The holidays are here, which means it’s time to start thinking about decking the halls. Happily, boughs of holly aren’t your only option. For tips on creating stunning decor with natural materials, we turned to floral designer May Bernhardt, owner and founder of Mayflowers, who just opened a second boutique in McLean (her original shop is in Reston). “There are tons of creative ways to include greenery,” she says, starting with some items you may be able to find in your own backyard. Here are some fun and different ways to dress up your home for the season.
Think outside the house.
Venture outside to see what wonders your yard or nearby woods may hold, May says. For a rustic centerpiece, start with a lined birch-bark cube (these can be reused as houseplant containers), a vase or a wooden bowl. Create a base of moss and evergreens such as cypress or pine. Then add accents such as berries, cut flowers, bare winter branches and pine cones. Japanese maple leaves that turn crimson in fall also provide a nice pop of color. If you trim the lower branches of your Christmas tree, save them to use in tabletop arrangements.
