Mastering Holiday Preparations The Melrose Way

Unlocking the Melrose Tree Formula and Exploring 3 Stunning Tree Topper Designs for a Joyful Holiday Season

Welcome to the captivating world of tree decoration! Ken is the lead designer at Melrose International. And today he’ll guide you through the process of creating an amazingly Christmas tree, decorated using the Melrose Way. Whether you’re an aspiring decorator or simply looking to add some magic to your holiday season, Ken has you covered with our step-by-step approach that ensures your tree shines with elegance and charm.

The Melrose Way to Tree Decoration

Starting with a strong foundation that combines line, filler, and mass, moving on to ornamentation that brings your tree to life, and finally achieving unification through the graceful dance of ribbon, you’ve successfully embarked on a journey of creativity and style. Whether you’re adorning a tree for the holidays or adding a touch of flair to your living space, remember that the process is as rewarding as the result. With these expert insights and a touch of your personal flair, you’re well-equipped to create a tree that tells your unique story.

Join us in celebrating the art of tree decoration, and remember, with a little organization and a lot of heart, your tree can be a masterpiece that captivates and delights all who behold it. Happy decorating!

Establishing a Strong Foundation

Like any successful project, the key to a beautifully decorated Christmas tree lies in its foundation. Imagine your tree as a canvas coming to life. It’s foundation, built with stems, sets the stage for the entire decoration. As you select stems, keep in variety in mind to varying textures, colors, and movements. To achieve movement is through carefully chosen lines.

Our example, uses snowy birch branches for center stage, creating a striking linear element that draws the eye upward. Alongside it, berries act as coordinating fillers, adding a touch of color and elegance. Let’s not forget the impactful mass flower, serving as a focal point. By combining line, filler, and mass, we’ve begun weaving a tapestry.

Ornamentation: Breathing Life into Tree

Now that our foundation is in place, it’s time to infuse personality and charm through ornamentation. Think of ornaments as your tree’s jewelry – they’re what make it truly shine. Variety is again key here. Aim for a minimum of eight to ten different ornament varieties to keep things interesting. Embrace diverse shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes to create a visually dynamic display.

To add character and whimsy, consider introducing unique characters into the mix. As seen in our video above, we selected a delightful teddy bear ornament that injects playfulness and a touch of magic into the ensemble. With these varied elements, you’re crafting a tree that’s as individual as you are.

Unification: Bringing It All Together

The final step in our decorating journey is unification – the art of harmonizing all the elements into a cohesive masterpiece. And what better tool to achieve this than ribbon. Ribbon serves as the glue that ties the entire design together, creating a visual flow and a unified look.

Ribbon achieves unification on multiple levels. It introduces texture, weaving a tactile dimension throughout the tree. It also bridges color palettes, ensuring a balanced and pleasing visual experience. The ribbon’s flow guides the eye, allowing for a seamless exploration of your tree’s artful arrangement.

Look no further than the next section for a creative way to top your tree…

3 Simple & Stunning Tree Toppers You Can Make

The holiday season is a magical time when families come together to decorate their homes. One of the most iconic elements of Christmas décor is the tree topper.

Memories of childhood Christmases often include a traditional angel or star perched atop the tree. However, have you ever thought about breaking away from tradition and trying something unique and eye-catching? In this blog post, we’ll explore some creative tree topper ideas that can help you add a personalized touch to your holiday decorations. Introducing 3 creative Tree Topper ideas from Ken, the lead designer from Melrose International, who has a passion for creating stunning and unique tree toppers. Ken also shares his innovative ideas for crafting tree toppers that stand out from the crowd. 

Putting It All Together…

With Ken’s innovative ideas, your tree topper can become the focal point of your holiday décor. Whether you choose an ornate bouquet, a character-themed topper, or an angel within a picturesque setting, you’ll be able to create a tree that reflects your unique style and creativity. Remember, the holidays are all about embracing traditions while infusing your personal touch. By trying out these unique tree topper ideas, you can make your Christmas tree a true representation of your holiday spirit and personality. Decorate with Melrose!

Ornament Bouquet Tree Topper

For the first tree topper, Ken is using ornaments to craft a gorgeous bouquet that will crown your tree with elegance. Here’s how you can create this unique tree topper.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Various ornaments with removable caps
• Stems (from your Melrose stem & picks)
• Floral material (e.g., eucalyptus, poinsettia blossoms, holly)
• Ribbon for the bow
• Half-inch dowel rod
• Cable ties Drill (for certain designs)

Steps to Create:

1. Remove caps from ornaments and gather stems with wire inside.
2. Insert stems into the ornaments to create a cluster. Add floral stems, eucalyptus, poinsettia blossoms, and holly to enhance the design.
3. Prepare a bow and attach it securely.
4. Shape and arrange the bouquet to ensure it’s visually pleasing.
5. Attach a half-inch dowel rod to anchor the bouquet to the tree.
6. Secure the bouquet with cable ties, adding extra ties for stability.
7. Attach a coordinating ribbon to the stem for a professional finish.

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Resin Figurine Tree Topper

For those who prefer character-based toppers, Ken suggests using resin figurines for a playful touch. Here’s how to create this charming addition to your tree.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Resin figurine (e.g., Santa)
• Half-inch dowel rod
• Drill (for creating holes)
• Pine branches with flocking
• Birch branches with snow flocking
• Berries (optional)
• Ribbon or cable ties for securing

Steps to Create:

1. Drill a hole in the bottom of the resin figurine.
2. Insert the half-inch doll rod into the hole to create a stable base.
3. Add pine branches and birch branches to create a natural backdrop.
4. Optionally, add berries for extra texture and color.
5. Secure the elements with ribbon or cable ties.
6. Shape and arrange the branches for a balanced look.
7. Nest the figurine on top of the dowel rod securely.

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Framed Angel Tree Topper

For a touch of tradition with a modern twist, Ken showcases an angel tree topper nestled within a picturesque arrangement. Here’s how you can achieve this stunning effect.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Angel figurine
• Pine branches with flocking
• Icy branches
• Ferns or other greenery
• Half-inch doll rod
• Ribbon or cable ties

Steps to Create:

1. Assemble pine branches, icy branches, and ferns to create a framing backdrop.
2. Nestle the angel figurine within the arrangement.
3. Attach the half-inch doll rod to the tree’s top.
4. Secure the arrangement with ribbon or cable ties.
5. Adjust the positioning of the branches to highlight the figurine.
6. Gently place the angel figurine on the doll rod, ensuring stability.