Christimas is almost here and I love all the decorations. This year I am doing all natural for the holidays. There's just a beautiful simplicity to using fresh materials, and of course, there's the additional perk of making your home instantly smell like Christmas! Here are a few wonderful ideas for integrating berries, pine cones, fir, and other natural elements into your holiday tablescapes and other decor.
This sliding door to a back staircase is really set off with a lush garland up the staircase. Featured in Veranda, we plastered this home for designer Pam Pierce--one of my all time favorites!!
The combination of snow-dusted cedar and crystal icicles gives this fireplace mantel a frosty, winter look.
Love this mantelpiece's trimmings, Better Homes and Gardens featured: just bring in some greenery from the yard and dress it up with apples, pine cones, or any other long-lasting accent.
Another pretty look with apples from My Home Ideas - this would be wonderful inside as well!
You can never go wrong with burlap made in Idaho! -Potato boutique features this live tree in a rustic basket.
You can also use burlap in your wrapping or other decor! These little potted plants would be great as place cards… guests could even take them home as a favor after the party.
Sometimes it's hard to beat a classic! Candy canes, red lights and silver beads--charming!!!
Smaller trees or topiaries are perfect if you'd just like a bit of Christmas in every room! The metal pail and simple paper trees make the statement.
Outdoor, potted plants like this boxwood can get a holiday makeover as well with just a few silver balls and some fresh fir. I tryed this at my holiday open house and it was a big hit!!
This simple wreath of greenery looks absolutely beautiful in my client's stone entryway. So European!!
Another one of my clients adorns her fresh tree with ribbon and hand crafted ornaments collected over the years. Love just the simple craft bags underneath--my style of wrapping!!
Williams-Sonoma featured this stunning tablescape. The antler candelabras and little wreath chair backs are so fun!
Mini-wreaths are also wonderful as place cards. So festive!
I love how this table setting from Desde My Ventana pairs the topiaries and greenery with the bare wood. The gingerbread cookies and homemade napkin rings add a fun touch to the rustic feel.
This formal dining room incorporated an abundance of paper whites and fresh greens throughout the space - even in the chandelier!
This is an easy and inexpensive addition to the holiday table! Simply tie some fir to a bottle with twine and add a candle. For many more natural holiday decorating ideas, go to the Vibeke Design blog, based in Norway.
Or if you'd rather use large candles, these moss and twine covered ones are beautiful!
I think this little woodpecker is on the right track - berries are one of my favorite ways to add a pop of red into holiday decor!
This platter of frozen vodkas from Martha Stewart is easy to make! You layer cranberries and holly in a rectangular container with a vodka bottle in the center, add some water, freeze and repeat until the container is full. Just be sure to place a tray underneath to catch the water as the ice melts.
Another beautiful idea for Christmas candles! In a jar, arrange some greenery, throw in a handful or two of cranberries and fill with water - the cranberries will float to the top. Insert a floating candle and voila!
Pine cones bring such a warm, wintry look to holiday decor. Just cut a pine cone in half (while wearing gloves), and hot glue a votive in the center of each. Hope I can find some this big!!
This is one of those really easy touches that's perfect for a party!
By using pine cones and moss instead of potted flowers, you'll have an arrangement that will last through the entire winter and beyond.
These pine cone cakes from Martha Stewart are adorable! And each guest can have their own.
To make your holiday cheese ball a little more festive, add almonds or other nuts for a pine cone effect.
Happy Holidays to all my sweet blog friends!!! Thought I'd leave you with this stylish pic from All Things Finnish! This is a pic that I will just have to dream of as we may be wearing shorts this year in Houston!! Enjoy your time off with your families and friends!!
I'd love to see some photos of your home decorated for the holidays for next years Christmas blog! Send them here. Thank you everyone for all the wonderful suggestions for articles. Loved them all but most I have written about before. Phyllis suggested to write about how to define spaces wth paint where there is no existing architectural demarcation--I will give it a try!! thanks Phyllis!!
Enjoy the Holidays!! Til next week! xo Leslie