Our front porch has a new look with an easy DIY monogram wreath!
Our small front porch has a new look with an easy DIY monogram wreath! Here in the South, we love our monograms as well as fabulous door wreaths, so combining the two was the ideal way to give our front porch a new look!
I’ve been looking for a cute door wreath to hang on our front door and in all of my searches, I kept coming across these large boxwood monogram door wreaths.
Of course, anything made of boxwood gets my attention every time, so I was immediately drawn to these large boxwood letters, but the price was a little breathtaking. Most of them were running in the $150ish price range, which was out of my budget. I’m pretty frugal and I knew I could totally DIY this wreath for a fraction of the cost. So, I set out to make my own and the result is gorgeous and perfect for our front door.
When we bought our home eight months ago, this is what the front porch looked like.
Nothing major needed to be done, just a little cleaning and the stain on the exterior of the door had faded quite a bit with the sun, so the door needed to be re-finished.
I originally thought about painting the door, but I really liked the dark walnut stain so for this refresh, I decided to re-stain the door and the side panels. Once that was finished, I was able to add my new monogram wreath, and this is what our front porch looks like now!
The monogram wreaths that I kept seeing online were made with very large wood letters.
Fortunately, I was able to find an Etsy seller that was able to cut a large 20″ tall letter “B”, in the Times New Roman font.
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I simply covered the front surface of the wood with sheet moss using a glue gun, and then hot glued faux boxwood stems over the top of the moss.
Of course, instead of the moss, you could always just paint the wood with green paint. I chose the moss because I liked the green texture peeking through the boxwood stems.
The faux boxwood looks so realistic and it should hold up well to the outdoor elements.
I added wire to the back to hang it with and then used wide burlap ribbon to make a large bow to tie at the top.
I’m so excited about how this wreath looks and I love the contrast of the green boxwood against the dark walnut stain of the door!
I also added our house numbers in gold decal letters that I ordered from a seller on Amazon. They were very easy to apply and they add such a great custom detail to the door.
The hardware on our door had become very timeworn from the sun and weather. It was very tarnished and worn. At some point, we are going to replace it but for now I decided to use my “go to” gilding paste, Rub-N-Buff in color Gold Leaf.
Rub-N-Buff is oil based and waterproof, so I think it will hold up very well until I can completely replace the hardware. The Rub N Buff was really easy to apply and it dries quickly. After it dries, just buff with a soft cloth.
I also added a brass kick plate to the bottom of the door.
Faux spiral topiaries sit on each side of the door, and a harlequin mat from Ballard Designs takes center stage. And do you spy that sweet little Schnauzer topiary? We are selling those in our online shop and they are so cute and come in several different breeds. (Unfortunately, the Schnauzer is out of stock for a few weeks).
I added some pretty pink flowers in black pots at the front of the porch, and they add just the right amount of color.
So there you have it! Our front porch refresh is complete and I’m totally smitten with my DIY monogram wreath!
Cheers, Cindy
Love the front door with the “B”! How did you attach to the door? Ours is a heavy, thick wood front door. Have not yet found a wreath hanger they will fit.
Hi Dot! I used a brass screw hook (for hanging cups), screwed it into the door, and hung the wire on the back of the wreath on the hook.
Beautiful door; beautiful porch; beautiful wreath. Is your door wood or fiberglass? Is the brand noted on the door? I am currently shopping doors (but not wood) and love the panel design of yours.
Hi Betty! The door is wood, and I’m sure it’s original to the house when it was built in the early 1990’s.
You did a great job. I love anything boxwood. Boxwood is classic elegance. I always use boxwood wreaths on all my doors except for Christmas. I have boxwood planted in all my cast iron urns in garden. All so boxwood planted in garden. Boxwood in my home. Your stained door looks great and the hardware.
I share your love of boxwood, Nancy!
love it! I think that cute faux pup needs a bow too 🙂
Ingenious! I see that you used a 20″ letter. What depth letter did you use? Thanks for the idea.
Hi Deb! The letter is 20″ tall x 12″ wide x 1/4″ thick.
Where did you get the pots the spiral trees are in? They are perfectly proportioned! So elegant
Mary, the post with the spiral topiaries are from Lowe’s!
Wow – from a ‘C’ entry to an A+ entry!! Well done!
Thank you so much!
So classy Cindy like everything you do. Wish you would walk us through restraining the door.
Thank you, Ann! Re-staining the door was very simple…I just used Minwax exterior gel stain in dark walnut, and used a soft cloth to wipe it on and let dry. Finish with an exterior poly in satin finish.
It’s the little things. I love the house numbers and the kick plate. The wreath is lovely. You completely changed the look of the door.
Thank you so much, Peggy!
It’s now so inviting! Amazing that a few changes make such a huge difference. Beautiful job!
Thank you, Anne!
I love this! Do you have any idea how many faux boxwood stems you ended up using?
Hi Marsha! I bought 12 stems and it was the perfect amount for a 20″ tall letter.
Cindy, I love the whole front porch. It’s amazing the transformation. How do you have the bow attached? Is it attached to door? Going to get my husband to cut me out a “G” and give this a try. Thanks for the idea. My porch is about the same size as yours. Cherry
Hi Cherry! I attached a wire at the back of the letter in order to hang it on the door, so I just tied the burlap bow onto the top of the wire and draped it down over the wire on each side. I hope that helps! I’m so glad you’re going to make one!