What is the Current Trend Spreading Joy, Positivity and Creativity in Unprecedented Times?

How many conversations have you had recently ‘writing off’ 2020?

Whilst 2020 might be a year to forget due to Covid19, interiors are already counting down to Halloween and Christmas and injecting some much needed seasonal fun, positivity and joy within interior spaces.

I recently visited a client whom had installed a ‘Halloween Tree’ within their interior, ok, so it is nowhere near Halloween yet, but given these unprecedented times and circumstances-if a little seasonal magic helps inspire your creativity and provide restricted social engagement-why not, go for it!

The concept of the Halloween tree is pretty simple, you take your existing Christmas tree from the loft or basement or wherever this artificially expensive item lives for 11 months of the year, dig out your Halloween decorations and get busy!

SPEAK Interior Design, Interior Designer, Manchester, UK, A black and orange halloween christmas tree, featuring a witches hat at the top of the tree and warm orange lights.

DESIGN ORIGINS OF THE ARTIFICIAL TREE..

The first artificial Christmas trees were developed in Germany during the 19th century, though earlier wooden examples exist. German artificial trees were made using goose feathers that were dyed green to emulate the look and feel of a ‘real’ tree. Developed in the 1880s, the feather trees became increasingly popular during the early part of the 20th century.

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Feather trees were initially made of green-dyed goose feathers which were attached to wire branches. These wire branches were then wrapped around a central dowel which acted as the trunk. Feather Christmas trees ranged widely in size, from a small 2 inch tree to a large 98 inch trees sold in department stores during the 1920s. Often, the tree branches were tipped with artificial red berries which acted as candle holders. The branches were widely spaced to keep the candles from starting a fire, which allowed ample space for ornamentation.

In 1930 a British-based Addis Housewares Company created the first artificial Christmas tree made from brush bristles. The company used the same machinery that it used to manufacture toilet brushes. The trees were made from the same animal-hair bristles used in the brushes, save they were dyed green. For a time, the brush trees were immensely popular, with large numbers exported from Great Britain.  

SPEAK Interior Design, Interior Designer, Manchester, UK, A picture form the 1970s depicting a woman next to an indoor Christmas Tree with tinsel and glass baubles

Photograph Credit: Addis

The tradition of putting up and decorating a tree is nothing new, it is the iconic symbol of the seasonal holiday and has become a focal point in the homes of those who participate in Christmas festivities. It is a ritual activity that many have fond memories of and there is much nostalgia associated with decorating a tree and family engagement. The popularity of Christmas has grown since its invention, creating a new demand. Reports cite a 34 percent drop in live tree sales in the past decade, and a 30 percent rise last year alone in the sale of artificial trees, to 9.6 million. A single artificial Christmas tree costs on average 70 percent less than the purchase of a real Christmas tree.

WHICH ARTIFICIAL TREES LOOK THE MOST REAL?…

Needles made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) look more realistic than those made from plastic, while needles made from PE (polyethylene) are even more lifelike. Examine the really authentic-looking trees and you’ll see that the branch tips are also sculpted.

As you might expect, it’s generally the case that the more authentic a tree looks, the more expensive it is, although some alternative options still look convincing. Look out for branches with dense needles that surround the branch right up to the end rather than give-away exposed tips.

Photograph Credit: Lisa Crombleholme tree design: SPEAK interior Design

Photograph Credit: SPEAK interior Design

ANYTHING ELSE TO CONSIDER?

  • Are the branches strong enough to support your decorations?

  • How sturdy is the stand and tree (particularly relevant if you have young children or pets)?

  • Have you checked the colour isn’t too bright or harsh if you want it to look like a real evergreen?

  • Do you want a snowy look (if so, remember some are more heavily dusted than others)?

  • Do you want your tree to include any other natural elements, such as pinecones or berries?

  • Does it come with a storage bag or box to keep it in when it’s not in use and do you have room to store it?

  • Does it have a manufacturer warranty, which helps ensure the tree is durable?

Making a tree purchase is an expensive investment, our number one realistic tree brand has to be without question: Balsam Hill. Balsam have spent years perfecting the most realistic trees and a offer an array of uniquely designed trees guaranteed to make a statement within your interior.

SPEAK Interior Design, Interior Designer, Manchester, UK, Photograph Credit: Balsam Hill UK, Modern Christmas Tree, with a capiz gold star and a frosted blue and white glass bauble collection, in a lounge setting with a gold mirror

Photograph Credit: Balsam Hill UK

We hope you enjoyed reading this informative blog!

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SPEAK Interior Design, Interior Designer, Manchester, UK, SPEAK Interior design ethos of creating space inspired by design

Hello From Speak,

We relish the opportunity to create interior design inspired by nature. We love to maximise space, leverage colour, and blend architectural features with modern design.

Contact us to SPEAK about our in person bespoke interior design services or view and purchase one of our virtual Atelier Crafted eDesign services. We would love to hear from you and explore the rich possibilities! What can we accomplish together?

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