One of the "Christmas gardens" at our house, above, includes little cardboard structures -- houses, churches and other little buildings -- that typically make up the make-believe villages with the odd name of Putz. I've collected them on eBay for the last few years, where the prices run the gamut. There are plenty of elaborate reproductions on the market alongside the vintage models.
I'm especially fond of the ones with the Arts and Craft Bungalow detailing, like mine above.
I found this odd and enchanting little set of Putz houses a couple of years ago.
Each is cut out of what looks like cardboard from an old Christmas box. I find it particularly charming the way the creator of these Putz houses used the graphic design of the cardboard to trim the outside of the house. The cellophane covered windows (often damaged in the old models) are typical of true Putz houses and churches.
That's what inspired me to create my own Putz cottages and churches, like the Florentine Cottage and Eglise Florentine, above. I gave several away as gifts last Christmas, and this year, I'm making them available at the atelier chéri shop on Etsy and at Chez Noël, the Christmas market here at Atelier Cheri.
Collect a house and church, like the Eglise de Lys and Fleur de Lys Cottage (available at the atelier chéri shop at Etsy), with a common theme. I especially like the cottage, covered with pieces cut from an old Paris map reproduction. I make liberal use of lacy German Dresden trim on my Putz houses.
Or start your collection with one of these elegant numbers, Burgundy Cottage and Twinkle Cottage, above, each covered in reproductions of William Morris wallpaper from the Victoria and Albert Musuem. They're available at the Chez Noël Christmas market here at Atelier Cheri.
Putz houses and churches are such a fun way to bring the vintage spirit of Christmas into your home. Whether you collect the old ones or start your collection with one or two of our artisanal styles, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
à bientôt et Joyeux Noël...Tatie