My Mantel

My living room mantel was all decorated for Christmas with the rest of the house. But I didn't love it.  Part of me was just happy to have that 'to do' crossed off my list.  But the rest of me desired something different. So my poor mantel was left out of my Christmas blogging because I was unhappy with how it looked.

I used fresh cedar when I first decorated and wound lights around it.  Talk about drying up fast! I always use fresh greens in my house, but in small quantity. So the fact that they dry out doesn't seem like too big of an issue.  But oh my - a big 7 foot section of cedar is a giant mess when it dries up in your house!   My main priority should have been the major fire hazard that was my mantel. But it wasn't.  Fashion first, right?  I should have been thinking 'safety first!' So today, I disassembled the mantel and gave it a new look.

Here is my mantel earlier today.  Shall we call it Christmas Mantel #1?

before

 It was rather flat looking too me.  Needed some height. Maybe some color (and not more yellow! The yellow-ish walls and yellow glow of the candles is plenty, thank you very much. Maybe it's time for the wall color to change too!!  Hint hint, Dan!)

before

before

You can't even see the 'NOEL' stocking holders. They blend into the greenery and lights.

Since my party was over, I didn't have an urgent need for the table centerpiece anymore.  I borrowed two of the red lanterns and used them on the new mantel.

After a big mess of dried cedar, here is the updated look. I present to you....Christmas Mantel #2.

after

Much more bright and cheery.

One of my favorite things is the old tin that hangs above our fireplace.  It was one of those great bargains that I'm so thankful we didn't pass up.  It's from an old salvage yard from our years of living in Texas.   It cost me a whopping $25. And 12 years later, I still love it!  During the holidays, I like to hang the two red berry wreaths on them for added color.

after

My Lowes lanterns, Costco flameless candles, cranberries floating in water and fresh greens from my yard are a new, welcome look to our mantel. (yes, more fresh greens - but in small quantity this time and with no lights wrapped around them!)

after

after

And now you can actually see my NOEL stocking holders!

after

My mom knit Dan and me these Christmas stocking when we were first married. As the kids came along, they each got a matching sock.  Now our set is complete!!

after

Aaaah.  New mantel = happy me! And no fire hazard = happy insurance company! Let's take one more before and after look.

Christmas Mantel #1 - BEFORE

Christmas Mantel #2 - AFTER

Jen

Linking up to:

southern hospitality, my uncommon slice of suburbia, thrifty decor chick, the shabby creek cottage, momnivores dilemma, from my front porch to yours, house in roses, home stories a to z, ten june, nifty thrifty things, my 1929 charmer, hooked on houses