Holiday Inspirations from Detroit Garden Works

When I’m searching for inspiration for my holiday decor, I am so fortunate to have Detroit Garden Works nearby.  You can see why Garden Design Magazine named Detroit Garden Works one of the top 25 garden stores in the country, and why they were recently featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine.This shop has so many fabulous unusual items for the garden and home, many imported from Europe.   Deb Silver, founder, and Rob Yedinak, manager, are both extremely talented in not only selecting magnificent merchandise, but  also have the talent to create some of the most breathtaking unique displays.  

Detroit Garden Works has a web site http://www.detroitgardenworks.com/ , and they ship anywhere.  In addition, Deb has a very informative blog, Dirt Simple,  http://www.deborahsilver.com/blog/  where she shares her extensive knowledge and creative ideas.  

If I had a place in our home for this old doorway, it definitely would have gone home with me.

Isn't this dog adorable? 

Rob created this tree with old branches he found.  I would have liked trying this in our home for a Christmas tree this year, but we have 9' ceilings and this really lends itself to a room with high ceilings.

Look at all of the milkweed displayed so beautifully in the urn above and how it catches the light.    

How sweet are these little knit birds?

Here is one of those adorable little birds perched on the window frame.

In addition to Detroit Garden Works and Deb's landscaping & design business, she also founded a company called Branch.  The dog sculptures above were designed and fabricated by this company.  They also manufacture garden pots and planters, furniture,  and sculptures.  You can visit the Branch website here http://www.thebranchstudio.com/

This was one of my purchases today.  I just couldn't resist this charming willow wreath with its milkweed branch that reminds me of my younger days when we used to play with these pods.

The image above and below are from Deb's blog, Dirt Simple.  http://www.deborahsilver.com/blog/?p=23279.   You will see DGW and its ambience as it is photographed in the evening;  exhibiting, once again, the many talents of Deb, Rob and the staff at Detroit Garden Works.   

 You will learn how Rob created this “pot of fire” using white light strings, "tree of heaven" branches and some dried weed.  Rob has the skills to take some of the simplest ordinary items and turn them into something so unusual and extraordinary.   

It is no surprise that Detroit Garden Works has received the recognition it has from Garden Design Magazine and Martha Stewart Living.  Wouldn't you agree?  I am so fortunate to have this wonderful shop nearby.

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

While I started Christmas decorating early this year, I didn't really finish until today.   Since I get bored doing the same decorating every year, I like to experiment with different ideas.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, I have about 17 plastic crates with Christmas decorations and used just one of those boxes this year.  For the past 14 years, I have been collecting antique European baskets (mostly French).  This year I decorated the tree with some of my small baskets along with German brass candle holders, and glass snowflakes I made with our three daughters about ten years ago with a kit from Martha Stewart.  These glass snowflakes are beautiful the way they catch the light and you can create so many designs.  

How do you decorate your home for Christmas?  Do you have one tree, two trees, or many trees? I once met someone who had 14 trees in her house - one in every room including the bathrooms. 

 A very long time ago, (I can't believe it's been about 25 years), I travelled with my Mom and Dad on a trip to Europe.  We had stopped in a craft shop in Switzerland, and my mom purchased this adorable doll by Meike Riedel.  My mom passed away four years ago, and I treasure this charming doll with its cloth painted face, her hair in braids and a dress made of a fabric that looks like a "Liberty of London".  The old wooden tricycle on the right was my mother in laws when she was a child and the bears I have collected  at antique markets along with the small wooden sled.

 One of the many snowflakes our girls made from our Martha Stewart kit.  Since she no longer sells these kits, I have gone to our local bead store and picked up all the supplies to make more. 

Look at the amazing details of this finely crafted French doll basket.  I love the beautiful patina, and the fact it has survived all these years in such fine condition. 

Who doesn't enjoy candles and a wood burning fire?  It feels so good to sit by the fire on these cold, short days in Michigan.

 The lowest shelf of this antique Welsh dresser holds a collection of various old books.  My husband is always asking me why I purchase these books when I can't read them as some of them are in different languages.  Well, its all about the binding and covers, isn't it?  The architectural piece in the center is actually from the Lee Plaza Hotel in Detroit.  Our daughters like to go into these amazing old dilapidated buildings in Detroit to take photographs and they came across this incredible piece. 

We celebrated my husband's birthday the other night and you can see our golden retriever loves to prance around with the wrapping paper in her mouth.  She always knows how to get our attention. 

I can't believe Christmas is just four days away...

CHRISTMAS DECORATING WITH PAMELA PIERCE - MY FAVORITE

Out of all my many December magazines I have saved, these images taken from the December 2003 issue of Southern Accents is hands down my favorite.  Pamela Pierce, a Houston designer, has done a beautiful job with this Italian style house built in 1995.  Pamela is known for her rustic, sophisticated and elegant designs with European flavor.

The tree is decorated with clear glass balls and topped with a 17th century Italian decoration.  One of my weaknesses is for wonderful European baskets, and here they are filled with clear glass balls and peanuts.

Pamela used olive branches as tie backs in the dining room and covered the table with a linen check.   This chandelier is fabulous and I really like the simple rosemary wreaths around each candle.

Ironstone and hotel silver are beautifully displayed in this armoire.

This stairwell looks so inviting with the simple hurricane lamps, cream colored stockings, garland and the fir tree potted at the top of the stairs.   

I love this fireplace mantel with just greens and cream pillars. 

How wonderful is this breakfast room?  An over sized gingerbread house is displayed on the table while square boxwood wreaths hang from brown ribbons.  

Not only do I adore these holiday decorations, I really appreciate the simple, rustic elegant look of this Italian style home.