Open Hearts
Tuesday’s Tours
Lora B Create and Ponder // This Is Simplicite
Shiplap and Shells // The Ponds Farmhouse //
Wednesday Tour’s
Stone Gable // Midwest Life And Style // Follow The Yellow Brick Home
Noting Grace // My Wee Abode // The Farmhouse Life
Thursday’s Tours
Aratari At Home // Caitlin Marie Design // Sweet Pea
Fiddle Leaf Blog // First Day Of Home // White Arrows Home
Friday’s Tours
Cottage On Bunker Hill // The Aspiring Home // Lantern Lane Designs
DIY Beautify // Cassie Bustamante // The Flowering Farmhouse
