Pamela deVries
BRANT NEWS

’Tis the season of glowing lights, glitter and evergreen boughs, so why not combine all of these items into your very own luxury urn display? They are one of the season’s most lovely exterior decor items.

You can go to your local florist or large retailer and purchase pre-made urns or urn inserts, but they are more unique if you do it yourself.

Some of us are pressed for time, so you can purchase inserts with just greenery and then add your own decor.

First, decide on how many urns you’d like. I like symmetry at my house so I make two. If you already have empty summer urns, recycle those. I have special pots that I purchased several years ago that I specifically use for this season.

If you are fortunate enough to own enough evergreens that you can personally trim boughs off, go ahead and cut about a dozen. I usually like to have a mixed display, so I go to a nursery for these. I have found Harpers in Ancaster has the nicest selection and best price.

If your urn already has dirt in it, great! If it is empty, fill the lower half with sand to keep it sturdy in harsh winter winds and then place florist foam in the upper portion and keep it sturdy with more sand, or tape it safely in place. Your greenery will cover this anyway.

Take the largest boughs and tuck them in first. I usually place them toward the back portion as mine are against the wall. If yours are freestanding on a step, use these boughs as lower sweeping greenery evenly placed around the container.

Now, select pine or something with a bit longer needle and an airier feel. Distribute this evenly around the container. Cut smaller branches to tuck in after.

Now begin to make the primary decor display. I have lovely huge faux poinsettia sprays I bought a few years back. This goes in the centre and I spread the flowers out to make room for other inserts.

You may prefer to use birch branches, dried floral items spray painted and adorned with glitter or animated figures.
Once your key item is inset, tuck in additional greenery. I often use cedar.

Now add the visual interest fillers. I use faux berry branches and large ornaments on sticks, faux snowflakes and dried willow sticks. Insert these in randomly, but giving the display an interesting visual from all viewing vantage points.

I use small leftover cuttings and faux holly inserts to fill the bottom, concealing the floral foam.

Lastly, tuck a wonderful bow in your favorite colour in the forefront of your display. Twinkle lights can be added, or even a solar light tucked into the pot if you wish.

Voila! Behold a one-of-a-kind creation to grace your home for the season.

Recycle faux inserts for next year and then just add something new for a fresh creation.

Pamela deVries is a certified interior decorator.