Wednesday 25 November 2015

Advent Decoration With Vintage Shutters

Advent is fast approaching and it is a big deal here in Germany. I've written about it before in relation to food.  But decor-wise, too, there is a difference between Advent and Christmas. I love that. A Christmas tree up before the 15th December is, to me, up much too early. Christmas decorations should be put up very shortly before Christmas or they lose their charm. 

Advent decoration is different. It is more about counting down and setting the tone, lighting a candle and enoying a little bit of peace. In most German households you'll find an Advent wreath, something I only knew from churches in Ireland before moving here, and Advent calendars. Both the calendars and the four candles, one for each of the Sundays of Advent, are often little works of art, lovingly homemade with attention to detail. 

Here's a selection of some of my favourite variations on the Advent wreath. I make a differnet one every year, but usually decide at the last minute what kind of style I want. On the Saturday evening before the first Sunday of Advent you can usually find me pottering away at the kitchen table with candles, ribbons, jars, pine cones and whatever else comes to hand, creating a display for the coffee table.

This year though, there is one element to my Advent decor that I have already decided on - a vintage window shutter. Isn't it gorgeous? OK, so imagine it without the cobwebs, dead leaves, ivy and the thick layer of dust. It certainly has potential. Regular readers will know that there are few activities I love more than salvaging furniture. When I saw four of these shutters left out for the bin men last week, I couldn't just leave them there. Heavy though they were, I lugged two into the boot of the car and took them home.  


Number Three and I had a quick go at cleaning them off and they are in pretty good condition considering they have spent their lives outdoors. The paint is quite flaky in places, but that just adds to the shabby chic look. No need to sand or blister anything. No need to get the chalk paint and wax out. This pair are true vintage and I love them.

My mind has been brimming over with ideas for how to use them. Initially I was thinking about using them in the garden. The more I looked at the shutters, the more I had visions of them with holly and fairy lights. A bit of a browse on Pinterest settled my mind to the idea of using one the shutters as the basis for my Advent decoration. You can view my pins here:


I am so excited about the next few days - finishing cleaning one shutter and finding a suitable spot for it. Then, depending on where I like the look of it best, choosing the look to go for. I am leaning towards something sleek, perhaps green with silver or glass. And candles of course. Four of them.  
Home Etc

16 comments:

  1. Love the designs on Pinterest - it will look so striking! #HomeEtc

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    1. I really hope so! Thanks for popping by Rebecca.

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  2. I love advent candles and wreaths, they're so beautiful. Can't wait to see the finished product with the shutter! :) #HomeEtc

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    1. Me too Jessica. I adore all of that. There are so many gorgeous ideas out there.

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  3. You are funny, lugging them to your car! Great find though, I can't wait to see what you do with them! xx #HomeEtc

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    1. To be honest, I was out with the bike with the toddler on the back when I spotted them first and was so torn as to what to do. What if the bin lorry came before I got back there with the car??? It ended well for me though. I made it in time.

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  4. I love the idea of using the shutters as part of your Advent decorations and look forward to seeing the end result. I love Advent wreaths and candles too and am with you with holding off until mid-December to put the tree up.

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    1. Thanks Louise. I'll be sure to post a photo of the decorated shutter.

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  5. We used to have an advent wreath when we were smaller and took it in turns to light the candles for a short while each Sunday, this post reminded me of that. Love that shutter too, looking forward to seeing what you do with it #homeetc

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    1. What a lovely tradition. I do feel that Advent should be a quiet time for little traditions and not so much commercialism. I'll post a photo of the shutter once I have it set up.

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  6. Ah what a cliff-hanger, I can not wait to see the finished shutters! So envious of your treasure finding. We usually have an advent candle that we accidently burn all the way down in early December. #HomeEtc

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    1. Oh I know! It can happen all too easily, can't it?
      Germany is a great place for salvage. Half the house is kitted out in other people's junk ;)

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  7. What a beautiful idea, I remember Advent was big when I was little but I don't really notice much mentioned of it these days. Those shutters are gorgeous, well done for salvaging them and giving them a new lease of life X #HomeEtc

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    1. Thanks Lins. In Ireland I remember Advent being a thing, but then again I went to a convent school. Here in Germany, it is big in general, regardless of whether one is religious.
      Aren't the shutters great. They scream potential.

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  8. Arrgh — I LOVE these!!!!! I want some vintage shutters *stamps feet*!!

    If these were mine, I'd put them either side of a mirror in the garden!!

    I've got a couple of big square mirrors on the wall already — in our garden — and they look like windows into another garden!! Love them Fi!! Can't wait to see what you do with them :) xx #HomeEtc

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    1. Ha ha! You can keep stamping, but these ones are mine. Grab yourself a van and come over to do a spot of salavging yourself ;)
      I plan to use these in the garden from the Spring onwards. There's a board over on Pinterest I'm putting my ideas on to.

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