Southern Living
You know me, always bringing the natural elements into our home whenever I can. This time of year I crave color and a promise of spring. One of the easiest and most economical ways to bring in color and life is by shopping the yard. Oh boy, here she goes again with her sticks and branches mantra. Yes, I love to use branches, especially bloomers. They add height, color, and touch of organic drama. And just so you know, real drama is much better than fake drama ;) Just look at these rooms.
Decor Pad
Southern Living
Decor Pad
Last three images: House Beautiful
If you are looking for a little project over the weekend, you can learn how to force branches to bloom here and here.Any big plans for the weekend? I am looking forward to a weekend at home. Yesterday I picked up a couple of samples of Sherwin Williams paint - aloof & sensible hue. Last night I walked around the house with a paint brush painting swatches everywhere. Can't wait to see what it looks like in the natural light, but with thunder storms in the forecast I may have to wait to make the final decision.
Have a great weekend!
Love branches! These images are beautiful, Rene.
ReplyDeleteHope that your weekend is great!
Teresa
xoxo
I love all these inspiring pics with natural elements. I need to incorporate more of this myself.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of forced branches, and this has been on my must try list. Unfortunately I have a black thumb, and am afraid of failing. Can't wait to see what paint you choose.
ReplyDeleteI've only brought branches in once and that was during christmas. Spring would be a great time to bring some in though, huh?!
ReplyDeleteMy weekend is going to be all about painting!
I love the image with that gorgeous kitchen!! The vase with the branches is just perfect. Love that space. :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful pics, rene! i am so ready to have some pretty branches to bring inside. not yet here!
ReplyDeletemy big plans for the weekend.... emmy is staying with my parents tonight and i am taking sawyer to see his school's talent show and then out to th hibachi restaurant where my husband will meet us. i am really looking forward to some time alone with him.
Love branches in the home, off to see what the tricks are for forcing them to bloom! Janell
ReplyDeleteI love 'sticks' in a room... well, that's what Hubby calls them anyway. My sticks. LOL
ReplyDeleteDi
I'm loving the flowering brances and the collection of blue-green demijohns in the first picture. Happy weekend, Rene!
ReplyDeleteI'm w/ you! Branches can make a room, for sure. Unfortunately, I live in a brand spanking new neighborhood where it's hard to even find a branch. I may have to go on a little walk with my clippers. Any suggestions for what I should be looking for specifically?
ReplyDeleteEmily, these are all good choices:
ReplyDeleteAzalea, beauty bush, crab apple, flowering quince, forsythia, magnolia, pussy willow, red-bud, rhododendron, spirea, witch hazel, and fruit trees (such as cherries, pears, and apples).
I have had luck with forsythia and Yoshino cherry before, but I really like that bathroom image using camellias.
I am all over this post! I would have branches and flowers all over my house if I could. In fact, if the snow has melted enough for me (cross your fingers) I will have to get out and cut some forsythia and bring some spring inside.
ReplyDeleteI love branches, too! Perfect season around here for forsythia!
ReplyDeleteMother Nature is beautiful inside and/or outside...it is so peaceful to take a few moments to enjoy Mother Nature.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely post.
I have mine sitting in water, can't wait to get some flowers. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteLonden
Great ideas! I hope your swatches work out the way you want. Paint is such a difficult decision. I am painting on canvas this weekend. I have two projects to finish:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend!
xo
Amy R.
I LOVE STICKS AND TWIGS! They add a lot of texture and interest without being heavy.
ReplyDeleteGreat images.
I am now looking for branches to force!
xo Yvonne
I love the idea of freshening up a space with branches. I will have to check out how to force a bloom - 'cause I know I'm still weeks from that happening for real!
ReplyDeleteShannon
So fun! And a great way to inject some spring here in the still snowy Midwest! This is the perfect solution for a table in my FR...I am going to give it a try!!!
ReplyDeleteLots of basketball is on the docket here, last week-end of the season!
Can't wait to see your painting projects!
Cathy
I am a big fan of drama myself! The more the merrier!
ReplyDeleteGirl you know your branches. I am a fan as well. I remember when my brother in law walked in the house and said, "Sticks in a vase . . very chic." So funny. I have images of you walking around and painting a little bit in every room!
ReplyDeleteLOVE branches! Thanks for the tips, I haven't ever tried forcing. I'm headed out to see if my trees have buds yet, I think it's wishful thinking for CO!
ReplyDeleteAren't these just the greatest pictures, Rene?! I love the look of plain and flowering branches indoors. Who would have thought years ago?! I have a red twig dogwood that I am waiting to steal branches from! ;-D
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your paint color choice!
XO,
Jane
Love bringing the outside in!!! Paint swatches all over...sounds like our house!!! Have a great weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteMy mom forced branches every year at our house, so I'm with you...I love bringing the outdoors in! I can't wait to see your new paint colors. And we will be having a very low key weekend here.
ReplyDeleteKat :)
I bought lemon
ReplyDeleteleaves at the
florist a few
weeks ago and
they are still
going strong!
I think that is
in the second
picture. A bit
too early to
force our very
far North branches,
but they are
showing up in
the flower aisle
at our local grocer's.
Hooray, that means
it's official;
spring can't be
TOO far off! Have
a wonderful weekend.
xx Suzanne
* SOOOO PRETTTTTTTY ~ (EVERYTHING is!!!)!!!!!~~~~
ReplyDeleteHow I wish we could have things like that grow here in the desert ~ (I have to go to florists, etc., to get them... "bummer"!!!)...
THANK YOU FOR THE "SPECIAL" TREATS!!!
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
All of the pictures are great, but that first one makes me want to shout from a roof top. I love all of those glass bottles with the branches in them....Lord that is pretty!
ReplyDeleteLove the sticks and small blooms look too. Thanks for the ideas. Now, if I could just get my brain to sit still long enough to figure out where to put them! Have a great weekend. -K
ReplyDeleteI love branches, they're so natural and organic and add interest to the space. Hopefully, I am hanging around the house working on projects this weekend. I hope you have a great one!
ReplyDeleteThe branches, twigs, flowers are all very nice, but I CAN'T STOP STARING AT THAT AMAZING KITCHEN!!!! Would love to see more of it ... you don't happen to have the HB link? Hate to search all over their website because they have soooo many houses featured on there. Having a great weekend, Rene!
ReplyDeletexo, Tessa
I have never tried to force branches, but it sounds so easy. I'm definitely going tondo it this year!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. I have some blooming branches outside already. I may just have to bring some inside for a pop of pink. I agree with Tessa, amazing kitchen!
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty photos! I love shopping the yard and bringing the outdoors in. I am inspired now to go out tomorrow morning and bring in some branches from the plum tree and maybe some from our magnolia trees. Have a wonderful weekend, Rene.
ReplyDeleteHello Rene,
ReplyDeleteI really love the picture of that kitchen. I love branches as a way to soften harder lines. Gorrrrrgeous!!
I have some forsythia that I keep meaning to bring in. It's pretty easy to force - and looks so pretty!
Hurrah for Spring!
Sarahx
I am so inspired! I am your newest follower and your blog is definitely going on my daily reads!
ReplyDelete-Alison
No blooms in my yard yet! :(
ReplyDeleteI do this with forsythia every year. It also works with quince and pussywillow. I want to try dogwood!
ReplyDeleteThese photos definitely say it's almost time to bring Spring inside, beautiful. I have some faux branches I sometimes use that look very real, but you can't beat Mother Nature's, and they're as close as your backyard. :)
ReplyDeleteRene- We are so snowy here, I am inspired to go out and cut some For.. Forshia... Oh, that yellow shrub!
ReplyDeleteMarch is here tomorrow and I'd love a bit of Spring with my New York snow. Maybe I can force my flowering cherry, too!
Loretta
So fun to take curling twigs and branches to put in a cool vase or urn!
ReplyDeleteCome and enter my Artful Offering and read a great Interview!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I love the natural branches, they look so beautiful! I will have to see if that is something that I can do. I have a kitty that likes all things sticks and grass! :)
ReplyDeleteI was just catching up again and had to laugh because my previous post was also about using branches in the house. Great minds!!!
ReplyDelete