It's time for the Welcome Home Summer Tour with Balsam Hill!
* I received products from Balsam Hill but all opinions are my own, as always! 🙂
I really am excited to have you here today and I'm excited to be a part of the Balsam Hill Welcome Home Summer Tour {did you see the sneak peak video Max and I shared last week?}. I've loved Balsam Hill's Christmas trees for years but did you know that they also carry items that you can use to decorate your home beautifully year round? I didn't ~ until a few weeks ago. I was able to choose items from Balsam Hill to decorate my home for summer. I chose classic and beautiful pieces that will transition from season to season seamlessly.
When people come to my home one of the first things they see is my front porch.
The porch has been a mess for a while and this year I decided to give it a mini makeover and the items I received definitely helped pull everything together. Now, when guests come to our home they will feel welcome ~
day or night ~ which is a wonderful thing.
When thinking about what I wanted on my porch I knew for sure I wanted something to hold flowers. Years ago my porch had railing and windowboxes and I loved filling each planter to the brim with flowers. The railings and windowboxes have gone bye-bye but I still wanted flowers ~ I chose a Tuscan Urn Planter Pot in Black for my flowers but can change this out for the fall and winter to hold other things besides flowers ~ pumpkins, a Christmas tree, etc.
I also wanted something unique as a lighting source and found this beautiful (and HEAVY) Crossbar Lantern. This lantern is awesome! It has a cast iron base for stability (no falling over during a storm) and it already has a beautiful weathered zinc finish. It's also powder-coated to prevent rusting so it will last outdoors in the weather but I can just as easily use it on my dining room table if I want.
I also chose a battery-operated candle with remote control for inside the lantern. I can turn it on at dusk if guests will be coming and just as easily turn it off once they leave all from inside ~ I love that. I tend to be one of those people who remembers to turn things off AFTER I'm in bed....now I can just run out to the living room, grab the remote and shut off the candle...no need to go outside.
I filled the urn with some beautiful purple hued annuals and placed the lantern on a vintage soda box I've had for years. It was actually the first toy box I had for my oldest son.
I also added a slate welcome sign with sunflowers that used to be on the gate to my pool and a wooden church that has been in every flower bed in my yard over the years ~ it's taken a beaten but I like that look!
I hope you've enjoyed being the first "guests" to my newly decorated front porch and please visit my wonderful friends below as they share their Summer Decor.
Thursday
Concord Cottage
Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ that's me!
Friday
Top This Top That
Monday
Tuesday
Artsy Chicks Rule
Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer
Wednesday
You've created such a pretty vignette to welcome guests. The plant that you chose for your container are so pretty and I love how your lantern looks lit up in the evening.
Thank you, Paula! Sometimes I find myself just sitting outside in the dark with the lantern lit ~ I love summer!
Have a wonderful weekend ~ hugs, mb
I love the warm welcoming feel of your front porch! And, the pretty purple annuals are perfect in your new BH urn. I'm crushing on the old soda box! Happy Summer!
Thanks so much, Therese! As far as the soda box when I bought it they had several for sale and I only bought one...now I'm kicking myself all these years later.
Have a happy summer ~ hugs, mb
So pretty! I love the purple in those amazing urns. My family does similar things to me when I work!
Thanks so much, Christy, and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one whose family likes to tease!
Have a wonderful weekend, hugs, mb
I love that the candle has a remote! That's awesome. Your whole porch looks lovely though!
Thank you, Pam! Now, I just need to remember where I put the remote 😉
Lovely! I especially love your pretty purple container garden, Mary Beth. So sweet and elegant. The lantern and candle are the perfect accent. How fun for you to have a beautiful and welcoming porch, now. [[hugs]]
Thanks so much, Diane! Having my porch look pretty certainly helps me to feel better about things overall ~ such a small change but such a big difference. Thanks so much for stopping by ~ *hugs*
Your porch is a welcoming sight for any visitors. I love the lanterns, both at night and during the day. All of your accessories accent the lanterns to a tee.
Thank you for giving me encouragement to change up my porch for Summer.
Have a lovely day.
Thanks so much, Meegan! Enjoy your weekend. *hugs*
Oh my goodness! You're porch is so welcoming my friend...the lantern and the urn look amazing, what I'm shocked about is how big they are! What a focal point on your beautiful porch! xo
Thank you so much, Robin, and I agree ~ the size of the urn and lantern is perfect to make a statement. They certainly don't get lost among other decor.
xoxo
So pretty! You did a wonderful job!
Thank you so much, Susan!
Your porch is so pretty, Mary Beth! I love the combination with the urn and lantern and those candles really are so realistic! Your son is such a cutie in the preview video too! XO
Thank you so much, Christy! *hugs*
i am sure that guest would feel welcomed with the mess on the porch too. I love that lantern. It looks like it will last quite a while. Tell your family no more noises when you are filming! 🙂
Thanks so much, Laura! I'll tell my family but I have all boys and well, they love to torture (they call it teasing) me every chance they get. 😉
What a beautiful porch vignette! LOVE how welcoming it is with that gorgeous Urn and lantern from Balsam Hill! What a cute video!
Thanks so much, Anne! 🙂 hugs, mb
Everything looks beautiful!!! LOVE the lantern and am going to go over and see if I can afford one:) Beautifully done!!! Have a great weekend.
Thank you very much, Pinky. The lantern is such a good quality ~ it costs a bit more than standard lanterns but it is HEAVY and should withstand weather very nicely. You have a great weekend as well and thanks, as always, for stopping by.
Your porch looks so beautiful and welcoming! Hope you have a great summer.
Thanks so much, Pamela, and you have a great summer as well. 🙂
Well, you've now created a very welcoming front porch! I love the addition of the crate and wow, I did not know those candles had remote control! I would need that too. 😉
xo
Nancy
Thanks so much, Nancy! I wish I had more of those crates...and those candles. 😉 Have a great weekend. hugs, mb
Absolutely beautiful display, Mary Beth. That urn is classic and the lantern the perfect accent. Great job!
Thank you so much, Larissa!
It looks so beautiful and charming and that remote candle is genius! Love that idea!
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Thank you, Lynda! I agree....a remote candle is so smart. 🙂
What a gorgeous summer porch you've created Mary Beth! I love your urn and lantern...the flowers too - so welcoming and inviting just like you are!! 🙂 Happy Summer my friend!
Thank you so much, Heather! I appreciate your kind words especially since I LOVE your decorating style! Have a wonderful summer dear friend. Hugs, mb
Mary Beth, I loved the lantern with the urn. It is a classy and colorful statement with the purple annuals coming up to your home. The flameless candle is amazing. People are always asking me about mine. It shows off wonderfully in your video. What a wonderful way to welcome guests to your home!
Thank you so much, Dagmar. 🙂