Have you ever done any decorating with pampas grass?
This lovely row of beautiful plumes grows over at the neighbor’s home. They have a landscaping business, so their property is beautifully landscaped with trees and shrubs and ornamental grasses. It’s like a small arboretum. The rear of the property has rows of plantings where this pampas grass grows.
One day as my friend and I were pulling grapevines growing wild in the pine trees, I kept noticing the long fluffy row of pampas grass rustling in the wind. I was so intrigued with them and they were so plentiful that I knew I could make something from those lovely plumes.
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I have no budget for creating. So, finding beauty that’s free to play with just makes my heart sing. With permission, my friend and I gathered an enormous armload of pampas grass. The plumes were still closed and hadn’t fuzzed out yet. Just sitting overnight in the garage where it was a little warmer made the plumes bloom. I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to use the long plumy stems…but since I love making wreaths…I began another wreath.
And then I had another idea too.
Remember the sweater sleeves I made for a couple of vases for the mantle?
Together the grasses and the sweater vase look so warm and cozy for fall.
I came across some peacock feathers and thought they would be the perfect contrast to the soft cream of the fuzzy pampas plumes.
The best part of styling a mantel or other area of your home in the fall is the abundance of free natural elements.
Of course then I needed to play a bit….
Adding pine cones, and leaves, and even a garland to the mantel.
Are you still wondering about the wreath?
Yes…I made a wreath out of pampas grass.
And pinecones…
And peacock feathers…
But…that’s for another day!
Have you ever done any decorating with pampas grass or peacock feathers?
Wishing you Extraordinary decorating!
Diane
I’d be delighted if you’d share all this extraordinariness with your friends.
Click any of the sharing buttons at the bottom.
To receive FREE bits of inspiration like this
in your inbox or reader, subscribe now.
Diane, where did you get the leaf/pine cone garland? If you made it, can you tell me how? I love it.
Yes, Cate, I made it and it was super easy.
My pine cones had tiny stems, so I carefully measured the spacing and used the twine they are hanging from to tie them on.
Then I hung the pine cone garland up on the mantel. Next, I hot glued the tips of the leaf stems to the twine. And that was it.
Now tell me you are going to make one too!!!! 🙂
I love fall colors mixed with the blues of peacock feathers. I’ve been wanting to plant ornamental grasses at some point. Those are so pretty and now that I know I can use the plumes in my décor too, I think I may get some come spring!.
The mantle looks beautiful!
we have several of these grasses. their plumes are beautiful. think i will bring some of mine in and do this.
Oh Elaine…I hope you do! So easy and pretty for the end of fall.
Hope your week is Extraordinary!!
It might take a few years to have an armload of plumes…but it will be so worth the wait. They really are lovely for fall decor.
Thanks for your kind words about the mantel too, Lisa!
Blessings!
I love your pampas grass and peacock feather together!
The mantle is all lovely.
You are so kind Kimberly….Thank you!!!
yes, i have both… lovely mantel, i do like that leaf swag too.
This was my first time to “play” with either, Madge. How fun that you have enjoyed using them in your decor.
Thanks for your kind words.
May your week be filled with joyful moments!
No! Can’t say I’ve ever decorated with either!!! Pampas grass is invasive here. Like bamboo!! So it no longer is around but it looks so lovely like you have it displayed….but peacock feathers….I’ve never seen one just lying around although on the Pacheco Pass linking mid California to San Jose we do go to Casa de Fruta and peacocks hold up traffic in the parking lot….ill bet the owners are quick to pick up any that fall behind, and surely sell them somewhere on the premises!!!
I do think natural is pretty. It falls so gracefully too.
Yes we are all curious about the wreath!!
Oh my goodness…I would never have guessed that it would be invasive. I’m guessing that’s the difference with our really cold winters.
My friend’s daughter has a friend who has a farm and they have a few peacocks on the farm. She picked some up there.
The wreath post is coming…. 🙂
I have never decorated inside with pampas grass. I love your arrangement – it is lovely with the peacock feathers.
Thank you so much Donna! This is the first time I have “played” with either the grass or the feathers.
Wishing you an Extraordinary week!
I love the sweater vase Diane! What a cute idea for fall. The peacock feathers are a beautiful addition! I will have to try something with grass like that. I love to bring the outdoors inside!
It is so much fun to try to be creative with the things in nature that surround us.
Thank you for your kind word, Candace. 🙂
Hope your week is Extraordinary!
Dear Diane, Well, we have a couple other kinds of grasses in our li’l Okla Hideaway. One looks very much like wheat so I brought some into the enclosed back porch to leave a few days in case there were any li’l hitchhikers on the stems. Then I put some into a silk bouquet of sunflowers I had put into a vase, sans sweater–that will have to come later.
Another grass is called either wild oats or sea oats & it grows by the banks of a little wet-weather creek bed. I just love how the stems arched over & then the little pointy grains were on the tips. I did the same w/this grass; brought it into the back porch for a few days & then incorporated it into another bouquet.
It’s so amazing just how many grasses God made when He created our planet! I remember my dad talking about something called “lespedeza” when I was a girl. “Johnson grass’, Alfalfa, Bermuda, blue grass, fescue, & we have another called “turkey foot” or “blue stem” out in the Okla countryside that used to cover the places “where the buffalo roamed”! The tiptop bit has three little stems, very much like “a turkey foot”!
Carolyn, I love the wild/sea oats, too. How wonderful that you can pick and enjoy their sweet little heads. Their movement in the breeze puts a smile on my face. You are right…God really has created an amazing array of grasses. Really it’s just grass and he made countless varieties. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and observations about grasses. Love it!!
[hugs]
Your arrangement is beautiful, Diane. The grasses are so pretty. I have used peacock feather in my Christmas trees before. I love the colours! Thanks for sharing at my HOME.
Blessings,
Sandi
Oh Sandi…I bet your peacock feather studded Christmas tree was amazing. Did you share it on the blog? I’ll have to look and see. 🙂
*chuckling* Think ‘duck blind’. That’s the only use I’ve made of the grasses around here and we have loads of different grasses…..and loads of duck hunters. LOL Yours is lovely, of course. That pop of colour with the peacock feathers give it a very regal look. And the garland is just cuter than cute. Since I’ve been laying leaves around the tables and he’s been picking them up as they dry–perhaps hanging them will ensure I still have ’em to smile at. Maybe I’ll get the small child to help me this weekend. IF it’s conducive to collecting. Silly weather. Oh, but what a kindly neighbor to let you harvest some. Those are the kinda neighbors you wanna keep.
Lovely results, ma’am. I’m hoping it lasts a while cuz it looks like it took a bit of work to get those gorgeous results. (the cats’ll LOVE it, I’m sure….LOL)
Haha!! Mel, you just put a cheesy grin on my face. 😉
Are you a duck hunter too? I think maybe you are a renaissance woman. 😉
Thanks for the kind remarks. Silly guy….you just need to stay a step ahead of him. 😉 Hot gluing leaves to a garland might just work. I waxed them a little so they are holding up pretty well. Have fun with your leaves, and your Bug, too!
Very pretty! I love how light and flowy the grass looks. Great use of free stuff!
Thank you so much Abby!! Gotta love free!!
Hope your week is Extraordinary!!
I think you should thank God on your barren knees for giving you this period without $$, because, well, honestly, your creativity has sprung forward like there’s no tomorrow!!!! Gorgeous. Stunning. Fabulous. All these words come to mind when I visit your blog these days. What a gift. Mind you, I have been given the same gift for a few years now… 😉 Not sure my photos are ‘as great’, but nonetheless, I am grateful. Love, Rose
It’s interesting you would say that, Rose. I really do feel that it’s the silver lining in this “in between” time.
It’s good for us to dig a little deeper for our creativity. Sometimes it gets wearisome….but that’s when I know I need to choose gratitude and recognize what I’ve been given. As far as the photos…good ol’ free Pic Monkey really helps.
Thanks for those words of encouragement. [hugs] ~Diane
Perfect colors and textures for Fall!! Love the way you added a fall photo to the mantel. Thanks for sharing at TTF!
Thanks Linda! It was fun to put together. I really love the warmth that it creates.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Beautiful mantel…and ideas…not to be a downer, but pampas grass as well as many other wild grasses cause miserable allergies in many people…wild grasses are basically weeds….So make sure no one in the house is allergic to the tiny particles that can become airborne and recycle through your HVAC system and will play havoc months after you have tossed out the decor…I learned this the hard way…2 sinus surgeries later and a lot of misery…I just want to caution people about bringing in wild grasses…especially with kids and pets in the house…Decorating with them are great, but there are such nice artificial likenesses now…if you like to decorate but have possible allergies…or not sure..do not take the chance…invest in them…and make magic like this mantle…..
Thanks for your kind words and thoughtful remarks. I’ve been bringing in the outdoors since I was a little girl and it’s never seemed to have been an issue at our house. But, I do appreciate hearing this.
Wishing you An Extraordinary Week!
Loved this post! I am thankful for God’s unending grace, naps, chocolate, my church family, my marriage, and answered prayer.
Thank you Lyli!
I rejoice with you at the wonderful blessings you have enjoyed this week. His grace is truly amazing!!
May your new week overflow with HIS Joy!!
Beautiful idea! Rustic with elegance! Thank you so much for sharing! I do have a question, Do you happen to have the paint color that was used on your wall in this picture? It’s beautiful.
Thank you!
Ahhh… thanks Marti! I like the juxtaposition too. 🙂
I’m sorry…. I have no idea of the paint color. 🙁 I think it’s from Benjamin Moore.