If you’re looking for magnolia decorating ideas, there’s no better place to look than the South.
Magnolia leaves are quintessentially Southern, no matter the season.
Designers agreethey love to use them indoors and out in a variety of creative and beautiful ways.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
This will dry well and should last around four weeks, notes the pro.
Designer Keith Taylor’s secret?
“This is the ‘do not tell’ part of the story,” he confesses.
Credit:Brian Woodcock
“All I did to connect the leaves was use duct tape on the back.”
“Our favorite way to use magnolia leaves is in a show-stopping garland.
“Our neighborhood is blessed with several old magnolia trees,” she says.
Credit:Brian Woodcock
“It takes about three times more magnolia than you’d think,” he says.
Here, a simple magnolia garland blends in beautifully in this large, dramatic room.
A few white stockings dot the mantle.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Mirror a Wreath
A magnolia wreath seems to float atop this dining room mirror.
Designer Keith Taylor started with a 30-inch pre-made pine wreath and then twisted sprigs of cut magnolia into it.
The white bow and cream-colored roses echo the palette of the room.
Credit: Laurey Glenn
Combining them with lots of glossy magnolia doubles the impact.
“Few trees can match its iconic year-round beauty.
Nothing can beat a tangle of sculptural limbs or floating a single blossom in water.”
Credit: Courtesy of Lindley Arthur
In December, Anderson drapes garlands along banisters, tables, and around doorframes.
He suspends garlands vertically behind artwork, too, for a polished holiday look.
“Layers like these are what elevate a space from simply decorated to truly designed.”
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
“Magnolia, a true symbol of the South, elicits a sense of place in our projects.
Davis appreciates the plants sturdy, ‘hard-wearing’ nature as well, which makes them easy to arrange.
“Also, there’s nothing better than a magnolia wreath, simple and structured,” she says.
Credit: Photo: Brittany Ambridge; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
“During the holidays, justadd a red bow.”
Mix Magnolia With Citrus
Magnolias and clementines make a vibrant, festive mix for wreaths and planters.
Complimenting the wreaths are planters filled with magnolia leaves and clementines.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
“I have fond memories of magnolia leaves from my childhood,” he says.
“They would always flood our backyard as the trees shed.
To me, they symbolize new and old.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
For holiday design, they are rich and full, perfect for any centerpiece.”
Create Warmth From Room to Room
Roger Higgins ofR.
Higgins Interiorsrecommends using magnolia leaves and stems artfully throughout your home.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Wire pieces of magnolia and pinecones to a faux garland (attached to the wall with tacks).
Dangle pretty paper ornaments from ribbons.
Ashley Moore ofMoore House Interiors, agrees.
Credit: Laura Resen for The Welcoming House
“One of our favorite ways is using them in Christmas garland,” she says.
“Intertwining the leaves with classic garland (real or fake!)
adds an interesting and special Southern twist to holiday greenery.”
Credit: Sarah Rossi of Sélavie Photo
Designer Keith Taylor planted a pair of 2-gallon dwarf Alberta spruces in a 5-gallon bucket.
Then collars made from magnolia leaves were placed one by one to cover the base.
Magnolia are strung with lemons draping the mirror.
Credit: Kerry Kirk Photo
The mantle’s evergreen garland is garnished with more lemons and magnolia leaves.
Forage some leaves and use them for your gift wrapping tags.
Combine Magnolia With Blue And White
Magnolia branches in blue and white vessels are always in season.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Floral Design: Mary Cox Brown; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Dallas designer Cheri Etchelecu ofCheri Etchelecu Interior Designdoes just that as the holidays approach.
“I love the way magnolias bring a natural feel to holiday decor,” she says.
“I use branches in my antique blue and white vases in my entry each Christmas season.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
They bring height and texture to the space, plus green is my favorite holiday color!”
What makes them his go-to?
“They are quick to style and provide a huge impact with very little effort,” he says.
Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Liess
Just ensure the branches aren’t so heavy that they pull over the jar.
Make Up Your Mantel With Magnolia
Atlanta’s Amy Morris ofAmy Morris Interiorsloves their versatility.
“Their leaves and flowers can add beauty to homes in so many different ways,” she says.
Credit: Courtesy of Roger Higgins
“During the holidays, I love to create a garland with branches and drape it over the mantel.
Magnolia is also beautiful in a vase or clustered on a table.”
Make a Statement Staircase
A dressed up banister creates instant Christmas drama with this magnolia garland.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Faux Fraser fir garlands get adorned with fresh magnolia leaves, gold-sprayed dried hydrangea flowers, and velvet ribbon.
Use ribbon in your holiday color scheme to make it your own.
Christmas decor doesn’t necessarily need lots of bling to look festive.
Credit: Courtesy of Dana Wolter
Showcasing both green and reddish-brown colors of the magnolia leaves provides extra dimension to the garland.
The overall traditional green and red decorations look ultra Christmasy against the snow-white wall.
This wreath is extra dense.
Credit: Courtesy of Moore House Interiors
Adding red bow is all you should probably signal the Christmas season.
Dress up a lamppost or mailbox with magnolia branches and pinecones.
Create a Big Bough
This huge garland matches this scale of the large fireplace it frames.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Magnolia mixes seamlessly with other greenery and looks just as beautiful on its own
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas and Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Carol Riell Photography
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Produced By Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lilt Floral Design
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Floral Design: Mary Cox Brown; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Photo: Allison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling
Credit: Photography: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Credit: Photo: Robbie Caponetto
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Photo: Emily J. Followill
