Despite the plethora of design blogs permeating the web these days there are a select few that we consider must-reads. One of them is Stylebeat, authored by design consultant Marisa Marcantonio. A former style editor for magazines like House Beautiful and O at Home (Oprah’s one-time interiors magazine), Marisa has a knack for spotting great design. Turns out her mother, Nancy Marcantonio, is the namesake of acclaimed firm NHM Interiors. After a stint as a magazine fashion director in the 1970’s, Nancy turned her attention to interior design, studying at Parsons School of Design, the New York School of Interior Design and enrolling in Christie’s Degree Program specializing in Antiques and the Decorative Arts… Talk about good genes, it’s no wonder Marisa has her finger on the pulse!

Naturally this discovery led to a bit of snooping and as we trolled through Nancy Marcantonio’s work, we stopped in our tracks at this stunning bathroom. Not only is it perfectly designed, with the bathtub cozily nestled in a light-filled nook, but the towering array of cherry blossoms also got us thinking. With the holiday season firmly upon us, these spring blooms could translate into icicle laden birch tree branches for the season - the perfect alternative to traditional winter bouquets!

So rather than conventional poinsettias this year, scoop up a bundle of these frosty branches from your local flower market instead. Or for even more variety, Decorative Branches stocks everything from white-washed pine cones and driftwood wreaths to spindly Manzanita branches that can be painted white, silver or whatever colour strikes your fancy. The icy arrangements will spruce up your powder room, delighting holiday guests, and they’re maintenance-free to boot! Think of it as one less thing to worry about when loved-ones coming knocking later this month.

Photographs © NHM Interiors