Adding greenery to contemporary decor

After a dreary northern winter I begin to long for a spot of green in my decor.   I've even given my blog a new green look.<br /><br /> Last spring I wrote about my <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2014/03/do-you-need-little-luck.html">lucky bamboo</a>,  my default plant that resulted from an aborted shamrock search.  Poles apart, I know!  Choice is often limited when you live on an island; you can convince yourself it's what you wanted all along. <br /><br /> I've been enjoying my bamboo and it seems to love my house.<br /><br /> I went to look for one for a friend for Christmas.  None to be had, but I could find a shamrock.  Go figure.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf1U6Bf8wM8wtUgTF1WP1XTXXvMoivPZ_mVboZDYAZn68WWa_bmu7ixYUXpPOiXPrLQr0x20cCUcYb-rh6zoJnvSvTcvbyXf1o8KlBitkMWRhTTRXa3P4S7oy9i0Tgij_fj5bARra4qBj/s1600/plant++bamboo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf1U6Bf8wM8wtUgTF1WP1XTXXvMoivPZ_mVboZDYAZn68WWa_bmu7ixYUXpPOiXPrLQr0x20cCUcYb-rh6zoJnvSvTcvbyXf1o8KlBitkMWRhTTRXa3P4S7oy9i0Tgij_fj5bARra4qBj/s1600/plant++bamboo2.jpg" title="Adding greenery to contemporary decor " width="293" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUmXsXa3WRDruPjuFOGlDSewb_QWbCL0gJiaslmhVAfKjoUlRFx6LZWINvGv31oqSp_i8sJG_DLsi4I6SON2-FVe7tiQTii_Maf3LcWjTNHxnFfmpwZQTsDG4XRygD_lTSWLSUfyXVpM_/s1600/DSCN0083_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUmXsXa3WRDruPjuFOGlDSewb_QWbCL0gJiaslmhVAfKjoUlRFx6LZWINvGv31oqSp_i8sJG_DLsi4I6SON2-FVe7tiQTii_Maf3LcWjTNHxnFfmpwZQTsDG4XRygD_lTSWLSUfyXVpM_/s1600/DSCN0083_01.JPG" title="Adding greenery to contemporary decor " width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">What a difference a year makes. </div><br />There's nothing like a plant or a grouping of flowering branches to bring a space to life.  Even the most neutral colour schemes sing when there's a little green around.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr-bSOG7SrtlbixyCtiag7neFWPgtx693hc898mqgrVwxh52gevTvFdu6hjFOjA_AFWw2rLI2FecQUkidOc5JGNpKBmqdrcMfoHbwQ9IeXV5sbt4t1wvAAAYRAqBuo18DUmf5Wa97TNxM/s1600/gray+and+cream+with+branches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr-bSOG7SrtlbixyCtiag7neFWPgtx693hc898mqgrVwxh52gevTvFdu6hjFOjA_AFWw2rLI2FecQUkidOc5JGNpKBmqdrcMfoHbwQ9IeXV5sbt4t1wvAAAYRAqBuo18DUmf5Wa97TNxM/s1600/gray+and+cream+with+branches.jpg" title="Adding greenery to contemporary decor " width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpEYMjZEmDfZnnN1b-G0AWpPSZqy6g9IucTgC4BcKHJ31R6RZUvoKjiydSNBGob-oDIFHr5s_aJcDVVmpV62TOGfzg1h6ecjxidYjTVIy1WOehAWGIc3o3HrFDVTUiAr5ii0WjiawyDJm/s1600/twigs+living+room+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRAIIYQueMpB31IkbQ-tIe30MyU8zKtE1DXjVD6hFa8_sGGWgmOpRSMWSJZqYFydh2JYiUzohIJbmx96lPb6Aa8EOtnrTT8MInvTAg9X1gfz21s3a-111pt04Ghf_NxgXbL6OFqOgzzPw/s1600/plant+console.jpg" title="Adding greenery to contemporary decor " width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQN4IS66zfQd_KNGrW_u_fH8ND0vkT3nmVrKrJH8tTNLhbYS74BFpf4fsMkzckcILvSym3_DC0yXgPtQlQscV-YbVo6-zVBgWSY1UbL3k9m1vuJ6gySjqSuZm6dNJS-wmBw_LmjzMBa31V/s1600/neutral+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQN4IS66zfQd_KNGrW_u_fH8ND0vkT3nmVrKrJH8tTNLhbYS74BFpf4fsMkzckcILvSym3_DC0yXgPtQlQscV-YbVo6-zVBgWSY1UbL3k9m1vuJ6gySjqSuZm6dNJS-wmBw_LmjzMBa31V/s1600/neutral+decor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mryall/branches-twigs-leaves/">Pinterest  </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you have too many plants?  Yes, in my opinion.  You don't want a jungle. One or two plants  get noticed and more than that becomes a bit of a mess.  You may disagree.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Adding greenery to contemporary decor

After a dreary northern winter I begin to long for a spot of green in my decor.   I've even given my blog a new green look.  Last spring...

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Christmas staples: Buds, twigs, branches and berries

There's nothing like the real thing for Christmas decorating.  You get to go for a little adventure in the woods with your trusty snippers, and come away with a red nose and a trunk full of inspiration.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes you just have to go to your backyard, but there's a limit to happy cutting in a small space. That's where I got the materials for my front porch planters, if you don't count the leftovers from my summer planter and feathers I've recycled several times.   </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFtjnRqU4uVwzc0cRAtT9dns-uJQVW4UWtPp6jB6iUwRFrekPjZIC1kFP9tadOPm0vPXHST12bnLgoCmUfHcpS3cKyf9mN7tIAxeSuRe3ROoIzPpbG5fg4F000YbqOWPLmUKeaanm_3i6/s1600/close+up+planter_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas planter, red dogwood, pine, " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFtjnRqU4uVwzc0cRAtT9dns-uJQVW4UWtPp6jB6iUwRFrekPjZIC1kFP9tadOPm0vPXHST12bnLgoCmUfHcpS3cKyf9mN7tIAxeSuRe3ROoIzPpbG5fg4F000YbqOWPLmUKeaanm_3i6/s1600/close+up+planter_01.JPG" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Hubby made me a trough box for my trunk/ottoman.  I knew what I wanted to put in it, but I couldn't hack away anything else in my yard. My sister came to the rescue.  Remember last year when I posted about her <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2013/12/a-nature-inspired-christmas.html">nature inspire Christmas</a>?  She  had already made her yearly trip for bough and twig cutting to complete her planters and agreed to take me to her spot. Bonanza.<br /><br />Here's her efforts ...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcCwOARFXeodg85h9iS10Rm6LfzXqQaiG06WTcd-AjiF_RFBhBBc-oCQXMbitMMZQuBdSut_68SS1EwMvdh_UMqzIw-Zy7GCvfYfNcA-oPRQWLTiJcA1J_E2YNrpWlrgOCZksEPna-Hxk/s1600/right+planter+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas planter, red flowers" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcCwOARFXeodg85h9iS10Rm6LfzXqQaiG06WTcd-AjiF_RFBhBBc-oCQXMbitMMZQuBdSut_68SS1EwMvdh_UMqzIw-Zy7GCvfYfNcA-oPRQWLTiJcA1J_E2YNrpWlrgOCZksEPna-Hxk/s1600/right+planter+.JPG" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL_bxyqfZkmaRX6CACpA5hSZ8yofM95Xow6qmVInAc_PU1qHRJUZ1kLyQKmNR2j9QeT95ge4RSCDx8NgnTcFNib7m9w7XJXy0lnUvUL0DagMZ8g-6rkw0VuJbzie48bRx77EtfL73K3Z6/s1600/back+planter_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="twig vase, red flowers, yellow flowers, Christmas" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL_bxyqfZkmaRX6CACpA5hSZ8yofM95Xow6qmVInAc_PU1qHRJUZ1kLyQKmNR2j9QeT95ge4RSCDx8NgnTcFNib7m9w7XJXy0lnUvUL0DagMZ8g-6rkw0VuJbzie48bRx77EtfL73K3Z6/s1600/back+planter_01.JPG" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you love that hit of yellow with the red?</div><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Now on to my family affair project..</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRikNs2edEvz_mcYqjWaTzvuUEpuRpS_GjBrLfni0DbtfEOMJJQ-Q1u-lXH_fu8iD8IHKHRpFpxaOB7-seyxncJ4NUAsGPQMDPgJJms3WgxuSuZm4MXYPG7HZtnRS9XDLqfoDKG-lQrjPy/s1600/mixed+metals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="gold, silver spray painted box" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRikNs2edEvz_mcYqjWaTzvuUEpuRpS_GjBrLfni0DbtfEOMJJQ-Q1u-lXH_fu8iD8IHKHRpFpxaOB7-seyxncJ4NUAsGPQMDPgJJms3WgxuSuZm4MXYPG7HZtnRS9XDLqfoDKG-lQrjPy/s1600/mixed+metals.jpg" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="400" /></a></div><br />My son sprayed the box for me with  Krylon Colormaster  in nickel.  Then I taped it off and used gold to create two stripes around the box.  I figured I may as well get with the mixed metal trend. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqfvnoMTxWbgVlcEto_cwjOW2BUhuSifeRVzlcTvDaJFQuyg42CbhYxv0QLwfRyd0Vhv5p-V4vwUppSoDDOaMAu8ulyz_MQF9FlOBacrXpYjzl8uuCT7Mwds9MYay8A1TbmsiszPidsZn/s1600/twigs-greenery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alder twigs, fir, candles, trough box,LED candles" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqfvnoMTxWbgVlcEto_cwjOW2BUhuSifeRVzlcTvDaJFQuyg42CbhYxv0QLwfRyd0Vhv5p-V4vwUppSoDDOaMAu8ulyz_MQF9FlOBacrXpYjzl8uuCT7Mwds9MYay8A1TbmsiszPidsZn/s1600/twigs-greenery.jpg" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="400" /></a></div><br />  I had three LED candles (so safe and they actually flicker- daughter tip from Costco) I wanted to use and went to the dollar store and bought seven square glasses  to put oasis in to keep the boughs fresh. The alder twigs looked a little boring so they got the spray treatment too in a mix of nickel and gold. <br />Then I began the arrangement. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt5yHwdp2jedMmqMb5dlCAt1qgED1bd0a_30I2dPY7lp5w_uTfvTf4ywkZB-PfLIBipqaPA1lkSC-QPXHWVfKIXaknht40DeIjTh7brHdyaTaxsuOVD6AF4GeKi3zhooW12XloR_1odaq/s1600/bench+planter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="trough box, candles, greenery, twig balls" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt5yHwdp2jedMmqMb5dlCAt1qgED1bd0a_30I2dPY7lp5w_uTfvTf4ywkZB-PfLIBipqaPA1lkSC-QPXHWVfKIXaknht40DeIjTh7brHdyaTaxsuOVD6AF4GeKi3zhooW12XloR_1odaq/s1600/bench+planter.jpg" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Fresh flowers are a must anytime of year.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_5aH00g8UEjnOlt3oY5dLBdO41PWULPSVE2ORGA2_gjcysmjySSPZAwjMHX2t4R0c5x1LsVzaoK-1sgfWokfNPjj8TWMq7glyHjaBD4xAb0gDFbUOdxx7mDlcpeHR7iIn7-XStXUX3QJ/s1600/DSCN0809_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_5aH00g8UEjnOlt3oY5dLBdO41PWULPSVE2ORGA2_gjcysmjySSPZAwjMHX2t4R0c5x1LsVzaoK-1sgfWokfNPjj8TWMq7glyHjaBD4xAb0gDFbUOdxx7mDlcpeHR7iIn7-XStXUX3QJ/s1600/DSCN0809_01.JPG" width="290" /></a></div><br />A favourite vase, fluted and textured makes a stunning centerpiece on my coffee table. Nothing else is needed.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQLELZRUzXcari4Vi2h2qFWuDXIb5SzZTYXaNE4svOBd2T_KQlPrc7ReYaDwymL8mxfrI9eWN4vmOH9BGLNdO8_A_vZpiGEBQi1L93IeaTixJu13FzNos0E-_PTHEIsB24Rmt_-bAORpK/s1600/DSCN0814_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="red berry wreath, white carnations" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQLELZRUzXcari4Vi2h2qFWuDXIb5SzZTYXaNE4svOBd2T_KQlPrc7ReYaDwymL8mxfrI9eWN4vmOH9BGLNdO8_A_vZpiGEBQi1L93IeaTixJu13FzNos0E-_PTHEIsB24Rmt_-bAORpK/s1600/DSCN0814_01.JPG" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="290" /></a></div><br />And my favourite berry wreath that has been in every room in the house over the years surrounds a vase of baby's breath and white carnations.  You can tell I like my flowers simple and usually white because they work anywhere with anything, especially with red.  <br /><br /><br />I was very lazy with the  dining room  additions....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWLEzLx5T9x0Y7AnfGCue0M1da37I8VJ77KcRqf1uir4I3r4WtMUZfoTmEYh8MGu0D0YXfDqflqzi2nxSfbb04Yk6DxF2KTRxgT1khrkb7HA_aovxhp8yElfmr7opBzv3NrZ70WCjwsNA/s1600/dining+room+vignette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dining table vignette, white reindeer, LED candles, Norfolk pine, cranberries" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWLEzLx5T9x0Y7AnfGCue0M1da37I8VJ77KcRqf1uir4I3r4WtMUZfoTmEYh8MGu0D0YXfDqflqzi2nxSfbb04Yk6DxF2KTRxgT1khrkb7HA_aovxhp8yElfmr7opBzv3NrZ70WCjwsNA/s1600/dining+room+vignette.jpg" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm not a theme driven decorator, but  nature is always a staple in whatever I do.  My new purchase for 2014 was two white carved reindeer.  I always buy a green plant;  this year it is a Norfolk pine in a faux burlap container.  May it live for awhile. <br /><br />For my dining table  centrepiece I simply added some fresh cranberries to my <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2012/11/a-must-have-vase.html">Boblen vase</a>, and used it as a candle holder, added a string of red wooden beads  (at least 30 years old) and fake red berries  to the well used  vase of twigs.  In honour of the season I changed my tray to my favourite white one with the silver leaf birds and leaves. <br /><br />And wise silver bird  looks on knowingly because he's seen it all before.<br /><br />

Christmas staples: Buds, twigs, branches and berries

There's nothing like the real thing for Christmas decorating.  You get to go for a little adventure in the woods with your trusty snippe...

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