There is a particular palette you notice after a few seasons in Door County. Weathered gray cedar shingles. White birch bark against dark spruce. The pale limestone of the bluffs, the blue-green of the bay in Ephraim on a calm morning, and, every July, the purple of the lavender fields along Highway 57 near Baileys Harbor. Put those colors together and you have the beginnings of a home that feels like the peninsula, wherever you happen to live.
At Wilder Farms we grow more than 20,000 lavender plants, and much of what we have learned about lavender decor comes from simply living with it: bundles hanging to dry, jars of buds on the counter, stems tucked into whatever vessel is nearby. Here is how to bring that same easy, natural feeling into your own rooms.
Start With a Door County Palette
Lavender decor works best when the purple is an accent, not the whole story. Door County homes and cottages lean toward quiet, natural tones, and lavender sits beautifully against them.
Think about building a room around:
- Soft whites and creams for walls, linens and painted wood, like the clapboard cottages in Ephraim and Sister Bay.
- Warm grays and driftwood browns from weathered cedar, reclaimed barn boards and stone.
- Muted greens that echo sage, cedar and the gray-green foliage of the lavender plant itself.
- Lake blues in a throw, a pillow or a piece of glass.
Against that backdrop, a bundle of deep purple Royal Velvet or a bowl of pale pink Melissa stems becomes the focal point without overwhelming the space. If you are unsure where to begin, choose one room and one spot, such as a kitchen windowsill or an entry table, and style that first.
Dried Lavender Bundles: The Simplest Decor There Is
If you only do one thing, bring home a dried lavender bundle. It needs no water, no care and very little thought, and it keeps its color and a gentle fragrance for months.
A few ways we like to use them:
- In a crock or pitcher. A stoneware crock, an old enamel pitcher or a glass milk bottle makes an instant farmhouse arrangement. Let the stems fall naturally instead of packing them tight.
- Hung upside down. Tie a bundle with twine and hang it from a hook, a cabinet knob or a ceiling beam. It is the classic way to dry lavender, and it looks just as good as decor.
- Laid flat on a shelf. A loose bundle across a bookshelf or a mantel adds texture and color in a low-key way.
- On a door. Tie a small bundle to a door handle or a wreath hook for an easy, seasonal welcome.
Our large dried lavender bundle is a good starting size for a crock or a hanging display. Keep dried lavender out of strong direct sun if you want the color to last, and give the stems a gentle squeeze now and then to wake up the scent.
Choosing the Right Variety for the Look
Not all lavender looks the same once it is dried, and the varieties we grow at Wilder Farms each bring something different to a room.
- Royal Velvet has dark, dense flower heads that keep their deep purple color after drying. It is a good choice for bundles that sit on display.
- Hidcote is compact and richly colored, with shorter stems that suit small jars, bud vases and tabletop arrangements.
- Phenomenal is a tall lavandin with long, straight stems, useful when you want height in a floor vase or a big crock by the door.
- Super Blue has a cooler, bluer tone that pairs well with the lake-inspired grays and blues of a coastal room.
- Melissa dries to a soft pinkish white, a lovely option for bedrooms, bathrooms or anyone who wants a quieter accent.
Mixing two varieties in one arrangement, such as deep Royal Velvet with pale Melissa, gives a more natural, just-picked look.
Room by Room Ideas
The Entry
The entry sets the tone for the whole house. A wreath on the door, a bundle in a basket on a bench or a small jar of stems on a console table says welcome before anyone takes off their boots. A wooden tray with a candle and a sachet can hold keys and still look intentional.
The Kitchen
Kitchens in Door County tend to be practical and well used, so keep lavender decor simple. A jar of dried buds on open shelving, a few stems in a glass on the windowsill or a bundle hung near the pantry door all work well. Lavender-printed linens bring in the theme without taking up counter space. Our lavender wreath cocktail napkins are an easy way to dress a table when friends stop by for a glass of cherry wine.
The Living Room
In the living room, think texture. Pair dried lavender with a chunky knit throw, a stack of books and natural wood. A lavender candle on the coffee table or mantel adds warmth on cool evenings. You can browse options in our candle collection.
The Bedroom
Bedrooms are where lavender's scent matters as much as its color. Tuck a sachet into a dresser drawer or slip one into a linen closet, set a small bud vase on the nightstand, and keep the palette soft with white bedding and pale wood. A few stems of Melissa look especially gentle here.
The Bathroom
A short bundle in a glass jar near the sink, a sachet on a shelf and folded white towels make a bathroom feel like a small spa. Keep dried lavender away from the shower spray so it stays crisp.
Seasonal Touches Through the Year
One of the pleasures of living in Door County is how strongly the seasons change, and lavender decor can follow along.
- Summer: Fresh-cut stems in a pitcher of water during bloom in July. They last several days and then dry right in the vase.
- Autumn: Mix dried lavender with wheat, grasses and small gourds for a harvest centerpiece.
- Winter: Tuck lavender into evergreen garlands, tie small bundles onto gift packages, or set a few stems among pinecones in a bowl.
- Spring: Pair dried lavender with fresh tulips or daffodils in a mixed arrangement as the peninsula wakes up.
Caring for Lavender Decor
Dried lavender is low maintenance, but a little care helps it last:
- Avoid humidity. Moisture can soften stems and cause mold. Keep bundles out of steamy spots.
- Limit direct sun. Strong light fades color over time.
- Dust gently. A soft brush or a hair dryer on the cool setting clears dust without shaking loose too many buds.
- Refresh the scent. Roll a few buds between your fingers, or add a drop of lavender essential oil to the base of a bundle. Keep oil off wood finishes and fabric.
- Replace when ready. When a bundle looks tired, crumble the buds into sachets and start fresh.
Visit Us in Door County
The best way to find your own lavender style is to see it in person. Island Lavender by Wilder in Ephraim is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 to 5, with dried lavender, sachets, candles, linens and more than 160 lavender products. Call the shop at 920-737-1531 with any questions.
Our fields at Wilder Farms, 9668 State Highway 57 in Baileys Harbor, reach peak bloom each July. If you are planning a stay, The Wilder Inn in Ephraim (wilderinn.com) puts you close to the shop, the shoreline and the quiet beauty that inspires every room styled with a little Door County lavender.
