Sparkle and shine have their place in the holiday season. Twinkling lights, shimmering candles and bulbs made of bright colors are part of many memories. But sometimes, the beauty of nature serves to add a simple and delicate touch to the décor of a home.

 

Kelvin and Denise Roberts live on 13 acres in Soddy-Daisy. Their home, casually elegant, warm and inviting served as the perfect backdrop for our decorators and florists who showcased several ways to bring nature to the holiday season.

It is often said that first impressions last the longest. When decorating for the holidays, we always want our guests and family members to feel the enchantment and warmth of our home from the very minute they enter.

 

Cheryl Simon, proprietor of Silk Trees, Petals and Ivy, is a believer in simple beauty. “I love the idea of creating a beautiful entry way that can take you from Thanksgiving right through to Christmas.” 

 

The double doors of the Robert’s home were adorned with two large, yet simple wreaths made of colorful fruit garland and berries. The natural reds and greens used in the wreaths will easily serve throughout the November and December holiday seasons.

 

Two lightweight metal statues, resembling large toy soldiers provided a wonderful touch of charm and nostalgia. “I love these soldiers,” stated Cheryl, “they come in several different styles and take away some of the seriousness of traditional decoration.” They also bring a smile to the face!

 

Upon entering the foyer, guests were greeted with an antique wooden bureau and accent mirror. Cheryl suggests using wire or discreet nails to hang holiday garlands and other décor that will only be used for the season. When creating the garland for the mirror, Cheryl prefers bronze tone colors, discreet twinkling lights and various faux fruit. Cheryl notes that tasteful, faux fruits and accents can get you through several weeks without worry of wilt.

 

Crystal accents to a candle arrangement added sparkle, without going overboard with too much glitter. Decorative feathers and pheasants added old fashioned charm to the bureau tabletop. A genuine steer hair pillow placed on the chair next to the bureau provided a point of interest and a very unique accent.

 

A prelist tree, standing at the door’s entry provided light and warmth to the welcoming doorway. Again, Cheryl recommended simple is best. She noted that rather than ornaments, garland should be used to decorate. “It wraps easily and you don’t see ornament hangers all over the place. For this tree with a nature theme, I used two garlands of fruit and 4 strands of berries to fill in the spaces.”

 

Bronze reindeer ornaments and clip on ornamental birds added beauty and color.

Berry branches were used on the top of the tree to add height and color. Shorter berry branches filled in space on the tree and the bureau tabletop. Natural feathers, in natural golden and red colors, added lush beauty and “are sturdier than most people think,” she noted. The feathers as well as the short berry branches “are great for hiding cords.”

 

The stunning beauty of this entrance provided a Holiday welcome that would make any family, friend or guest feel festive and welcome.

 

 

Joe Jumper, owner of the Clay Pot suggests that gourds dyed in warm earth tones serve as wonderful additions to anyone’s natural décor. “I happen to love the warm colors, oranges, reds and greens. Last year at Thanksgiving we sold a lot of gold colored gourds that were used on into Christmas.” He suggests that red and green colored gourds, mixed with pine cones make a beautiful Christmas arrangement.

 

“To decorate a pretty, yet simple tree, I suggest using some pine cones with pretty ribbon, old, traditional ornaments, some dried flowers, perhaps the money plant and some decorative birds.” Joe pointed out that decorative birds, made of natural wood or interesting materials, along with pretty eggs and nests have been decorative staples for several years.

 

Joe stated that to “bring a bit of whimsy to nature” it often takes just a simple touch. Today’s popular combination of aqua blues, turquoise and brown colors are  easy to find in natural materials and  can be enhanced easily with a surprising addition, such as  a bright orange or even bright polka dot glass ball.

 

 

 

The Clay Pot decorated our dining area for Thanksgiving. Joe Jumper, along with his colleague, Mike Sparkman, added color and charm to an inviting table and buffet.

 

They started their setting by creating a table runner, made of four, criss-crossed ribbons. It was simple but very pretty. The focal point of the entire display was the table’s centerpiece. Choosing colorful, healthy fruits and vegetables, a charming centerpiece looked to good to be real – but it was!

 

Joe created the cornucopia affect of the centerpiece by using a hollowed pumpkin along with artichokes, asparagus, eggplant, pears, hibiscus pods, bittersweet, and ruby red grapefruits. He arranged additional fruit around the base of the centerpiece and added pieces of lichen moss, dyed red. The result was a colorful display, looking good enough to eat and welcoming guests to a harvest of plenty.

 

The table was further decorated with the addition of pretty, yet simple plates colored in a warm brown and accented with bright green apples and croton leaves. Lovely candlesticks and salt and pepper shakers added practicality and additional color. Perhaps the most creative of the table’s setting was the addition of artichokes, hollowed out by hand to include votive candles that when lit, added just the right touch as placecard holders at individual place settings and as additions to the centerpiece.

 

The buffet and mantle were decorated beautifully to enhance the charming table. Traditional blue and white plates were accented by several large, colorful gourds, bits of greenery and pretty leaves, pinecones, evergreen and bittersweet. A ceramic turkey, blue egg, accent painting, and antique wicker bottles were very interesting additions to the setting.

 

The dining area, created by the Clay Pot, was sure to “welcome home” both friends and family members for a wonderful and enticing Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

Who knew a walk in the woods could lead to breathtaking drama? Margaret Keil, owner of Signal Mountain Flowers, arrived for our decorating session with a van full of lush vegetation, branches, leaves and flora. When she completed her project the mantle of the Robert’s Great Room was a true sight to behold.

 

Margaret’s goal in decorating with nature was in fact a result of her walk with a friend. “Living on Signal Mountain, I am fortunate to have access to such beautiful greenery and vegetation. So many backyards are full of things to dress up your home. I have decorated my home with nature for years.”

 

The striking stacked stone fireplace at the Robert’s home is normally enhanced with a large oil painting of their two sons. Margaret suggested, “At the holidays, it’s ok to make some changes. Take down your regular paintings and décor and store it for the season. A fresh holiday arrangement will give a new look.”

 

To create her mantle arrangement, Margaret created a wreath and mantle display made completely of lush greenery and fauna picked just a day earlier. She reminded us, “In order to allow the greenery to stay fresh throughout the season, you have to keep it moist. Use oasis foam and keep it watered, especially when using fresh greenery around a fireplace or with candles.”

 

Margaret’s lovely display included lots of magnolia, nandina, a variety of leaves, red berries, money plant and rhododendron. She added faux nandina berries for extra color. “Mixing faux with real is perfectly ok, especially if you get good quality items.”

 

Dried roses were placed on the mantle display for color and a very dramatic effect. Red velvet ribbons and bows completed the ensemble. Margaret noted, “Especially on a mantle, you may have to weight down your arrangements in the back. You can use bricks or rocks and just cover them with the greenery.”

 

To finish the lovely Christmas ensemble, Margaret added an antique sleigh and wheel barrel. Carefully placed candles and twinkling lights created a festive, sparkling mode.

 

Once decorated, the fireplace and mantle provided a warm and inviting atmosphere to enjoy the Holiday spirit.

 

 

 

Gil Cartwright and Curt Hodge of Gil and Curt’s Flowers brought together the allure of the sea and the strength of the land for a Christmas tree that exemplifies the beauty of nature.

 

Curt noted, “We created this tree with nature in mind. We used items that we have at the store coupled with some dramatic natural elements taken from the mountains of Wyoming by one of our clients.”

 

The lovely tree was adorned with real ship’s rope, separated by hand and used as garland. Shells and floral wreaths and nosegays were used as ornamental decoration. Sparkle reindeer and starfish helped to create the land and sea theme. Silk grass plumes added height and drama. But perhaps the most interesting of accents were the real elk antlers, collected in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The elk antlers and sea accents gave this tree a look of warmth and strength and brought to mind visions of a snowy, mountain lodge and resort - a wonderful place to celebrate the season.

 

 

_________________

So in this season of sugarplums, remember that sometimes the nicest touch can be gathered from the land or sea to add color, texture and beauty to your home. Bring the beauty of nature into your home for your Holiday season.