Orlando Festival of Trees 2014

Every year John and I visit the Orlando Art Museum's Festival of Trees to see what new holiday decorating trends I might be able to rip off lovingly recreate in our own home. The Festival gets smaller and less grandiose every year, but fortunately I still managed to find plenty of inspiration for my fellow decorating-holics out there!

So let's dive right in, shall we?

I'm always most fascinated by designer tree toppers, so here's a classic feather fan to kick us off:

But if you're going for whimsy, how about turning the tree into a snowman?

Using that mesh garland for a scarf down the side? BRILLIANT.  I'd love to see this done on an all-white tree, though, to really sell the snowman look.

Less whimsical and more weird, but this recycling-themed tree is kinda cool:

It took me a second to realize it's a giant fish wrapped around the tree.

So now someone should do this, only with Smaug the dragon. :D

I never would have guessed a construction-themed tree would be in my top favorites this year, but this one completely blew my mind:

See the paint brush, "painting" a swath of white ornaments? THAT IS THE COOLEST THING EVER!! There's also a red version on the lower front of the tree:

 

Seriously, I'm in awe. It's genius ideas like this that keep me coming back to the Festival each year.

Moving on, you know there had to be at least one Frozen themed tree:

I like the icy sprigs used in the topper, and there's also a wire crown just below the top, though it's hard to see:

The Elsa shoe ornaments sprinkled around the tree were also a cool touch -  pun intended. ;)

This rainbow tree was donated by a pottery studio, I think, which is why all the ornaments are clay hearts:

It's a neat concept, but the green & blue hearts are completely lost in the green tree. This is another one that would look better on a white tree.

A lovely rustic design from some local wood carvers:

This red monstrosity completely foiled my camera's attempts to capture it:

So. Much. RED. (I like to think this is Crowley's Christmas tree. :D)

Here's another of my top favorites this year:

It was donated by a lawn company, so all the flowers are big metal lawn ornaments. SO FUN! I like the paradox of a summer-themed Christmas tree, and I'm a big fan of unconventional tree decorations.

Aaand from summer to snowy winter:

Oooh, hang on: can you imagine having a Christmas tree for each season?! THAT WOULD BE EPIC. (Right now John is getting really, really worried.)

I'm still completely enamored with flocked Christmas trees, btw. I told John I'm *this close* to taking all the ornaments off our almost-finished Potter tree so I can flock it. If not this year, then definitely next!

I've noticed one hallmark of designer trees is they tend to have more sprigs sticking out beyond the tree line, like so:

I like the idea of using greenery garland - like those red berries - as tree garland. This one's a bit overloaded, but overall I think that gives it a more natural feel.

Here's another construction themed tree with some genius ideas:

Ornament garland! The colorful balls are all wired together - and I saw they were selling something similar over in The Christmas Tree Shoppe a few days ago, so you don't have to make your own.

But the best part were these ornaments made of corrugated sheet metal:

Eye hooks, washers & nuts, and shiny sheet metal. Construction materials just got glam, y'all.

I also like the topper; it has a fun retro fifties vibe going on:

This next tree was a bit boring, but I liked the topper:

With so many designer trees going overboard with giant sprigs and feathers and whatnot, it's kind of refreshing to see a simple lantern topper - and it totally works!

Not sure this topper is quite as successful, but it's definitely cute:

And my favorite, out in the museum lobby:

Can't go wrong with a top hat!

John loves magnolia trees, so this was his favorite of the Festival:

I like all the shiny magnolia leaves worked into the topper, and those paper scrolls with the vintage typeset used as garland are fabulous.

Lots of rustic accents, glass, vintage paper, and bronze:

This next tree had a whole themed room to go with it:

That mantelpiece action is making me wish I had a fireplace. LOVE.

The tree itself had this gorgeous embroidered ribbon woven in it, plus lots of red and gold glass:

Of course, they can't all be winners:

What. What is happening. Why are there feet. What.

Er, moving on...

I'm not much of a country fan, but this vintage rustic design has all KINDS of great ideas:

I love the wagon wheel sticking out of the side - imagine if it were a gear! - and that star topper covered with vintage photos is fantastic.

On the other side there's a whole chair stuck in the tree, and I'm not even mad:

Great use of vintage Christmas cards & illustrations, too, which could easily work in more Victorian/steampunk designs.

This next one is pure Hollywood glam:

Love the color combo of lime, gold, white, and black. And the feathers! "Fabulous, Harry, I love the feathers."

Welp, that brings my tree tour to an end, but stay tuned! I'm hoping to post all the best wreaths and tablescapes from the Festival in the next week or so, for your decorating edification and pleasure.

Now here's a self-portrait, because John insisted, and when your man puts up with you snapping pictures of Christmas trees for over two hours, you indulge the guy:

:)

Happy decorating, everyone!

(And if you want more, check out my Festival posts from 2012 and 2013!)