My Jane Austen Christmas mantel

This year I tried something different with my living room mantel. I decided to go for a romantic-- mostly white-- theme to compliment my red and white toile stockings that I made last year from vintage curtains. They’re very imperfect since I don’t really sew, but I pretend it’s part of their charm.

I also decided this would be the first year where I restrain myself and attempt to have a simple mantel. I decided to skip all the lighted garland –fake and real- on my mantel and simply go with white snow and white candlesticks.

Instead of using red bulbs I decorated with vintage books that had tattered red covers.

And I used candy canes to add color.

And for a whole night I looked at the mantel and I really did like it. I especially liked how easy it was to get pretty photos with all the white. And I loved the texture of the old mirror next to the distressed candlesticks…

But my little banner bothered me. I thought it looked so bare and lonely.

And since we’re getting our fresh tree today and I was going to need some garland anyway, I bought this sweet little wreath for the mirror and added French ribbon and berries to it.

And then I found my old Charles Dickens books in my bookshelf and I thought, “of course these have to have center stage,” so I moved one under my silver creamer.

And this change led me to add a few pieces of fresh cedar on the mantel because I already had a green wreath, and oh well, I do love the smell of fresh garland. So then I had to remove my candlesticks…

And one little change led to another…

And once again I have garland back on my mantel. If you don’t like this new look, I prefer to blame the sun.

Because today the sun has disappeared behind the clouds so my photos don’t look quite as pretty as the snowy white mantel ones.

But I couldn’t help myself. The mantel didn’t feel right without some greenery on it.  Do you know that feeling? When you decorate something but you keep going back to look at it because you’re not sure you really like it?

So this is my very simple Christmas mantel.

• Fresh greens,
• candles tied with paper doilies and white grosgrain ribbon.
• Old Charles Dickens books
• candy canes in mason jars
• and my little “Joy” banner I made from beautiful damask napkins I found in an antique store.

Very Jane Austenesque, don’t you think?

And now I’m on to other things. Like decorating our tree and

like this project:

I snapped this photo late last night. It’s my dining room that I’m redecorating for Christmas with a new paint color. You guessed it, I’m changing from my taupe colored walls to a creamy white. With a few more changes. Stay tuned because I’m almost done.

And I hope you’re enjoying your Christmas decorating whatever you decide to do. I think even the smallest changes around the house can usher in the feeling of Christmas, don’t you?

It’s really about creating a feeling of warmth and happiness around your home.

Thanks for visiting.

xoxo

Leslie

I’m linking up here:

• http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/2012/12/cowgirl-up-link-party-week-44-with-fern.html?
• http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/12/a-homespun-christmasvignettes-and.html
• http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2012/12/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no142.html
• http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2012/12/fmfpty-2nd-annual-holiday-mantle-party.html

 

 

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