A Simpler Holiday Mantel, 2011

 

This holiday season, I chose to use more simpler and more natural and subdued colors for the  great room fireplace mantel.  It might be deemed as “blah” by some, but the silver bling that I used last year just didn’t fit the theme I was going with this year.  We set up the southwest themed tree, so more neutral colors were called for. I added a slight touch of red to coordinate with the red bandanas on the tree for just a touch of blingy color.  I’ll be back to show the tree soon! It’s a doozie- 12 feet tall and loaded with things to reflect the southwest, where I grew up.

Our crazy Ohio weather has been so weird over the past few days. It rained for two days straight (the backyard flooded again!)  and today’s overcast skies made for some difficulty trying to photograph this wall. The glare from the windows also played havoc with the camera settings, but you can see in the shot below that the browns predominate on the mantel this year. 

 

Three strands of garland were woven together to create a more lush look on top of the narrow wooden mantel. I added in some open weave burlap garland that had just a touch of gold in it for some visual interest.

 

The added reds came in the form of some glass balls and some burgundy berry picks tucked into the garland strands. I had originally nested the large bell ornaments into the garland, but then remembered that I had some small bell wire garland in one of my many boxes! So I strung the bells on fishing line and hung them in varying heights along the width of the mantel.

 

 

You can see the detail on the wire bell garland a little better in this photo.

 

 

Here is one of two apothecary jars filled with feather balls.

 

 

 

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I propped a recent frugal find of an old wooden shoe last against one of them.

 

 

 

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The other last rests on a pinecone on the opposite side of the clock.  You can see the texture of the woven and sparkly garland here.

 

 

 

 

In keeping with the bell theme, I used this little bell tree on top of a set of three suitcases.

 

 

This large copper colored bin was filled with a variety of pinecones and placed in the middle of the hearth.  Most of the cones are sugar pinecones that were a yard sale find last year for a dollar apiece! I know they sell for much more if ordered online.  Spanish moss and some red balls were used as filler.

 

 

A stenciled cheese box from the French Hen Farm sale in the fall holds a ceramic Santa, some rolled sheets of music, and a hurricane candle holder filled with fresh cranberries.

 

 

 

 

 

Inside the firebox, I laid some birch logs from one of the trees that we had taken down last fall. A metal candle holder holds six glass votive holders. The lit candles add some ambience, since we rarely light a fire.

So there you have this year’s holiday mantel.  Make sure to stop over and visit the hostesses at their links shown below.  I’m sure you’ll see some wonderfully inspiring holiday décor!  And I’ll be back soon to add in even more links for other holiday parties. It’s a busy, busy month! 

Here’s a quick peek of what’s to come when I show you my southwest themed tree….

 Now go and click on the links below to get your Christmas party on!