Happy July, friends! Thank you for the kind words about our new door color — we still love it and it makes us smile every day. With flowers blooming in the yard this time of year, I’ve been enjoying a simple ritual: filling the lantern by the door with a fresh bouquet. It’s an easy, cheerful way to mark the season. If you don’t have a wall lantern, any lantern will do — set it on the porch or on a table inside the entry to welcome guests.
Keeping the lantern filled has become a small, therapeutic habit. It only takes a few moments each day, but the payoff is big. At first I worried I wouldn’t keep up with regular changes — I’ve been guilty of letting seasonal displays linger past their time — but swapping blooms is simpler than it seems.
Now, while I’m out checking on plants each morning, I snip a few fresh stems every few days. I refresh the water and tuck the flowers into the lantern — no floral-design expertise required. Fresh blooms always look lovely, even when arranged casually.
If your yard doesn’t supply enough blooms or you prefer less frequent updates, consider keeping a few quality faux stems or seasonal accessories on hand. They’ll let you enjoy the display for months without worrying about wilting. I plan to have a few go-to pieces for those in-between times so the entry never feels bare.
Now that I change the lantern flowers more regularly, I’m thinking about expanding the vessels and accessories I use. Having a small stash of vases, jars, or seasonal trinkets ready would make it even easier and more fun to switch up the look on a whim. I’ve enjoyed updating this lantern for each season with what I already had, but a little preparation would let me be spontaneous and polished at the same time.
I tend to decorate impulsively and prefer a casual look, but some people enjoy planning displays well ahead of time. Either approach is valid — the point of decorating is to feel comfortable and inspired in your own home. Let your personality guide your choices. Don’t feel pressured to match someone else’s standard; set the bar where it makes you happy.
Even though I favor spontaneity, I do like the idea of collecting a few extra vases and containers so I can change the display quickly. I might rummage through the garage and cabinets or visit a flea market to find charming, seasonal accessories that fit the lantern. I haven’t been to a flea market in a while, but I remember enjoying secondhand art shopping during quarantine — it kept me inspired, and I collected some pieces I still love.
Decorating the lantern has become one of those small pleasures that lifts the mood at the door. Whether you prefer an effortless, imperfect look or a more planned seasonal display, the important thing is that it makes you happy.
I’ll probably keep an eye out for useful containers and seasonal accents to have on hand. Meanwhile, I’ll keep snipping fresh stems and enjoying the simple ritual. Happy weekend, friend!
Find more inspiration:
If you missed our door makeover before-and-after post with all the details, check the earlier post about the transformation.
I’ve shared several simple seasonal looks for lanterns in previous posts; they’re great if you want ideas for quick updates.
For summer decorating ideas and seasonal inspiration, look through the summer decorating category for more tips.
Sources and notes:
Similar doormat and lantern options exist that are the right scale for entry displays. The door paint color we used is Benjamin Moore Blue Suede Shoes. The brick paint color is Sherwin Williams Reserved White — we’ve written about our painted brick exterior project previously.