<p>Today it’s throwback Thursday, when I revisit a favorite project from the past. And today I’m thinking of the holidays, as my email is overflowing with PR messages about gift ideas and holiday decorating options, which got me thinking about all the great holiday decor we’ve featured in the past. The <a title=”holiday article that stands out by far the most in my mind” href=”http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/decor/natural-home-goes-to-washington-decorating-blair-house-state-department-holidays.aspx” target=”_blank”>holiday article that stands out by far the most in my mind</a> was one of the most amazing projects I’ve ever professionally participated in–when <em>Natural Home & Garden </em>was invited to decorate President Obama’s guest house two years ago as part of the <a title=”Magazine Publishers of America (now the Association of Magazine Media) Holiday Design Showcase” href=”http://www.magazine.org/news/magazines-decorate-historic-dc-rooms-for-holidays.aspx?fb=1″ target=”_blank”>Magazine Publishers of America (now the Association of Magazine Media) Holiday Design Showcase</a>. We joined our sister magazine, <em>
<a title=”Mother Earth News” href=”https://www.motherearthnews.com” target=”_blank”>Mother Earth News</a>
</em>, and several other publications–among them <em>Martha Stewart Living</em>, <em>This Old House </em>and <em>Better Homes & Gardens</em>–to install holiday decor in the Blair House (the president’s guest house) and the Harry S. Truman building. </p>
<p>This was one of the most exciting, amazing projects I’ve ever had the honor to participate in, but it was also one of the most hectic! All of the magazine staffs had only a few weeks before the installation began to organize, so we had zero time to spare. We called on our friends at <a title=”Viva Terra ” href=”http://www.vivaterra.com” target=”_blank”>Viva Terra </a>to contribute sustainable decor items, and the designers at <a title=”Denver’s Associates III” href=”http://www.associates3.com/” target=”_blank”>Denver’s Associates III</a> for help with the overall concept. Because the event was designed to honor diplomacy across the globe, we decided to focus on Christmas trees, a traditional symbol of peace and unity. We also incorporated tons of handmade items to express our magazine’s values of simplicity and sustainability. The results were, in my humble opinion, gorgeous, and it was worth all the effort and more to attend the diplomatic holiday event hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. If you’d like to make some presidentially approved DIY decor for your home this year, check out the photos and links to instructions below! </p>
<p>We showed off wrapping gifts in recycled materials such as brown paper bags, and made this crafty Christmas tree out of recycled newsprint. <a title=”Get instructions to make this golden tree” href=”http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/diy-projects/try-this-newspaper-christmas-tree.aspx” target=”_blank”>Get instructions to make this golden tree</a>. </p>
<br />The Blair House always includes a 9-foot Christmas tree in an alcove overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue. We had the honor of decorating that traditional tree–with <a title=”quartz crystal ornaments from Viva Terra ” href=”http://www.vivaterra.com/accessories/holiday-decor/quartz-crystal-ornaments.html” target=”_blank”>quartz crystal ornaments from Viva Terra </a>and LED lights. </p>
<p>Because these rooms were used throughout the holiday season to host diplomatic guests, we wanted to incorporate an appreciation of our global community. These <a title=”recycled metal angels from Viva Terra ” href=”http://www.vivaterra.com/accessories/holiday-decor/oil-drum-angels.html” target=”_blank”>recycled metal angels from Viva Terra </a>are handmade in Haiti out of the hundreds of old oil drums that washed up on the beach after World War II. </p>
<p>These birch bark Christmas trees from <a title=”Viva Terra ” href=”http://www.vivaterra.com” target=”_blank”>Viva Terra </a>(no longer available) are made of bark shavings that don’t harm the tree. </p>
<p>Our sister publication <em>
<a title=”Mother Earth News ” href=”https://www.motherearthnews.com/press-room/photos/2009-blair-house” target=”_blank”>Mother Earth News </a>
</em>also decorated rooms in the Blair House. Their theme celebrated our nation’s agricultural heritage and included heirloom apples and wheat. We joined in the celebration with locally grown cotton buds and pussywillows from a nearby nursery. A recycled <a title=”chickadee vase from Arhaus Furniture ” href=”http://www.arhaus.com/home-accents/accessories/glass/658957G0124/” target=”_blank”>chickadee vase from Arhaus Furniture </a>is made of recycled glass. </p>
<p>We purchased dozens of vintage ornaments from eBay and decoupaged them with old tissue paper. Revive your own least-favorite ornaments (or check thrift stores to find a multitude) with this fun winter craft! <a title=”Get the instructions here” href=”http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/diy-projects/reduce-reuse-rejoice-decoupage-ornaments.aspx” target=”_blank”>Get the instructions here</a>. </p>
<p> We made these fragrant <a title=”stained-glass citrus ornaments” href=”http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/diy-projects/reduce-reuse-rejoice-citrus-slice-ornaments.aspx” target=”_blank”>stained-glass citrus ornaments</a> and <a title=”cinnamon-cookie ornaments ” href=”http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/diy-projects/reduce-reuse-rejoice-cinnamon-scented-cookie-ornaments.aspx” target=”_blank”>cinnamon-cookie ornaments </a>to naturally scent our spaces. You can make them, too! </p>
<p>Our staff (left to right): Me (did I mention the airline lost my luggage the night before so I had to borrow clothes from a friend?!? Out of hundreds of flights, it’s the one and only time my luggage has been lost–of course when I’m going to an event at the White House!); Kim Wallace, former web editor; Robyn Griggs Lawrence, former editor-in-chief; Bryan Welch, publisher; and Tabitha Alterman, food and garden editor</p>
