Yay! It is here. One of my favorite decorating moments during Christmas time. The reveal of this years Christmas ‘mantel’.
If you have been following along in my decorating for Christmas series, it will come as no surprise that my mantel this year, is red and white with lots of natural elements.
My vintage French mirror takes center stage, but I foofed her up a bit with some paper garlands made with circles punched from festive Christmas papers.
My mantel this year is definitely pretty laid back and easy. I like it that way.
As you can see my pinecone garland has found a place in the corner. It is working very hard to conceal a rather dingy electrical pipe going up. Decoration and camouflage in one, gotta love it.
This picture also shows off my faux ice flowers on my windows. I am still digging the festive and wonderfully winter-touch they give my living room.
But back to my mantel….
A vintage thrifted saucepan holds three hyacinth bulbs. I am pretty sure they will bloom during Christmas. I love putting plants or flowers in front of a mirror, you can enjoy them twice that way.
I used a punch to make my circles and then sewed them into a garland with my sewing machine. Quick and easy, but I think they add a nice touch to the whole vignette.
The top of the mirror is decorated with some mistletoe and a disco ball ornament. Too bad it is such an awkward place to stand underneath. I guess no kissing under the mistletoe for us (not that we ever needed mistletoe for that ).
Red and white, silver and glass, real natural elements and lots of (candle) light. Pretty simple and without fuss, yet festive and fun. Yup this is Christmas 2011 in Songbirds nest.
So have I convinced you how easy it is to decorate a mantel? Really anyone can pull this off, you just gotta put a little love in it.
Marianne Songbird is the founder of Songbird, where she hopes to inspire everyone to create a home they love, one DIY project at a time. She shares anything from craft ideas to home decor inspiration and from DIY projects to decorating hacks. Originally from the Netherlands Marianne and her husband Lex are currently renovating a 250-year-old farmhouse in Germany.
Shelia says
Hi Marianne! OH, your mantel looks wonderful! I love those cute little circle garlands you've made! Candles, just gorgeous!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Barb and Dell says
Oh, I wish I had a mantel to decorate. Yours is beautiful. I noticed right away that your pine cone garland was in the corner. I love the dish with the 3 plants in. I look forward to seeing what you do tomorrow.
Barb
aimee says
i love your mantel, you did a fab job xxx
Lesley says
Festive! I love how you used the sewing machine to make the garland. Neato. I can almost smell those greens! 😉
Mary says
i love it! 😉
Katie says
Beautiful mantle! Love the red, white and silver with a touch of nature.
Mandy says
Simply stunning!!
Loulou says
That looks gorgeous! I love your vintage mirror. Those hyacinths are going to be beautiful and smell divine.
Loulou Downtown
Blondie's Journal says
Beautiful and festive, Marianne. The garland is the perfect touch! I love paperwhites, too! Fabulous job!
XO,
Jane
Pink Princess says
Ziet er gezellig uit joh! Mijn schouw wordt nu (helaas toch) in beslag genomen door de tv…wil iets anders daar neerzetten, mis mn schouw toch wel 🙁
Heb eigenlijk nog niks voor Kerst op een Kerstster na (de plant) maar deze week ga ik wel aan de slag. Luister nu wel naar Sky Radio Christmas hihi 😀
Liefs van Marian
natasha {schue love} says
I LOVE the garland…what a whimsical touch and the bulbs are just perfect! Really want to plant some bulbs this winter!
Alana in Canada says
I love the simplicity of this. It feels soft and warm, too.
Funky Junk Interiors says
LOVE! That mirror just chimes in with anything you do. Wonderful eye candy everywhere you look!
Donna
Grace @ Sense and Simplicity says
Your mantel is lovely. I especially like the little circles of red and white paper that you sewed into a garland. It's funny, but I did my sideboard in exactly the same colours – red and white. You can see it here: http://gracie-senseandsimplicity.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-christmastime-in-our-dining-room.html. Great minds think alike.
The Corson Cottage says
Hi Marianne & Happy Holidays! I love your style I found you through Rhoda's party today. Love your garland that you made and your mantel looks great with the fresh greens! I'm following along now. I hope you'll stop by The Corson Cottage sometime:) Carrie
Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says
Hello! I'm visiting from the mantel party at Southern Hospitality. I love your red and white theme. The garland that you made is just perfect for hanging in front of your gorgeous mirror. The red and white dish with the bulbs is superb!
Cozy Little House says
The colors alone are perfection!
Brenda
Tonya says
This is beautiful! I love the mirror & the garland that you made on it! The colors are perfection!
fiona anderson says
I have checked out loads of mantles and yours is the prettiest so far, so I'll be popping back to your blog again. Thank you
Joann says
Hi, LOVE your blog & your wonderful creations!!! May I ask, what size punch did you use to make your circles on the paper garlands? It is so hard to determine dimensions on line & these look to be ideal. Thanx in advance for your help & happy decorating!