Got to be honest. I LOVE bringing in huge, wild, unruly branches to fill a dead corner in a room. It’s not that you can’t go out and buy something but the challenge is buying something that doesn’t highjack the overall design of the Room. The goal is just to have a little something there to add texture and interest. Oh, and did I mention they’re completely free!! Don’t you dare go out and buy branches. Here are the unofficial rules of decorating with tree branches.
Scale… don’t be afraid of large branches. The longest branches seen in this photo are over 60” long!!!
Shape… personally love using tree branches to soften corners of a room. When you’re viewing a room, the branches soften the abruptness of a corner. Look for branches that curl and reach in different directions. There is no perfect tree branch… that is the beauty of decorating with tree branches. You want that wild, organic irregular overall shape.
Vessels…The container or vase that the branches are in is equally important…. Take your time in making this selection. The glass vase in this photo is a dramatic 40 inches tall. Don’t be afraid to think beyond glass, for materials like metal, or pottery that really speak to your personal aesthetic and style. The glass pillar vase shown in the image was a second hand yard sale buy left over from a wedding but this exact vase is available at Michaels by a company called Ashland for around $24.00. No dirt or water needed just stick them down in container and move/arrange the branches around by hand until you get that pleasing, desired shape.
Orientation… don’t just think vertical…feel free to use branches horizontally. The visual impact is equally as amazing. If you have a dead space on a wall over the sofa for example. Hang a single horizontal limb on the wall to help carry the space.
Texture… This is the fun part! When your scavenging for the perfect tree branches be aware of texture. These tree branches are from my momma’s yard in South Georgia so they have a little bit of Spanish moss streaming down. But also be aware of bark color, or even the curly tips of new growth that can contrast larger sections of the branches. I even have tree branches with dried leaves still on them,…and they …are…gorgeous ! Why not?! Hell yeah, some of my branches still have leaves… they’re old branches.
Have fun and be adventurous folks!
