I have finally gotten around to decorating the foyer for Christmas!
I started decorating early this year, thinking I would get it all done, and then be able to sit back and enjoy the greenery and twinkling lights. But, you know what they say about “best laid plans…”.
After having carpal tunnel surgery a couple of weeks ago on my right hand, I’ve been going a bit slower than normal, so I’m just now getting the decorating finished.
Bringing some Christmas spirit into the foyer was pretty easy this year, simply by using fresh pine garland, white lights, and some vintage pieces that I’ve had for years.
I loosely draped the fresh pine garland on the stair railing and then tied on sparkly gold ribbon.I actually didn’t buy enough garland, so it doesn’t go all the way around the balcony.
I don’t think I realized how long the railing is!
I added a couple of of gold Christmas ornaments to the bottom of the stair railing for a little bit of glam at the beginning of the hand rail.
I’ve had this large antique angel that came out of a closed Catholic church in St. Louis for several years.
I actually found it at an auction in a very small rural community near where we live. It stuck out like a sore thumb among all the tools and primitives, and I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her.
Her wings were missing when we found her, but I was able to find some gilded metal wings, and with a little modification, they fit perfectly on her back now.
I stood her on an old salvaged plaster capital in order to elevate her to about six feet. She has a staff that holds a candle and I topped her with a gilded crown. She’s chippy, and a bit shabby, and I absolutely cherish her.
With the cement lamb at her feet, she’s the perfect guardian to herald in the special day.
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Many years ago, I found a nursery that sold grapevine trees, so I bought quite a few in different sizes.
I don’t see them sold in the stores anymore, but every year at Christmas, I pull them out of storage and wrap them in white lights. They make a quick and easy display.
The gold mirror has been draped in fresh garland and white lights are intertwined throughout.
An old stone birdbath that I have used all over the house with different displays, was ideal to elevate a special piece.
I filled the bowl with fresh greenery (check with your local home and garden center, they will give you the trimmings from the Christmas trees on their lot), and then nestled in the center a sweet antique Infant Jesus statue in a wooden manger.
Tucked in among the branches are some of my nativity sheep collection.
I was going to try and put a tree in the foyer, but decided that there really wasn’t enough room, so the little grapevine trees will have to do this year.
I know you’ve been waiting to see the littlest fur angel….Miss RubyLou is almost eight months old and she has brought such joy into our home. She’s pure energy, a love sponge, and very intelligent. We adore her and she is such a good girl!
Recently I found some little feathered angel wings and knew that they were perfect for our little fur angel.
She is so easy to work with and loves posing to have her picture taken.
She has stolen our hearts.
Merry Christmas,
Cindy
You also might enjoy DIY Chinoiserie Christmas Tree Box
Hi,
You have the most amazing gift of putting things together. I couldn’t stand to put the angel away at the end of Christmas. You are my favorite.
Love seeing your fur baby, we have a miniature schnauzer that’s 17 months old and is so loving. We are also empty nesters and she has stolen our heart. Your house looks beautiful.
Thank you, Tonya! We love our Schnauzer baby!
Well, as usual, I wait for your post with great anticipation! You are the standard for French Country decorating, for sure! Gorgeous !! LOVE Ms. Ruby Lou–littlest fur baby angel! Darling! Merry Christmas to you all!!
Thank you so much, Constance! Merry Christmas!
You done a beautiful job! Love it all. Your lucky to have the big house!
Christmas Decor is stunning. But….I just love the furry angel!
May I ask where did you find the baby Jesus from?
Hi Alicia! It came to us from a french seller. It’s a vintage creche piece.
Don’t know if they still have them as I bought mine 3 or 4 yrs ago, but I bought one from Wisteria.com. Looks almost identical. A bit larger and had a manger and metal starburst above his head. I’ll see if I can find a link.
Love the angel puppy…we had the most handsome, smartest boy ever, Kirby Schnauzer who is now a real angel. Always miss him. Thanks for sweet photo.
The foyer is beautifully decorated and then you knocked a home run with your puppy angel!!! Another Catholic here who would love a statue from an old Catholic church.
Love your foyer! I don’t see how you managed to do all that recovering from carpal tunnel surgery! Love the tall angel & the baby Jesus display with the lambs in the birdbath!
Thank you Florence! Hubby has been a huge help! Merry Christmas!
Kind of late to respond. All I can say is W O W !!! Can I have your Puppy???
Ha!! Sweet little girl.
We really LOVE what you did with your foyer! The antique angel is truly something special. We are sure its a LOT of work getting it that beautiful every year but we are sure its a labor of love. Thanks for Sharing!
VintageStyleLiving.com
~Cindy~
Beautiful as always ! Love the baby Jesus and angel , what a treasure!!
Take care of YOU
Paula
ps Im wanting to purchase a print from your shop , just havent decided on which one !!
Cindy I just love your angels. I see another peeking at the top of the stairs! I have smaller statutes from churches but would love to find a large one some day. Your decorating is divine as always.
I wish my little fur babies would hold still to capture photos like you have of Ruby Lou!
Blessing for a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
Oh what a beautiful foyer you have decorated!!! That Angel is just Beautiful! I sure wish I could find treasures like you…we have the same decor taste! You make everything just lovely. You should have been a designer you would have made billions!! I love Baby Jesus and the sheep also. But that Miss RubyLou is a model for sure. Merry Christmas
Thank you so much, Nancy, for your sweet words, they mean so much to me! Have a Merry, Merry Christmas!
Wow, I adore your home. You decorate beautifully. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous ideas.
That angel is divine. So gorgeous.
She is adorable with her little wings!
~Cindy~
Your foyer is absolutely beautiful !! And of course my favorites are infant Jesus and the angel statue.
Take care of You, hugs
Paula
p.s. decided what print I want from your shop decisions, decisions 🙂
Beautiful as always and I love seeing Ruby Lou in her various schemes. I hope your hand is feeling much better now. Merry Christmas! 🙂 Robyn
Hi Cindy! I have to say that first picture of your foyer took my breath away. The angel really sets the mood. I assume Ruby Lou hasn’t been naughty this year. Merry Christmas to you! Pat @ Bringing French Country Home
Thank you Pat! RubyLou hasn’t been naughty, but definitely a little precocious! Merry Christmas!
Oh your angel is exquisite and the perfect welcome in your gorgeous foyer! The wings are perfect and really look like they are original to her. Sweet little Ruby Lou is another angel! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home. I am glad your hand is getting better. MERRY Christmas!!!!
Thank you so much Pinky! Merry, Merry Christmas!
Ohhhhh I have been waiting to see the Angel appear again and what a perfect place, esp for Christmas-just perfect and although, I would die for that angel statue, I’d rather have Ruby Lou 🙂 She is like a little Paper Doll 🙂 Merry Christmas Cindy and hope you recover fully soon !!
Thank you so much Kathy! Merry Christmas!
Cindy, your foyer is exquisite as I knew it would be…well done! Your angel, though, is divine! Thank you for sharing this lovely space with us. Sending you blessings this Christmas and through the New Year.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment Kathy! Merry Christmas!
Hi Cindy, your entry looks gorgeous I simply love your angel both of them…lol..that being your sweet pooch…..she is really turning into a Diva….haha…..I also have carpal tunnel and I know how painful it can be, please let me know how well the surgery work for you..I hope you get well soon…
Happy Holidays~~
Mari
Thank you Mari! The carpal tunnel surgery was very easy and the recovery is much quicker than it used to be 15 years ago, when I first looked into doing it. And the relief from the pain and numbness was immediate! You should definitely look into it!
Thank you so much Cindy, I appreciate your advice I will look into.. and I’m happy you feel much better 🙂
My heart is full, your home is a magical wonderland for Jesus birthday!
Peaceful blessings to your family, especially those 4 legged Angels! . . .
Thank you Jacklyn! Merry Christmas!
Cindy, Once again you did not disappoint! Everything looks beautiful! How lucky you are to have such a patient and loving husband. Merry Christmas to all.
Thank you Linda! Merry Christmas!
Your little dog is SUCH a little perfect model! She really is an angel! Beautiful décor…..love your angel!
Thank you Toni!
Your Angel is just divine. No pun intended. I don’t think I could put her away. Lovely lovely.
Thanks Becky!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Evelyn!
Classically beautiful, Cindy. It truly is a little bit of Heaven.
Thank you Debra! Merry Christmas!
Okay, I want the statue and Ruby Lou!! hehe just kidding, but the statue is amazing. Being Catholic, I’d have to give the sign of the cross every time I passed her! Did you get her in France? She is lovely, your foyer is beautiful and I’m totally in love with your little “fur angel”. What a joy for you to have her as a tiny assistant. Just adorable. Merry Christmas!!
Thank you Suzanne! I actually found the angel at an auction. She came out of a closed St. Louis church. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I really enjoy all your posts and wish you and your family a very Blessed and Merry Christmas!!! Your little angel is simply precious!!!!
Thank you Joyce! Merry Christmas!
Oh my gosh I absolutely love your home, I really love your angels that came from old churches do you know of any salvage places that sell them?
Merry Christmas
Rebecca
Thank you Rebecca! We’ve been fortunate enough to have found a few at auction, and have been able to bring in some smaller pieces from our sellers in France. We have sold several in our online shop, but they don’t usually last long. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any salvage places that might have them. I wish I did! Merry Christmas!
Glorious!….I can imagine when you enter your home through that magnificent foyer, you can truly hear the angels sing!!!…The angel is magnificent. She brought you to her so that you could treasure her and give her a great home and place of distinction. The angel wings look as if they have originally belonged to her! You gave her life again and enhanced her sweet face!….Love the greenery which is the perfect decor for that amazing foyer/staircase. Oh, and that Miss RubyLou…she certainly can put a smile on anyone’s face! Glad that you hand is getting better! Have a very Merry Christmas with your family Cindy!
Thank you Shirley! Merry Christmas!
A simply divine Christmas display…and what a precious little fur angel you have!!
Thank you Julie!
Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Karen! Merry Christmas!
Your home and collection of treasures are so lovely. The angel and the sweet little nativity baby Jesus are precious. Looking at these things broadens my eye for what to be on the lookout for. I also love old treasures. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you so much for your sweet comments, Rebecca!
Your foyer is simply gorgeous….and Miss RubyLou a little angel.
Thank you so much Holly!
Your foyer looks beautiful! That angel is huge and the chipiness adds character!! I love it all, Cindy!!
Merry Christmas!!
Celia
Merry Christmas, Celia! Thanks for commenting!
Everything is so beautiful! With all the changes in the house it looks 3 times larger and brighter. I hope you have time for Miss RubyLou to get her picture made with
SantaPaws. 🙂
Thank you so much Rene! Yes, Miss RubyLou definitely needs a photo with Santa!
Oh my dearest Cindy, for once I have no words (well, almost! Lol!). What you have done is simply breathtaking … again! Do you ever NOT do something that turns out amazing? What a blessing that immeasurable talent of yours is! And that angel! Now wonder you cherish her, she is awesome! And what to say about sweet, gorgeous RubyLou? It’s no surprise that she has stolen your hearts … I’ve never even seen her in person and she has stolen mine!
Wow! … to all of it and then some! Merry Christmas dear Cindy, to you and yours. May the Lord’s blessings abound all around you and may he keep you all in his love and grace. Hugs and blessings dear friend. xxx
Oh my goodness, Lindy Lou, if you could only see how many time I fail or have to redo something because it looks so bad! Thank you so much for your sweet words, they mean so much to me. You have always been so supportive, and I appreciate it so much. You, my dear, are a blessing to me. Merry, Merry Christmas!
Miss ruby lou has an Adorable expression on her face.
Diane, I often wonder what she’s thinking, she has such cute expressions. Merry Christmas!
Oh my goodness, your home is just stunning – like an English manor home! My favorite “accessory”, through, is RubyLou…what a gorgeous pup!
Janet, Miss RubyLou says, “Thank you!”.
Gorgeous foyer and the wings look they belong on the angel and of course the cutest angel is miss RubyLou!! It blows my mind how she poses and she is still a puppy.
Thanks Kim! RubyLou has been like this almost since the day we brought her home. We are totally smitten with her! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
That Angel is beyond! I can understand why you cherish her,she is beautiful and has such a sweet face. How fun to wait for her at the auction! Thank you for taking good care of such a treasure! Ruby Lou is priceless!
Thank you Vicki! Merry Christmas!
Cindy,
I love your angel. She must be heavy,how did you manage her after having surgery? I love what you have done with the baby Jesus and the sheep.
You need to get miss ruby an agent,she loves the spotlight!!!
Hubby has been amazing at taking directions and doing all the moving and lifting…he is a gem! Merry Christmas!