To get started, cover your mantle with a sheet of plywood that’s been cut to fit. Make sure the bottom of the plywood is smooth and free of debris. The plywood protects your mantle from the sap of fresh greens and small nails that you may use to hold decorations in place and gives you room to work.
Consider removing your everyday painting that hangs over your fireplace and replace it with a fresh wreath adored according to your personal style and colors.
Use everyday items to accentuate either store bought evergreen or eucalyptus garlands (they’ve come a long way with imitation greens) or fresh evergreen garlands and boughs. Lace your greens with stands of white and amber or gold twinkle lights. The amber and gold lights add a warm glow. If you have an electrical outlet readily available, you can use an inexpensive strand of lights from your local hardware store. Otherwise, consider investing is a strand (or more) of battery-operated lights. Important tip – keep extra batteries on hand as you’ll love the warmth these lights create in the room!
Dress up draped garlands with various accessories depending on your personal decorating style. For a casual style, I love highlighting the rich green of the garlands with sprigs of red berries, willowy twigs, and pomegranates dusted with glitter for added sparkle. Metallic ribbon woven through the garland adds sparkle and elegance. This year we really enjoyed the use of ribbon on the tree as well as woven through various arrangements.
For a more formal mantle, add assorted sizes of metallic ornaments to the garland blend I mentioned above. I personally love various sized gold, silver, and copper metallic ornaments. Depending on size, you can hang (with tree hooks) from the garlands or simply nuzzle them throughout the garland. Try using old books, compotes, and containers to elevate the ornaments at different heights.
For a more contemporary mantle, consider bringing the outdoors in by incorporating lush granny smith apples and pinecones collected from own back yard! The vibrant color of the apples alongside the texture of the pinecones creates an eco-sheik look to any mantle. Again, look for every day items you have in your home that you can use to add height and visual interest.
For an elegant and traditional look, swag your mantle with a garland that’s been embellished with ribbons and bows, shades of red berries, and beautiful silk flowers tucked in the center and at each corner. Add height and interest by adding your favorite vase or silver compote filled with shimmering bobbles and overflowing strands of glimmering beads.
Christmas is the holiday of candles! Nestle your collection of antique silver candlesticks with your favorite treasure of antique Old World Ornaments in the greens. Be sure to secure priceless items with a small nail or even a dab of candle wax. Note that when using real candles, be sure to take care when burning, as fresh garlands will dry out as the season slips by.
If a fireplace mantle is absent in your home, use the same concept to decorate the tops of cabinets, vanities, sofa tables… A simple collection of Santa’s on a sofa table mixed with ornaments, lights and ribbon. Surprise your guests with garland on a sculpture or around a Powder Room sink. Take an old Chinese cabinet and mix berries, lights and ribbon to create a magical look.
Remember when decorating your holiday mantle or any other piece of furniture in your home that there’s no right or wrong to this process! Don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid to mix metals. Don’t be afraid to mix textures. And don’t be afraid to mix old with new. Start small with beautiful greens (as they are your base) and then begin to layer with colors, textures, and items that you love! If using fresh greens, mist, mist, and mist daily to help keep your garlands fresh smelling and fresh looking throughout the entire holiday season!
Are you out of time and inspiration? Let Speas Interior Design help make your holidays a little brighter and a little more stylish. We’re happy send our holiday expert out to help you create a more beautiful Christmas one room at a time!
Happy decorating and happy holidays from Speas Interior Design!
An award winning Colorado Springs Interior Designer, Kathy Speas is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and an expert on incorporating style, comfort, and livability into your home and lifestyle. SpeasInteriorDesign.com. Creating a more beautiful world one room at a time.