The holiday season is a very busy time for us. This work is different than landscape and garden design, but not unrelated. The winter work does not revolve around the plants. It revolves around people. For that reason alone, I greatly enjoy it. I am party to a lot of holiday celebrations. Families. Children. Community. Helping hands. Every client who asks that their pots and landscape be dressed for the holiday and winter has a reason to request the work. Whether or not I ever learn the circumstances, I make every effort to treat every project as if it were my own. That means I may not get to my own until late December.
This year was no exception. Dan and crew installed a giant Christmas tree in my side garden pot the second week of December. I put faux fruit and bleached pine cones on my garland on a Sunday morning a few days later. I have always found the Williamsburg style of holiday decorating appealing. I also think is looks good, and is appropriate to my circa 1930 house. Owen and LaBelle did the the grapevine and lights, and installed it a few days after that. This held me over until the 23rd, when my pots both front and back which transformed my house into a home. David and I put together this year’s version of a Christmas tree at the shop. It was easy to transport all of a piece. Buck and I celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, and we were ready. I am happy for a late installation date, as I will leave this up all winter. I may run the lights all winter too.
A few days ago I had the chance to come home early, and take a leisurely tour. I like how the garland looks with my 19th century concrete urns and pedestals on my front porch. I like just as well how the warm colors of the fruits look with my yellow/peachy brown brick. The boxwood looks how it always looks-fresh and green.
traditional winter garland and associated pots
The front door
winter arrangement in a vintage Galway pot
winter centerpiece with curly willow
on the driveway, red bud pussy willow, 2 shades of purple eucalyptus, and Norway spruce
a pair of pots
Our Christmas tree. This year I took a steel topiary form, and covered it with grapevine and lights. I set the form in an incredibly beautiful galvanized tub that Rob purchased in England this past September. A foam form is wedged in the top of the pot. The foam was stuffed with German boxwood. The spikes on the bottom of the topiary form were pushed all the way into the foam.
I decked out that lighted grapevine topiary tree with feathered birds and clusters of small chartreuse holiday glass balls.
We had a very merry Christmas.
last night
the front door New Year’s Eve
A little holiday fireworks in the garden. Happy New Year!
Just beautiful!
Dear Michele,thank you for the compliment. I hope you have a great New Year. best regards, Deborah
Magical . . . . Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too, Cathy. I like a little magic in the mix at the holidays – I am pleased you think that element is there. all the best, Deborah
Beautiful! …as always! Thank you for sharing; I always enjoy your posts and inspiration. Happy New Year !
Dear Susan, Happy New Year to you! I enjoy the writing, and I enjoy hearing from the people who read. many thanks, Deborah
I am constantly amazed by the beauty and thought that goes into your work! Thank you for the inspiration.
For those who don’t know Daria, she is the landscape designer for the Eau Claire, Wisconsin branch of the University of Wisconsin. In addition to all her other work, she makes beautiful seasonal containers for the university campus. These are inspired by Deborah Silver’s imaginative, eye-catching designs seen on Deborah’s website.
Dear E. T., thanks for the introduction. all the best, Deborah
Dear Daria, if you find inspiration here, then I am pleased. Have a great New Year. best regards, Deborah
Beautiful! My favourite! Happy New Year!
Dear Jeannine, Happy New Year to you too! all the best, Deborah
Just love your posts always beautiful, calming, inspirational. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Patricia. It does seem calm now – I am greatly enjoying that. Happy New Year to you as well! all the best, Deborah
I can’t tell you how excited I get every time I receive one of your emails. I’m always eager to see your exquisite designs. Scrolling through your photos takes me on a journey to enjoy and appreciate elegant and stylish landscapes and their individual elements. Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring. Happy New Year
Dear Sharon, Happy New Year to you, too. I always try to take and post a lot of pictures-they tell the story. best, Deborah
I appreciated your comment about preferring the Williamsburg style of holiday decorating. I’ve had occasion to be in Georgetown and Williamsburg over the holidays and also have a fondness for that style. Your home is lovely.
Dear Jamie, thanks for your letter. I have always liked that style, but this is the first year I have done a version of it at home. I like it! Happy New Year, Deborah
Gorgeous as always. I’m always so excited to open up my email and see one of your posts. Just love your designs.
Dear Ursula, thanks for writing. Have a great New Year, all the best, Deborah
It’s just beautiful.
Very happy New Year!
Dear Moonlight, a very Happy New Year to you too! all the best, Deborah
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Happy New Year!
I love your style of landscaping and decorating! You post the best pictures and descriptions on your blog! Happy New Year!
Love, love, love!!
So wonderful to see! I love your home and gardens and your magnificent pots, garland and lights. Your lucky neighbors who get to walk by everyday. Thank you for Every one of your posts. Wishing you another great year Deborah!
Dear Jennifer, thanks for your letter.I hope we both have a great new year. best regards, Deborah
Happy New Year Deborah! Thank you for posting so many pictures of your beautiful work, I too am a fan of the Williamsburg style. I have had some difficulty replicating that “pot on fire” look with LED lights in the large iron pot I decorate in my yard, Do you have any suggestions for getting that look with LED’s?
Dear Tresa, the key to the pot on fire look is to use lots and lots of lights. Happy New Year to you. best, Deborah
Dear Deborah, What a joy to find an email in my Inbox from you. Your lovely lovely tree inside your home is the very essence of what I have come to know as your style: meaningful, refined, and great beauty chosen from a universe of possibilities with wisdom, grace, and great care. Thank you so much for enhancing our appreciation of all that is possible and sharing your knowledge with us. Wishing you and everyone who works with you joy, health , prosperity and Peace.
Dear Marguerite,Thank you so much for your kind letter. I hope you have a great new year. best regards, Deborah
Just beautiful….thank you for sharing !
The garland masterpiece around your front porch is so inspiring. I’m saving that photo for next year…absolutely stunning.