Jan 5, 2012

Winter Mantel

Setting tables and creating mantelscapes. Those two activities have quickly moved to the top of my ‘Love To Do’ list TWSS. That makes me the most pathetic and boring person on the planet. But looking back through my overload of Mantel Posts, you people seem to love pathetic and boring! (Last year’s Winter Mantel was one of the most popular.) I happen to be quite smitten with my simple Winter Mantel this year!

I decided to regenerate some of the items from the recent Pink Christmas Mantel, and just evolve it in to Winter.

The fresh magnolia stems dried beautifully, so I gathered them in a clear vase and set them alongside the reindeer.

I yearn for clean and fresh after the Holiday decor comes down, so I polished my collection of silver candlesticks and clustered them at one end for more impact (and good height).

The tapers are a moody gray-blue I picked up from the Pottery Barn outlet ages ago.

Simple, clean and crisp…just like the feeling of a cold, snowy day.

Are you imagining naked lounging on the sheepskin, in front of a fire? You are now. Freak.

I wasn’t ready to pack away all the DIYs from Christmas, so some stayed behind as Winter decor. The Boxwood Wreaths are drying just as beautifully as the magnolia. They have retained their color, but gotten a little thinner. Fortunately I created them with green wreaths, so they’ve stayed looking full.

Hopefully the Snowy Pine Cones will bring us some real snow mojo this year! (Say that three times!)

It’s not a full-out Winter assault, but subtle enough to signal the colder season.

Did you pack up all your Holiday decor, or do you let some of it hang around for awhile?

** Also linking up to Home Stories A to Z, Tip Junkie, Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Just a Girl, Remodelaholic, The Shabby Nest, The DIY Showoff, TaterTots & Jello, Serenity Now and Thrifty Decor Chick**

Lifestyle

Jan 5, 2012

30 comments

30 Comments

Trish and Bonnie @ Uncommon wrote:

Your mantel is so gorgeous! I LOVE the color of your candles. They look perfect with the silver candlesticks! Have a good week!

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Katie @ Wildwood Creek wrote:

Stunning artsy photo of the pine cones and branches with the peacock armoire in the background!

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper wrote:

it looks so pretty and clean and fresh- perfect for starting the new year!

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Heidi @ Decor & More wrote:

Lovely job– so clean and fresh! My holiday decor is lingering a little, but will be coming down over the next day or two. Love that you kept a few things that will transition into winter. 🙂

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Shelley {Crazy Wonderful} wrote:

LOVE the clean look, and the grouping of candles are perfection. I really want one of those sheepskin rugs a) because they are flipping gorgeous and b) so I can imagine myself the same way, hahaha!!!

I'm really digging your table display too 🙂

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
theyuppiefiles wrote:

I love how clean & simple this looks. Your constant mantle decorating has inspired me to try & do the same with the top of my upright piano (my substitute since I don't have a fireplace).

Keep the mantels & tablescapes coming! You're inspired me to follow!

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Simply LKJ wrote:

Love both Cassie! I am all about simple after the holidays.

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Jan@southernjunkin' wrote:

Loving your mantle and Of course I love the magnolia leaves! Thanks for sharing! Hope you get your snow mojo!
Blessings!!

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Jessica @ Decor Adventures wrote:

I love that you did a winter mantle. I have one too and was hoping I wasn't the only one. It's such a nice transition from holiday to this!

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Courtney {a thoughtful place} wrote:

Minus some gold branches I sent it all packing! I always LOVE the clean and open look of things after Christmas. I loved your white to color transition post yesterday! So you!

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
natasha {schue love} wrote:

Love how simple and clean it is! Mine looks the same except for the wreath and ornaments are gone! 🙂

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Lauren Clark @ Prudence Design Spot wrote:

Simple yet stunning – love the collection of candles.

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication wrote:

I love the winter decor! It's so cozy! I still have my Christmas decor out, but that's only because I'm slacking.

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} wrote:

The shot of your coffee table has me all woozy and gooey feeling inside…I *love* it! Those cherry blossom branches are getting lovey dovey stares from me…I'm a creeper, I know. (c:

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Danielle wrote:

LOVE it! It's so great how much you were able to transition or repurpose. Lingering, but fresh!

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Dusty Coyote wrote:

Very pretty and relaxing. I love all the winter sun streaming in through those huge windows…if a freak was lounging naked-they could also get a tan! 🙂

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Amanda @ Serenity Now wrote:

I love the magnolia leaves! Isn't it amazing how something fresh can change the whole look of a space? 🙂

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Kim @ keller-creative wrote:

My favorite part has to be the candles. It looks so cozy!

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
courtneyoutloud wrote:

I pack those bad boys up and ship them to the nether regions of the garage. Then I instantly pine for them …..I am a fickle decorator….

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
Shanna wrote:

Lovely! It's crisp and wintery and so pretty! I must tell you – every time I see that mirror I think "it's the Chaz Bono of mirrors." LOL.

Posted 1.5.12 Reply
The Sister Sophisticate wrote:

I love all your textures…very pretty!

Posted 1.6.12 Reply
emily wrote:

Love the mantel. Those candlesticks are beautiful! And is that pillow on the chair new? Or I have just never noticed it before? Either way, love it! And I love your coffee table set-up! Everything is beautiful!

Posted 1.6.12 Reply
Lisa Mende Design wrote:

Beautiful! So fresh and clean! I'm still trying to get all of mine put away! ugh!!

Posted 1.6.12 Reply
laxsupermom wrote:

Beautiful mantel! We don't take our Christmas decorations down til the Epiphany(today,) so I'll be playing with my post-Christmas mantel. Love yours! Thanks for sharing.

Posted 1.6.12 Reply
Amanda wrote:

It looks great. So clean & simple-I need to do this to mine! wanna come over & help? 😉

Posted 1.6.12 Reply
Megan {Honey We're Home} wrote:

Totally lovin' those candlesticks Cass! And I think I missed the post about your new fabric on the chairs- AWESOME!! Congrats on those features too, it's so exciting to be in the newspaper- twice now?! 🙂

Posted 1.7.12 Reply
Kristy {The Kiki Chronicles} wrote:

Did some 'winter decorating' last weekend…pine cones included! As a new reader, I love your home…and your blog!

Posted 1.8.12 Reply
Aspiring Kennedy wrote:

your living room is always so cute…
not only does it keep looking better- but your photography is looking great! keep it up, lady! 🙂

and happy new year!

Posted 1.9.12 Reply
England Furniture wrote:

Thank you for posting some pictures of how you decorate your home. Some people might relate to your excitement to take holiday decorations down.

Posted 1.9.12 Reply
René wrote:

Your mantle is gorgeous! Love the magnolia & might have to add some to our mantle once the paper whites are finished. The fabric on that chair is gorge!

Posted 1.11.12 Reply

Living Room

Jan 5, 2011

Winter Mantel

Creating new mantel-scapes has fast become a favorite hobby of mine (yes, I know how pitiful that sounds!). By changing up the decor of just the mantel to reflect the season, you can quickly and inexpensively transform the feel of an entire room.

Let’s recap the 9-lives of my mantel so far this year:

(ok, so that was only 3.)

When I packed up all the Christmas decorations last week, I was left with a blank mantel (except for all the glitter the DIY NOEL letters left behind!). The burlap vases from the Fall Mantel were moved to the Dining Room during Christmas, and I really like them there ~~for now~~, so I decided to put together a new, Wintry Mantel!

I started with two of my Christmas projects that I wasn’t ready to part with yet…the Advent Calendar Tree and Magnolia Wreath. The Advent Calendar was looking pretty sparse after her branches were raided every day in December, but I love how snowy and cold the stems look:

And even though the Magnolia Wreath isn’t as fresh, I love how it looks dry too:

After shopping my house for more wintry items, here is my Winter Mantel!

(Mr. Sugarplum likes to sit in this wingback chair and ask me to fetch his pipe. I just ignore him. And no, he doesn’t really smoke a pipe.)

I simply changed out the gift wrap on the vase from Christmas red & white, to Christmas white & silver. And I kept the white birds clipped on the branches because they’re cute.

The brass candlestick is part of a set I recently inherited. Everyone in the family has given them a whirl, but I think they have a new home at the Sugarplum house! I have no idea of their origin, but the base is marble and they are heavy as a mother-eff. I think they are cool and quirky.

The pinecones have made the rounds, starting with my Thanksgiving table, but they seem like Winter to me, so they get to stay another season. The figure on the hearth is an ancient relic from Egypt. Not really. I don’t know what it represents, but it was in my grandparent’s house my entire life and it reminds me of them.

The reindeer was an after-Christmas score from JoAnn’s when all the decor was 70% off. I really like the mono-chromatic look on the mantel, so he stayed.

Thanks to my honey for making that kicking fire! Don’t you just want to come over and smoke a pipe? Wait, that didn’t come out right. Anyway. You can catch a glimpse of the Den through the double-sided fireplace…and also through the random opening to the right of it.

And because I have some readers that like to peek around the rest of the room as well (you know who you are ~~Megan~~!), here’s the coffee table holding the other candlestick, some of my favorite design books, and a silver-footed platter.

You’ll see a bit more of the room tomorrow when I show you where some of the lamps ended up from Lamp-A-Looza! So what do you think…are you coming over? I may put you to work though….because I’m trying to decide whether or not to paint the brick around the fireplace, as well as, what color to paint the dinosaur armoire! Expert design advice welcome.

Living Room

Jan 5, 2011

46 comments

46 Comments

jandjhome wrote:

It looks beautiful. I love the wintery white look.

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Something Nice and Pretty wrote:

I wish I had the brick that you now have, mine is an ugly brown!
Love your mantel really looks great with the tree branches!
Hope you are having a great start to the New Year!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Rachie @ A Chi Chi Affair wrote:

I am loving the mantlepiece posts! Those wintry branches with the birds fit the season so well!
Looks so nice!
Rachie xo
PS: I love your chair! The fabric is gorgeous!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Erin wrote:

It looks great! Now I'm kind of regretting put ALL of my Christmas decor up (as I am staring at a blank mantel. Yes, completely blank.) Uuugg now I have anxiety. haha.

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Mr. Goodwill Hunting wrote:

Fetch his pipe…classic…

Mr. Goodwill Hunting

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper wrote:

it looks awesome! so pretty!
i also wanted to add that if you ever have to update your resume, you should totally add that your hobbies include mantlescaping. you will SO get that job.

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Ashley Hasty wrote:

Just perfect for the winter!! Absolutely lovely!

<3 Ashley
http://www.ahastylife.com

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Lisa wrote:

Perfect timing Cassie! I've been struggling with my mantle since taking down the Chrismtas decorations. Thanks for the inspirations!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
-Kasey wrote:

Love it and perfect for Winter.

I envy all of you with fireplaces and mantels. Ah… to dream 😉

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Laura wrote:

First of all I don't think it's pitiful at all that mantel-scape-creating is one of your favorite hobbies, especially since you create such beautiful ones! I love the look of this. Those brass candleholders are great, and I think that all the pieces work together so well to create a subtle wintry but not Christmasy atmosphere. Beautiful!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Kendra {House of Ficek} wrote:

I love seeing the collage of the mantel over the seasons. I never used to struggle with decorating my mantel, but I haven't really been able to figure out my mantel in this house. Thanks for the inspiration.

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Michelle @ Ten June wrote:

Love it! That roaring fire just makes it picture-perfect! 🙂 I need some mantle help too… still not loving the black mirrors I did. I do love your double mirrors though! Hm. I know we've already talked about this, but I vote no on painting the brick- it's a really pretty color and once you paint it, you can't go back!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Katie wrote:

Love the wreath over the mirrors!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Green Door Girl wrote:

Love it – I just put my mantel back the way it was before, but am itching to go get some stuff to make it white and wintery like yours! 🙂 I love the wreaths over the two mirrors…. okay off to the store I go – LOL

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Will @ Bright.Bazaar wrote:

Love the white branches – so wintery yet so fresh!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Danielle Oakey Interiors wrote:

i can't believe you are on your 4th look already, you are so on top of things! isn't it so fun to shop around your own house?

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Simply LKJ wrote:

I know I can't always count on you for a good chuckle! Love, love, love the mantle…but then again, I love ALL of the mantles you've done. And, I was just thankful it was Megan's name and not mine (regarding wanting to peek around) ROFL Painting the brick…I'm sorta with Michelle on this one. Once it's done, there's no going back without a huge mess!! Have you thought about painting the mantle?

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Aubrey wrote:

Yes! I'm on my way over! (c; LOVE the pictures of your living room. But I would have expected nothing less from Mrs. Sugarplum. I really love that ikat pillow with the super fun colors!

http://loveallthingsbrightandbeautiful.blogspot.com

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Erin @ Crafts and Sutch wrote:

Okay, you know I'm addicted to those darn branches and am cursing the fact that my rinky dink Joann's didn't get them!!!

Anywho, the mantle part cuatro is just lovely! 🙂

Have a happy day!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Natalie wrote:

Love the two mirrors with the wreath, fabulous idea! Wish I had a mantle to decorate:(

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
coolkids wrote:

looks great Cassie!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Decorchick! wrote:

Looks great Cassie! I just finished our winter mantel last night and I think it's my fav our of all of them. 🙂 Yay for mantels! Can't wait to see the lamps in their places…I need a palooza too.

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Dana {Southern Inspired} wrote:

It looks amazing!! I love to change out the mantel for each season — I'm actually doing that now, almost finished! That goes for the door wreath too! {Although my door still has the fall wreath up — oops!!}

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Courtney {a thoughtful place} wrote:

So glad Megan was thrown under the bus and not me! haha. LOVE that pillow on the chair. Mantle looks great. I like the dried look of the magnolia wreath. I keep picturing your hubs in a smokers jacket and ascot summoning for the pipe. Hilarious.

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Carly {Honey and the Moon} wrote:

It looks beautiful. You definitely have a talent with mantle decorations and arrangements, and I call it a talent, because I definitely do not have it.

x

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Chassity (Look Linger Love) wrote:

Seriously!! Lookin good over there girlfriend. Just LOVE that wreath.

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Megan {Honey We're Home} wrote:

Ah- I'm outed! 🙂 I do looove to see the living room!! It's nice to see how you keep changing up the mantle- the white birds in the branches are my fave. I'm laughing so hard at your "ancient relic" ha! Does Mr. Sugarplum wear a silk robe while smoking that pipe?? 🙂 I can just see you in your bunny ears . . .

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Allison {Live Love Small} wrote:

your winter mantel looks great! love those mirrors..

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
julie @ rosy + tart wrote:

Oh wow, what great ideas! Inspires me to change our place up a bit… it needs it desperately!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Ruthie{Look~Learn~Love} wrote:

It's amazing how great the withered wreath looks! I love the double sided fireplace, I would put a robe on (Megan) and smoke a pipe if you would let me hang out in that chair by the fire, hehehe 🙂

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Lauren wrote:

I love the magnolia leaf wreath dried even better. Great work, love seeing your mantle transformations!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Amanda wrote:

I love you use the pieces and incorporate season ones…very clever 🙂

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
courtneyoutloud wrote:

I sorta love when plants are in a state of decay…I think there is something oddly beautiful about that, so the wreath really speaks to me.

And it's nice to have you back officially. Hope you had a kick-ass vacation full of fireplaces, pipes and other things that I am sure you can't mention in public.

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
JC's Loft wrote:

What a fun post! Love the changes throughout the seasons : ) The dried wreath looks really good in it's new home!!

Still laughing at the Mr. Sugarplum asking for his pipe comment LOL

Paula

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
LiveLikeYou wrote:

I love your winter mantle with the white birds and wreath. They totally work! Thanks for the sneak peak in your room I probably belong to that "group"..haha. Have a question – who makes the fun carpet and that fab coffee table?

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Holli wrote:

I love how this looks… very clean and fresh… perfect!

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Ali Richardson wrote:

Wintery and BEAUTIFUL! I totally agree, the mantle is the first place that I spruce up to compliment any holiday or special occasion. In fact, I'm just about to post my wintery mantle on my blog….come check it out 🙂
http://www.mythirdtruelove.blogspot.com
(maybe wait like 10 minutes…ha ha). Happy New Year! ~Ali

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia wrote:

It's gorgeous!!!
Come help me 🙁
I'm having the hardest time with my mantel after taking Christmas down…The tv doesn't help either.

Have a wonderful rest of your day!
XO
Kristin

Posted 1.5.11 Reply
lisaroyhandbags wrote:

It looks great! I love your interesting mix of items and using gift wrap is genius!
You actually have really nice brick on your fireplace so I would vote no on painting it. There are a lot of ugly fireplaces out there but yours definitely isn't one of them! 🙂

Posted 1.6.11 Reply
Allison wrote:

Can you come help me, too? I'm struggling with what to do with mine now that all the Christmas decor is coming down. Your mantle looks beautiful, Cassie! I love your magnolia wreath hanging over both of your mirrors. We have the same fireplace and are trying to decide if and what color to paint ours. We're leaning toward something in a neutral metallic look. It'll be fun to see what you decide.

Posted 1.6.11 Reply
Carissa @ the Fabulous Design File wrote:

Great mantle… love the white branches and the wreath. I'm not really an expert, but I think you should totally paint the brick! I always love painted brick fireplaces.

Posted 1.6.11 Reply
Michaela wrote:

I love the simplicity of the mantel and you're right- the wreath looks great like that!! The branches are so cool, too!

Posted 1.6.11 Reply
Travels in Heels wrote:

So lovely! The magnolia wreath does look amazing dry. You did have a great day with your readers. Keep the design posts coming…I can relate to your style.

Posted 1.6.11 Reply
Beth@The Stories of A2Z wrote:

It looks beautiful! I'm having a Winter Mantel Party going on and would be honored if you linked up!

Posted 1.10.11 Reply
Infatuated with Homes and Gardens wrote:

I popped over from Metamorphis Monday ,love the wing back chair

Posted 1.10.11 Reply
Honey at 2805 wrote:

Very pretty winter mantle and it's nice that you showed the seasonal changes. I've just become your latest follower. Nice to meet you.

Posted 1.11.11 Reply

Winter Mantel

Leave a Comment

30 Comments

Winter Mantel

Leave a Comment

46 Comments