Christmas at Balsam Mountain Preserve

Here we are the day before Christmas Eve, and I’m just now sharing the work I did at Balsam Mountain Preserve! 

BMP is such a beautiful place here in the mountains, so I always keep things pretty simple and very natural to reflect the mountain landscape. We had a dusting of snow the day I shot these photos for just a bit of Christmas magic!

The Boarding House includes a restaurant and several cozy places to enjoy for members and their guests. It is filled with reclaimed local wood, which called for using lots of natural garlands.

I ordered two different types of garlands from Lynch Creek Farms, and they did not disappoint. 

(This is NOT a sponsored post. All garlands were purchased by BMP)

I made the swags with greenery sourced from my property and made the bows from wool scarves.

I filled the pots with greenery as well for an easy natural accent.

Inside, it was all about the garlands. Employees have been spritzing with water since I hung them up, and they are trying to hang in there until at least Wednesday!

Red satin ribbons, red poinsettias and more plaid bows keep things natural and traditional.

I trimmed the 12′ tree with red hydrangea stems, burlap poinsettias and an assortment of red and natural ornaments.

The main focus of this year’s decor was this amazing mantel. I worked with a local friend and floral designer, Steve McClure from Four Seasons Florist in Waynesville who created this beautiful, natural focal point. He built boxes to fit the mantel, then filled them with wet floral foam and installed the greenery on site. I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a while, and Steve really brought my vision to life.

There are two other mantles on a double-sided fireplace that I also designed. These mantels are lower and on the restaurant side, so I tried to keep things from being in the way of guests or servers.

I found the garland last fall at Hobby Lobby and knew it would be the perfect mountain/farmhouse accent here. 

I made the arrangement from fresh greenery and used a dough bowl they had on site.

On the other side of the fireplace, I added a little more whimsy with the ticking stripe reindeer and a Santa I found on property. Lots of old books, greenery and a mixture of garlands keeps the casual, mountain farmhouse look. 

I used Mason jars filled with cranberries and greenery for each table. These are so easy to make and will last for weeks with water.

This is such a beautiful place, it doesn’t need much, so I really do try to keep everything natural and bring in the outside green.

I also have a couple more areas I’ll try to share after Christmas since this month seems to have gone by so quickly!

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to follow on instagram:

…and don’t miss my Christmas home posts: 

Kitchen and Dining 

Victorian parlor

9 Christmas Centerpieces using a long board

I’ll be joining:

Inspire Me Tuesday