Reader Lori already wowed us with her cheery pink, blue and yellow retro kitchen. Looks like she’s done it again with her fabulous Christmas woddity — this stunning (and space saving) gold aluminum Evergleam “Peacock” tree — a two-dimensional aluminum Christmas tree meant to be set flat against a wall. Neither Pam nor I have ever seen a retro Christmas tree like this before, and we both think it is absolutely spectacular.
Lori has her Peacock tree set up in her rockin’ retro entry way. What a welcome sight this tree must be every time she walks through the door.
Lori writes:
I saw on your website that you were showcasing some of those fabulous mid century aluminum trees, and I just had to share with you two of my favorites.
The first is an EVERGLEAM 7 FT, 51 BRANCH GOLD PEACOCK TREE. I’ve never seen another one like this tree. It was made to be used against a flat wall or in a very small space. As you can see by the profile picture it doesn’t look like a tree until you see if from the front view.
It came with the original box that was in rough shape, I added pics of it, but unfortunately no instructions or sleeves for the branches. I have researched on the internet and could find nothing about this FANTASTIC so very MINIMALIST MID CENTURY TREE. We display it in our foyer and we get SO MANY comments on it, and most folks tell us we should just leave it up all year round. We won in on Ebay a couple of years ago from a seller out of Wisconsin. If anyone has any info on the tree we’d really appreciate it. Someone wrote on the box 1958 and someone’s name but I don’t know if that’s the original date of the tree or not.
And then I had to attach a picture of my old time favorite Aluminum Tree my 7 FT PINK EVERGLEAM tree. We’ve bought vintage ornaments at garage sales, flea markets and ebay so that all the ornaments we use are vintage as well. I’m always so excited when it comes time to decorate for Christmas so I can display these two beautiful trees.
My love for the Aluminum Trees came from my Grandmother. When I was a child she had a Silver Aluminum Tree with a color wheel and I would sit there for hours just watching the color wheel change to all the different colors on the aluminum branches. But unfortunately when she passed away my grandfather accidentally threw it away. So I was determined to get a tree and display it in honor of her every year.
Thanks again and I hope you enjoy the pictures of my two favorite HOLIDAY decorations. And to all I wish a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Wow — two stunning and unique vintage aluminum trees living under one roof — it must be a Christmas miracle.
After hunting around the internet for retro aluminum Peacock trees, all that came up was one lonely Ebay listing (that has since sold) for a four-foot, 29-branch silver Evergleam Peacock tree. Seller gsa was kind enough to give us permission to use the photos of this smaller scale rarity in our story.
Readers — have you ever owned or seen one of these aluminum peacock trees before?
UPDATE: After this story aired, I heard back from reader Lori — owner of the gold peacock tree. Turns out that she bought the small silver peacock tree from Ebay that we featured. She was kind enough to scan and send the original instructions that were included with her silver tree for the Retro Renovation archives. Lori also sent a photo of the two trees “posing” together.
Lori writes:
I saw that you featured the smaller 4 foot Peacock tree as well. I am the lucky person to have actually won that tree. After I sent the pics of my Gold Peacock tree I ran across this little tree on EBAY and I was the only one to bid on it. I was really surprised that no one else bid so I got it for $65.00. I just received it in the mail today and I was thrilled to find that the original instructions were inside along with the cardboard tripod and stand cover that came with these trees. Mine didn’t have one and I see that the Gold Peacock tree listed on EBAY currently doesn’t have the tripod or stand cover either. I’d imagaine that they were so fragile I doubt if they stood up over the years.
Elaine says
My brother in law and sister in law had the silver one with the rotatiing light and all blue bulbs. They always have the latest and got rid of it in the late 60s when something else took over, flocked tree, I think.
When I was still home at my folks we always had real trees. After a few years of real trees, we got a fake really slim one for a small space, then a great sale on a Mountain King one at Wards inspired us to get a bigger one for something like $15 after Christmas and we are still using it. Also, I got a hoop skirt one when I had hip surgery, since I am the one who does all the tree work. It has lights and decorations on it and opens up kind of like an umbrella.
Robert says
Like the entryway, like the flat tree, like all the pictures.
gsciencechick says
The peacock tree is interesting for sure, but the pink one is the bomb!
pam kueber says
very nice – not old, though, i don’t think..
michael posey says
Have you read the book Seasons Gleamings? There are stories in the book about people wh worked at the Evergleam Christmas tree factory in Wisconsin They were given free trees each year they worked there also the box had their name and number on it! This gold tree might be one of those!
pam kueber says
Great info, thanks, michael!
MissC says
What is the paint used on the walls of Lori’s entry way? (both shades actually) I love the turquoise!
Lori Tevis says
Hi Miss C.,
I’m glad that you liked the paint that we used in our foyer. The darker shade is called Sweet Rhapsody and the lighter shade is Cool Jazz. Both are BEHR from HOME DEPOT. Thanks again! Lori
Laurie V says
I feel lucky that I also had a toilet brush tree growing up (It was sooo very ugly, but we loved it) and we spent Christmas Eve with a friend of the family that had a wonderful silver tree with the rotating light wheel. I will always remember the Aaaaannnnnnggggg sound that wheel made as it went around. And my mom’s friend who had a fabulous PINK flock tree one Christmas. You just can’t get more elegant and classy than a pink flocked tree.
I love how everything was “Deluxe” back then.
Paula says
I am so sad because my grandma had a small (4′ maybe) aluminum tree that we got rid of many years ago. If I knew then what I know now! We were in the process of buying our ranch last Christmas and my mother-in-law bought us a small aluminum tree which is proudly displayed on our bar.
vj says
The eBay Evergleam Peacock listing is getting the Retro Renovation Blog Bump. So far, 94 views and 3 bids.
hannah says
Yes, vj – the moment I read this article (like 6am EST) I did a search on eBay and found the one that has now been ‘outed’.
I thought, if it goes too high and I can’t or don’t feel like forking out the $$$, Mr. Wonderful is quite handy, one could buy some loose branches from an eBay seller and make your own. That’s what I might plan for next year if I still feel the LR is too cramped for the big tree.
Jay says
The entryway and the living room are very cool and lend themselves as the perfect setting for all those neat vintage Christmas decorations.
Boy, I miss Woolworths that’s where you would find all that stuff when new.