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Holiday Home Linky Party & our Christmas Mantel

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Happy Holidays!


And welcome to the Holiday Home Linky Party!

Today’s party is all about merry mantels- because if you’ve been reading our blog for more than a couple months, you know how much I love a good mantel makeover!

Kev and I started dreaming up ideas for our Winter mantel, back in August- but we didn’t actually finish it until this morning. (Whew! Just in the nick of time!) Here are some photos we took of it today…

We’re totally lovin’ the way it all turned out, but I’m not gonna lie, that DIY Pottery Barn Eagan mirror project we built was a bit of a beast! But I’ve always wanted that thing, and we saved about $600 by building our own version of it.

There were, however, several steps involved in its creation. And although we planned to photograph each and every one of them so that we could do a step-by-step tutorial here on our blog, we were in such a hurry to finish it, we ended up abandoning our camera after step #4 so that we could just hurry up and git r’ dun. That being said, we will definitely be vlogging about how we made it sometime this (or next) week. It’ll be waaaaay easier for me to explain it all on video! It really wasn’t hard, there were just a lot of steps.

The stockings came from White Flower Farmhouse. (One of my favorite shops on the web!) I embellished them with some evergreen sprigs, some doiles I got on Etsy and a wooden letter “A” I got at Michaels a while back. (Secret: Two of our favorite boy and girl names begin with the letter “A”…hee hee!)

The little, red, metal bucket ($5.95) came from Tobacco Barn in Asheville, North Carolina. The seagrass pot ($4.99) came from Ikea sometime earlier this year. The pleated, white trim across the  top edge of the mantel, the tiny trees, and two red hydrangeas (which I split up into four) came from Hobby Lobby (Trees- $2.50/each, Hydrangea stems $3/each). The faux snow, pinecones, white pitchers, rope-wrapped candles, all came from mantels-past.

Down in the firebox, we used a basket we got from the gals at Whiteflower Farmhouse a while back- and a suitcase we picked up at Seaside Sisters on Tybee Island. The “present” on top is actually one of my Ikea baskets wrapped in some brown Kraft paper and a piece of red and white striped ribbon I had. I topped it with a faux poinsettia and some pinecones I had in my Christmas decor stash.

The house feels so cozy with it decorated this way!  Especially at night, when the recessed light above makes all the glittery ornaments sparkle…

(By the way, we hung the ones from the ceiling with white, flat-headed thumb tacks and 8 lb. fishing line.)

I almost hate to have to take it all down after Christmas! But you know me, once Spring rolls around, I’ll more than likely be in the mood to mix it up again.

But enough about our mantel…it’s your turn now!

I think you probably already know the drill, but just in case, here’s how it works:

1.Scroll down til you see the “add your link” button. Click that, and create a descriptive name for your link. This will make it easier for folks to browse through them.

2.Make sure to link to your specific holiday mantel post, not the main page of your blog.

 

And I created a fun, little badge especially for the party, so feel free to post the code in the box below at the bottom of your mantel post on your blog if you’d like…

The Lettered Cottage

<div align="center"><a href="https://theletteredcottage.net/holiday-home-linky-party-our-christmas-mantel" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/Blog/Holiday_Home_Button_Layla.jpg" alt="The Lettered Cottage" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Thanks in advance for linkin’ up and hope to see you at Rhoda’s vignette linky party this Thursday, Kate’s craft linky party next Tuesday, and Sarah’s tree linky party next Thursday!

 

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Comments

  5. Marianne@Songbird

    Your mantel looks gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the vimeo on how your created it! Ok, I’m off now to visit the other linker uppers, that will probably keep me up all night 🙂

  9. michaela

    Wow, Layla! Your mantel is beautiful. I remember the first post I ever read on your blog was on your summer mantel and I loved it. I was so excited to have found your blog! This mantel is just as wonderful, but I think it’s my favorite one you’ve done so far because I just love Christmas time and all the decoration that come with it. The little white vases of red flowers are such a cute touch.

  14. Richella @ Imparting Grace

    What a wonderful Christmas mantel you’ve created! Your DIY mirror is fabulous–I know people are going to be eagerly awaiting that vlog! And I especially like the way you’ve stacked things in the firebox with the gift on top–pure genius!

    Thanks so much for hosting this party!

  17. Sue

    Love that mirror and I bet it DID cost way less than PB!! I like the simplicity of your fireplace, those cool striped stockings, and the hanging balls…. I have 20 foot ceilings, so I could NEVER do that !!! LOL Thanks for hosting the party. 🙂
    ~ Sue

  19. Leanne

    I’ve been so excited to see your Christmas mantel and it didn’t disappoint one bit. It’s simply beautiful. I love the idea of the ornaments hanging from the ceiling. I always need things higher since my ceilings are 10′. The mirror turned out gorgeous too. Can’t wait to see how you put it together. Thanks for hosting this fun party. I love decorating my mantel and would change it every week if it wouldn’t drive everyone crazy.

  21. Centsational Girl

    Gorgeous, just gorgeous my friend! So amazed by your creativity and style, all those special unique touches add up to one stunning mantel. You’re right, it’s going to be near impossible to take this one down. . . but that awesome mirror can stay!!!! Can’t wait to watch all about it! You inspire!

    xo
    Kate

  22. Susan

    Layla…your mantel is wonderful! I can’t wait to see your mirror tutorial! I remember when you bought the little red pail recently…it was fun to see how you used it in your mantel decor today. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and Kevin!

  26. AmyG

    As always you and Kevin are so creative. Love the finished product. Merry Christmas to All.

  33. Jennifer

    Cute mantle! I love the impact it makes and how you blend it all with your everyday decor. Can’t wait to see how you did the mirror. It look really good!

  35. Kelli

    Your mirror looks great! We have that exact same project on our to do list right now! I think I know how I plan on tackling it but would be interested in seeing how you did yours. Can’t wait for that video.

  36. Lisa

    Your mantels all have such gorgeous personality! I really love your stockings and the pillow on the chair. 😉 Fun, fun! Thank you.

  37. Beth@A2Z

    Lay, it’s gorgeous! I love your stockings and the present on top of the suitcases is adorable. Your mirror is beautiful!!! Thanks for hosting a fab party.

  39. Karrie

    Your mantle’s are always the best! I just love them! There’s so much inspiration to draw from. I love the pleated fabric, the ornaments hanging from the ceiling and the wooden letters on the stockings, just to name a few (actually, just to name the ones that I think would work for my mantle–otherwise everything would be listed!).

  42. Ami Allison

    WOW! I love it! I LOVE that mirror! I’m so glad I found you (from Decorchick) I’m working on a mantle RIGHT NOW! My hubby bought me a new faux mantle last night and put it up while I bathed and put our daughter to bed. THEN I saw Emily’s post and thought “wow, what PERFECT timing!!!” Now I’m working hard and i am COVERED in hot glue strings!! 🙂

  44. Cha Cha

    Layla, I love it all. I can’t wait to see you mirror vlog I have been wanting a mirror to fit my space better and that I could make just to my measurements, jumping up and down I am so excited, HURRY HURRY PLEASE. Thank you for hosting such a fun and inspiring party.

    Merry Christmas ( I can start saying that now, right)
    Cha Cha

  45. Lynda

    Your mantle is adorable. I really like the basket and suitcase in the fireplace. That’s a fun touch. Looks like you worked really hard on your mirror! So creative!

  47. this blessed nest

    so cozy & warm!

    your pics are incredible. what kind of camera do you guys have? i’ve been meaning to ask.

    i love the red & creamy white up against the deep brown mantel. beautiful.

    your attention to detail is OUT OF CONTROL!!!

    and the mirror…freaking amazing.

    kellie

  48. Melody

    Pretty! I especially like the red flowers in the white pitchers.
    Wow, I can’t believe you made the mirror. You two rock! I can’t wait to see the video.

  49. [email protected]

    What a great idea hanging the ornaments and snowflakes from the ceiling about the mantel. Just love this look. I would have never thought of doing that. Thanks for sharing.