Tremendous Twigs

Here in the Netherlands, the fall is finally in full swing. Trees are sporting bald patches here and there, but I don’t mind. I have a thing for bare branches (you thought I was going to say bald patches, didn't you?). A weird thing to have a thing about, I know…

I was sitting down to a cup of tea in my living room two days ago, and I noticed that the neighbour has given the one and only tree in her back yard a haircut, and there’s a massive branch now sitting in my back garden. I have been contemplating what to with it. Throw it back over the fence, take it out to the garbage disposal, or… strip it, dry it and display it inside? So after an extensive inspiration hunt, I have unearthed some ideas on how to bring the outdoors in and use twigs, branches and limbs in your home design.

Life in the Fun Lane

This is the first image that springs to mind when I think about what to do with the branch I have found, and with this image in mind I have been on the hunt for two more large twigs to complete the scene. I love the simplicity and natural beauty of using three dried branches to adorn a wall.

I also adore the below two ways of using a large tree branch indoors. The subtle creamy colours of the room in the first image, injected with dramatic black accents, gives this contemporary space an organic edge. Beneath, the Scandinavian vintage inspired space is given a romantic edge with the addition of a more detailed branch. I just love this!

via Remodelista

by Kelly Ishikawa of SBX Creative.

The vased twig in the following image is the perfect addition to the rustic space below.

Interior Alchemy

The decorated branch hanging above the bed in the image below adds visual interest and a natural aesthetic to the rustic space, particularly as the bed is central to the room and is thus the focal point.

Via Toast

The use of several branches as a headboard is as interesting as it is lovely. This would be right at home in a coastal style house by the sea. The simple design makes this headboard an easy one to try and recreate yourself.

79 ideas

I also love the simplicity of using a few twigs to adorn thewall behind the bed in an all white bedroom. The textures against the pale palette is just so soothing...

Lisa Madigan via Little Lovables

The next image demonstrates how a nice solid, semi straight branch can be used for practical purposes. I adore the use of this dried branch as a kitchen rack to hang tea towels and kitchen utensils from! Quite possibly the simplist and most (cost) effective way to add interest to your kitchen.

Another practical use for a thick branch, if you are lucky enough to find two that are symmetrical, is to use them to suspend a decorative shelf, as illustrated below.

Living Etc. via Remodelista

The branch below feels right at home in this neutral hued, coastal-come-rustic style nook. I adore that massive shell, and the vintage dresser too! The whole thing looks pretty to me, though wouldn't a mirror inside that gorgeous wooden frame complete the picture?

Covetable Designs via CreatingThis Life

When my very good friend sent me a package of handmade fabric birds after the birth of my little girl, Lola, I turned them into a pretty mobile to hang from my daughter’s bed. I have suspended the birds from ribbon, and adorned the ribbon with buttons, bows and little flowers. She loves gazing up at her birds and I often her her chatting away to them!

Holly Marder

Here is another gorgeous example of a bird mobile for a baby’s room. This one was handmade by Laura from Spool Sewing. Make these little fabric birds yourself using this pattern and then attach them (with glue, I presume) to branches before attaching the whole thing together.

Spool Sewing

Keeping in with the nursery theme, how about using a branch to hang teeny tiny clothes from? This would look delicious in my little girl’s bedroom!

Project Nursery

Christmas is fast approaching and I’m thinking of ways to decorate the house without going overboard with shiny tinsel and kitsch decorations. A branch adorned with a few baubles is a gorgeous idea, particularly above the Christmas tablescape.

Pinterest

The baubles used do decorate this Christmas tree are simple and understated and tie in beautifully with the minimalistic theme of this space.

Life in the Fun Lane

Life in the Fun Lane

Even if it’s not Christmas, a single branch suspended above the dining table with a few simple bulbs for lighting is so pretty and is a beautiful accent to this contemporary Scandinavian style tablescape.

The Syle Files

I hope you are as inspired by nature as I am to add a touch of the outdoors to your home this fall.

Love, Holly