Organic holiday beauty: The floral art of James Lutke

Peacock made from all natural materials, James Lutke

There is a new look in the White House for Christmas this year and it's not covered in glitter or spray painted, in fact it's completely green. This year's theme, "Simple Gifts" focused on the natural aspects of design, influenced in part by the White House's new organic garden. Wreaths constructed out of flower bulbs, decorative trees created from seed pods and fresh trees adorned with recycled magazines replaced the traditional themes of Christmas past, giving the First Family a holiday inspired by the bounty of Mother Nature.

White House wreaths constructed from flower bulbs

White House organic arrangements

To finish the look, West Michigan floral artist, James Lutke, was hired to create nine birds that would be placed at the top of the Christmas trees-eight peacocks and one white dove. Using all natural materials like flowers and feathers, Lutke fashioned the birds' beaks from driftwood found at a nearby lake.

James Lutke with floral creation

White dove made from feathers, flowers and dried greenery, James Lutke

A resident of Spring Lake, Michigan, Lutke works as a painter and floral artist. All of his floral creations are made with 100% organic materials. He has been a featured speaker and designer at the 2008 American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) National Symposium. HGTV highlighted Lutke's organic designs in a segment exploring the background decoration at this year's White House Christmas. The show aired December 16 and 24 and can be seen on HGTV's website.

Lutke, along with local floral designers and 90 plus volunteers, gave the first family a memorable winter wonderland, demonstrating nature's 'simple gifts' are not only green, they are beautiful.

For a virtual tour of The White House 2010 Christmas, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays

Visit HGTV to learn more about the behind the scenes designing.

Photos provided by HGTV