Gather Round the Citrus Tree

If you want to spread stylish sustainability and natural joy this season, think fresh when you deck your outdoors.

Garden landscape guru Molly Wood, of Molly Wood Garden Design in Costa Mesa, loves taking a traditional twist on the season. Easy, fresh and clean are among her recommended key design components in creating a warm and welcoming holiday ambiance.

“Think contrast and negative space,” says Wood. “The contrast of textures gets me really excited.” Adding, “things like driftwood and tinsel — I love! One just makes the other stand out so much more.”

Her favorite green goods for unexpected accents and stylized nature? Assortments of starfish — both white and red — add quaint, earthy charm. You can accent a doorway or seating space with a Tillandsia air plant wreath that’s simply chic. Kumquats and lemons add fabulous color pops. And, a citrus tree wrapped in a burlap bag and topped with a chunky white star makes a unique place to hang ornaments.

For centerpieces, she suggests oversized natural curly willow branches to accessorize any indoor or outdoor table design. “They’re seasonally ideal, as they are bare in winter, then make roots and grow just in time for spring.”

Wood also loves to decorate with decadent red amaryllis. “It marks the time of the season so beautifully.”

To stay resourceful, she recommends incorporating many things you already have, but adding to them — perhaps add a new shiny, mirrored vase among a more muted group of last season’s holiday accessories for instant wow factor. And, it’s easy to be green during the holidays, “Just clip your own fresh greens as you take a walk in the park or a stroll with the kids,” she shares.

Colors? “White, silvers, and deep reds are great — perhaps even chartreuse for a holiday surprise.”

A word, or two, to the décor-wise: “Pair down,” says Wood. “I think it’s fun to leave some of last year’s boxes unopened and switch it up, because it really can be too much. Maybe pick just one box of decorations from the attic this year — instead of all ten.”

“I hope the trend this season is really about spending more meaningful time with focus on the family and home.” With that said, peace ornaments are also very much on Molly Wood’s holiday love list.

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