how to: create a string lights tree

Supplies:
indoor string lights
lightweight ornaments
pencil and painter’s tape
hanging hardware, we used about 9 nails

Directions:
1. Using a pencil and painter’s tape as needed, mark out a tall triangle for the position of the tree, and a rectangle for the tree base.

2. Secure hanging hardware for the light strands—we used one nail at the top, a row of 6 along the bottom, and 2 for the base.

3. Test the light strand then weave it around the hardware—the simpler the better.

4. Hang a mix of lightweight ornaments on light sockets—or with ornament hooks—as desired.

hints:
1. Use the longest strand of lights available to avoid a bulky plug connection—also, avoid direct contact between the light bulbs and paper ornaments.
2. Use hanging hardware best suited for your wall—for best advice, check with your local hardware store.
3. Start a few inches off the floor—safely away from low objects or carpeting.

Thanks to marcus, prop stylist on this CB2 catalog shoot.

file under: DIY, alternative tree

how to: create a frame tree

The basic geometric shapes of a Christmas tree is an elongated triangle for the tree, and a smaller rectangle for the tree trunk.

Keeping this in mind, look for visual elements that work well together and that can fill both spaces. Whether it’s framed art, pages pulled from favorite magazines or typography from a computer printer—anything goes, even holiday greeting cards friends and family.

Supplies from top to bottom, left to right:
float frame 7x9”
float frame square 11.5”
format acrylic cube
float frame 7x9”
hi-gloss white cube
float frame 7x9”
shiny frame 4x6”
float frame 7x9”
gallery frame narrow 4x6”
walnut box frame 5x8”

hint: Notice multiples of the float frame in the 7x9” size? This repetition gives structure to the tree while allowing individual elements to stand out in the crowd. Also, substitute a format clear cube for the hi-gloss white cube since it’s no longer available.

Thanks to marcus, prop stylist on this CB2 catalog shoot.

file under: DIY, alternative tree

how to: create a chalkboard tree

Perhaps the easiest, most eco-friendly and versatile tree is one that’s sketched with chalk on a wall painted with chalkboard paint.

hint: think outside the box and embrace the holiday spirit by sketching a new tree every day…or, instead of an ornament party, host a design challenge and offer all types and colors of chalk to guests then vote for the favorite…or build a virtual tree adding elements on each of the 12 days of Christmas—the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Thanks to marcus, prop stylist on this CB2 catalog shoot.

file under: DIY, alternative tree

how to: hang art on brick walls

On location for our Fall catalog we were fortunate to have some amazing brick walls in quite a few shots. While they’re textural, they’re also tough—and a challenge to hang art on—so we checked with our on-set construction guru to find out how they did it.

His advice? “It’s not a bad thing to hire a professional contractor do the work—they’ll have the knowledge and tools needed to do the job right. If you’re on a tight budget and anxious to DIY, definitely check first with your local hardware store for a hanging clips that are specially designed for brick or concrete walls.”

“We used a masonry bit one size smaller than the hanging hardware and drilled into the mortar between bricks. Then we had three options: a plastic anchor and screw, a masonry nail, or a Tapcon concrete screw specificially designed for masonry.”

how to: make a bubble wreath

In our latest catalog, our creative stylists used clear glass bubble balls to create modern wall art in the form of a wreath. While ours was made to appear permanently installed in the room, these instructions allow for temporary or Holiday decorating.

Supplies:
1. space on a wall that can be nailed, or a flat MDF board sized appropriately
2. pencil and string
3. 3” nails and a hammer
4. bubble balls—a mixture of 4” and 6” sizes
5. optional for the MDF: paint as desired and hanging hardware
hint: always contact your local hardware store for advice on which hanging hardware is appropriate for your wall art and walls.

Directions:
1. Measure to find the center of the wall area—or MDF board—intended to display the wreath. Connect that point to a pencil and draw a perfect circle.

2. Roughly following the circle, positioning nails slightly inside and outside the circle, hammer in nails at least 1/2”.

3. Check position by temporarily placing a few bubble balls on the nails for a visual.

4. Complete nailing and place bubble balls as desired—starting with large ones first and fill in with smaller ones.
hint hint: if installing temporarily, hang the board once all nails are secured—without the bubble balls for safety reasons—then add the bubble balls.