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Minimalist Christmas Village: modern, handmade Nordic paper decor, folds perfectly flat to store
$88.00
(26)
Holiday decorations don’t have to take up precious storage space: all my Christmas village houses fold perfectly flat, so they pop up in seconds and tuck away in a flash. So simple!
If your style is about crisp, modern lines, the minimalist Nordic village is just the thing to bring warmth and light to your home. Gather the houses together in a traditional mantel scene, or tuck them into cozy nooks to be discovered one by one, little illuminated treasures that fit in the palm of your hand.
I make each house by hand, cutting intricate architectural details into beautifully textured (and strong!) watercolor paper. When illuminated, they glow from within, bringing all their tiny details to life because holiday magic is all about the little things - it's everything I love about winter, captured in paper and light.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
My little studio, nestled into a historic apple orchard, is a wonderful place to transform simple paper into something truly luminous. Through years of experimentation and innovation I’ve developed my own techniques and a rich visual language that simply can’t be replicated in a factory. And I always cut with a blade, never a laser, so you’ll never find a “toasted” edge. With Belgian Paperworks you're not only creating magic in your home for the holidays, you’re also honoring the beauty of true handmade artistry.
Materials matter: my carefully sourced, high-quality European watercolor paper possesses the perfect balance of flexibility, texture, and strength, allowing it to transmit light in the most beautiful way. And of course, it's also archival, meaning your heirloom village will last for decades.
My work has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, and earned recognition as an Etsy Design Award finalist.
SUSTAINABILITY
My commitment starts with my studio, which runs on geothermal power, and continues with paper sourced from eco-conscious mills. To ensure that no resource goes to waste, I even transform my offcuts into charming Christmas ornaments, which are also available in the shop. Finally, my luminaries’ ability to fold flat reduces their environmental impact by requiring less packaging and fewer resources to ship.
PRACTICALITIES:
Set up and storage: Your pieces will arrive fully assembled. Just 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. After the season, simply fold your luminaries back into their little shipping box and slip them into a drawer. They take up almost no space, because no one needs more bulky stuff to store.
Measurements: The houses in this collection range from 3.75 to 5.75 inches tall. The optional church is 7" tall.
WARNING: paper is flammable. Use flameless candles only.
© 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
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
Returns accepted within 21 days
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.
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
Request a cancellation within: 2 hours of purchase
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
- Custom or personalized orders
- Items on sale
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.
Privacy policy
I, Belgian Paperworks, am the data controller of your personal information as it relates to my shop. When you place an order, I will receive your name, delivery address and email address from Etsy. I will use these details only to process and deliver your order, or deal with any queries you have related to that order.
If you send me a message using the contact button on Etsy, I will receive your user name and email address. The only circumstances in which I will share your data are in processing your order or complying with the law.
I will not add you to any mailing list without your explicit consent. I will never use or pass on your information to third parties for marketing purposes or any other purpose, other than the circumstances listed, below:
The circumstances in which I may share your data are as follows: with Etsy to comply with my obligations, with delivery companies to fulfill your order, and to comply with legal or tax obligations.
I will retain your details for as long as necessary in order to process the transaction and I will securely store any data collected during that period. I retain personal data related to orders or customer queries for a period not to exceed seven years. After this time I will delete your data from my records.
If you have any concerns about your personal data, please contact support@Etsy. You have the right to know what personal data I hold about you, and to ask for that data to be changed or deleted. Should you wish to report a complaint or if you feel that Etsy or Belgian Paperworks has not addressed your concern in a satisfactory manner, you may contact the Information Commissioner’s Office.
In addition to my own privacy policy, if you pay with PayPal, your data will be protected by PayPal's privacy policy. If you pay directly by card on Etsy, your personal data is protected by Etsy's privacy policy.
Contact details for Belgian Paperworks can be found below, under seller details. Belgian Paperworks keeps its privacy policy under regular review and places any updates on this web page. This privacy policy was last updated on 12 October 2024.
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.
Storage 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 (26)
Average:
Dec 6, 2024
Lovely, just one word, Lovely!
Tintangel®
Nov 23, 2024
Very unique and easy to assemble
Ronalee Black
Jan 7, 2024
So cute! Loved that it came with a little ornament as well.
Summer Simeroth
Dec 22, 2023
Amazing detail Exactly what I wanted It was wrapped so carefully and beautifully I will be able to reuse box to store for next year
affubs1
Dec 14, 2023
These houses are unadulterated Christmas joy. They are art in paper house form. We love them so much we now are buying them to give to friends and family. We love the idea of all of us lighting up these houses through the season. We can’t see all of the people we love at Christmas but we can share the light and beauty of these houses. Shipping was very quick and the houses are packed exquisitely with a special surprise and a personal note from the seller.
Patricia