Deco Office interior studio

The tree tops I use are from white or black spruce tips, harvested in Northern Minnesota.  The cutting of spruce tops is licensed by the state.  It is actually a regenerative crop that can be harvested again and again.  Grown in this manner, the tree tops will have the form and foliage of more mature trees, often bearing cones at a very small size.

Here are the steps along with images of the process I go through each year.  This year I decided to have my outside pots be an extension of how I decorated the inside of my home for Christmas. 

Step 1

To help the tree tops look their best, place them in a tight grouping to give the appearance of a single pyramidal tree.  A ten inch pot will need 5-6 tree tops; a 12 inch pot will need 6-7; and a 14″ pot wil be filled out with 7-9 tops.  If you have larger pots, place several jumbo tops in the center of the pot to give height to the arrangement, then fill out to the edges with the regular spruce tops.  I have two very large pots which I place on my front porch and then 3 smaller pots that I place outside my garage.

It is important to recut the base of the tree top before placing it in the soil.  After making a fresh cut, push them 4-5 inches deep into a heavy, sandy soil. 

Step 2

After you have arranged the tops the way you want them, water the soil thoroughly.  Keep the soil moist until the ground freezes.

Step 3

Add as many lights as you wish to give your tree toppers that special sparkel for the holiday season.  I use the white lights on the green cord so they blend in with the tree tops.

Step 4

Add some white Christmas pines around the bottom of each pot so the pots look finished. 

Step 5

Add whimsical and long twig sticks to the pot.  I recycle mine every year given they are not cheap.

Step 6

Start adding additional items to add interest to your pots.  I cut down some of the Chinese snowball blooms that dried up once the weather started to turn cold.  They work nicely and remain in tact all winter.  I also added some oregonia, and other dried items from my garden so they are nice and full.

Step 7

Add holiday ornaments or decorative artifical florals that go with the theme of what type of pot you are trying to achieve. And place the pots in place.  My pots are put in place before Thanksgiving and add interest to the outside of our home until April when the warmer weather returns.  When the snow flies it only adds to the beauty of the tree toppers.  Have fun and use things that you already have around your home or in your garden.

Merry & Bright

Give the traditional staircase evergreen swag a burst of fresh color and style by adding a bright green layer of bells of Ireland and complete the cheerful package with big red bows.

Hung with Care

To dress your staircase for the holiday season, embellish a handmade garland of evergreen roping with additional greens and sprigs of pepperberries, then hang a couple of stockings with care.

Simply Tied

Orange ribbon is the single adornment on the bay leaf garland trailing down this staircase.

Bundles of Spirit

Instead of swags of greenery trailing down the banister, try these greenery bunches. Natural birch branches form the backbone, but red twig dogwood or other branches would work just as well. Use thin florist’s wire to lash them to the banister posts along with evergreens and sprays of bright red winterberries. Matte and glossy chartreuse ornaments add pops of color. Tie it all together with a chartreuse velvet ribbon.

Added Accents

White twigs dipped in mica, glittery snowflake ornaments, and old-fashioned ice skates add a frosty touch to the traditional greens-and-ribbon garland on this staircase. Don’t forget to adorn the steps, too, with a couple of pretty wrapped presents and a pail of ornamented greens.

Pine and Ribbon Garland

Create a country garland by adding a red-and-white checked ribbon to loosely swagged pine roping.

Citrus Standout

Incorporate a vibrant orange or another color accent from your home’s usual decor into your seasonal decorations. Tie shiny magnolia leaves to an evergreen garland, and loosely arrange opalescent bows in complementary strands for a casual feel.

Wreaths on Display

Put wreaths on display beyond the front door.  Here, they form an exuberant showcase of evergreens and berries on a stairway. Intertwine glass ball ornaments, additional leaves, and berry clusters for increased festivity.

Pretty Poinsettias

Elegance is often found in simplicity. Pull the poinsettias out of their pots to add a splash of blooms along a garland . You can put their stems in tubes of water to make them last longer. Accent the top and bottom of the arrangement with large bows that complement the flowers’ color.

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in your home – or maybe not?  If your house is not decorated yet do not worry – you still have time.  Now is a great time to work on your collection of Christmas interior decorations that will eventually be part of your home in the years to come.  You might even find some of these decorations in your own backyard.  If you are really creative, you can transform some of your older newer décor treasures using a little imagination – a spray paint here, a new ribbon there as the case may be, know that your decorating theme should fit your lifestyle – not what others tell you is “in fashion” this year. 

This post is devoted to imaginative and creative ideas for your home, no matter what your taste – Traditional, French or Early American Country, Contemporary, Modern or downright Eclectic – there’s a little bit of something for every style of decorating!

Don’t be afraid to tie in your Christmas decorating with your home’s everyday decor, i.e., pick up the colors in your patterned drapery or upholstered furniture – don’t just follow trends. For example, if your decor is based on white or ivory tones, you may want to complement it with tiny white lights, flowers, cream colored candles and natural greenery. Perhaps you may want to add crystal or glass ornaments to give your decor extra sparkle. If your decor is in the earth tones, you may want to accent with copper and bronze ornaments. If your tendency is toward jewel toned fabrics – emerald green, ruby red, gold, dark purple and sapphire blue ornaments will all complement your theme. And remember, it’s nice to have a color scheme, but don’t be afraid to add a piece or two that are a little different from your theme – either in color or style – this will promise to add a touch of whimsy to your decor.

For those of you with a fireplace, your mantels will become the center of your decor – and although they’re only one level deep, there are many factors to keep in mind – texture, color, balance and style of the mantel.

For a contemporary look – use repetition and symmetry (odd numbers of objects work best). Use simple objects and repeat them several times. For example, you may want to place 3 ivory votive candles in between 5 topiary trees tied with simple silver, red or green ribbon.

For a country look to your mantel – gather some branches – pussy willow, apple tree, curly willow, or cedar twigs – stand branches up in narrow vases or lay them on the mantel, layering them so that the cut ends show as little as possible. Hang ornaments on them and complete with natural greenery such as Scots pine and moss, pine cones, grapevine balls and intertwine with tartan ribbon.

Traditional mantelpieces look beautiful either swagged or layered with natural greenery, traditional ribbons and bows in satin, velvet or taffeta, mini white lights or ivory votives and artificial, sugared fruit picks.

Tip: Don’t try to put everything on your mantel. Pick a theme and stick to it!

So if you have not yet begun to work on decorating your home for the festive holiday season get going!  It is only November 29th so you still have time to get your home spruced up!

Source – Better Homes & Garden