Faux Fir

Frontgate Fraser Fir

I love Christmas. I am a huge fan. The day after Thanksgiving I can’t wait to tune into the “easy listening station” which plays Christmas tunes 24 hours a day from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas. 

The songs, cooking for friends, wrapping presents and yes, the holy grail….decorating the Christmas Tree. I moved to Denver, Colorado in 1997. When I moved here, I had no idea how dry it would be and what that meant for, my Christmas tree.  


Before I was married I always had a tree. I loved going to buy the tree, the challenge of how I would get it home, up 4 flights of stairs, and into the stand.  And then all the watering and dust-busting the dropped needles. Sometimes the trees would even be dead before Christmas, posing a horrendous fire hazard. But nevertheless, I enjoyed the process. 

In 2006, my husband ruptured his patella tendon the week before Christmas and I was 7  and a half months pregnant.  He was bed-ridden, leaving me to deal with procuring the tree that year.  In Colorado it dumped so much snow that I couldn’t even get my car out of the garage to take my large self to a lot to pick out the perfect Fraser Fir and then beg the man to deliver it to me.  So I did what any resourceful girl would do.  Yep, Frontgate. I broke down, and ordered a pre-lit tree and it was delivered to my house 3 days later.  I was sure that I had committed purist suicide, but I had limited choices that year. 

Here she is. Don't knock it before you rock it. 

I hired two college kids to come over and set it up. Twenty minutes later I plugged her in and voila! My faux Fir was a stunner. She was perfect and did not need any water nor would she drop a single needle on the floor!  My then 1-year-old son and I decorated the tree and it was ultimate perfection. I didn’t utter a word to my friends. I just smiled as they commented on how perfect and beautiful my tree was.  The secret to my faux-fir….The Thymes Fraser Fir candle, potpourri and scented spray. A shot or 2 every few days keeps the “pine scent” flowing. 

The secret ingredient for Faux Fir bliss. 

I’m not sure I’ve ever going back to a real tree. I don’t miss the blanket of pine needles covering my floor or dealing with a deceased conifer weeks before Christmas Day. Although I am purist I have fully embraced my love for my Frontgate tree. Seven years later we are still going strong. I hope underneath my faux-fir will someday be a real fur!  For now, I’ll settle for my fakie. Here is a link to the Frontgate “look book” for 2013.  You won’t be disappointed!

Deck the Halls: Accessorizing Your Fir

I collected Christmas ornaments and held on to them for years. Every year I buy a few ornaments throughout the year, especially when they all go on sale post-Christmas.  I pick them up in my travels and hope to be able to hand both my children ornaments when they have their own trees someday.  Here are some of my favorites: 

Classics

Macaroons! 

Pom Pom Garland from The Paper Source, $19.95

Plaid Tree Skirt from Garnet Hill, $128

Boxwood Wreaths from Garnet Hill, from $48 

Here's to you and your Fir of choice!

Our beloved Faux Fir in all of her glory.

Blanket Statement: Our Top 10 Throws

When the temps drop, nothing beats curling up in your favorite spot with a super-soft throw with a cup of hot chocolate and an easy afternoon read. Plus, they're great to have on-hand for a last-minute gift that anyone would love. From the classic camp blanket, to pom-pom fringed, and cable knit, we've
rounded up our 10 must-have throws.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 

The Tulip Table, Blooming Since 1958

Designed in 1958, by Eero Saarinen,  the tulip table is a timeless classic. This table has adorned homes for decades and has become an iconic classic. Vintage versions are sold on some of our favorite websites for great retro-finds such as Circa Who and Objects in the Loft.  Do some serious treasure hunting at their retail outposts if you're in Palm Beach. Knoll furniture continues to sell the table in various finishes and 2 base colors. 

Though it's more commonly seen in a modern setting accompanied by tulip chairs, this table does equal justice to simple slipcovered ones. Whether having dinner with your family or entertaining friends, your Saarinen tulip table is easily dressed up or down. Here are some of our favorite place settings to adorn your table:

I paired texture-rich linen slipcovers with this tulip table in my kitchen dining area for a rustic/modern contrast. I love the intimacy that you get from a round dining table-- there's never a bad seat in the house!

Lisa Perry Dot Placemats, $25 each

Scully & Scully Placemats, $105 for 4

Holly Stuart Designs Placemats, email GDS to order

Roberta Roller Rabbit Placemat, $25 each

Garnet Hill Boxwood Placemat, $38 each