Decorate Your Historic Brick Home with a Vintage Holiday Look

With the holidays upon us, your historic brick home is the perfect place to bring back the nostalgic charm of seasonal decorating. With its timeless character, your home is an ideal backdrop for the type of holiday décor that lends itself to a beautiful traditional look. It sets the perfect stage for cozy nights around the fireplace and fun-filled, welcoming gatherings with friends and family.

Create an Elegant Entryway

The front door is a focal point for Consider lining your walkways with luminaries for a charming, old-world glow. Wreaths and garlands made of evergreens, dried citrus or berries, and reproduction vintage ribbons can accentuate your entryway and greet your guests in style. To add dimension, flank the door with matching garlands. Add potted seasonal plants like poinsettias or holly for a vibrant, welcoming touch.  It's also period-appropriate to hang wreaths in windows for some extra authentic flair.

Embrace Timeless Holiday Decorations 

Simple, understated decorations often work best for historic homes, so embrace the charm of holiday traditions from decades past. Intricate garlands, handcrafted ornaments, elegant ribbons, fresh greenery, pinecones, and berries all look wonderful when paired with historic brick. By embracing natural materials, bespoke decorations and vintage pieces, you'll create your own personal holiday style that remains true to your historic brick home.

Don't neglect lighting when creating your holiday plan. Historically, homeowners used candles to light trees and windows, but that is one tradition best left in the past. For a safer option, use battery-operated candles, hurricane lamps and string lights on windowsills, fireplaces, garlands, wreaths and trees.

Protect Your Brick Walls While Decorating  

When hanging items on brick walls, use removable stick-on hangers for lightweight decorations. For heavier items, opt for masonry anchors secured into the brick, not the mortar. This ensures your decorations stay in place while preserving the wall's integrity.

Before you hang anything, make sure your walls can support your decorations. If you're unsure, a historic brick expert can inspect your walls and determine if they would benefit from tuckpointing to renew the mortar.  Tuckpointing isn't just about aesthetics—it protects your home's structural integrity by preventing moisture problems.

Make the Fireplace a Focal Point

The fireplace is often the heart of a historic brick home during the holidays. Start with a garland decorated with seasonal foliage, pinecones and twinkling string lights. Vintage-inspired ornaments, hand-tied bows and reproduction LED candles can complete the look without compromising safety.  Never use any kind of greenery around a working fireplace. Instead, opt for fire-resistant materials and flameless candles to maintain the cozy ambiance without the risk.

Blending Modern and Traditional Decor

Owning a historic brick home doesn't mean you can't embrace newer decorations. The key is to select current trends that blend with your home's style and mix the past and the present. By combining traditional décor with thoughtful touches of modern decorations, you can highlight the charm of your home's unique architecture while creating a warm and inviting holiday atmosphere for you and your guests.

Contact Renaissance Development to arrange an expert consultation for restoration and repair of brick, both outside and inside your historic brick home.