Green decor: bring on the branches

Spring is springing! I’m seeing mirages of happy, multi-coloured tulips and bright yellow buttercups instead of winter’s grey and brown hues. Let’s face it, as hot as these shades are in décor, they are somewhat less inspiring in the garden.

But while there’s nothing like a potted tulip or two to bring a spot of colour into the home, these bulbs should have been settled in autumn so – if you’re anything like me – this opportunity has come and gone.

The alternative, masses of cut flowers, sounds glorious and may even look incredible for a few days but – seriously – blooms never seem to last. They’re also not loaded with green credentials. My suggested alternative? Branch out! Literally.

Artfully arranging a few branches can breathe new life into a tired room. Their organic forms contrast beautifully with linear lines and their height draws the eye, well, upwards, and instantly makes ceilings appear higher. Whether drenched in pretty pastel spring blossoms, devoid of greenery, entwined with fairy lights, or even painted to match a more modern décor scheme, branches are a wonderful way to bring a bit of nature indoors. They’re also easier to care for and will last a lot longer than vases full of flowers.

A branch that is still full of foliage will consume a fair amount of visual space and can be effectively used to “fill” a blank wall that would otherwise require an expensive artwork. A row of containers – matched or charmingly different – lined up along the floor and filled with branches makes an interesting spatial separator that will still allow air to circulate and light to penetrate.

A strapped-for-cash bride whose fairytale wedding hubby and I recently attended used branches from a lemon tree as her centre pieces. Tasteful yet quirky, the “flowers” were a conversation starter and inspired the table décor for another friend’s dinner party a few weeks later. An added advantage is that, while appearing opulent and lush, arrangements of this type still allow for your guests to see each other and chat without having to crane their necks.

Branches needn’t be all-natural either … in fact, wrought iron branches and organic forms make beautiful burglar bars, fences and gates. In the photograph below, the intertwined shapes serve to define the kitchen’s space without dividing it from the sitting area beyond – and the metal is easy to keep clean.

Lastly, if yours is a small space that needs some livening up but would struggle to accommodate a generous arrangement of branches, consider a nature-inspired wallpaper. This cheery cherry-print ensures a touch of spring all year round. And, judging by how happy this first hint of the new season is making me feel, that can’t be a bad thing at all.