Leonardo da Vinci once said “Those who take for their standard anyone but nature – the mistress of all masters- weary themselves in vain.” He was right.

When it comes to creative design, Mother Nature is still the greatest maker. Decorating with branches can be an easy and inexpensive way to put Mother Nature’s beautiful genius to practical use.

Cow Branches

At my house, I do a lot of outdoor decorating with branches. In particular, I love the branches that the cows have rubbed over and over again by the edges of the pasture. The oil from the the cows rubbing them gives the branches a shine and makes them look as beautiful as any store-bought stain. We have several gnarly “cow branches” gracing our gardens.

Aside from gardening focal points, branches can also be used indoors to achieve either rustic appeal or elegance, depending on the branch. If you live anywhere near the woods, branches are going to be fairly easy to come by. Those by the ocean might even prefer to use interestingly shaped pieces of driftwood. Natural pieces of wood can be used for everything from cupboard handles to towel racks.

Bring Nature Indoors

Looking for a banister? A long branch can do the trick. Need a table lamp? Run a light kit (you can get them at Lowes or Home Depot type stores) through the center of a log. In search of a corner decoration? Try filling an old milk can with some corkscrew willow or Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick. (This also makes a nice creepy entrance when placed near a front door during Halloween). Even a chandelier can be made by stringing lights through a criss-crossing network of branches. The rustic chandelier at this link is such an example.

Bringing nature into a home can provide a very relaxing feeling, as well providing great aesthetic appeal. The best part is, no two branches in nature are exactly the same. So you know you’ll be making a truly one of a kind piece. And the fact that branches are generally free doesn’t hurt either!

By Amber Reifsteck, The Woodland Elf

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