I had a little fun with our fireplace mantel yesterday…
I was feeling something simple, and neutral, and “Christmas in the country”, so I drew color/theme inspiration from our Christmas tree, and played with a collection of items I gathered from around the house, with the exception of the greenery and bead garland.
I started with the 100-something-year old arched window my great-grandpa salvaged from an old church in Minnesota. We’ve had it for several years, and we look forward to installing it over a clawfoot tub here someday.
After the window was safely propped up there, I taped a 90¢ strand of silver beads (from Michaels) back and forth across the front of the mantel shelf a couple of times:
I covered up the tape with some leftover faux snow, and then layered in two bunches of faux greenery (also from Michaels):
I popped in some leftover ornaments and a variety of candle holders…
(Doesn’t the glass in that window sort of look like ice? I love it!)
I always like to mix in a few smooth, white pitchers to contrast with the color & texture of everything else, too…
I made the twine trees a couple of months ago for a women’s function at church:
They’re just cardboard cones, wrapped in twine, banded at the bottom with leftover ribbon, and topped with sale items from the jewelry aisle at Michaels:
It was such a fun display to work on, and I think it’ll be easy to modify it into a Spring mantel when I’m feeling like I want to play around with it again.
As for today, I’ve decided I don’t have enough glitter embedded into my skin yet, so I’m creating another Christmas-y vignette for our coffee table. Come on back tomorrow if you’d like to check it out! 🙂
PS- For more makeover pics between posts, join me over on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram!
Your mantel is beautiful and I LOVE that window!!! Merry Christmas!
You are so sweet, Jody! Merry Christmas to you, too! 😀
Love all the layers and texture! Beautiful!
Thank you so much, Brandyn! Merry Christmas! 😀
Ummm this is ridiculous! Love Love Love!!!!
Thank you, EGC!!! I was hoping you’d like it even though I decided to “go faux”! 😀
Love the trees you made and the window is just perfect. Beautiful mantel display. I so enjoy your posts. Merry Everything!
Thank you, Gloria! Merry Everything to you, too! 😀
LOVE….but I love whatever you guys do!
Very serene and peaceful! Love that window, but you wouldn’t make it permanent in the bath, would you? I would hang it on the wall, so I could take it with me if I move, or decide to use it elsewhere! Too pretty!
Your home is SO very lovely!! Picture perfect 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Layla,
What an awesome old window and those DIY trees are very neat looking with the jewelry added to them. Merry Christmas!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Beautiful! Love it!
Did you hot glue the twine? Or how did you get it to stay?
Thanks, Shirlee! I did hot glue it…very carefully! 😀
Hi, Layla. I’ve been reading your blog a while (I’m a bio and adoptive mom) and just wanted to say how effortless you make things look! I know that is a gift but creating beauty out of simple, inexpensive items is such a blessing! I also blog, but I feel like I slave over the simplest vignettes. It’s definitely something I’m learning to do better (or at least I hope so!) Have a blessed Christmas!
That window is beautiful and what a special gift! I love the way you draped the beads – just adds so much charm : )
Very beautiful. I like how the mantle seems to flow. You can never go wrong with a color scheme based on neutrals IMHO. The textures then can tell the story. Nicely done! Merry Christmas to you and your family,
Cheryl
I have glitter on my nose that is semi permanent. I guess when I shed enough skin, it will disappear too. My husband laughs every time the light hits it and he can see it. Pointing it out to friends at church, etc. Instead of pine needles in May, I will have glitter.
Very pretty….organic and festive! Love.
Adorable! The window is the style that makes my heart swoon!! I’d love a house filled with pretty American gothic windows. 🙂
A JOYous Christmas to you and Kevin!
I just love it! Merry Christmas!
This is beautiful! I love the simplicity and peacefulness. And that window? Perfect!
Beautiful. Graceful. Looks like it was effortless. Calm. Perfect!
So pretty. The beaded garland is a great touch.
Love the arched window. So pretty and special that your grandfather salvaged it. x
I made some of those twine trees as well and love them. Kind of rustic glam. Have a Merry Christmas!
Shannon ~ bohemianjunktion.com
that arched window stole the show…..and the twine-wrapped tree was a close second!