Our Elegant {and even glamorous} Christmas Mantel

Last year our holiday mantel was decorated asymmetrical with lots of color, vintage ornaments and traditional fir & pine garland. As you can see, this year’s Christmas mantel is symmetrical, monochromatic and frankly more elegant. The Lee Industry arm chairs in chartreuse flanking the fireplace inspired the mantel’s color palette of greens and whites with splashes of gold and silver.

  

A trio of etched mercury cachepots from Pottery Barn are filled with crisp white feathers and playful white winter berries. A small collection of vintage and contemporary Christmas trees are set just off center and each pick up different colors in the palette {actually used these cuties last year}.

For a more formal look, a pair of small live fir trees are placed on either side of the mantel. Each tree is set in beautiful birch wrapped tins – this earthy element balances the sparkling silvers and glass and adds a warming neutral color that compliment the winter berries. Matching blown glass mercury candlesticks {Pottery Barn} hold chunky white candles and are placed next to each tree. The entire mantel is lined with fresh Heather and Camilla tree branches – love the varying textures and shades of green.

Perched on a small present, a silvery white snowman ornament adds a whimsical touch.

Simple, low-maintenance moss balls are placed on a silver “trophies” picked up at an estate sale. I was told they were originally used to place cigarettes. Really? They look much better in this form I think.

Hanging from the hammered tin mirror is a glass ornament wreath inspired by Eddie Ross’ in 2008. This was a fun DIY project and easy to do. The glass ornaments are a combination of ones found at an estate sale {vintage for $1} and Goodwill {$1 for two dozen – brand new}. Here is the how to by Eddie.

A proud white ceramic horse stands stately atop vintage Lucite nesting tables and favorite design books. It’s fun to take everyday home décor items like this and make them holiday ready by simply adding a little festive ribbon and tinsel. A chic Moroccan inspired print fabric is added to crushed avocado green velvet stockings. The pair are hang from a single panel fireplace  screen – love how the patterns in the screen and stocking play off one another. Swags of silver tinsel are added to the mantel for a touch of glam.

Need some more inspiration? Go here are fabulous ideas on how to decorate your mantel for the holidays.

Happy Decorating, Happy Holidays!

* all photos by Cristin Priest for Simplified Bee