Christmas Mantle 2010

(Photo taken this evening)

Sometimes it's a little sad transitioning from one season to another, I have really enjoyed having the fireplace all decked out for Fall, it was a little bittersweet taking it all down. But on the other hand, I couldn't wait to get geared up for Christmas, and yes I am a Gemini. :)

To get a fresh start and look, I stripped the fireplace down to nothing, save the mirror. I did some dusting and got down to business.

The white has been so great to work with, it's been a decorating guessing game each season since the fireplace facelift, but it has really been pleasing so far. For fall, I kept the mantle pretty symmetrical, so for Christmas I decided to do an offset look.

Green and brown are the colors, with silver and snow mixed in. While most everything is artificial, using some real things like pine cones and branches help the artificial things look a little more realistic. A super tall vase with pine, pine cones and branches reaching all the way to the ceiling anchor the left side. The snowflake garland was inspired by Sarah @ Cozy.Cottage.Cute, she made a similar one using jingle bells, great idea Sarah, thank you. It took Justin and I 30 minutes to make, I braided the jute twine and he untangled! :) I have had those silver snowflakes for years and love a new way to incorporate them. Check out Sarah's tute, I did!

Cedar garland with lights and pine sprigs across the mantle, a cedar wreath on the mirror that I put silver ornamnets in

The right side of the mantle is anchored with two chunky wooden candleholders. I love these, I got them the last time I went home, they resemble bamboo, and I think they look a little unexpected for Christmas.

I filled in with cylinder vases filled with ornaments and bellani pods, and aluminum letters that spell Noel

In the non-working firebox, I put more cylinder vases with candles softened with more cedar and pine. I want to get some logs to put in there too, I didn't get the chance yet.

I love the oversized snowflakes, they add a little bit of whimsy and suggest the cold winter months ahead. {ugh} I just used a suction cup on the mirror and leaned some. I don't know if you can tell, but there are two hung super high, I used push pins for those, they aren't very heavy at all.

I can't believe I didn't use any ribbon, I'm usually such a ribbon hound! I might tie some ribbon around the candle holders. :)

I'm still working on the Christmas tree, I'm really loving the planter for it! So I hope you come back to see that as soon as I get it done. I can't wait to get some tablescapes rolling too!

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you are inspired! If you'd like to see even more photos of this and more, please visit my Flickr Photostream.

Joining Layla for the Christmas Mantle Party.