So is your centerpiece or your mantle decorations an altar? Are they considered art? In my opinion, anytime you take something and switch it up a bit, decorate it or manipulate it in some way; you’re making art. So let’s look at an altarpiece as a work of art and see how we can turn seasonal altars or any kind of altarpiece into different dramatic focal points in your house!
What makes something artistic? If a guy who is pretty popular can duct tape a banana to a wall and sell it for more than $20 I would consider that artistic. Some people think so. You got to give the guy props for coming up with something as creative as taping fruit to a wall and trying to make money off of it. So I gave him props for that .
Let’s talk about decorating your home for different holidays, festivities or other occasions. Every house I’ve ever lived in has always had a mantle piece. It typically tends to be the place that collects candlesticks, pictures on frames and in my house all the holiday cards that we get every year are prominently displayed across the mantle piece until sometime in January when I’m down and recycling them.
I have to admit I didn’t really know what a seasonal altar was or that an altarpiece is considered an artform. I definitely have friends who like to keep their Christmas tree up for longer than Thanksgiving through New Years. And they wind up turning it into a Valentine’s Day tree and a Saint Patrick’s Day tree and a Halloween tree and decorate it all year round. I think it’s pretty adorable actually and it is kind of a convenient way to put all of your holiday decorations in one place.
However, I have never heard of a seasonal altar but if I’m taking a guess it’s probably a mantle or side table or some kind of a credenza where you decorated for whatever holiday is about to come up. Let’s see if I’m right.
After googling a few sites, I came across this very charismatic and energy focused woman named Ashley. On her site she states,
“An altar is an energetic focal point and an intentional container to gather your dreams, wishes and prayers… It’s also a strong reminder of what you’re calling into your life, and can act as an anchor and foundation for your daily rituals to take place. And creating a seasonal altar specifically can help you feel more in tune with nature and the cycle of the seasons…SO so important!”
I am so down for the positive vibes attitude. I fully believe that energy in your home and life should be positive and healthy. I can see where she is coming from right from the start.
A Seasonal Altarpiece is Easy to Start
It seems pretty simple to start something like a seasonal altar. In my head I’m thinking about going outside and cutting down some branches that are typically seasonal and very aromatic. I’m thinking of laying them out across the backside of a credenza and throwing in some smelly candles that have a scent that also coordinates with the season that you’re in.
If it’s winter to run some pine cones if you’re in a part of the country that has them (in Houston they aren’t as easy to find but you can if you try) perhaps it’s summer and you have a collection of seashells and starfish and Driftwood that you can lay along the center of your table as a centerpiece for your next dinner event. If you are a little more in touch with energy healing you can add crystals or essential oils in a diffuser for some added good juju. Perhaps photographs from a special event or of people you love.
In my bedroom I have an altar to my grandparents who have passed. I have photographs as well as relics they gave me that are special to me. It’s my little altar to my loved ones that I can see every day.
So let’s outline making an altar for the winter.
It’s winter and you’re having a dinner party and have a dining room table that is bare of any festive decor. Grab some strong scissors and a basket and head outdoors. Pine trees are great and their limbs are wonderful but they have sap and can be very sticky on your table.
Try cutting off just some of the tips with the end attached and laying them in a low, wide platter. Pine cones are great and you can spray paint them silver or gold or another color to meet your other decorations. Red bows of velvet or even some xmas tree balls in a matching color can be quite nice as well.
Summer altars are HOT!
The summer to me is always when I think about sand and seashells and the ocean and crisp smells like cotton and lavender.
I always think that the beach and the colors around it are pastels and things in blue that are always equated to the water as well. Whitewashed walls, driftwood, seagulls, and ocean animals of course are all things that make me think of the summer.
Ironically I live in Texas so if we’re going to be real about it in the summer all we think about is air conditioning, popsicles, air conditioning in our car,very cold swimming pools, air conditioning in stores, burning your feet on the sidewalk when you walk outside barefoot, did I mention air conditioning?
LOL so let’s see what kind of seasonal altarpiece we can create for the summer that doesn’t remind you of your feet melting on the asphalt.
For the summer let’s say you have a guest bedroom that has a dresser with very little personality. Grab a white flat serving platter and throw some sand inside it to give it a nice little base.
Then add in seashells that you’ve collected from different trips you’ve been on, throwing in some flat rocks, perhaps even some sea glass, and then add one or two of your favorite candles maybe something in a cotton smell or a lavender or anything else that reminds you of cool crisp smells of Summer.
Spring makes me think of pastel colors and rain and flowers of all shapes and types. I love the way rain smells crisp and clean after it has passed. I love how bright everything is and how many different shades of green there are in the world when it’s springtime.
I have a lovely collection of a variety of Crystal vases.
I have them in all different shapes and sizes, some are really big and some are pretty small. I actually have them lined up along the windowsill behind my kitchen sink. But I’m thinking how beautiful it would be if I moved them all to the mantel above my fireplace.
And bought myself as many wildflowers as I possibly could. I would feel every single one of those boxes with different flowers that I’d purchased.
Maybe you have fields near your house where you can go and pick them yourself from the wild and maybe there is a local farmer’s market where you can purchase flowers that are grown by local artisans and farmers and support small businesses that way.
Thinking of a Fall Altarpiece?
Fall. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE fall. I love the colors of the leaves when they are changing. It’s just such a beautiful time of year.
What could you find to use? Pumpkins? Acorns? Gourds? Wicker materials, craft paper. Let’s put it all together.
Run some craft paper across your dining room table as a “runner”. You can purchase a variety of pumpkins and gourds and intersperse them along the paper runner. I also like to add small bowls of nuts around my table.
Use the acorns and other yummy nuts that you can get at the store to add some edible art to your altar to Fall.
Throw in some fall colored tall tapered candles in crystal candlesticks and you’re all set!
As you can see you can get really creative with what your Alters look like and what you add to the various seasons that you’re decorating for.
Some of my friends have even changed a bit of their altars on a weekly basis just to add a little flair. It keeps everyone on their toes. Have fun and happy decorating!