One decorating trick that is often overlooked in the winter months is bringing in bare branches to accent your home.
Branches can add a wonderful natural look to any room, and can be used to add a very seasonal look. Branches are often quite attractive and interesting, and can be used to provide an interesting contract to other types of decorating materials.
Choosing Interesting Branches
Although people sometimes think of bare tree or shrub branches as all being mostly the same, in fact they are quite different. If you are looking for colorful branches, choose the bright red bare branches from a red twig dogwood shrub. Branches also vary from long and graceful to those which are bent, twisted and full of character. Depending on the decorating effect you are going for, you will want to select branches that have a complementary appearance.
Creating a Bare Branch Arrangement
Bare branches can be effectively arranged in a vase to create a striking decorating accent. A large vase full of graceful bare branches can create a dramatic effect when displayed on a mantle, while a smaller arrangement can make a very beautiful table centerpiece. You can use the bare branches alone, or combine them with other natural materials such as seed pod stems and dried flowers.
Combining Bare Branches with Flowers
Another exciting way of using bare branches is to combine them with flowers for a striking appearance. Instead of using greens to accent a floral arrangement, try using bare branches in varying heights. This can look very beautiful as a harbinger of spring for January when bare branches from outdoors are combined with purchased daffodils. Some people even like to force some paperwhites, daffodils or tulips to bloom indoors in early spring to add some cheer to their home, which are lovely when displayed in arrangements with bare branches.
Arranging Branches in Baskets and Bundles
Another great way of decorating with bare branches is to fill baskets with them and place around the home in areas such as shelves, the foyer, or the fireplace area. Combining branches with other natural materials such as pine cones and seed pods can add extra visual interest when creating a basket arrangement. Natural baskets such as those made from woven wood, bark or natural materials such as a rustic wicker often look best when used for bare branch arrangements. Bundles of branches can also be used to decorate. Using a decorative ribbon or perhaps a natural material such as rattan, tie bundles of branches together, and display on the mantle or on a shelf to add a natural and beautiful decorating touch.
Creating a Natural Bare Branch Tree
Although Christmas is over, you can effectively decorate a small bare branch tree in your home for the remainder of the winter season. Either cut or dig up a small tree from outdoors, and anchor in a large pot. Then, decorate with natural materials such as pine cones or seed pods, or use sleekly modern decorations such as crystal and glass. Either way, a string of small white lights added to the bare branch tree can create a very attractive look that will add some sparkle to your home decorating.
Article written by Alyssa Davis of Metal-Wall-Art.com - find great deals on dragonfly metal wall art and motorcycle wall art.
