As of December 1st, we are well into the Christmas season. Time to decorate!
Before you bust out the glitter and Popsicle sticks, lets take a moment to consider some alternative ways of creating a festive atmosphere that is both cheerful and classy. While DIY decorations are a fun and personal way to vamp up your home, there are some tricks to stretching what you already have (you know, that massive box of ornaments and burnt-out string lights in the attic) by adding a few key pieces from your yard…or your neighbor’s yard.
If you’re lucky enough to have a collection of festive antiques–figurines, canisters, pitchers, etc.–then bring them out and pair them with pine cones, sprigs of holly or evergreen branches, bunches of cranberries (or any faux berry), feathers, and one of my personal favorites–magnolia leaves. Bringing natural elements indoors is one of the easiest ways to create a classic Christmas look.
What is your design style?
Gold and brown can be just as Christmasy as red and green if you use the right shades and accents. We paired magnolia leaves and pine cones with a wintery evergreen garland for the mantel. Some brown striped pheasant feathers really help set this mantle apart and make the look our own. By working with the existing pieces on the mantel–a dusty-rose colored lamp and golden-brown framed mirror–we were able to create a look that enhances what we already have, rather than fighting against it. This is the most important part of creating a look that is elegant and festive: work with what you have, then embellish. The backdrop for this display is a color seasons soft springtime yellow.
Have some milk glass lying around? Throw that in as well.
Happy Decorating!
