Set of 3 Christmas tree ornaments: Dutch canal house holiday decorations, handmade from heavyweight watercolor paper
$48.00
An elegant collection to add festive delight to your Christmas tree, holiday table, or any place you wish to create a spark of holiday magic. Perfect for gifting, too.
Each ornament is handmade by myself from creamy watercolor paper, accented with roofs of Delft blue, red or gray timber, and topped with a felted woolen ball and baker's twine hanging loop.
The statuesque trio includes a bell gable, a neck gable, and a spout gable and each one features a tiny "hijsbalk", the traditional pulley beams used to hoist weighty loads from canal-level to the higher floors. Every Dutch canal house has one, so these had to have them, too!
With windows on every side, the houses look fabulous no matter which way they turn.
Each ornaments is about 2" wide, and the tallest is 5.5" of classic Dutch style.
Got questions? Send them my way.
© 2020 Anne Louvau, all rights reserved. Usage, reproduction, or altering of artwork is not permitted without permission. Each piece of artwork is an intellectual property and is protected by copyright law.
Shipping from United States
Processing time
1-2 business days
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
Conditions of return
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
Questions about your order?
Please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How I make my paper houses
I use creamy French watercolor paper, beautifully textured and very strong, as the foundation for each building.
I cut meticulous details with a blade, not a laser -- this means every cut is crisp and beautiful, never "toasted".
Everything is hand-assembled, with some luminaries having as many as nine layers, or close to 80 pieces.
Finally the most delicate bits are reinforced until every house is, literally, ready to shine.
The finished houses are folded flat for shipping and storage.
Your paper lanterns may differ slightly from the photos. As each one is made especially for you, every building is unique.
Set up instructions
Your pieces will arrive fully assembled. All you need to do is pop them up and put the tabs through the slots - no glue or tape is required. Tuck in the LED tea lights included with US shipments, and sit back to enjoy the glow.
At the end of the season, simply fold your luminaries back into their small shipping box and slip them into a drawer until next time.
They take up almost no space, because no one needs more bulky stuff to store.
The surprising durability of folding paper lanterns
Far thicker than traditional card stock, my 140 pound French watercolor paper is not only beautiful, it is strong.
With this mighty paper for a foundation, my buildings are designed to last for years. And unlike ceramic or wooden Christmas villages, these resilient paper lanterns are more likely to survive an accidental fall from a mantel, or from curious little hands.
Storages tips
Paper naturally absorbs humidity from the air over time, so it's important to stow your houses in a dry location with a constant temperature.
An interior space, such as a closet or a small box under the bed, would be ideal.
Then, when you pull your houses out next winter, they will be fresh and ready to go. Or, to glow!
Sustainability
Here in Northern California, sustainability is a way of life at home as well as in my business. I am proud to say that my studio is largely powered by geothermal energy.
I constantly search out papers from climate-mindful mills sharing my concern for our planet, including papers that are FSC-certified, CO2-neutral, or Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Silver. And because my papers are acid-free and archival, they'll last for decades.
My ornaments are created from the paper offcuts left after cutting larger pieces, allowing me to substantially minimize waste in the studio. And because my luminaries fold flat and ship in a small box, they require significantly less shipping materials (and less transport fuel) as they make their way to you.
Reviews (25)
Average:
Dec 20, 2023
These are well made and wonderful.
Kathy Dobbins
Dec 15, 2023
Stunning canal houses crafted out of paper stock. Fast shipping.
John Murphy
Dec 12, 2023
Beautiful. I wish they came bigger and not necessarily as ornaments, because I would buy more!
Studio Laloc
Dec 8, 2023
The work and creativity in these buildings is amazing. These are so incredible! I think I squealed when I unwrapped them!
Christine Johnston
Dec 7, 2023
Beautiful craftsmanship. Great detail. So cute.
Treasea