Creating a Lavish Rustic Lodge Christmas Decor

This guide is to help you with decorating for the Holidays using RUSTIC as the keyword.  Many of us like to use the rustic theme in decorating for Christmas because it takes us back to a time long ago when Christmas was much less commercial.  It gives us opportunities to incorporate some of our favorite things and will mean much less shopping for the newest wizard of Christmas decor that manages to surface every year.  Our favorite things have memories.  Memories are feelings and great memories just add to the feeling of a warm inviting Christmas decor.  We want to reflect the warmth and coziness of the past. 

Intertwine artificial greenery with actual natural elements.  Visit your yard or a nearby wooded area to gather fallen twigs, branches, bay leaves, red berries and pinecones.  You can either twist them into the artificial store-bought wreaths and swags with wire or use a hot glue gun.  Remember that glue can crack in the cold.  It takes 140 degrees to melt, but cracking will dislodge what you placed into the piece, so if you are using it outside, I would suggest using wire.

To get that Lavish Rustic Lodge Christmas, you can use many fabrics such as tapestry, velvet, wool, leather and even old lace. I saw on HGTV where they took a piece of light colored leather, laid some old lace over it and sprayed with copper paint.  They ended up with the rustic leather looking opulent with the lace design.  I like words like opulent, lavish, rich and layered.  Those words bring feelings of comfort, warmth and being surrounded by beauty.  Here is a pillow that I have that can be used for inspiration.  It is layered with two different patterns of wool with thick rich fringe and even pewter buttons.  Notice the candle holder on the right side.  Solid brass pinecones with a nice fat candle.  The exact look we are trying to achieve.  The only thing missing is the greenery and some small amber lights.

You can take a long inexpensive artificial garland, double it and then twist it with lights to give you a much richer thickened garland that looks more expensive.  Add some of your gathered natural elements to this garland for a more realistic look.  Consider using amber lights for a softer more rustic look. You could even spray the tips of your garland with copper paint to add another element.

Adding natural colors into our mix help create the rustic decor we are trying to achieve.  Consider burlap, canvas, old woolen scarves, woolen blankets and even grandma's old lace tablecloth.  Keep adding other elements such as river rock, birch branches, pinecones and lichen will always add that special punch.  I notice that my orchard has lots of lichen and it is time to prune. 

I used 15 x 20 pieces of sample washable wool from Wooded River.  Instead using old scarves I will slowly position some of these pieces at an angle so that a point from each piece is hanging over the edge of my large antique buffet. 

 The pieces will be layered on top of each other across the furniture piece. You could cut up an old blanket, fringe the edges or buy fringe for the pieces that you choose. I have a huge red woolen wrap from Italy that would cover most any surface that I have.  It has long luxurious fringe all around it!  One could actually use several textures such as wool, velvet, tapestry and some lace placemats and do the same idea of layering across the mantle or on a table...remember the pointed edges hanging over really makes the whole thing look really good!  I will then put a layer of either my artificial garland or fresh greenery and then layer more with pinecones and other natural elements.  I can nestle in something like small family photos, bird houses or Christmas ornaments.  I also have many pomegranate that would add a punch. That's exactly what my picture shows.  It worked! 

I saw where you could take fake fruit spray with adhesive and then shake in a paper bag along with glitter.  Spray the glue where you want the glitter to adhere...all over or maybe just on the tops.  I bought my large collection of fake fruit at the local dollar store.  That might look really good on my antique buffet. Nothing would be wrong with using real fruit.  Imagine the delight in taking an apple or orange as you walk by adding to that special feeling of giving that we love for our Holidays. Remember not to add glitter if you want to eat it!  You can also use the fake fruit outside.  I would suggest using wire to securely adhere it to a garland or outside Christmas tree. You might invite birds and other small animals to take a treat or two by including real fruit, nuts and even popcorn and cranberries.  My four dogs love to browse, so I must remember to put any food products up high enough to keep them from destroying my beautiful Lavish Rustic Decor!  I remember when I was a child, we always had a tree that we decorated for the birds.  It is a nice tradition to pass on.

Old skiis are easy to come by.  No one wants those old clunkers when the new wiz bang ones are better.  I have four out in the shed.  I am going to use them for venues of interest on my long front deck at either door.  I will layer that look with bunches of greens, glittered fruit, old ice skates and lots of natural elements.  I must remember to intertwine small amber lights to have an evening welcome ready for my guest.  I saw a picture where they put German designed ribbon on the skiis.  I had a whole box of this ribbon that I sold to a woman in Japan.  Aw shucks!! 

I am going to take my antique crochet tablecloth, fold it length wise over and over intertwining small amber lights.  I think it will be lovely as a swag over a window in the guest room or maybe even my bedroom!

I have two old woolen blankets that I found at an estate sale.  I will use these to make my guest room have an atmosphere of welcome and warmth.  Use your old quilts layered on your couch or on a bed.  It is time to bring out those very loved items to share during the Holiday season.  Look for any combination of plaids, prints, lace, wool or velvet.  It is the look we are going for!

Imagine even a crochet cover on something, something with green velvet or black velvet using a belt to go around it that has a special buckle that would add your own accent.  You could temporarily cover a pillow and hold the material on using a belt!  I have some leather belts with disc decorated with brass studs etc.  They would surely give the right look to rustic decor!  Even a rhinestone belt would be appropriate mixed with the lodge, cabin and rustic pieces.  After all, it is Christmas!

I have a few pieces in my home that will be kept out for Christmas.  They lend themselves to the Lavish Lodge Christmas Decor.  You must have some items that you can incorporate. 

Christmas stockings don't have to hang just on a fireplace.  You can stuff them with fresh great smelling greenery and tie one on the back of each dining chair or on a door.  They could be stuffed for just the right pillow on a bed or hang in the bathroom with a guest towel rolled inside.  I'm sure you can think of more ways to use Christmas stockings.  You can make a great stocking out of a wool shirt.  Use the pocket area for a bit of interest on the front of the stocking.  There are many rustic stocking available if you don't have time to make your own. 

Below are several pictures of my attempt to create a lavish rustic look in my home using some of my product along with favorite family items.

This great sideboard just inside my entry to the great room has a collection of family pictures with some pinecones, fir branches and a bear to guard my family.

The sideboard glows at night with amber lights

I put loved items on our tree.  The teddy bear was a gift to my husband on his birthday years ago.  He is a fisherman  just like my husband.

Candles and twinkling lights always add to the Holidays.  See the one that I ended up putting on my TV cabinet below.  It is just the look for that rustic Christmas also using an amber colored light!

I bought the stain glass window at a garage sale.  My wooden deer from years ago like living in the pine boughs for the holidays.  I think the other candlewick holder in the rear is not needed!

The living room got the same treatment with greenery from the yard along with woolen stockings hung on the fireplace.  They are also from Wooded River.  I love the stars on the wall.  The tea kettle you see in the left picture is from my great grandmother Rossman.  It is dented and not beautiful, but my grandmother used it to give moisture to the room many many years ago in Wisconsin.  I use it for the same reason. Tradition can be quite simple.   

You guys can appreciate that the SpitFire has a home above the TV cabinet along with old books, a rustic manager and more greenery. My husband has a presence in our home!  He loves airplanes, fishing and building his Kingfisher Kayaks.

I didn't forget the small shelf under another antique stain glass window from my friend, Elmo Williams, and the bookshelf under the window with pictures of my husband's family taken in the 1950's and earlier. The boys all remind me of James Dean with their leather jackets, sleeked back hair, and low riding pants. 

I'd like to think that I live in a sophisticated upscale home, but the reality is that we are simple people enjoying where we live here on the Southern Coast of Oregon.  I love to celebrate the Northwest lifesyle by using items found in my region to decorate with. I am making nature balls this year using found lichen, moss and bark.  I have sold everyone I made here locally, but hopefully I can get enough made to share on eBay. They are truly beautiful.

If you are looking for that smell that only Christmas has of baked cinnamon and apples, there are several recipes for Applesauce Cinnamon Christmas Decorations on the internet.  WARNING:  One of our labradors ate a few off of a Christmas tree.  She ended up with a severe case of hives; which gave her a polka dot look.  She was also quite sick and required antihistamines.  They do work to give you just the smell you want and they are a fun family project!

Remember that Christmas is JOY.  So, enjoy the process of creating your Christmas.  If it doesn't bring a warm and fuzzy feeling, don't do it.  Christmas is the accumulation of years of Christmas cheer.  It should not be a chore, but an act of love.  It is a tradition to pass on to our families.