Woodsy Winterland
Make the Most of Circumstances While Decorating for the Holidays
“Some people look for a beautiful place, and others make a place beautiful” -Hazrat InaYat Khan
In the aftermath of a disaster such as Hurricane Matthew, there is an urge to hold loved ones a little tighter, reach out to friends and celebrate our blessings. As our community begins to pull together their homes with the holidays approaching, joy and decor is sure to flow. With that in mind, the Pink team reached out to the Branches design team for holiday decor inspiration. They took on the challenge, and making the best of circumstances, inspiration struck and they decided to utilize the abundance of wood and debris in creating a woodsy winterland that will have everyone in awe.
A beautiful boutique floral company, Branches is a one-stop-shop for beautiful home decorations. They specialize in high-end artificials, interior and exterior floral design, holiday designs, wedding florals, art, gifts and antiques. Family owned and operated by sisters Lauren McAlvoy and Sarah Perry, and mother Vicki Ventimiglia, they have been wowing Lowcountry residents since 1995 with custom, innovative arrangements. And, not to be forgotten, Vicki’s famous made-from-scratch cookies are always freshly made for customers to enjoy as they browse.
Lauren and Sarah’s aptitude for design isn’t by chance. They’ve both had a strong connection to art for nearly their entire life. From spending time in greenhouses and at the florist, where their mother worked, to studying interior design (Lauren) and fashion (Sarah) in college. Now thriving in the family business, they both love the creative outlet and special relationships it offers. They take their custom designs to heart, often searching for the perfect decor to match clients’ needs, budget and style. Each year at market, they search for days to find the absolute best artificials. And, they enjoy “digging” at customers’ homes to discover vessels for their designs. You never know what soup tureen or serving pieces you can find!
When asked what makes a house a home, they said, “It’s mixing what you have with your decor. Bring in a personal touch to create warmth and nostalgia. Be sure to make Christmas decor approachable, especially if there are children in the home. Read on to learn tips on decorating for the holidays this year.
Dining Table Centerpieces: Homeowners tend to go too small on centerpieces, anticipating holiday parties. This leaves the table underwhelming until the big day and out of scale. Instead, go big and bold with the design and then remove the taller pieces for the day of, leaving a smaller centerpiece that allows for easy conversation. This garland runner can be left on the table while eating. Just remove the taller vases to a buffet
when dining.
Design Tips:
◉ Realistic artificial botanicals have come along way and our Lowcountry heat will dry fresh flowers out in a few days. Invest in quality artificial, then add some fresh trimmings to the designs as you near the holiday for fragrance.
◉ Bring the outside in. Use materials local to your area, like magnolia leaves, pine, pinecones or tropical leaves in your decorating.
◉ A design problem can work to your benefit. The more you try to hide a problem the more it becomes apparent. For instance, use leftover branches, pinecones and logs from the leftovers of Hurricane Matthew to create a woodsy wonderland.
◉ Invest in high-end artificials. Quality pieces can last for years and often are mistaken for fresh floral designs. Paired with small “real” touches or the perfect smelling candle and no one will ever know!
◉ Ornaments aren’t just for the tree. Incorporate your tree ornaments in your mantle display to coordinate the designs and create a cohesive look.
Interested in learning more? Visit Branches in Village at Wexford,
1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. 843-785-2535; www.branchesdesigns.com