GATHER

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME

Life

PINECONE PRIMER Deck Your Doors

3 ways to make a merry entrance using a winter woodland staple

WRITER TIFFANY ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHER RETT PEEK

Southern CHARM

WHAT’S IN THE MIX: • Magnolia clippings • Red ribbon • Pinecones • Jingle bells • Faux garland

TAKE IT FROM CHRISTINA: Pinecones aren’t just for garlands and swags. Use them as filler in containers to play out the theme at your home’s entrance.

“This is such a charming exterior so I really wanted to play on that with the magnolia,” says CHRISTINA GORE OF CHRISTINA GORE DESIGN STUDIO. Her clients Elizabeth and Scott Poynter have a huge magnolia tree on their property, providing tons of fresh clippings. Christina wired these into a faux base and used pinecones to add a contrasting texturing along the garland, which ends with giant-sized gold jingle bells. “Even as an adult everyone wants to have a little bit of the magic of the season, and these bells do just that,” the designer says.

Natural BOUNTY

WHAT’S IN THE MIX: • Fresh and faux cedar garland • Pinecones in various sizes • Berry sprigs • Clear lights

TAKE IT FROM DALE: “We tell our clients not to feel like they have to fit in a box or match a trend when it comes to holiday décor. You should do what evokes holiday memories and a sense of tradition for you.”

For a client who was moving from a gold and glitz holiday scheme to a more understated, natural look, designer DALE ALDRIDGE OF SILKS A BLOOM employed all the elements of a woodlands winter. Starting with a quality faux garland base the client invested in a number of years ago, Dale tucked in fresh cedar sprigs. Rather than ornaments, pinecones were used as the focal points at the peak, in the corners, and in cascades down the garland. “I think the berries really add to the natural feel, and we kept those long pieces so they look more organic,” he adds.

Rustic FLAIR

WHAT’S IN THE MIX: • Antler sheds • Pinecones • Faux and fresh garlands • Tartan and red ribbon • Berry sprigs • Eucalyptus sprigs • Wooden ornaments • Clear lights

TAKE IT FROM AMY AND CANDACE: “If you have a statement piece around your entrance, keep it simple when it comes to the actual door.” Here, a classic green wreath is accented with berries, eucalyptus, and red ribbon.

“She’s been collecting pinecones for years,” AMY TERRY AND CANDACE COLE OF AC DESIGNS say of their client Mandy Connell. While these had long been a part of the holiday décor scheme, the antler sheds and plaid ribbon were new additions. “One of the things about pinecones is that you can do them with rustic or modern looks—we throw them in everywhere,” Candace says. The pair also adhere to the more, the merrier philosophy. “We add in so many stems to make the garlands look really full that it’s not even funny!” Amy says.