Selina Lake’s fresh foliage styling ideas for Christmas
Leading stylist and bestselling author of Botanical Style and Garden Style, Selina Lake provides ideas and inspiration for a very green Christmas with Dobbies.
Image: Selina Lake for Dobbies
In addition to your tree, wreath and garlands, acclaimed stylist and author Selina Lake has teamed up with Dobbies to put together these simple festive foliage styling ideas for a naturally beautiful Christmas, both indoors and out.
“Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without an abundance of greenery and foliage to fill homes with the fresh scent of winter florals. One of my favourite ways to decorate is using plants and flowers from our very own garden. Starting with a cold brisk morning outside gathering cuttings, foliage can be given a new lease of life to create a naturally gorgeous look in any room.”
With 7 inspired ideas for styling with festive foliage, get set for a very merry green Christmas with these fresh ideas from Selina, to bring the outdoors in this winter.
Mantelpiece styling
Image: Selina Lake for Dobbies
‘An abundance of green foliage makes a striking yet affordable mantelpiece display for Christmas. Take your secateurs out to the garden and collect a mix of green cuttings from your Eucalyptus trees, overgrown Ivy, Pine Trees, Rosemary herbs and fur foliage.
Arrange your cuttings on your mantle and nestle white pillar candles in between, ready to light on the big day – just be careful none of the branches come into contact with the flames once all the candles are lit. (Never leave lit candles unattended).’
Dobbies top tip: Use older growth as new tender growth, from the tips of the branches, will wilt very quickly out of water.
Festive hanging basket
Image: Selina Lake for Dobbies
‘Give your hanging basket a festive twist by planting red berries, white Hellebores and trailing Ivy together. Add extra springs of festive foliage to fill any gaps.’
Candle centrepiece
Image: Selina Lake for Dobbies
‘Turn this galvanised metal three pot planter into a festive table centrepiece.
Fill each pot with potting compost and insert a dinner candle into the centre of each. Them add small sprigs of foliage around the candle, I used white wax flowers, Eucalyptus, Ivy and added small pine cones. Fill any gaps with moss.’
Mini Christmas trees
Image: Selina Lake for Dobbies
‘Mini pine trees make a decorative display when grouped together and wrapped in craft paper tied together with string.’
Botanical gift wrap
Image: Selina Lake for Dobbies
‘How about decorating gifts with sprigs of greenery, berries, and cones gathered from your garden?
Simply wrap gifts in simple craft paper, then tie boxes up with black velvet ribbon. Use your garden to collect botanicals and foliage, and to finish the boxes simply weave stalks between the ribbon.’
Decorative dining chairs
Image: Selina Lake for Dobbies
‘Give your dining space a festive botanical feel by decorating the backs of each chair with a bough of foliage.
Tie the cuttings (not the spindles) on the chair using string or ribbon and add a handmade message.’
Rosemary serving wreath
Image: Selina Lake for Dobbies
‘Wow your guests with festive nibbles, use Rosemary sprigs to make a wreath base on a serving plate and arrange small stuffed peppers and olives. The amazing fragrance of fresh cut Rosemary will also add a wonderful aroma to your home.’
For more ideas, make sure you visit Dobbies, or head over to Selina Lake’s instagram for a glimpse into her world.
Have any green fingered styling tips? Let us know by tagging us on Instagram with #FestiveFoliage #DecorateWithDobbies, tweeting us @goodhomesmag or posting a comment on our Facebook page.