Delightful Decorating for the Winter Season
My first memories of holiday decorating started with the walks I took with my grandmother in the woods near her house where we collected Princess Pines for the wreath we hung on her door. Fast forward a few decades and here I am, still collecting and decorating with the bounty of nature- spruce and pine boughs from our farm along with cuttings of Andromeda and Winterberry, if I got to them before the birds. I love arranging branches on our fireplace mantles, clocks and furniture tops, with greens peeping out of a slant top secretary desk being a particular favorite of mine. You know the saying, “if it doesn’t move, decorate it?” That’s me!
My first memories of holiday decorating started with the walks I took with my grandmother in the woods near her house where we collected Princess Pines for the wreath we hung on her door. Fast forward a few decades and here I am, still collecting and decorating with the bounty of nature- spruce and pine boughs from our farm along with cuttings of Andromeda and Winterberry, if I got to them before the birds. I love arranging branches on our fireplace mantles, clocks and furniture tops, with greens peeping out of a slant top secretary desk being a particular favorite of mine. You know the saying, “if it doesn’t move, decorate it?” That’s me!
There’s something so wonderful and heartwarming about bringing nature into our homes this season as we find ourselves spending less time outside and more inside with family and friends. We have an opportunity to appreciate the fragrance of balsam and fir and the spice of cinnamon and cloves. I believe classic never goes out of style and love tradition. For me that’s making Pomanders with oranges and cloves, stringing cranberries, cinnamon and bay leaves for the tree. A collection of branches or pine cones may seem so simple but can provide an understated elegance when arranged in a beautiful bowl or basket.
Since we entertain less on the patio and more inside, I find myself taking extra pleasure in dressing the table. My husband loves to tease me about my obsession for fine china and so I was thrilled to share that the polish pottery that was provided by Elle Englander of Manufaktura is not only beautiful, but tough as nails. True story: hours after photographing this tabletop, our dog pulled a napkin in an attempt to get at the chocolates I had out on these place settings. The dinner plate and bowl landed on the floor with a crash but not a chip or a crack. Phew! I love the organic feel of this beautiful pottery. Hand painted in Poland, each design is unique. As I mix and match greenery in my décor, I love mixing and matching the nearly countless designs and colors of the pottery.
“There’s something so wonderful and heartwarming about bringing nature into our homes this season.”
During the cold winter months, I find comfort and warmth decorating my home with nature and inviting those close to us to join us for dinner and drinks. I always make sure the bar is ready for anyone who calls and have extra bottles of really good wine for not only the unexpected guest, but also to bring as a hostess gift for a last-minute invitation. We were fortunate to receive a wonderful selection of fine organic wines from T. Edwards Fine Wines & Spirits including a Remelluri Reserva Rioja 2012, a Poco a Poco Chardonnay 2018, and a Matthieu Barret “Petit Ours” Cotes du Rhone 2017. What a delicious selection!
My pro tip for decorating? Mix everything you love! If it’s old, if it’s new, whether patterns match or not, it doesn’t matter. If you surround yourself with everything you love, the feeling will come through in your decorations. I hope you’ll join me in pouring a glass of good wine, sharing a laugh with your best friends, and thoroughly enjoying this time of being close to nature and living in the moment.
- The newly opened Manufaktura Factory Store is located at 40 West Main Street in Mystic
- T. Edwards Wine & Spirits can be found at fine wine & liquor stores across Connecticut
