I truly love a white and neutral palette. When designed properly, this colour scheme (or tones and shades) can create a warm, inviting, classic yet modern space. All all white or white and neutral colour scheme is actually quite challenging to pull-off.
To keep a sense of flow between my outdoor and indoor holiday colour palette I wanted to create a neutral Christmas Tree with silver and gold accents. To keep with the neutral theme, I knew I needed my Christmas tree to be flocked. A flocked tree is simply an everlasting tree (natural trees can also be flocked) that is dusted with artificial snow to create the feeling of a fresh snowfall in the forest. I am fairly particular about how much flocking is used though. I didn't want a clumpy fake looking tree, I wanted a tree that was fir tree replica with a natural tree shape (not a cone) with lightly flocked branch tops, to mimic the real look of fresh fallen snow. Many flocked trees are flocked under the branches as well, or sprayed so much that the faux snow looks clumpy - to me neither of those styles look like a tree I've just seen in the forest. The tree I was looking for also needed to fit my space - you want the height of your tree to be 2' lower than your ceiling (1' of uncluttered visual clearance and 1' for the tree-topper).
Eventually, my search for the perfect Christmas tree lead me to the Hudson's Bay Company. I immediately fell in LOVE with this GlucksteinHome 7ft Natural Jersey Flocked Fir Tree with warm white LED lights. This tree not only met all of my criteria, but it's light flocking and warmth will go with any future colour palette I choose.
So, now that the tough part is over - finding the perfect tree, all that's needed to be done is set up the tree, fluff those branches, turn on the lights and let's get decorating!
How-To Create Your Perfect Neutral Christmas Tree With Silver & Gold Accents
1. Start With Layers
To add movement and interest to a neutral tree palette, add layers!
Once I put the tree up and the lights turned on, my next step was to add a ribbon layer diagonally round the tree (image below).
I went with a neutral plaid pattern ribbon that complemented the neutral and metallic tones of the accent tree ornaments. For a 7' tree I used 50' of 4" wired ribbon, cut into 5, 10' strips. It sounds like a whole lot of ribbon, but when you begin to weave, fold and tuck the material around the tree, the 50' goes fast!
As a secondary layer to brighten the neutral ribbon, I draped the tree in a gold bead garland (image below). The beads add a bit of shine when they're overlapped and entwined with the neutral wide ribbon. These layers definitely draw the eye around the tree.
2. Add Texture
To add variety and emphasis to a neutral coloured Christmas tree, add texture with the use of different accent materials, metals and finishes.
To add in the accent colours to the neutral base and above layers, I decided to start at the top - the tree-topper, which should be your show stopper! To reflect the warm LED lights on the tree, I used a vintage-inspired, brass mirrored tree-topper in the shape of a star. I loved the aged patina on the glass, especially when the tree lights bounce and illuminate it from below. Not only does this vintage-inspired topper soften the trees look, it also adds a bit of personality to the overall aesthetic.
To add shine to the otherwise matte neutrals, I used a variety of silver, gold, white and glass (clear, hand blown and mercury glass) ornaments with different finishes (matte, shiny, glitter), shapes (sphere, hexagonal, tear drop, swirl) and sizes.
To soften the tree's look and brighten up the neutral shades, I added small faux feather wreaths and two glass birds with feather plumes (images above and below). The white feathers mirrored the flocked snowy effect of the branches and added an inviting quality to the Christmas tree.
A hammered gold tree collar takes this tree to the next level with it's chic pattern and shimmer!
3. Fill The Gaps
As with any tree decorating, always step back and walk around the tree as you decorate to check for holes and gaps. For a neutral tree keep your "fillers" in the same tones or shades.
The first "filler" I like to use is large ornaments. I think the scaled size of large ornaments placed into the centre of the tree, closest to the "trunk" (below), fills any gaps and appears to extend the branches. I kept these large scaled ornaments neutral - clear glass or white.
The second "filler" I used to cover any gaps on this neutral tree, was branches or floral picks (image below). In keeping with the silver and gold accent theme, I chose 10 berry picks in an assortment of warm metallic colours. Not only did the berry branches fill any gaps, but they gave the tree a more natural feel.
4. Add Interest
Finish your neutral tree palette decor with something unexpected.
In my family, nothing says Christmas like birds. As birds nest in trees, it has been a tradition for many years now, that our Christmas trees always incorporate a bird or two. In addition to my glass and feather plumed birds, I added 3 rose gold glitter birds made from lace (image below, bird under the tree-topper base). I was floored when I found them (at Canadian Tire!), as they had such a beautiful tone and light sheen from the glitter.
This year I also decided it incorporate some solid metal sculptures into the tree. I love the look of natural objects, such as flowers and leaves cast into metal. I was so excited to find 3 of these glamorous metal flower clips (image below) to group in the tree's centre.
While 2020 has been a tough year for so many, I wanted to add some inspiration to my family's holiday tree this season with words that meant something to us now and for the future. Metallic "Peace", "Joy" and "Noel" ornaments fit the hopes I have for this unusual holiday season and into 2021. Physically distanced, but socially together I hope that everyone can find some peace and joy in their thoughts and days!
My decor goal for this neutral Christmas tree was to design and create a beautiful tree that my family could enjoy. I wanted it to feel like we were outside in a winter wonderland, that meant an everlasting tree not shaped like a cone that reflected nature (well, perhaps a glammed up nature!).
To think that this Neutral, Silver and Gold Christmas Tree began with a holiday decor palette, inspired by Norm, the 4' nutcracker statue. In the end, I couldn't love this tree more. I feel that it is warm, inviting and a little bit glamorous - exactly what we need this cozy, small Christmas holiday.
I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to many mornings spent quietly sipping my coffee, relaxing in front of this beautiful Neutral, Silver and Gold Christmas Tree.
I wish calm, joy and peace for you and yours over this unique winter holiday.
Season's Greetings,
Krista xo
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