I saw some unique trees this holiday season. I am realizing that I have the more predictable, traditional tree; the same ornaments every year, same lights. I even bought the cranberries to string along with popcorn. I take the easy way out, I guess.
Our neighbor had a garage sale a couple of months ago and my 3-year-old daughter wanted the small pink Christmas tree for sale. Well, we got it for her and when we were decorating our family tree, Charlotte was working on hers. She got it out, assembled it and the girl decorated that tree. Until every branch was laden, then wanted candy canes, and lights. It looked terrific.
My mother hasn’t had a tree for a few years and so I finally bought her a small fake one from Target with pearl lights. Stationed in a brass pot between linen curtains and fully decorated it adds a lot to her living room and looks festive from outside in her upstairs flat.
My friend Kitsie Countryman had us over and introduced me to a flocked Christmas tree. I found it to be odd up close, as every bit of green was completely covered with snow, but I have to say it was a breath of fresh air, retro, chic, and I loved it.She chose to decorate with pink ornaments, new and retro along with large gold angels ornaments. It really worked.
I went to my hairdresser Ivan Dollar’s holiday party at his studio in a historic building above Schoolhouse Electric. Huge windows, exposed brick, dark shiny wood floors, that he has decorated so understated and elegantly; yards and yards of natural cotton drapes on one side offset the traditional brick walls and he has chosen black leather Eames sofas and clean lined tables, simple tall mirrors. He did something so charming for his party. Ivan drove to Mt Hood National Forest and with his permit, cut down several different very natural looking evergreens. In their varying heights, many very tall, you felt you were walking through a forest as you entered the event. They were not decorated at all, left natural, only white Christmas lights adorned the room. He anchored the trees in large burlap bulk tea bags weighted with rocks. It was understated, bold, elegant and lovely. I wish I had a picture but it was too dark for a good shot with my iphone.
Lastly, I must mention a talented artist and visual display extraordinaire who I ran into dressing Anthropologie’s windows in the Pearl District a few weeks ago. Her indoor display of logs upright on a table inside sparked some decorating ideas at my children’s preschool Harvest Party, which became a Winter wonderland from gathered greenery several of us found at nearby parks.
Nicole Faivre, is this gal’s name and she along with some other talents at Anthropologie, have created one fabulous window display after the next. They take ingenuity and resourcefulness to astounding heights. Here is a shot of her posing next to a Christmas tree being created from torn green rags. She showed me her sketchbook and we talked briefly of her creative process. What a treat to meet her and watch her work. I was impressed with the level of crafty items in the store. It was so ETSY. I mean crocheted banding along the display shelves and appliqued felt pillows on the furniture. Craft is hot. Anyway, let’s hope next year I leave the same old in boxes in the basement and do something else.
