Most of the time, my dining room doubles as a photography studio. With all the cooking I have to do, I won’t want to spend too much time on decorations.
Step 1: Gather Evergreens
A quick trip outdoors provided the base for a still life with holiday boughs, with foraged juniper evergreens. For a bit of the exotic, I choose Brasilia from my local florist.
Step 2: Frame the Composition
A vintage gilded frame added visual structure to my arrangement. To my eye, asymmetry creates a more dynamic composition.
I started with a large branch of juniper, which I simply stuck into the frame.
Step 3: Arrange the Bigger Materials
For my vertical element, I added a piece of velvet ribbon, which I informally draped inside and out of the frame. A successful vignette contains both vertical and horizontal elements, which together create a sense of dynamism as they guide your eye around the arrangement.
Step 4: Add Vertical Element(s)
As a counterpoint to the strong vertical of my frame, I simply added two bulbs and a few Brasilia berries to a shelf below the boughs.
Step 5: Create a Horizontal Counter Balance
To complete the composition, I draped a simple string of fairy lights on the shelf.
Step 6: Add Lights
Ready for guests, my homemade holiday boughs glow and add cheer.
The Final Festive Look