Hello Friends,
Today is all about Christmas trees. We are “thinking-outside-the-box” and sharing a variety of shapes, sizes and decor styles. Hope you will join me and 11 other bloggers for this year’s Christmas Festival of Trees.
Christmas Festival of Trees
I’m not exactly sure what inspired this year’s approach to Christmas decor, but I was thinking uncluttered, bright and airy.
Maybe it was seeing so many farmhouse posts using multiple flocked trees without ornaments.
Or maybe it was the bottlebrush tree frenzy. None of these trees use ornaments, either.
All I know is that when I looked into the bay window, in my mind’s eye, I saw a collection of trees standing at different levels giving off a warm glow around the room.
And now, here we are.
Tips for Using Multiple Christmas Trees
Tip #1 ~~ Keep each tree visible
The bay started off with five trees. One 5-footer on a 12-inch riser, flanked by four-footers sitting on the floor, and two trees that are 3-feet tall in the front. And while the group of five looks really good in real life, they do not photograph well.
Regardless of the angle, photographs of the two trees in the front tend to melt into the trees in the back row. So while the five tree set-up is really awesome for real life, suggest to use only three trees across the window for photographs.
Tip #2 ~~ Can different greens mix?
For me, the answer is yes. Although I used all dark trees and no flocked trees, there is a variety of tree species.
The four trees along the back wall are four identical pine trees (each 4-feet tall). Two are sitting on the floor and two are on different-sized risers. I prefer a smaller tree on a riser because I find them more versatile. In some circumstances, these 4-foot trees could also go on a table top or even a mantel.
They came with a few pine cones and berries attached which seem to work fine, so I didn’t remove them.
From this angle, the three trees look like one large tree. I like this a lot. Remember, I was going for uncluttered and felt too many things…even trees…could make the space look over done.
Tip #3 ~~ Can different colored lights mix together?
For me, the answer is no.
Maybe white lights with colored lights work ok, but different colors of white lights bother my eyes.
So I tried to get all warm lights, but…hello… I quickly learned that there are different colors of warm, too. To work around this, I ended up keeping like units together and spreading other colors of warm to different rooms.
And another thing I realized is that some lights shine more brightly than others. This is another coordination consideration. I didn’t want bright (like the noon day sun) in some parts of the house and dim (like a dying battery in a cave) in other parts of the house.
Look at the difference in the light brightness on the 4-foot trees (left) and the 8-foot tree (right & back). Amazing, isn’t it? But it seems to work ok given the distance between the trees.
The photo above is taken looking into a room that faces due North. And regardless of the time of day, there is a pretty good glow.
In contrast, the living room faces due South. In here, the lights are really only visible at night.
But the little trees in the foyer look great day or night.
Tip #4 ~~ Use interesting containers
Funny story.
I ordered these containers for the front outdoor entry and when they arrived, I was like….huuum no…these can go outdoors after Christmas.
Tip #5 ~~ Tie rooms together with greenery and lights
To tie the diva and other pieces of furniture with the rest of the spaces, a bit of greenery and additional lights are added.
And since the lights up top don’t light the lower shelves, I added battery-operated puc lights behind the pottery on the bottom shelf. Then battery-operated tea lights were dropped into champagne and wine glasses on the second shelf.
And the little touches seem to successfully float the “green-with-lights” theme without smothering the overall space.
And that’s all there is to it.
Eighteen trees with extra greenery and lights, but not a single solitary ornament.
Who knew?
So whatta ya think?
Can I call this minimalist?
Semi-minimalist?
Do I hear semi-semi-minimalist?
LOL.
Merry Christmas Friends and thanks for visiting.
To save these ideas for later, please PIN the images below.
And for more Christmas tree inspiration, please visit these fabulous bloggers. Simply click the blog name below each picture to access the link.
Chelsea Project ||| Atta Girl Says ||| 2 Bees In A Pod ||| JenRon Designs
The Crowned Goat ||| Hearth and Vine ||| Postcards from the Ridge ||| Savvy Apron
Adams and Elm Home ||| Nourish and Nestle ||| Sweet Parrish Place ||| Remodelandolacasa
30 Comments
Love all your trees! This is such a sophisticated look! Thanks for having me as part of your hop. You rock!
Thanks so much, Nancy. Love having you with us…your tree is very special.
I love love love your trees!! I wanted to go without ornaments, but on just one tree I felt that it was too bare. Your’s are perfect! So the key to no ornaments is multiple trees…I need to remember that for next year.
Thanks Susanne…How sweet.. Well, I think you may be on to something about using multiple trees when going without ornaments. And make the trees part of a vignette.
Wow Susie, that’s a lot of trees. However, your home looks so inviting and warm. I never thought about using warm over cool lights. I’m a huge fan of woodland and your groupings remind me of a woodland in a very fancy and magical way. Merry Christmas!
I love it! the lighting has a huge impact on the feel of the rooms and no need for ornaments which could add a clutter feel??? probably not? I think if you could change the pink in your china closet to white gold or silver would add to the romantic feel ??? I love the different size trees great job!
Thanks so much, June.
Thanks Patti.. I learned a lot about lights when I started working through this idea. And I knew to get a “glow” against all those white walls…I needed the warm lights. I’m also a huge fan of woodland, too… and sad I didn’t have any this year. So I look forward to using that theme in the fture.
I think this is great way to do a minimalist look and keep the natural look of green trees. I personally really loved the nordic style trees too, that have the negative space and exposed bark as well, for this simplistic look. Great job.
Thanks Jen. Agree…love the clean lines of Nordic decor.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many beautiful trees outside of a BnB tour Susie, this is all so gorgeous! I love how magical they all feel and how they natural and undecorated – that is totally my jam. All the details you’ve added around them are so pretty. I just love it all. It’s fabulous! Hugs and thanks so much for putting this all together, CoCo
Thanks so much Coco.. Having you on the tour made it so special…and that story from S….be still my heart.
Seriously gorgeous!
Thanks so much, Kim.
I call it beatiful. You have an amazing eye for style, Susie.
Aww Larissa…thanks so much. Your kind words mean so much.
Your trees are beautiful! We love how you have gift wrapped packages under all of them – so festive! The trees look so pretty and natural with the lights. Well done! And thank you so much for organizing this wonderful tour!
Thanks so much, ladies… I’ve been saving and wrapping Amazon boxes for weeks. LOL…
Your home is absolutely beautiful, Susie, your attention to detail never ceases to amaze me!
Thanks so much, Marie. So sweet to hear.
Oh Susie, your Christmas decor is stunning! I can imagine how Christmasy it feels at night with all of the lights on. I have always loved your home and the way you decorate it. Also, thank you for letting me be a part of this talented group of bloggers.
Thanks a million, Sherry. It really is beautiful here at night. Wish I had 18 more trees for the back side. #treegoals …LOL…
Susie, what a magical sight you have created!! I love all the warm glow and that festive atmosphere the trees give to your beautiful home. Great tips to have in mind. Taking pictures of glowing trees is not easy, yours turned out awesome!
Thanks a million, Cristina. I felt like going with only greens and lights could be risky…but seems to have worked out. Whew! Thank goodness. LOL..
This was such a fun tour! I love all of your trees and you have some fantastic tips! Thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of this!
Thanks so much, Nicki. Merry Christmas!
Well, my friend, you’ve done it again! Your thinking outside of the box has resulted in a stunning, flowing Christmas-y wonderland of a home! I do hope you are opening your home for a Christmas tour or for a party , because it is just too stunning to not share.
Merry Christmas and thanks for herding us cats! You rock!
Hugs,
Lynn
Thanks a million, Lynne. Wish you were nearby…
Susie, I’m late sharing and commenting. But I love your beautiful trees — all 18 of them. You may have set a new record for number of trees and the amount of glow! So inspiring. I bet we’ll see lots of unadorned trees next year, and we’ll all know who started the trend. Your home is beautiful and your post contained so many helpful tips. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Hi Amy and thanks so much. It was such a joy touring with you this year. Can’t wait to see what we accomplish in 2020. Happy New Year.