Each winter, Erin Kelly returns to an enchanting practice—foraging for natural elements to design holiday decorations.

“It’s really surprising how things dry and die in your yard. And when you’re looking at them and asking, ‘How does this integrate with something else in an interesting way?’ it can open up possibilities.”

Kelly, an interiors photographer and stylist (whose imagery frequently graces the pages of TABLE), has an eye for beauty. By observing and honoring the landscape as it changes shape, she thoughtfully brings this luminous tableau to life. Like a magical, snowy forest beckoning you forward, her home imbues a felt sense of presence and wonder. The Mary Oliver poem, Sometimes, springs to mind: “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”

“Things that are in a state of dormancy can still be inherently beautiful. For some reason, we just aren’t used to using them or reflecting that in our home,” says Kelly. “I enjoy foraging in the winter, even more so than when it’s lush outside, because you can really see shapes and structure. There’s something pared down about it, and I already lean towards minimalism [in my interior design style].”

Bringing the Winter Landscape Indoors

Around the hearth, Kelly wrangles whimsical vines—unruly amidst her hedges, stunning on her mantel—into an organic work of art. She anchors them with rocks in an earthen vase.

“I try to pick things that are sculptural and provide a sense of movement,” she says.

Round vessels cascade with curving branches, grasses, and pines on “as many surfaces as possible.” She adds extra coziness by placing sheepskin rugs throughout.

Kelly transforms the task of deadheading hydrangeas into lyrical tree trimming. She gathers and dries generous bunches of rust-, pink-, and green-hued panicles, then dresses the boughs alongside flowing ribbons, beloved ornaments, and fairy lights.

“Go overboard with twinkle lights. You can never have enough of that warm glow.”

She recalls the way last year’s centerpiece took shape. “My kids and I often go for walks. As the season went on, they would find something dried, bring it home, and stick it inside the tree. By the time Christmas arrived, it was filled with so many fun, beautiful things, and it was so personal to them. It was like this beautiful memento.”

Gifts wrapped in simple brown Kraft paper are the finishing touch: “A sweet little collection around the tree.”

A Sustainable Holiday Tradition

Kelly styles many of her creations around artificial garlands, which she uses again and again. Rather than chasing trends during an already pressure-filled season, she gives the pieces new life with whatever the natural world has to offer. Once the holidays come to an end, Kelly recycles the foraged items and starts anew the following year.

Kelly is nourished by the potency and peacefulness of continuing a conversation with nature during the grayest of months.

“It allows you to not feel this sense of waiting for things to bloom,” says Kelly about her quiet holiday refuge where all is calm, all is bright.

How to Forage Your Own Holiday Decor for the Home

Bring the outdoors inside to create your own winter wonderland.

Forage

• Boughs of fresh longleaf pine, fir, and other evergreens
• Pinecones
• Plumes of dormant ornamental grasses
• Dried hydrangea panicles
• Tendrils of clematis or bittersweet gone to seed
• Dried seed pods

Procure

• Kraft paper
• Velvet and grosgrain ribbons in earthy tones
• Strands of wired fairy lights
• Vintage vessels and vases
• Museum wax and floral wire to combine and stabilize botanicals
• Fishing wire, twine, and 3M hooks to hang pieces on walls, mantels, and doorways

Make

• Organically styled wreaths (or procure one from a local florist like MotherChild!)
• Natural centerpieces for the foyer, living room, and dining room
• Dried botanical bundles for gift wrapping
• Cranberry or dried citrus garlands

More Home & Seasonal Inspiration from TABLE:

• Explore our guide to interior design around Pittsburgh
• Shop for local decor in our Pittsburgh Shopping Guide
• Plus, discover five other ways to decorate for the holidays

Story by Nicole Barley
Photography by Erin Kelly

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