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Friday, November 29, 2013

Decorating with Natural Elements...Highlights of Christmas Pasts


Christmas Living Room 2012
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I've held off decorating for Christmas until this weekend so I'm knee-deep in ornaments and greenery right now, but I wanted to share some Christmas highlights from the past couple of years from my previous home in case you are also decorating this weekend and would like a bit of inspiration...

I tend to decorate with natural elements because they never go out of style and it's usually less expensive to clip your own greenery, branches, etc from your own backyard than purchase the quality, expensive artificial stuff.  From magnolia leaves to free tree trimmings from your local tree farm, you can easily gather all the greenery you need without spending a dime...
How to Make a Magnolia Garland - 2012
An Easy Christmas Centerpiece 
There are several easy ways to add that nature-inspired look to your decorating this year.  One method is to gather your favorite containers (a long box, dough bowl, olive bucket, basket, etc), fill with pretty greenery, and add layers of your favorite ornaments, ribbon, candles, and other nature-inspired elements...
Christmas Dough Bowl 
Another way is to spread those tree trimmings and greenery liberally among the surfaces in your home from the top of cabinets to mantels, and even on stair railings and wall hangings...
Christmas Cabinet 2012
Christmas Cabinet 2011
Christmas Mantel 2011
Christmas Stairs 2012
Also, don't be afraid to use natural elements that are not generally associated with Christmas to bring a unique look to your holiday decorations.  Last year, I gathered tons of dried hydrangeas to fill wreaths and my Christmas tree for a garden-inspired feel.  Bird nests filled with silver balls, glass ornaments filled with feathers, and cotton mixed with greenery can be used to add a fresh look if you are tired of decorating with traditional Christmas decor...
Christmas Mantel 2012
Garden-Inspired Christmas Tree 2012

The Trick to a Larger-Looking Christmas Tree 2011
I plan to continue my tradition of decorating with lots of fresh greenery and elements from nature this year, but plan to mix it up a bit... Plus, we are in a different home now so things won't look the same!
Nature-Inspired Holiday Dining 2011
What about you?  Do you go for the fresh greenery or do you prefer to go the artificial route?  Well, I'm off to go work on swagging garland and hauling in the tree!

Kristen

14 comments:

  1. Every image is gorgeous with beautiful ideas gallore!!! I love your bread bowl with all the greenery, now there's an dea for me! Actually there are so many I will be looking to add tyo my already decked house. Thanks for sharing and hope you had a lovely Tksgiving day.
    FABBY

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  2. So beautiful. I love using natural elements, but at our N. Ga. home we don't have a lot from our own property. At the SW Ga. home we have lots to use, pinecones, magnolia, cotton, all kinds of items. We hope to get down there in a week or so. Your past decor is lovely. Can't wait to see what you do this year.

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  3. Looks very beautiful!! Thanks for sharing. Happy decorating!

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  4. Looks very beautiful!! Thanks for sharing. Happy decorating!

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  5. Hi Kristen, Wow, there's some beautiful decorating you did last year. Thanks for sharing with us. Happy Holidays!

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  6. These pictures are all lovely! I really like the of natural greens - the way they look and smell and how wonderfully they work with shiny ornaments! Gorgeous! Hugs, Leena

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  7. Beautiful! Lovely decorations.
    Greetings from Finland,
    Satu

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  8. You are amazing. You need your own show on HGTV. Seriously. XOXO

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  9. Oh my, wish I had some cotton and magnolia! Love all your ideas. Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful snippets. Happy holidays.

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  10. So many gorgeous vignettes Kristen…I loved seeing your beautiful creations again…you are amazing!..

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  11. Oh Kristen, I have LOVED seeig all this. We are in a new home too and decorating is fun but a cj=hallenge sice we were in our old home for 29 years!!! Now it is a challenge but a good one. I am going back to see some of these posts entirely.

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  12. You have pulled everything together so nicely...Just absolutely beautiful!
    Judy

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  13. Wow! I love your style. Thanks for stopping by my blog so I could find you.

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