Friday, December 10, 2010

A Woodland Mantel for Christmas

The woods and creek near our house gave me the inspiration for this Woodland theme.
I added pheasant feathers to the containers that flank either side to make them look a little more 'woodsy.'  Do you think my garland is real or fake?
I rummaged through the boxes of old decorations and pulled out these silvery reindeer...at least, they hint that it is Christmas!
I am not very good with decorating with color...earth tones are easy to incorporate just about anywhere!  Green is my favorite color and lucky for me it is found in abundance!
 
These cinnamon sticks are wrapped in some pretty green velvet ribbon.
The day after Thanksgiving, we were all grumpy and stuffed, so we took a nature walk through the woods.  We found the pinecones and different kinds of moss for this silver trophy.  I snagged six of the silver liqueur cups from Goodwill for $6.  I was thinking about using them to hold eggs at Easter, but I think this one looks pretty cute with a pinecone!  The mint julep cup holds a moss covered ball.
This wooden herb box holds magnolia leaves, snow covered branches (pier 1 clearance last January), antlers, pinecones, the moss covered balls and one pomegranate for a spot of color!
The faux garland has been enhanced with some real pine branches added in the middle and down the sides!
Thanks for coming over!  Pheww....I am (almost) ready to sit and relax!  I hope your Christmas season is peaceful and slowing down...decorations are up, presents bought and wrapped!  I am close, but not yet...

Our post-Thanksgiving walk...
Plenty of inspiration here!
My daughter picks up some deer moss and lichen.  Look at that mossy rock in the background...beautiful!
My son doesn't care a thing about collecting moss...looking for snakes, now that is fun!
I imagine we will be doing a lot of these walks over Christmas break!

I am linking to these fun parties and to Sherry's No Minimalist Here Holiday Party!
This week, I am joining Cottage and Vine for her Holiday Tour!  Stop by and join in!
Today, I am joining the Holiday Home Tour at
Visit thecsiproject.com

Donna, thank you for the feature!



I was featured on FJI
 
Thank you Kim for the sweet comments! 


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58 comments :

Erin said...

That is truly beautiful Christie! I actually thought reall(color variances), but am amazed at how you made this!! You are so talented and I am always amazed at what you do. Love the silver with the natural elements, and don't you love those family nature walks? :)

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I love your woodland mantel. Such a great mix of greens, and woody items and silver along with the transferware and deer. You just thought of it all.

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Oh. My. Gosh. Lookit that garland! That's incredible! The entire staging is amazing!

Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

I love the wood box!

Looks like an awesome nature walk for the Christmas break.

Pamela said...

Soo gorgeous! My mom would love your crane/egret picture!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, your mantle is gorgeous and I love the egret painting above the fireplace (I think that's an egret). So elegant.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

The mantel is gorgeous!! I love the silver mixed with things from nature. What a fun way to get your children involved in the decorating.
xo,
Sherry

Vanessa said...

Oh Christie! You never cease to amaze me you very talented lady you! :-) Not only do I absolutely adore your mantel in all of it's lushness and beauty but that last pic of your kiddos is priceless! Your littlest's red boots just pop and it could be in a magazine. I am really trying to take some cues from you and incorporate more natural into my love of color. You are a good influence on me! Thank you so much for linking up to the party this week and now I am going back to go slowly through each gorgeous photo in this post.
Have a great weekend my friend,
Vanessa
P.S. Did I mention how talented I think you are?

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Your mantle looks great. I love the woodland look and that you mixed in some transferware too. The arrangements on either side are lovely as well.

Nancy

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Wow...one of the most beautiful mantels I have seen this season!

Have a fun weekend!

Sue said...

This looks lovely!!! Your entire setting is elegant and natural- I like incorporating natural items with the shiny. I've looked for long needle garland like this, to no avail.
~ Sue

Farah said...

Really a beautiful mental ... the speciality is that you decorate it with a totally different theme, white and gree looks so fresh and cherry. perfection Christie..
And thanks a lot for your kind words on my post
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
Love
Farah

Anonymous said...

Your mantel looks very classy - magazine worthy!

It's a Wannabe Decorator's Life said...

Oh your mantle is just beautiful! It reflects nature in such a whimsy kind of way! Love it!

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

This is so gorgeous! I love the wooden box you've used as the centerpiece. I also love that you found many of the items as a family on your nature walk :)

Sommer said...

Oh my that turned out beautifully!

Katie Olthoff said...

Gorgeous! Can't believe your garland is fake!

Sandy said...

Your decor looks so grand, almost with a touch of English flare, beautiful! I love the pattern on the plate such a sweet pastoral scene. Have a Merry Christmas!

Jane said...

Your mantle is magazine worthy. It reminds me of something they say on Design Star: It has a "point of view." The silver cups are perfect!

Brenda said...

Your holiday mantle is gorgeous! An ecclectic mix of elements, yet all so well combined into one natural, almost organic theme. And, so beautifully done, you could leave this same decor on your mantle through the holidays and into the Winter months. Well done! Happy holidays! :)

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Absolutely gorgeous~ love all the natural elements and it came together beautifully! Thank you for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday this week!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Goodness.. this mantel decor blew me away. The garland is the heart of this project. So stunning!

I've featured this on SNS #60's sidebar feature this weekend. :)

Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Kat's Purrfect Boutique said...

Your mantel is so lovely and sophisticated. I'm your new follower too. :)

Nita Stacy said...

I adore this mantel. The magnolia leaves..the silver trophies and deer..and the swag...the pussy willows....love the combination of it all...so different and yet elegant. Very beautiful.

Maggie said...

Lovely natural, woodsy looking mantle. I really like the way you have collected so many diverse pieces and how you have made them into something very sprecial.

Karen said...

I love the way you brought together so many pieces that you could use year round. Really beautiful vignette, it looks straight from the pages of a magazine.

missy5ft2 said...

Most beautiful mantel I've ever seen! I absolutely love the stockings too....it is all just perfect! Merry Christmas!

Sixpence and A Blue Moon said...

Beautiful! Beautiful photos! What kind of camera do you use? I am thinking of getting a new one but feel overwhelmed when I look at them.

nannykim/spindlecottage said...

Just beautiful!! Also love the pics of the kids in their boots.

Unknown said...

One word: Stunning!

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Absolutely beautiful! You have the gift of being able to style perfectly - not an easy task!

Kay Ellen said...

Lovey holiday decor and beautiful scenery...So nice to meet you :)
Stopping by via~~~ Stephanie from Sunday Showcase

Kay Ellen

Pat@Life At Lydias House said...

Simply beautiful! You do indeed have the gift of style! I love it.

Tardevil said...

Your mantel is gorgeous! One of my favorites. Especially like the wooden box and trophy/silver touches. The plate is my favorite thing on it though.

Karie said...

How beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Ricki Treleaven said...

Wow, this is one of my favorite mantels I've seen so far. I like your artwork, silver trophies, and natural greenery and pinecones.

Super job!!! :D

Unknown said...

very pretty mantel!

Carolyn said...

I love how you decorated your mantel!

Carolyn

Scribbler said...

You have inspired me. If it weren't so blooming cold I'd go cut some right now!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

So pretty! For some reason, I'm reeaally loving the cinnamon sticks and green velvet ribbon. Such a beautiful but unexpected combination. I love that!

Laura said...

Hi Christie-
I am so glad I found your blog this evening.
i am a new follower.
What a treat - your mantel is amazing.
I am off to read some of your previous posts-

Laura
White Spray Paint

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

This is one of my very favorite mantels - I just love it! What a cozy setting, and I love the rug - where did you get it! Linda

Privet and Holly said...

Just found you via
my friend Kristin.
Love this mantle;
it's just my style!
I'll be back.
Happy Tuesday!
xx Suzanne

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Everything about this is just so pretty, cozy, warm and welcoming! I love it!
XO
Kristin
Thanks for linking :)

KimMalk said...

Applause! Your woodland them is perfect. Your garland looks real to me. I like the deer, too.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Gorgeous! I love the large painting! WOW! Very festive! ♥

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Christie, thanks so much for sharing this beauty at the party. I could sit and look at this all day! I do believe it is the prettiest mantel in blog land that I have seen. Love the silver and rustic mix. That artwork is gorgeous.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Christie, Thank you for sharing your gorgeous mantel at my party. I hope you and your family have a happy and blessed holiday.
Sherry

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Fantastic! With just a few adjustments after the holidays you will be able to enjoy this well into the winter too. I love how classic and elegant it is. Beautiful job!

April said...

This is so gorgeous! You always have such beautiful posts! come link up to my Sew Crafty Saturday party!

http://wildflowersandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2010/12/startin-early-for-orphaned-no-more.html

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Christie, YOur mantel is just stunning. So serene and full of woodland wonder. It has a feel of lux while being beautifully relaxed too. This is a rare stunner! You got this perfectly right.
I just might have to go this route next year after seeing you mantel!
And your pixies are just adorable. The picture of them meandering in the woods should be framed.
It made me smile!
xo Blessing, my friend!
Yvonne

Lori said...

So gorgeous found you from Savvy Southern Style and her feature of you. I have the board ceiling she featured. Your mantel is lovely and thanks for the snaps of the walk. So fun.

Susan McClaskey said...

I've seen a lot of "over the top" decorating this holiday season in blogland and I must say, you have hit the mark totally for elegance. Yours is the prettiest I've seen this year! So classy! Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Susan

Sally said...

So elegant! Love the artwork.

casey at loft and cottage said...

That is some talented styling! I really love the more is more layered look and the great mix of natural materials--esp the feathers!

René said...

You, my dear, are a girl after my heart. All of the natural touches are perfect. It means so much more to collect goodies on a walk with your family than to load up a cart at Homegoods (I still love it though). I'll bet your kids look to the mantle and fondly reflect on your time together.

-Rene

Jemsmom said...

Just came over from Kim's blog when I saw this stunning mantle!!!! It is absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to go check out more on your blog! Have a very Merry Christmas!

Paula@SweetPea said...

Beautiful mantle! I love the woodland theme!! I'm visiting from The CSI Project.

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