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Have you set up your Christmas tree yet? If not, you may want to read a helpful article by Bob Tedeschi that appeared in yesterday's New York Times. If a Tree Falls in the Den (December 5, 2013) offers tips for anyone who has struggled to fit a Christmas tree into a stand. " 'Trees always look smaller outdoors, in a lot or a forest,' " Chad Oliver, a professor at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, told Mr. Tedeschi. " 'So have some way to measure it, so you can be honest with yourself.' While you're at it, measure the opening in your tree stand and the distance between the screws or clamps, so you'll know which of your prospective tree's lower branches will have to be cut." 

After you have successfully set up your tree, you will be ready to decorate, so I offer the following photos for inspiration . . .

"A nicely shaped but less full tree gives a room an airy look especially when placed in front of a generous window."

"Italian 17th-c. door surround with mirrored panes. French 18th-c. fauteuil in linen. Child's chair, Italian 17th-c. sconces."
Houston, Texas, home of Kellie and Jeff Tepper.
Interior design by Pamela Pierce, Pierce Designs and Associates.
Photography by Peter Vitale.
"House Warming" text by Nancy Perot Mulford.
Veranda (November - December 2006). 

"[Designer Pamela] Pierce eschewed lights and ornaments except for glass balls that sparkle like bubbles caught in the branches. The angel tree-topper is a 17th-century Italian decoration."
Interior design by Pamela Pierce, Pierce Designs and Associates.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
"Tailor-Made Trimmings" by Lydia Somerville.
Southern Accents (November - December 2003).

"The family enjoys snacking on gingerbread men hung from the tree, which can be planted after the holidays."
 Interior design by Pamela Pierce, Pierce Designs and Associates.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
"Tailor-Made Trimmings" by Lydia Somerville.
Southern Accents (November - December 2003).

"A December drizzle highlights the glow of the windows onto the rear terrace, with its antique limestone fountain and oversized French Anduze urns."
Interior design by Pamela Pierce, Pierce Designs and Associates.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
"Tailor-Made Trimmings" by Lydia Somerville.
Southern Accents (November - December 2003).

"The dining table features a composition of cake stands with compotes of roses, peonies, and kumquats, wreathed by whimsical snow-covered trees."
Houston, Texas, home of Michelle Stewart and her family.
Interior design by Michelle Stewart.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
Written by Jill Kirchner Simpson.
"White Christmas" produced by Susanna Showers Moldawer.
Southern Accents (November - December 2005).

"Swags of noble fir crown each window, while vintage-inspired white feather trees nestle on a marble-top chest." 
Houston, Texas, home of Michelle Stewart and her family.
Interior design by Michelle Stewart.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
Written by Jill Kirchner Simpson.
"White Christmas" produced by Susanna Showers Moldawer.
Southern Accents (November - December 2005).

"The living room is a subtle symphony of ivory and champagne, with furniture upholstered in creamy mohair, rich silk curtains . . . Swags of noble fir crown each window . . . " 
 Houston, Texas, home of Michelle Stewart and her family.
Interior design by Michelle Stewart.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
Written by Jill Kirchner Simpson.
"White Christmas" produced by Susanna Showers Moldawer.
Southern Accents (November - December 2005).

"Amethyst and icy blue ornaments suit the charming color scheme in daughter Caroline's room. Even the chandelier has lavender crystals."
Houston, Texas, home of Michelle Stewart and her family.
Interior design by Michelle Stewart.
Photography by Tria Giovan.
Written by Jill Kirchner Simpson.
"White Christmas" produced by Susanna Showers Moldawer.
Southern Accents (November - December 2005).

" 'We always throw a big party for about 400 people, and I started putting trees throughout the house to get guests to circulate and not congregate in the one room with the one tree. Most of them are live and in the root ball and get replanted on my farm after the holidays, in a spot we call Christmas Tree Corner. We put the little purple one in my niece Lauren's room about nine years ago. She never wanted to go to bed and leave the tree in the living room, so she got her own. I made it purple because that went with the lavender-print Kathryn Ireland wallpaper in her room.' "
Interior design by Barry Dixon.

" 'The tree in the kitchen is edible, a tradition my mother kept when I was growing up. It's decorated with cookies, ribbon candy, gumdrops, and other old-fashioned candies that people can eat right off the tree. The strings of popcorn and cranberries go outside for the birds and squirrels when we're done. I love a big, glitzy tree, but the little ones really capture my heart every year.' "
Interior design by Barry Dixon.

"Greek statues flank the double doors to the dining room. They were inspired by the Caryatid statues of the Porch of the Maidens, the Erechteion Temple at the Acropolis."
Chelsea apartment of Manhattan designer Christopher Hyland.
Interior design by Christopher Hyland, Christopher Hyland Inc.
Photography by John Bessler.
Text by Amy Elbert.
"Visions of Sugarplums" produced by Ann McVicker.

"Victorian beadwork and antique ornaments adorn a small tree."
Blair House, the president's official guesthouse for foreign heads of state visiting Washington. D.C.
Holiday decor by interior decorator Barry Dixon and floral designer Barbara Hamilton of The Ociana Group.
Photography by Gordon Beall.
"Decorating: A Capital Christmas" text by Jenny Bradley.

"Real candles give the Christmas tree in artist Clare Potter's home an old-fashioned charm, but for safety reasons you should use lights at home; all-silver ornaments from Williams-Sonoma Home delight the eye."

 "Fresh swags mix it up with antique and vintage mercury-glass balls and new mercury-glass Christmas trees on the mantel."
Home in Highland Park area of Dallas, Texas.
Interior design by Lisa Luby Ryan, Vintage Living.
Floral design by Adam and Alicia Rico, Bows and Arrows.
Holiday greenery by Andrew Lenz, Southern Botanical.
Holiday greenery by Brenda Lyle, Vintage Living.
Photography by Werner Straube.
Produced by Rebecca Sherman.
"Christmas Present" written by Candace Ord Manroe.

 "Less expected than pots of traditional poinsettia or paperwhites, a small evergreen in a burlap-wrapped container enlivens a guest bedroom or den."
Interior design by Barbara Purdy, Barbara Purdy Design.
Photography by Angus Fergusson.
Canadian House and Home (December 2011).

"A matching set of mid-20th-century Currier and Ives transferware really shines in this green cupboard. Mini trees in teacups complete the look."
Photography by Michael Luppino.
Country Living. 


" 'Vignettes are a simple way to add holiday decor to your home,' says stationery designer Debra Norton of Vintage Paper Parade. Here, 'a roll of twine, a spool wrapped with beads, fresh greenery and an old slate add interest.' "
Source: Matthew Mead's Holiday (2012, Oxmoor House).
Photography by Matthew Mead.
"Chalkboard Christmas Tree"
Canadian House and Home.

"Dress exterior trees with traditional Christmas ornaments for outdoor sparkle. Choose plastic ornaments to avoid broken ornaments in high winds and bad weather, and use wire to secure them to the branches. For a softer look, cover the wire with ribbon. Oversized lights, like these lanterns, illuminate your yard and are a chic alternative to traditional colored exterior Christmas lights."
Designer: Sarah Richardson.
Photography by Michael Graydon.
Canadian House and Home (November 2010).


"Artisans handcraft our stylized trees from water-smoothed natural driftwood, carefully selecting and combining the pieces to create organic accents with a festive silhouette. Rustically beautiful."
"Driftwood Tree" offered by Restoration Hardware.
Photo via Restoration Hardware website.


 "Bake a batch of nostalgic Christmas tree cookies, all ready to trim with colorful icings, sugar and candies. Designed to last for many seasons to come, our copper cutter makes it easy to create intricately detailed cookies. Great for serving at seasonal celebrations, the finished treats also make perfect party favors, tree ornaments, gift package decorations and embellishments for holiday place settings.
Designed by the artistic husband-and-wife owners of Old River Road in Northern California, our small Christmas tree cookie cutter is handcrafted by coppersmiths using traditional techniques."
"Christmas Tree Copper Cookie Cutter" offered by Williams-Sonoma.
Photo via Williams-Sonoma website.


"Glittered Trees"
Photo via RSH Catalog website.


"A beautiful starfish tops each tree, but can be removed for storage. Paperboard/shells/seagrass. Handmade in Philippines."
"Shell Trees - Set of 3" offered by RSH Catalog.
Photo via RSH Catalog website.

"Mercury Glass Glitter Tree" offered by Pottery Barn.
Photo via Pottery Barn website.

"Welcome guests to your holiday table with shimmering placecard holders, the perfect finishing touch to any celebration. Makes a lovely hostess gift. (Cards are not included.) Set of six."
"Mercury Glass Tree Placecard Holders" offered by Gump's.
Photo via Gump's website.


This ornament tree - named "Fat Santa" - was handmade in Richmond, Virginia by Keith Herald for the Richmond home decor shop Fraiche on the Avenues. Each tree is unique.
Photo via the Facebook page for Fraiche on the Avenues.

A view of more of Keith Herald's handmade ornament trees in the store window of Fraiche on the Avenues in Richmond, Virginia.
Photo via the Facebook page for Fraiche on the Avenues.

Happy decorating!




7:59 AM

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