Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Christmas Mantle 2011

Don't you just love this time of year? We have really been enjoying our 'New' tree (read how I acquired it HERE) and even Justin has commented on how much he likes it, and he's usually pretty neutral.


I did the mantle differently than I did last year, simply because of the size of the tree. When the tree got bigger, the mantlescape had to go bigger too. Really though, I have been wanting to do a swag like this for sometime. For such a long time in fact that I bought this swag a loooong time ago. It's a beautiful mixed pine swag and I "offset" it with additional greenery to keep it from looking too perfect.


I added real branches for some interest and also to hang my glass icicles. I hope you can see them in the photo here. Some are from Martha Stewart and some are from Dept. 56.




Two large cylinder vases full of glass ornaments anchor each end of the mantle, my handcrafted pine cone topiaries, and candles in the center


I used a cedar garland with lights across the mantle, it really softens up around the vases and topiaries




Tying brown satin ribbon around everyday white candles help them feel more Christmasy. :)




I've been getting some questions on the burlap Noel Banner that I made. I haven't done a tutorial on it, but Jen has a great one HERE. I love the little rusty jingle bells tied on the ends.




A view of the tree, you can catch the details HERE.





Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you're inspired!








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22 comments:

  1. Your tree is just so gorgeous and the mantel as well! Love love the greenery arrangement over the mirror. It is all so very pretty and festive. Wow, I've got to take another look at it now.

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  2. Loving the copper and greens together; beautiful room and, yes, definitely inspires me!

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  3. Those are the exact colors I use on my mantel and great room. Sure wish you would come and do mine just like that. I just can't seem to get into it this year. Love the icicles (sp?) as an added touch. The color combo is always yummy.

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  4. Michelle, I just love those gorgeous earthy colours you have used. I am collecting ready for our Christmas In July!! They just don't seem right for our summer Christmas. This year I am having hot pink, purple, bright blue and green!! Much better for a stinking hot day!
    Suzyq

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  5. Michelle, Just beautiful, I love the woodland look. You did a great job and I do love your topiary trees.

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  6. Wow looks awesome. I love the "rich" colors in your tree and mantel!

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  7. Just gorgeous...I love every single thing! Makes me want to get rid of all my red and green and start over...

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  8. Very pretty! I love your handmade pine cone topiary's. I had to go check out your tutorial too. Beautiful job all around, on your mantle and your tree!

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  9. So beautiful! Thanks for all the info on the camera! Merry Christmas

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  10. I am so looking forward to decorating our mantel for the holidays. We move in this Monday and you have provided a great place for me to start the decorating.

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  11. LOVE the burlap NOEL sign. So cute. Nice job on all of it!

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  12. Stunning. You always do such great mantels. Love the touch of the jingle bells at the end of the noel banner.

    Looks great!
    jen
    athomeinthenorthwest.blogspot.com

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  13. You did an amazing job!!! It all looks so beautiful, this is the my favorite mantle I've seen this year! :D

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  14. I've been staring at your beautiful mantle since last Christmas! It's wonderful and I love the colors you pick for your tree.

    question for you...How did you hang your swag above the mirror? Just curious since it's not something you keep up there all year and I am trying to prevent a bunch of nail holes in the wall.

    Your decorating is so inspiring!
    Debbie

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    1. Hi Debbie,
      Thanks! The swag itself is very sturdy. It has a little hanger on the back of it, so I used a picture hanger in the wall and then added everything to the swag(branches, additional pine, ribbon)...making sure it stayed balanced (literally, that is...visually, it's asymmetrical). Hope that helps!

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  15. Michelle,
    I love all of your arrangements but this Christmas swag is breathtaking. I am enamored by it, so much so that I'm considering trying my hand at one for my Christmas mantle, using yours as a model. I want to start with a good foundation, though, and I was wondering if you could share any good resources for a beautiful pine or other evergreen swag to use as a base?
    Many thanks!
    Jessica

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    1. Jessica,
      Thank you for your compliments!
      I have had that swag for 10+ years now and have used it in several different ways over the years...and honestly, they don't make them this well anymore...it is super sturdy. I do know the company is Allstate (a silk floral co.) but I don't know who carries it. Locally, I did see a nice swag at Hobby Lobby, but I only liked one style of the greenery (some of it looks a little cheesy)they carry...it was sort of like a ming pine...it would be a good start to add pine and branches to...and of course if you can find it, HL is so picked over already. Online, my favorite companies are Afloral.com and save-on-crafts, you could do some searching there too. Hope that helps.

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  16. Hi! I know this is from a couple years ago but I just found it and really love the swag you put together over that mirror. I was wondering if you could tell me what that stuff is that looks kinda like moss that hangs down. It adds such a nice touch! Thx!

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Thank You for taking the time to comment! Because of the insane amount of spam comments, I had to stop anonymous comments-sorry for the inconvenience.
Michelle