Engineer and builder Lawrence Stoecker designed a modernist Christmas tree in the 1960s but it wasn’t until 2011 that his grandson, Matt Bliss, put it into production and launched The Modern Christmas Tree:
“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and concentric circles of light and shadow danced in a modernist tableau, all over the ceiling.” Wait, what? If you’re accustomed to old-fashioned fragrant evergreen trees, sticky with sap and heavily laden with ornaments and string lights, the spare glow and futuristic lines of the modern Christmas tree will knock your proverbial stockings off. The first thing you might notice about these trees is that they look “Modern” with a capital M—as in postwar, midcentury design. Yet they’re not vintage, and they weren’t manufactured until fairly recently. […] Bliss knew exactly how to pay tribute to his grandfather: The prototype trees from Colorado would become a reality for families all over the world. With his business background, Bliss was prepared to fabricate and produce the trees in quantity and tell their story visually. By 2011 he premiered his Modern Christmas Tree at the Denver Modernism show, where they were an instant hit. At the end of September the following year, Lawrence Stoeker passed away. A week after Stoeker’s death, Modern Christmas Trees was awarded its patent.
via Architectural Digest
I like the design and think it works best for public display but I wouldn’t have one in my house. Reject modernity; embrace tradition! Of course, the modernist Christmas tree has plenty of advantages in terms of storage and time to install but if you’re wanting a beautiful green tree, garnished with lots of colourful baubles, this won’t be for you.