apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Most of the pics above show interesting decorative treatments for branches, but there is nothing sadder than a dead twig stuck in a plain jane glass jar attempting to pass for decor (looking at you pic #7). It's neither imaginative nor visually interesting IMO.

It's the lighting ones that get me... It looks cool now, but at evening when you're eating? I'm not sure if I want spooky halloween-esque branch shadows all over my food- and think if there was a draft and the branch moved a little! Eek!

10 is my fav :) More whimsy & personality!

Is there any special treatment you have to give a branch? Seems like it should be varnished or something...Or can you just bring it in from outside and stick it behind a table?

I have the perfect opportunity to use a branch but have a feeling my branch will end up looking like just that...a dead branch, and not a beautiful design element like these photos. Any tips for making it look "on purpose"?

I love branches. I have one in my kitchen http://tinyurl.com/y8lckzx
but these are far more sculptural. I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I bring in anything pretty I find.

this is crazy 'cause i was just looking for ideas for this one spot in my living room, and had already decided a nice branch would be perfect.

most branches don't just fall off trees though. how do you people find them? much less some of these really, really lovely shaped ones? there are some little ones at hobby lobby and the like, but it seems wrong to pay money for sticks.

clampers-

I think it can go both ways depending on how you use it. I have a log (trunk section actually) that came from my parents' home when they lost a tree in a hurricane. To bring that into the house, I had to dry it for several months & layer it with tons and tons of polyurethane.

That being said, I've also used branches as Christmas/winter decor, wrapping them in tulle. Those weren't long term (several months), but I didn't do anything special with them and had no problems with decaying or bugs.

Either way, I'd make sure it's free of any loose bark or debris, examine closely for bugs or any areas that look diseased or rotting, and if you're really worried, a few coats of poly or paint should be ok. :)

Greenmarkets in NYC almost always have branches and tree cuttings available for purchase — it was funny when I first moved here to see people paying $15 (or more) for sticks, but it's become normal/accepted over time!

CozyLittleCave, I'd love to see pics of the tulle branches...do you have a link at all? I like the idea of juxtaposing hard with soft materials...

I love this trend. I also like it when the branches are painted with a punch of color like in this Neiman Marcus window display:

http://www.modernests.com/2009/07/department-store-window-inspiration.html

My boyfriend says if I bring one more branch into the apartment he's going to leave me..lol. I will admit, I have them everywhere...and LOVE them!

I make chandeliers out of manzanita branches that have been salvaged out of fires in southern california. I would love to email them to an editor her, I am guessing that people would appreciate them. Let me know. Sean

I am swooning over this post, though I tend to bring branches inside in spring (so they can bloom). For now I'm sticking to pretty red and orange leaves in a giant vase.

some of these remind me of my wedding centerpieces which can be seen in a post i did a while back. i've often thought about using that idea and working on something for my home - your pictures inspired me to try it!

http://honeyliving.blogspot.com/2009/03/affair-to-remember.html

I went to a wedding reception once, and the bride and groom had done something similar to what the last photo shows. They put a big branch (many extensions) in a large vase and had people tie well wishes written on strips of white paper onto the branches with red string. It was really lovely.