Antique Gold and Forest

Updated December 2022.

Originally published December 2017.


Since my recent autumn and indigo color palette article received such a great response, I thought I’d keep up the color-themed posts with a more wintery entry this time.

Sunlight through pines at a campground in northern Arizona.

Currently on my mind is the combination of vibrant greens (from kelly to forest) paired with softer golds – think mercury glass, champagne, heirloom jewelry, candlelight.

Small table with cakes that look like birchwood.
Cake table via Elizabeth Anne Designs (photo: Jacque Lynn Photo)

While this combination could go modern, I particularly love it as a complement to rustic decor. It looks fabulous with natural materials like birch bark, adding just enough sheen to make it all feel chic and festive.

pine cones covered in gold leaf

For a woodsy vibe, you can bring in the classic evergreen boughs and pinecones or whatever’s growing outside your door. Twigs, olive branches, rosemary sprigs, eucalyptus leaves, berries, potted cacti, or mossy driftwood could all work well.

elegant rustic tables cape with greens and candles

1. Campground in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona. 2. Woodland cakes with sled. 3. DIY gold pinecone garland. 4. Rustic elegant table. (H/T Apartment Therapy)


Here are more ideas for places to visit, projects, products, and recipes in this palette.

Mercury glass ornaments

Gingerbread terrariums

Pinecone garland

Grönkålsallad with kale, oranges, and chèvre via My Lovely Things (photo: Jonas Lundberg).

5. Mercury glass ornaments. (Shop similar ones.) 6. Gingerbread terrariums 7. DIY gold leaf pinecone garland. 8. Grönkålsallad (cached) – kale, orange, and chèvre salad.

Christmas cookies via Fork and Flower

wine glass with the word cheers written on it

sequined table runner

wreath with Indian cowbells hanging in the middle

9. Recipes for Christmas cookies topped with sprinkles. 10. Decorated wine glasses (+ other New Year’s Eve crafts.) 11. Sequin table runner. (Shop) 12. Homemade olive branch wreath with bells.

Woodsy tablescape

Rainy window

Hanukkah gelt

Luminarias at Tucson Botanical Garden.

13. Woodland tablescape with wood slice chargers + place card holders. 14. Rain drops on the window. 15. DIY Hanukkah Gelt (chocolate coins). 16. Luminarias at Tucson Botanical Garden. (If you’re in Phoenix, you can see Luminarias at DBG.)

DIY Branch Menorah

Simple ring wreath by Paper and Stitch

Gold circle garland by robayre

17. DIY Natural Branch Menorah. 18. How to make asymmetrical wreaths. 19. Gold circle garland. (Tutorial)

Spinach mushroom polenta.

Festive bar set up

Holiday decorated cactus

20. Spinach mushroom polenta. 21. Holiday bar set-up (similar: glasses, sugar stirrers, fillable ornaments.) 22. Decorated cactus.

I hope you enjoyed this taste of the holidays!

cat chewing on string lights


Each photo links to its source, except for 1. + 14., which were taken by me.

This post contains Etsy affiliate links, like this one: favorite Christmas ornaments and decorations

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