Yep, that’s mantels with an ‘S’, as in plural, as in more than one mantel! One of the things we liked most about this house when we found it, was the double-sided fireplace. I love styling mantels as much as I do coffee tables and side tables, but funny enough, the Living Room mantel is the only one that gets any attention. For some reason, the Family Room side of the fireplace is neglected. Probably has something to do with the giant black hole TV.
This year we decided to move the Christmas tree from the Living Room to the Family Room, and the kids wanted their stockings hung near it. You know, in case Santa overlooked the stockings in another room. Which meant I got to decorate two mantels! Both are fun and colorful, because that’s the theme of our decor, but I kept one slightly elegant, and the other laid-back family-friendly.
Do you have to play musical furniture to accommodate your tree? This chair normally lives somewhere else, but it’s looking pretty cozy next to the fireplace. We also currently have a club chair in our closet. Our small closet. But it’s only for a month, and totally worth it.
For this mantel, I layered faux-garland with real stems, and wove lights through it all, then topped it with a pre-made ornament garland from here.
Two deer found at JoAnns years ago are perched in the middle, and my trusty silver (or they would be if I polished them) candlesticks hold hot pink tapers from Ikea. (Mirror source and makeover found here. You can also read about how I painted the brick and mantel.)
On the hearth, I piled our DIY Faux Birch Logs in this basket, and added more fresh stems. I tucked the leftover lights from the mantel in the basket, making the whole thing glow. The antlers I found here, and are just perched on top. I know they are intended as seasonal decor, but I think they’ll find a year-round place in the house.
I love how it looks like we just gathered it from our land in the country, as opposed to purposely styling it in the suburbs.
I’m going to have a hard time taking this down next month!
The flip-side of the fireplace will be the Family Zone come Christmas morning!
Some of you super-observant folks may notice this mantel looks different. About that….we were in mid-makeover when the holidays rolled in, so pretend you can’t see it yet. I’ll have the full reveal once it’s actually painted and mounted back on the wall! (Here’s how you saw it last.) See what I mean about the giant black TV? There’s really no disguising it, so I just go with it.
The jingle-bell stockings are from here, hanging from clear Command hooks, with letters tied to each for personalization. We’re all pretty excited to add the fifth stocking for our new family member, too.
I tacked some beaded garland up with washi tape for more fun.
The DIY Sequin Trees got a little update with some multi-colored paillettes.
The whole thing looks like a candy shoppe (that’s like a candy shop, but fancier…or Canadian), and I love it!
Isn’t the bow-pillow adorable?! I borrowed the idea from the genius Kristin.
And what fireplace would be complete without a sweet dog snoozing nearby?!
I’m excited to share these mantels with Michelle at Ten June & Carmel at Our Fifth House, as part of our Holiday Cheer in the Blogosphere Parties! Come link up your mantel, or check out all the amazing inspiration! Are you decorating with colors of the candy shop, keeping it neutral, or going more traditional this year? And don’t forget, we’re linking up Crafts here next Tuesday!
They both look amazing Cassie! Loving the Living room mantel with a little bit of rustic charm! I always love the pops of bright colors you bring to a space.
Love your fun cheer-y colors! And I love those antlers so much!
You are so great at using color! I just love it! Your house is the fun house!! xo Kristin
So pretty and fun, Cassie! I can't decide which one I like better! Love your chair pulled up to the fireplace, it looks so cozy!
I love the color!! Such a fresh change from the typical green and red. We have 8 fireplaces/mantels in our new house, so I am always looking for ways to decorate!! 🙂
~Sarah @ 702 Park Project
This colorful mantle is so much fun! I absolutely love it!
A Southern Style
Looks so good! I love the color. So inviting. I just want to sit down in that chair and make myself at home!!
Duh!!!! You are GENIUS with the way you hung those stockings with the clear command hooks!!!! Thank you thank you thank you for passing along that little tip! Now, one question- where did you get the letters that personalize the stockings? I searched Target yesterday with no luck. Please help! Lastly, your mantels look amazing! Yay you!
I found those mirror letters at Target last year! Not a lot of help to you this year, I know. But I've seen similar at Hobby Lobby!
xo
Oooh, I love those colors on the black mantle ~ you nailed fun and sophisticated!!
Loving all of the colors! I SO want to do this one year…have a rainbow colored Christmas. Will be fun with Ethan!!
Cassie,
It was so enjoyable to go through your post today! Yes, musical furniture is always a tradition to fit in a Christmas tree in our house. And I personally love the patina on the unpolished silver, I call it "having character" (that's an official design term :)). Great idea on putting letters on the stockings for personalization. Your doggie is so beyond cute too!
Janeane
http://www.designwithj9.wordpress.com
so many pretty details! thanks for sharing! xo
Love the colors! Your mantles are always so much fun! I will forever love the mirror over your living room fireplace. 🙂
I love the fun colors! So bright and cheery:)
I love both of these looks- so pretty! I have yet to break out the holiday decorations this year, but after seeing these – I might just crack them open tonight!
LOVE them. We have the exact same set up- one mantel is our "pretty one", but sadly the mantel we stare at most of the time is in the den and houses a giant flat screen. Ugh… Both of yours look super festive though!
Beautiful decor! So pretty and festive, and we love the touch of fresh stems!
xo
http://www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.com
I love, love, love pink and purple with Christmas decor! And that fireplace…LOVE! And that sweet rescued dog of yours…love him too.
I can't decide which one I like more! Loving all the bright colors!
Oh my goodness! I love all of the bright colors! It's so fun and festive! 🙂
love all of the color!! Perfect!
Loved your comment about how the logs etc are styled to look like they were just gathered from the land 🙂 I actually did gather a lot of my clippings and such this year and, I'll tell you, it IS sort of an awesome outdoorswoman feeling to come inside with an armful of fresh cut greenery!
why are mantel's so damn hard?! Every year I struggle with mine! love how you incorporated color and those cute white reindeer. Perfect!
Best mantle I have seen yet! Although, I am sure my love of color has something to do with my love for your mantle.
Miss ya darlin!
Love your mantle!! The pink candles add such whimsy. I love your story about the flat screen TV. You should read my post because my mantle has one and is the source of many battles between me and my hubs!
[email protected] delirium.com
The colors are so much fun ~ I would have a hard time taking that one down too!
Love the both, Cassie! Such pretty colors. xo
them, not the. 😉
Very Creative! Love the look of the traditional but the modern look with the pops of color. Marisa
My doggie has the same face as yours'! Our Angel even has the same uneven ears. They must be long lost cousins 🙂 We also got Angel at two yrs old from the Humane Society and she was well trained. The people in the vets office always comment on her "eye liner." Angel has been a member of our family since 2006. I wish I could send a pic. My childhood dog was also named Maggie.
NAILED IT!! You do color so well, I can't even. I'm crashing your Christmas; you will find me spooning Mags & cozied up to one of your mantels.
xoxo
Love it all. Freckles is right, you are a baller with color! Those hot pink candles!!!! And is that an ombre tree I spy? Can't wait to see the rest of your decor. Beautiful mantels! PS. A shoppe is definitely way more fancy than a shop!
Dude, the hot pink candles are so stinking awesome!!! Makes me want to rethink all of my Christmas decor 😀 And I couldn't be more jealous of you having two mantles to decorate. Both are perfect 🙂
How fun to have a double sided fireplace! I love how they are different and I always love your cheerful, colorful styling!