Are you a busy mom looking for fast, easy, thrifty and green ways to decorate your home? Are you interested in doing so while engaging your children in the fun? Look no further. It’s as easy as packing a snack and something to drink and heading out the front door!
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but adding organic, naturally stunning items that can be found outside to add beauty to your decor will never hurt you…and only enhance your home’s interior.
Here are some simple items to get you started!
Branches & Sticks - Fallen branches of many colours, forms and lengths are a great way to add height to any tablescape. If I am ever in need of something to add height and/or interest to a room, I simply fill a vase with a collection of found branches. My children enjoy picking out “good” ones and it is amazing what variety can be found on a short stroll. I also add them to my outdoor plant urns – different types depending on the season – to add pizazz to my flower and plant arrangements.
Stones & Rocks - I admit it, I am a sucker for stones! Take me to a beach and I can be lost for hours looking for stones of different shapes, sizes and textures to use in my decorating. This is an enjoyable activity I also share with my kids. Ever since I took my oldest son to a beach in Toronto to hunt for stones when he was four and he found a heart shaped pebble, collecting heart-shaped stones has turned into a collection of hundreds. We use them to surround candles, fill vases and even display them in shadow boxes. Our family members and friends have brought them back from trips; we have heart shaped stones from everywhere from Egypt to Cuba.
Shells & Sand - Again, the beach brings life to my home with the stunning textures found in sand and shells. Perfect for adding to candle displays and tablescapes, sand and shells add interest and act as ideal grounding materials. If you can’t find shells, they can be purchased for very little money at your local dollar or craft store. My personal favourite is starfish which is a staple in my house. I even place them in my Christmas tree during the holidays as a touch of the beach that gives a nod to the North Star. Add some simple white lights and the effect is magical!
Leaves, Pinecones, Acorns, etc. - Fall is the season to find fallen treasures from trees shedding their wares to get ready for winter. The wonderful shades of reds, yellows, oranges and greens are perfect for adding the splendour of autumn to your Thanksgiving table, your mantle or to the many crafts you can involve your children in.
Acorns and pinecones can replace shells and stones in vases and tablescapes to reflect the season of the harvest and give a warm, cozy feel to your décor scheme.
Feathers - Fallen feathers are beautiful and look lovely inside vases or shadow boxes. I like to add egg-shapes stones and twigs to feather displays as well. As you can see, mixing and matching all of the treasures found in nature is half the fun!
So what are you waiting for? Grab a jacket and your kids and start scavenging. Who knew decorating your home could be this entertaining, this affordable and a way to enjoy nature with your entire family? Have fun!
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