The wreath debate

I updated this post with new pictures as so many links were broken. To see the new version of this post, please visit:
http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2013/12/wreaths-and-bows.html

I have always dreamed of placing wreaths on the windows of my house, but I have never lived in a house that allowed for this – until now. I think wreaths on windows work best when the house is symmetrical, with evenly sized windows.

A few weeks ago, I went out and purchased 5 artificial wreaths (edit: got them at Heeney and Company - they are really beautiful, they look real. I prefer real greenery inside, but am ok with artificial outside), and the day after Thanksgiving hung them on the windows.  The wreaths came unadorned, so I fastened a large red bow onto the bottom of the wreath, as I prefer the visual weight of the wreath to be on the bottom, and like the way that the ribbon trails down.

However, when my family came out to review my handiwork, there was quite a bit of discussion about the placement of the bow.  My husband and oldest daughter felt that it was more traditional to place the bow at the top of the wreath.  A big discussion ensued: should the bow be placed at the bottom or the top of the wreath?

After doing a bit of research, it is clear that there is no right or wrong answer – it is totally individual preference, and is sometimes dictated by the size of the wreath and items that are around the wreath. But, it has given me something new and different to look for this holiday season when examining how people decorate.

Perhaps my all time favorite holiday décor picture is this one, from Martha Stewart.  The soft palette, the green and white color scheme, the beautiful architecture, the urns flanking the door – all are beautiful.  In keeping with the soft style and color palette of this vignette, there is no large red bow, but rather a softly tied ribbon draped from the bottom of the wreath.

The cover of this month’s Family Circle features a picture perfect wreath with a vibrant red bow tied firmly onto the bottom of the wreath.

 

An old image in my inspiration files features a boxwood wreath at Mrs. Howard, with a green bow on the bottom. Image via AH&L and Phoebe Howard.

I definitely gravitate to the simple, clean, and traditional look of pure greenery and a crisp red bow.  This bow is placed at the top, and I wonder if my preference is for placement at the bottom so the center circle of the wreath can be seen?

A beautiful traditional white clapboard house with black shutters and door, found via pinterest, features wreaths with bows placed on the bottom.

I have always wanted to display a magnolia wreath, and this one is beautiful with its large red bow placed at the bottom. Image source.

Something about this picture really speaks to me – I love the classic materials of the stone and limestone combined, and the large wreath on the arched door is perfection. Note that the bow is placed at the top of the wreath – a wise choice, as a bow on the bottom would block the mail slot. Source.

I thought it would be interesting to gather some wreath inspiration pictures from Atlanta – unfortunately, the weather has been dreadful this week so the pictures are from my errand and school carpool routes rather than my dog walks.  This pretty wreath in the window of Jerry Pair caught my eye; the elegant simplicity of a fresh greenery and a large red bow is perfect. Note the placement of the bow at the top of the wreath – it crowns the wreath, and keeps the bow clear of the lettering on the window.

A large wreath on the Georgia Pacific building downtown wouldn’t really work if the bow were on the bottom – it would block the door, and the building is so tall the visual balance needed to be on top.

I saw this unusual wreath at a doctor’s office, and noted the bow placed at the top. I like how the ribbon is woven through the shape of the wreath.

Two wreath flank the gates at the base of the driveway – note the placement at the top of the wreath.

Two wreaths placed on the gates to the Adams Gate at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta (scenes from the movie The Blind Side were filmed here).  Another check in the ‘bow on top’ column.

A quick drive by one of my favorite houses reveals that they too have a preference for bow on top.

Although decorated simply, with just a large wreath of the door, this house looks amazing at night because the tree is placed in front of the window.  Note that the large red bow is placed on the bottom of the wreath. 

Another house with the bows on the bottom of the wreaths.  I really love the look of wreaths on windows, especially when a house has a crisp black and white color scheme.

The wreaths on this house have the bows placed jauntily on the lower side. It almost looks like the wind is blowing them.

Do you have a preference, or do you have any great wreath pictures to share?  I have become somewhat fixated on wreaths this holiday season!

I am not sure if there is any grand conclusion to this post – placement of the bow on the wreath is not really one of those important philosophical topics in the holiday season – but if you have read this entire post, I predict that you will look at wreaths with a new eye this holiday season!

P.S. - the bows stayed at the bottom of our wreaths.

2012 books on my Christmas list:
http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2012/11/books-for-my-christmas-list.html
2011 books on my Christmas list:
http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2011/12/my-book-list-christmas-2011.html

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