We saw this lovely branch accent piece while wondering through Kent Ct Antique dealer Marianne Stikas’ both at this past weekends Bedford NY Antique Show.
Her gorgeous booth drew us in but it was this wonderful twisted vine branch painted the most gorgeous salmon color that really intrigued us. It reminded us of our past posts on a chain branch closet, a tree branch curtain rod and of course our leaning red branch on the cover of Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions.
We left with our DIY thinking caps firmly on, just thinking about the possibilities and colors we might use. Perhaps a nice little nature walk was in order - so we could do some raw material hunting...
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If this was done DIY, how could one be sure that the branch is free of bugs and whatnot before bringing it into the home? It's too big to fit in a freezer to kill 'em off that way.
Perhaps it was treated? I'm sure that a good douse of vinegar would get rid of the worst of the bugs/ eggs.
Once again, I would never in a million years pay for a tree branch.
One day I came home to my apartment to find that the maintenance guys had been busy and removed a dead shrub. Hmm, I thought, it's kind attractive, so I hauled it upstairs. I tried to grow some vines on it on the balcony, but my first try didn't work... maybe I'll take it in and paint it. And AT posters everywhere will snark on me.
I like it as a low-maintenance alternative to flowers... a touch of nature and color, and so much less tacky than fakes.
I love it...it's like a big piece of coral!
Would you have to prime wood like that - I wonder how much paint it would soak up in the process??
I'd be too paranoid about bugs to chance it.
You guys are totally freaking out over bugs waaaaaay to much. I hate to tell you this but our houses are full of all sorts of bugs...
How is a branch any different than bringing house plants indoors? I guarantee you that a house plant infested with whiteflies is much more problematic than a dead tree branch.
You'd need to seal it, so any sap still in it wouldn't leak out. Auto paints would be best or maybe marine paint.
What insects live in dead wood? Maybe some, but hardly multitudes.
whytephoenix has me very curious about the look of that dead shrub. I'm intrigued. I'll bet it IS kind of good. Meanwhile, it sounds like it would be amazing painted.
The coral color paint looks beautiful. Looks like a manzanita branch...you can purchase these, or find them if you live where this grows. I found a huge one at a garage sale for 25 cents several years ago. It has since broken in two, the bark has peeled away nicely from a season outside, and I continue to use both pieces in various places. Currently, a tiny Chinese lantern hangs from one on top of a large armoire.