Mantel Décor in Minutes

Whiteware : Take a trip around your house and collect everything that is a shade of white! It can be a platter, a cake stand, dinner plate, vase or soap dish! The idea here is that you are displaying a collection, so more is better. Use filler like fresh seasonal plants or flowers, extra ornaments, tall branches or even holiday figurines to tie things together. This look adds a lot of interest but not a ton of crazy color – it is a fresh, crisp look for your mantle.

Candlesticks :
Don’t be afraid to mix and match here. The unifying theme will be the color of the pillar candles that you place on the candlesticks… add variety by mixing black with sterling silver or mercury glass or try white candlesticks with clear glass candlesticks. The beauty of this look is the layers of height and the glow of the candles when every last one of them is lit.

* Design tip: This display works great for homes without mantles or fireplaces, simply set up a large console table or sofa table as if it were a mantle. Place a mirror behind to double the glow.

Picture Frames :
I love the idea of layering frames in with your mantle garland or decor.
Just like the candlesticks, these frames don’t all have to be the same color, but make sure there is some rhyme or reason here. (Keep it to three colors max.) Some of these frames might be stored with your holiday decor and only come out in December; other frames will be pulled from other areas in the home to fill in the gaps. Some of my favorite memories are immortalized in photo frames that my Mom brings out each Christmas. The holidays are about being together as families and are so sentimental. Old photos are a perfect fit for holiday decor… it doesn’t get any more personal.