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Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Trick to a Larger-Looking Christmas Tree

Right now I have a very small artificial tree that you can practically see through after setting it up.  It may have fit in our old home, but it looks a little lost in the new house.  Since my husband's allergies prevent us from having one of those wonderful North Carolina Fraser Firs, my job is to use the one we have and give it a little presence...
Instead of placing the tree on the floor, I set it up on an old wooden trunk from the garage and draped a ruffled blanket and other linens over it to soften the look and cover the metal tree base. 


I added a small side table, my antique rocking horse, and an antique laundry cart for a unique way to hold gifts and to help fill in the spaces around the trunk.

The trick is to add as many layers as you can using baskets, gifts and other decor.  Don't be afraid to pull things from around your house to fill in areas around the tree.  I pulled in my antique bird cage from the screened porch and a vintage suitcase from the living room to add a bit of height and balance the visual weight of the laundry cart on the opposite side.

  After you get the larger elements in place, fill in with gifts of all shapes and sizes!



I rarely buy wrapping paper from the store anymore.  It's so easy and fun to create your own.  I'll be sharing how I made the wrapping paper with you soon.
Since I've barely begun shopping, this area around the table will be piled high with gifts closer to Christmas. 
To fill in those large holes in an inexpensive tree, I simply added branches, picks, bird nests, keys, and other items that I have in and around the house.  Go foraging and see what you can find!  I didn't buy a single ornament for the tree this year.


 There's nothing better than a Christmas tree casting it's warm glow throughout the house... 

 and watching my three girls playing around the tree and wondering what is in each gift.





Linking up to:

2805 Potpourri Party Christmas Blogger Block Party
Common Ground Christmas Blogger Block Party
French Country Cottage Christmas Vignettes
The Charm of Home

27 comments:

  1. Kristen this belongs in a magazine!! Absolutely beautiful!!

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  2. What a beauty! And so very creative, too. You certainly cannot tell now that you could see through this tree as you said. Love how you have surrounded it with vintage things. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

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  3. This is so beautiful!! I absolutly love what you did and how you filled not only your tree but underneath so many great ideas. Beautiful, Fun and Inspiring!! Your wrapping paper ideas will be a treat too.

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  4. It's great to see you blogging again and getting settled in your new house. House house looks amazing. I even saw you on Miss Mustard Seed's blog.
    We'll miss seeing you at Farm Chicks and Funky Junk. . . but I'm sure you'll be back for visits to Spokane. Atleast I hope!

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  5. What? Only 5 comments! This is crazy good, crazy creative and crazy shbby chic...not to mention crazy stunning!

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  6. Oh girl, you did it up so gorgeous!! AMazing, but I'm not surprised=)!! Love the keys on the tree...I just found my old playing cards I bought from you, they are going on my tree..and now a key or two too!=)
    Lots of love,
    Hollie

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  7. Wow! This is gorgeous, Sophia! What a stunning tree. It's wonderful how you surrounded it with vintage things.

    Thank you for linking to the Christmas Tree Party at 2805!

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  8. Hi Kristen, this is absolutely fabulous! I adore everything around the base. I may try this for the tree in the sunporch, it is filled out nicely, but my poor little tree needs a lot around the base lol .. thanks for the inspiration. love this.. hugs ~lynne~

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  9. Absolutely Stunning!!! I love the pinecone lights! It is all so beautiful! I sure hold the idea that you should become a photographer! Merry Christmas to you and yours! Love, Jennifer

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  10. Beautiful. Kristen you need your own store badly - so you can display like this every day. I'd be your shopper for life :)
    tammy

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  11. Beautiful! Love your photos! Great picturesand decorations! Great job!

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  12. Wow! your tree is stunning,I will take some ideas from you for my next year tree :)

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  13. This is just beautiful!
    Love the creative packaging under the tree too! So happy I stopped in!

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  14. Dear Kristen,

    What an amazing creative talent you have!
    Your Christmas Tree corner is stunning, surely magazine worthy as is the post full of creative tips & tricks.
    I'll be looking forward to your post on DIY wrapping paper next.
    Thank you for sharing & happiest holiday!
    Paulette

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  15. I have to agree with everyone else, Kristen! This should be in a magazine spread! Wow! You style your vignettes with perfection!!! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  16. stunning in every way~! I love each detail and I also agree, this is magazine worthy..

    Nice to meet another blogger from NC.

    Sonny 155 dreamlane
    your newest follower

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  17. What an absolutely gorgeous tree!! LOVE IT!! I love all of the elements that you placed around the base to create one stunner of a tree! Happily following from 2805. Hope you'll follow me, too! Happy Holidays!

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  18. Your tree is just beautiful I love the layers and all the details. So nice to visit with you.

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  19. You did a fantastic job with this! It is grand and you can't tell how small it is with the layers. just beautiful! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  20. Hi Kristin,

    Wow, you did a marvelous job decorating your tree and making your tree seem so grand! I really love it! I'm sure your girls are really enjoying the beautiful decor and that your husband appreciates not having to worry about his allergies with your lovely artificial tree! I am visiting from Charm of Home and am your newest follower! :) Thank you so much for sharing!


    Hugs,
    Jessie

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  21. Beautiful- thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  22. Absolutely gorgeous! Love what you have created. You are very creative and it definitely shows. thanks for sharing! This is my first visit. I hope you stop by say hello.

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  23. This is simply gorgeous! I just love what you did underneath the tree...filling it with all of your wonderful vintage treasures. Yes, this does belong in a magazine!
    Marianne :)

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  24. This is gorgeous - looks like it came out of a magazine. One thing it doesn't look is small! I keep ending up at your blog without even trying...everything you do is so beautiful.

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  25. HI Kristen,

    This is my first visit to your blog. I LOVE it! You are a woman after my own heart. Christmas is my favourite time of year. This vignette is a gift to your family. And, I agree with so many other of your gentle readers - Better Homes and Gardens should be featuring YOU!

    Wishing you and your loved ones a beautiful new year,
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

    P.S. I wish I'd found you sooner... :-)

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  26. I am IN LOVE with that rocking horse! Now I will be on the hunt for one!!!

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Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me a sweet comment! I read each and every one of them and they brighten my day!