I think I’m in love! I’m in love with my Coastal Christmas Tree! I wish you all could see it up close because pictures never seem to do Christmas trees justice. The family room holds the traditional family tree, all adorn with the kids’ popsicle stick creations and those special ornaments passed down through the years. The foyer is where mama’s new tree resides, my Coastal Christmas Tree!
The tree is decked out in finger starfish, shells, burlap loops, capiz, coral, and my Glass Float Ornaments (click the link to be taken to the posts). A few mercury glass and frosty white glass ornaments add some extra sparkle.
Remember the Capiz Shell Christmas Trees I made for my mom? Well I had several left over, so I added a ribbon loop to the large, 3 inch capiz shells. The capiz shell garland, used for the smaller Capiz Tree, was cut into sections and hooked with a wire. I call them “Capizsicles”. The are so luminescent in the tree lights! And are just stunning at night!
When I posted the Coastal Holiday Wreath tutorial, the wreath had 2 white twig/coral picks added. They of course were artificial, but reminded me of real coral. Where could I find real coral? Well, we’ve had such gorgeous weather here the last few weeks and did some beachcombing Thanksgiving weekend at mom’s home. My kids and sisters (Home Stories A 2 Z & Little Page Turners) helped collect driftwood, shells, and horseshoe crab shells, which I wanted to make ornaments out of but my sisters thought they’d look a little creepy.
The real jackpot was the coral! The beach was covered with bright purple Whip Coral! I knew exactly what I’d be using it for, the tree! So I did what all normal people do… I picked up as much of the stinky, rotting, now-I-smell-like-dead-fish, purple branches as I could manage!
The coral is beautiful and so bright but purple just isn’t in my Christmas color scheme. So after they dried in the sun for a few days and their smell faded (a bit), I coated several pieces of the coral in many coats of white spray paint. The coral is so porous they sucked up layer upon layer of paint. The paint masked the stink though!! Then they received a coat of spray adhesive and were sprinkled with Epsom salt. They are now white and sparkly, like newly dusted snow! Isn’t it pretty?
Branches of the tree were inserted into sea shells and starfish sit perched on the pine boughs. No ribbon or hooks needed! And loops of burlap garland were tucked in the tree for added softness and texture and to coordinate with the burlap ruffled tree skirt.
My real glass float, which is over one foot wide rests in a galvanized bucket filled with fish netting, shell garland, sea shells from our collection, and a present.
I find my self standing in the foyer, just staring at the tree. Crazy I know, but I love all the natural elements, varying textures, colors, the twinkly lights and the homemade ornaments. Christmas is such magical time of year! I hope you enjoyed my Coastal Christmas Tree!
*Click to learn how to make the No-Sew Burlap Ruffled Tree Skirt *
Kim
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So beautiful!
Beautiful!! I’m so excited…I noticed that tree skirt immediately and so happy you will be posting a tutorial in a few days. 🙂
I love your beachy tree, it looks great!! Merry Christmas,
Kathysue
Oh wow, your tree is gorgeous! I see why you love it so much. I love the bucket of goodies and the tree skirt. Both are perfect accents to the whole tree.
Absolutely beautiful! I don’t really have room in my home for two trees. So, as of now, I’ve got the popsicle stick variety 🙂 But I’ll be keeping this theme in mind for future trees! Looks great!
I Love Love Love your Tree!!! It is Beautiful!!!
I have a lit Palm Tree but nothing on it…looks a little sad :/
Beautiful tree! I’ve been asking my hubby for a small 2nd tree for a couple of Christmases now – so I can decorate it with my beachy items. This year is the first year we got the 2nd tree – just picked it up last night. All my white and beachy ornaments are going on this little tree.
Absolutely gorgeous! You know I am totally in love with it, I would spend my time staring at it too!
We don’t get that purple whip coral here, you would think we would get the same stuff on our beaches, we’re not that far away.
Thanks everyone! Leen- I haven’t seen much of it wash up over the years. I guess it’s quite plentiful around the mouth of the Cheasapeake Bay, where it opens up to the Atlantic. Which is right where we were at.
Kim- this is soooo beautiful and unique! Love what you’ve done (: The skirt is great, too!!
LOVE your Coastal tree! My favorite ornament is your homemade glass float bulb. I wouldn’t be surprised if they popped up in next years PB catalog!! Well if they do, we all know we saw it here first 🙂 You really captured the beauty of the coast in such a fun way!
it’s beautiful…we lived in Orlando, Fl for a few years and this reminds me of our time there!
beautiful!!!
I love tree and your starfish really stand out on it….Can’t wait to see the tutorial on the tree skirt.
Love it!
Kim, this is gorgeous! I am so excited I found you! I’m a new follower as well 🙂 Loving the glass floats…I’ve been on the search for some in my area (i’m by the sea as well). Might have to have a mini coastal tree myself next year!
Lauren @ http://www.fromourhidingplace.com
Your tree is great!! We are living in Curacao so I made my own version of a coastal Christmas tree out of driftwood and other natural elements. http://thespacebetweenblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/homemade-christmas-tree-finale/
Happy Holidays!
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog
I’m in love with your tree, too! Thanks for sharing!
Love those glass float ornaments, Kim. Thanks for showing how you made them, they are adorable.
Kim … I absolutely adore your coastal tree. I had a beach themed tree a couple of years ago (complete with a Mermaid Angel topper) and your glass float ornmaents would have topped it off. Hmmmm – I think I may be bringing that coastal tree back next year! Just found your site and LOVE of all of your ideas. Keep them coming – and Happy New Year!
Beautiful Kim, if I lived nearby, I would… like you said you caught yourself standing in your foyer? I would be peering in your window lovingly adoring your pretty seashore themed tree! I just love it! It wouldn’t go in my home, my second tree is all red and white. I have a 200 year old historic house and my family room too holds the “kids tree” but the other tree is mine so I went with a folk are theme of sorts. Sort of country. But it wound of tin and natural with mainly red and white colors. Very pretty, everyone loves it, although I am itching now after a few years to change it up! Anyway, Love love love yours! Enjoy it!
Love this tree! How did you make a way for the starfish to hang?
Thanks!