greenliving


fresh flowers to create a focal point in a bay window. “A lemon-lime cypress lends an- other burst of unexpected color on an entry hall table,” says freelance floral designer Janet Corrao, in Nutley, New Jersey. “It smells good, too.” Plants six inches tall work well. Corrao suggests setting the pots in colorful, inexpensive metal buckets from craft stores for add- ed glamour.


Greener Holiday A Gorgeously


Fresh Thinking About Décor by Avery Mack


N


ature’s holiday decorations can transcend cliché pine wreaths or farmed trees to make highly personalized indoor décor that super- sedes traditional greenery. Yet mistletoe, holly leaves and berries, eucalyptus, poinsettias, tree needles, acorns and a cut tree’s water reservoir can be harmful


to both pets and children. Here are some better choices.


The Tree For smaller spaces or to make a statement, try grouping topiary trees of varying heights draped with solar twinkle lights and small ornaments or


Unless deemed a hazard to active kids or pets, set up a mid-sized step- stool on a table or open a six-foot ladder in a corner and hang ornaments down the center space; add garlands and lights and set potted flowers and small gift boxes on the steps. Search “alternative Christmas trees” at Pinterest. com for more ideas.


Another option uses hedge-like plants in lieu of a tree. Consider an English or Japanese boxwood plant or evergreen lilly pilly, and then trim to the desired size and shape. Plant it out- doors as weather and climate permit.


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The Table “While we were working on a photo shoot, the photographer decided to include a Christmas scene. I was able to add fresh greenery from the property to the red ornaments and white orchids that I’d brought along. It made a striking centerpiece running the entire length of the table,” says florist Angie Zimmerman, of Angie Zimmerman Designs, in El Do- rado Hills, California. “For the fireplace mantel I used branches with red ber- ries to add height on either side of the central mirror and then duplicated the centerpiece design between them.” A festive table can be dressed with appealing edibles. Use a bread wreath as a base and stud it with skewered basil leaves, cherry tomatoes and small balls of fresh mozzarella cheese for an easy, self-serve, Caprese appetizer. A colorful dish of balsamic dressing or another dip in the center, along with small plates and holiday napkins, completes the offering. For a sit-down dinner variant, place a few Caprese skewers in small, clear, glass vases along the table with individual finger bowls of dip. Flat- leafed green parsley sprigs add another special touch. Zimmerman further suggests using deep-red Roma apples,


Galina Grebenyuk/Shutterstock.com


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