Last week, the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum in New York City kicked off the holiday season by showcasing eight trees carefully trimmed by a cohort of New York-based artists and designers, who took inspiration from eight holiday stories from Fancy Nancy to Olivia Helps with Christmas for the sixth annual “Storybook Christmas Trees."
2013 Storybook tree designers
"We were thrilled to take part in this annual initiative for children's literacy," said Tina Ramchandani of the interior design firm Franklin Eighth. "Our red, gold and royal blue and purple design palette is inspired by the extravagant interiors in Elise Primavera's holiday tale, 'Auntie Claus.' Channeling Ms.Claus’s elegant storybook aesthetic, we selected over 500 ornaments to create the look we envisioned."
Here’s a look at the eight tree designs:
Auntie Claus Storybook by Elise Primavera; Tree design by Franklin Eighth’s Sarah Sarna and Tina Ramchandani
The Smallest Gift of Christmas Storybook by Peter H. Reynolds; Tree design by Bronx Council on the Arts
The 12 Days of Christmas Storybook by Robert Sabuda; Tree design by artist Joe Burck
Olivia Helps with Christmas Storybook by Ian Falconer; Tree design by artists Judy Moonelis and Jeff Mongrain
Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas Storybook by Jane O’Connor; Tree design by Bartow-Pell docents Linda Sacewicz and Christine Williams
Olive the Other Reindeer Storybook by Steve Moore; Tree design by The JFM Group
A Christmas Tree for Pyn Storybook by Olivia Dunrea; Tree design by Bronx Parks 125
The Mitten Storybook by Jan Brett; Tree design by decorator Jane Bell
The trees are on display now through January 5 at the Greek Revival mansion at 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, New York. The mansion and carriage house are open to the public for guided tours on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. The gardens and grounds are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to dusk.