As a kid growing up in Atchison, Kan., my playground was the campus of nearby Benedictine College. Talk about an awesome yard to play in! Especially on winter days when the snow-covered hills were crying out for sledding. We'd bundle up and sled until our fingers and toes were numb. Maybe that's why I was so drawn to this nostalgic door treatment (center, right), one of several fabulous looks created by our floral designer, to inspire you as you dress your door for the holidays (only five weeks left until Christmas!).
To build a sensational display, Bev, our seasonal floral designer at Nell Hill's home interiors, started with a decorative wooden sled, then chose some winter floral picks to create a simple swag descending down one side of the sled. She wired in some tree ornaments and finished off with twists of plaid ribbon. The warm winter plaid reminds me of a Pendleton jacket my grandmother used to wear. I loved Grandma Nell so much that I will always be sweet on this pattern.
EMBELLISHED WREATH
If you are pressed for time, hanging a simple wreath on your door is a great option. But if you have a few extra minutes, embellish the wreath just a bit to make a statement. Bev started this cheerful treatment with a sweet wreath that twists together bright red berries and an assortment of greens. To give it even more pizazz, she wired in one of the rustic metal bells we're crazy about this year. The ribbon flourish looks fancy, but is really easy to pull together. All you need is two one-yard sections of wired holiday ribbon. Find the kind that looks sensational on both sides, so when you twist it, there is no "wrong" side showing. Bev created a loop with both ribbons then secured them with a zip tie. It's a great cheater move for those of us who cannot tie a pretty bow to save our life.
MAGNOLIA WREATH
A magnolia leaf wreath is so lush and lovely, it could also stand on its own. But it looks more sensational with a few added touches. Bev grabbed a pile of plastic zip ties and got to work, popping in a few red and green tree ornaments, some red berry picks and, at the top, a cardinal and her nest. The final flourish -- a yummy velvet green ribbon -- takes the wreath to a new level.
We like to hang front door decor from ribbon loops. If you are like my husband, Dan, and are not a fan of hammering a big nail in your front door, try this trick: Stick a 3M hook upside down on the interior side of your front door, near the top of the door. Secure the ribbon loop on the hook, then cascade it over the top of your door so it hangs over the front, serving as hanger for your door treatment.
A SIMPLE LOOK
I adore a sweet, simple look -- always perfect for a farmhouse or a home with an informal entrance. The show-stealer is a cluster of inexpensive metal bells. They are fairly lightweight and jingle when they are moved, so every time the door opens and closes, it puts you in the holiday mood. Bev clustered the bells with some red berry picks, ribbons and a Merry Christmas tree ornament.
BOLDER RIBBONS
For a variation on the bells-and-ribbons look, use brighter, bolder ribbons, like a red plaid and stripe, and the drama shoots up the scale. If your house sits back from the street, select ribbon that has strong colors and sharp contrasts so your door treatment is more visible.
ELEGANT WREATH
I'm crazy about elegant treatments that prove holiday decorations don't have to be traditional red and green to be festive. Bev started with a wonderful juniper berry wreath and played up its soft, romantic feel. She zip tied in a few tree ornaments, twists of lush ribbon and picks of gold frosted berries and leaves.
The wonderful thing about all these treatments is you don't have to be Bev to pull them off. They are beautiful, but achievable. You just need the right tools -- an interesting base (like a wreath or something fun like the sled), some ribbon, winter floral picks and Christmas tree ornaments. Oh, and a pile of plastic zip ties.
This column was adapted from Mary Carol Garrity's blog at nellhills.com.
HomeStyle on 11/19/2016