We are halfway through this year's Orlando Festival of Trees, and I have to tell you – even after more than a decade of participating, I still get butterflies when I start planning my tree design! There's something magical about being part of this incredible event at the Orlando Museum of Art, and I'm thrilled to share a peek behind the process with you.
What Makes Orlando Festival of Trees Special
If you haven't experienced Festival of Trees yet, you're missing out on one of Central Florida's most beloved holiday traditions! Each year, Council 101 sponsors this spectacular fundraiser for the Orlando Museum of Art, inviting 50 designers to transform Christmas trees into works of art. Walking through the museum and seeing all these uniquely decorated trees – each one telling its own story – is truly breathtaking. And knowing that it's all supporting our wonderful local museum? That makes it even more meaningful.
A Decade of Holiday Design Magic
This marks my 10+ year of decorating for Festival of Trees, and honestly, it never gets old! Each year brings a new challenge, a fresh theme to explore, and the chance to push my creative boundaries. I've done elegant, whimsical, traditional, and even some unexpected themes over the years. The beauty of this event is that it allows designers like me to really showcase our artistic vision without the usual practical constraints we work within for clients' homes.
The Design Process for Festival of Trees
People always ask me how I approach designing for this event, and the truth is, it starts months in advance! I sketch ideas, gather inspiration, and think about what story I want to tell. Unlike decorating a tree in someone's home where we consider their existing décor and personal style, this tree is pure creative expression. I source unique ornaments, sometimes custom-create elements, and think about every angle since people will be viewing the tree from all sides as they walk through the museum.
Like most years, the seed for this year's tree began in July when I visited Atlanta to make a trip to "The Market". The Atlanta Market is an incredible wholesale marketplace--a designer's dream, with 500,000 square feet of showroom space dedicated to holiday and seasonal décor alone. I'm talking five entire floors (Floors 16-20 in Building 1) filled with everything from stunning ornaments and spectacular trees to gorgeous ribbons and the most realistic faux botanicals you've ever seen.
One very tiny section of the Atlanta Market!
Ribbon: The Secret Backbone of Every Great Tree
Let me tell you a designer secret: ribbon is the bones of your tree! I'm absolutely obsessed with it, and here's why – good ribbon creates structure, movement, and visual flow that pulls your entire tree design together. When I'm at the Atlanta Market, I can spend hours in the ribbon showrooms because the options are endless: luxurious velvets, shimmering metallics, whimsical prints, and gorgeous wired edges that hold their shape beautifully. The way you weave ribbon through your tree branches creates that professional, polished look that makes people stop and say "wow!" It adds dimension, fills in gaps, and guides the eye through your design. Whether I'm using a single statement ribbon or layering multiple coordinating patterns, it's the foundation that everything else builds upon. Trust me – invest in quality ribbon, and your tree will go from nice to absolutely spectacular!
Getting it All Together
Once I've gotten my design down, the real treasure hunt begins – and honestly, this is one of my favorite parts! I start collecting all the pieces that will bring my vision to life, and let me tell you, this year's tree wasn't just a tree. I created an entire vignette scene complete with a fireplace mantle, a beautiful rug, and the coziest chair you've ever seen. Picture it: a complete little holiday moment that tells a story and makes you want to curl up with hot cocoa right there in the museum!
Now, finding that perfect fireplace mantle? That became my mission. I spent hours scrolling through Facebook Marketplace, hunting for exactly the right piece with the character and charm I envisioned. Was it a bit obsessive? Maybe. Was it totally worth it when I finally found the one? Absolutely! There's something so satisfying about sourcing unique pieces that you can't just walk into a store and buy. It adds authenticity and soul to the design – and honestly, the thrill of the hunt is half the fun of what I do!
Design Day
Then comes the fun part – loading up my car! I'm talking trunk packed to the brim, back seat filled, maybe even the passenger seat if I'm being honest. It's like Christmas morning as I carefully arrange boxes of ornaments, rolls of ribbon, and all those special pieces I've collected. The drive to the Orlando Museum of Art always feels a bit surreal – I'm equal parts excited and nervous, running through my mental checklist the whole way.
Once I arrive and start unpacking everything, it's go time! I lay out all my elements, step back, take a deep breath, and dive in. Here's the thing: even though I have sketches and a pretty clear vision in my head, the actual process is pure improvisation. I start dressing the tree, and then the magic happens – I'll add more ribbon here because the flow isn't quite right, tuck in an extra ornament cluster there to fill a gap, adjust the lighting, rearrange elements in the vignette. It's like a dance between my plan and what the tree is telling me it needs. I keep tweaking and refining until that moment when I step back and think, "Yes! That's it!" You just know when it looks right, and that's when all those hours of planning and hunting for pieces come together into something truly special.
Why Community Events Matter
Being part of Orlando Festival of Trees isn't just about decorating a beautiful tree – though I won't lie, that's incredibly fun! It's about giving back to our community and supporting the arts. The Orlando Museum of Art enriches our city in so many ways, and I'm honored to contribute my skills to help raise funds for their important work. Plus, events like this bring our community together during the holidays, creating shared experiences and memories that last far beyond the season.
More Than Just Pretty Decorations
What I love about participating year after year is the connection it creates. Former clients come specifically to see my tree, new friends discover Soho Interior Design through the event, and I get to interact with people who are passionate about design and the holidays. It's also a wonderful reminder of why I fell in love with this profession – the joy of creating spaces (or in this case, trees!) that move people and bring beauty into the world.
It's Gala Night! Here I am with one of my oldest and dearest friends (we went to grade school together!) enjoying the Festival of Trees Gala night. This tree was created by another designer and I just love the bright cheerful colors!
Come See It in Person!
If you're in the Orlando area this holiday season, I'd love for you to visit Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art. Come find my tree, take in all the incredible creativity on display, and soak up the holiday spirit. It's truly a feast for the eyes and a wonderful way to support local arts while getting inspired for your own holiday decorating. The event runs November 15 - 23 and you can find out more by clicking on Festival of Trees.
And if my Festival of Trees tree inspires you to transform your own home this holiday season – or any season – you know where to find me! I bring that same passion and creativity to every project, whether it's a Christmas tree, a complete home transformation, or anything in between. Contact me at Soho Interior Design, and let's create something beautiful together. You can reach me by calling me at (407) 743-2399 or emailing me at carmen@sohointeriordesign.com. for a free consultation.
Here's to another year of creativity, community, and celebrating the season in style!
