insideKENT Magazine Issue 93 - December 2019 | Page 153

INTERIORS
FAUX REAL!
DO PETS, KIDS OR ALLERGIES PREVENT YOU FROM GOING REAL? MAYBE YOU LOVE THE IMPACT
OF A CHRISTMAS TREE, BUT DREAD THE THOUGHT OF LUGGING AN 8FT SPRUCE THROUGH
THE LOUNGE? OR PERHAPS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A STATEMENT PIECE THAT NATURE CAN’T
PROVIDE. IF SO IT’S TIME TO GO FAKE FIR
Edelman Cembra Tree,
£350, Fenwick
www.fenwick.co.uk
Kelford Fir
Artificial Tree,
£299.99, Notcutts
www.notcutts.co.uk
Washington Valley
PE Mix
Artificial Tree,
£329.99,
Notcutts
www.notcutts.co.uk
Albert
Christmas Tree,
£95, Neptune
www.neptune.com
Ombre Faux Tree,
£99, Dobbies
www.dobbies.com
Worry not, choosing an artificial Christmas tree
needn’t mean dampening your holiday spirit or your
holiday style. In fact the world of faux fir has been
revolutionised; from trees that look so real you’d be
hard pressed to tell the difference, to time and money
saving pre-lit heroes; fully decorated, snow covered,
done-for-you picks, to statement-making
contemporary showstoppers - there really is a tree
for everyone.
to look like real needles, rather than the cheaper
(and less realistic) PVE ones. Choose hinged as
opposed to hooked branches to make set up and
storage easier. foot shorter than your ceiling height and should not
be squished up along a wall. If you opt for a tree
over 7ft then make sure you have a metal stand to
keep it sturdy.
Choosing your artificial tree Mixing it up:
The best thing about faux fir is the sheer amount of
choice. Make a real statement with your decor by
opting for a colour co-ordinating or colour-clashing
tree; pick a white or black tree to showcase statement
decor pieces; or opt for wood or wire varieties for a
true contemporary feel. Make it last:
The main downside to artificial trees is that they are
not always the most environmentally friendly of
options. That said, invest in a high-quality, well-
made and traditional tree and it will last for decades;
making it a cheaper and more sustainable option.
Trees range from tens of pounds to thousands, always
opt for the most expensive you can afford
Keeping it real:
If you are looking for the most authentic artificial
tree, look for one labelled “true needles” or “real
feel”, which are designed to mimic the look of a real
tree. Go for a tree with a high tip count. This refers
to the number of needles; the higher the count, the
fuller the tree, and opt for PE tips, which are moulded Size it first:
Whilst your tree should be the statement of your
room, remember to factor in the most suitable
location and access when choosing the size of your
tree. Faux trees can range from 3ft-12ft, with the
most popular being the 7ft tree. Size is entirely your
choice, however, your tree should be at least half a
Keep it safe:
When in situ keep your tree away from heat sources.
Invest in a suitable storage box and once the festivities
are over, thoroughly remove all decorations, dust
and clean the branches and carefully deconstruct
your tree.
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