BRANCH OUT
Think beyond a conventional Christmas tree and assemble unique arrangements that can replace your main tree altogether or be paired with a classic pine to bring seasonal magic to every alcove.
Assemble out-of-the-ordinary arrangements that go beyond conventional Christmas trees to bring a fresh dose of seasonal magic to your home this year.
The excitement of Christmas spurs decorators into action, bringing urges to add a tree to every room. Perhaps a large, traditional tree is too much work to trim or you don’t have the necessary space to devote to it. Or maybe you want to scale down to only a few small trees for entryways or tabletops. It could also be that you have both types on your decorating wish list, and you can certainly achieve that with help from Country Sampler stylist René Haines. Be inspired by her six creative alternative designs to custom make a nontraditional tree that’s just right for your home. “It’s going to give you an interesting focal point—something different that other people haven’t seen,” she says. Whether you prefer brighter colors that sparkle or lean toward the quiet statement of prim, you’ll love incorporating one or more of these beauties into your holiday theme this year.
BEAUTIFUL BOUGHS
This whimsical wall hanging can be scaled up or down to fit any space and trimmed to suit your preferred decorating style. To gauge the right size for your design, first lay a length of rope on the floor in an inverted V shape. Take your time on this step, measuring the area on the wall where the tree will hang to determine how long and wide it should be. Gather branches from your yard or purchase from a crafts store, aiming for similar diameters and bark color. Lay the branches onto the V-shaped rope to find the correct spacing and lengths and then trim excess with pruners. To attach the branches to the rope, bend a 6" length of thin wire into a U shape, placing each intersection of rope and branch within the shape, and twist the ends together. Hide the wire with thin cording wrapped in a decorative crisscross pattern. Hang the tree on the wall, locating it above a table for a larger display. Wire on greenery, drape with garland and add ornaments.