The Christmas mantels at my home were kept fairly simple and as natural as possible this year. I love fresh greenery and try to use it in place of artificial greens as much as I can because not only is it less expensive, it's prettier too!
Since the front living room has a casual, cottage feel with shades of blue, nests, and birds, I tend to use neutrals for the Christmas decorations in this room (you can see last year's mantel here). Since I first decorated the Christmas tree in this room with a garden-inspired theme, the mantel also needed to reflect that. Here are some sneak peeks of the tree and gift wrap...
I'm loving the faux bois gift wrap from Target! It saves me from making my own this year!
With my liberal use of dried hydrangeas and other garden-inspired items on the tree, I incorporated these same elements into a fresh $5 Fraser fir wreath...
A simple wreath can be personalized in many ways with ribbon, branches, ornaments, etc. I love that everything that I added to this wreath was already on-hand or simply clipped from holly and magnolia trees...
Just as I love using cotton in many of my decorating projects, magnolia leaves are now on my list of Southern favorites! I hand-tied the garland this morning (I'll post a tutorial later), and I just love the bright, waxy leaves and velvety brown undersides...
I also couldn't wait to show off some recent antique finds like these outdoor post lanterns from an old mansion in Boise, ID that made their way to the Raleigh Flea Market...
Considering we moved here last year from Sandpoint, ID, it was only appropriate to bring them home with me! Since I haven't got around to adhering two of the circular glass pieces back on the lanterns, I just placed a candle and some greens inside instead of a light bulb. After Christmas, I'll inspect to see if they need to be re-wired and I'll fix them up for future use...
I've got a few more presents to wrap and the top of my antique cabinet to finish up and this room will be ready for Christmas!
Next up, I finished decorating the rustic mantel and tree in the great room...here's a peek...
Both mantels are just beautiful! I so wish we had magnolia trees in the Midwest! The leaves are so shiny and lend themselves to so many pretty arrangements. I like that you use natural elements...I like evergreens and use some sort of fruits on my mantels every year. Your tree is very lovely, too.
ReplyDeleteI think this is the first time I have commented on your blog. Can't wait to see more of your inspiring Christmas decor!
XO,
Jane
Kristen, this is just stunning. That magnolia garland is perfect. I have never seen leaves that perfect. I am going to clip some of my neighbors and hope they have some fresh looking ones like yours. Looking forward to the tutorial. Also the lanterns are pure perfection. I would love to find some old ones like that instead of all the replicas in the stores.
ReplyDeleteBoth mantels are gorgeous! I am loving the natural elements that everyone's incorporating this year.
ReplyDeleteLooks so pretty and natural--a great look!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I love the magnolia leaves. The wreath is perfect. A beautiful mantel!
ReplyDeleteStunning!!! I love the beautiful wreath and the magnolia garland.
ReplyDeletehugs
Sissie
YOur mantle is stunning, Kristen!!! I love the magnolia and your wreath is so gorgeous!!! I LOVE your Christmas style!!!
ReplyDeletejust gorgeous, I love the natural theme with the hydrangeas!!
ReplyDeleteKristin,
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! I so love that garland, looking forward to seeing how you made it. Now, those old lanterns are out of this world "COOL"!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Kristen....as usual you have come up with the most elegant of mantel decor...I love the fresh magnolia leaves and the fresh wreath...and very heavy envy on those lanterns!!..fabulous!...The sneak peak of the tree looks wonderful...love the hydrangeas!!...
ReplyDeleteKristen,
ReplyDeleteYou have done such a beautiful job of decorating with nature.
Can't wait for the tutorial on the magnolia leaves garland. Never would have thought to use the dried hydrangeas on the Christmas tree, but they look awesome! I think you are adapting to Southern Living in a beautiful way! Pat
Absolutely beautiful! Your home is so lovely. I really like both of the wrapping papers, and the gift in the nest is precious. Your lanterns are fabulous, I love pieces that come with a bit of history, so you know where they lived in their previous life.
ReplyDeleteKristen, this is so pretty! Love the magnolia leaves. I used them, too, this year! Your garland is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteEverything is so beautiful!! love all the dried hydrangea! Your magnolia garland is wonderful! I have a magnolia tree in my backyard. I wish I had thought of doing that! :)
ReplyDeleteBoth mantles are gorgeous. I love the magnolia leaves and dried hydrangea.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Love your lanterns and the magnolias are so pretty! Everything is lovely!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Found you on savvy southern style, I'm your newest follower :)
ReplyDeleteThe simplicity is stunning. Love it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I really really like the magnolia swag. One of these years I'm going to break down and pay the money for magnolia. Around here it is quite pricey!
ReplyDeleteKristen, your magnolia garland is gorgeous. I don't have a tree, but I can't wait for your tutorial on how to make one. It is so elegant. I love the garden theme. Where did you find the little flower pots?
ReplyDeleteLove your wreath!! I like all the natural elements. Very pretty. The tree in the peek of your great room looks gorgeous!
ReplyDeletehow refreshing to see Christmas decorations in colors other then green and red....it's all so beautiful and blends in so nice with your decorating style....very very nice job...
ReplyDeleteWhat a find those lanterns are! I love your candlesticks! They are gorgeous! The wreath is pretty, too. It all turned out well! Now, I'm going to find you on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteBoth of your mantles are gorgeous. I love the freshness of it.
ReplyDeleteYou are ridiculous, my dear! Ridiculously talented and with ridiculously good taste! Please come to my house and bling it out for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteSeriously.
Jenny
Very beautifully done! I love your wreath and the bow you made and how it hands with is softly curled ends. The fresh magnolia is absolutely perfect! I wish I could use fresh greens but when we run the fireplace it gets so warm it would dry them up in no time. I love your candlesticks and your antique lanterns. Awesome look!
ReplyDeleteit is all absolutely gorgeous!! I love using a ton of fresh greenery, also, and used hydrangeas in ine of my trees too-I love the effect!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen, Those lanterns are to die for! Everything looks so totally beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOmgosh, I am in love with those lanterns. I like that you kept the mantel simple and organic. so much more calming. Very very pretty!!
ReplyDeleteKathysue
SO beautiful! I found you via Hometalk, and I love your mantel. You're speaking to my heart with the simple, classic styling and natural components!
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower :D I'd love if you came by "my place" and said hi sometime! www.myclevernest.com
<3 Alyssa
P.S. I love this so much I'm featuring it on my FB page today! facebook.com/CleverNest
ReplyDeleteAlyssa
Absolutely beautiful! You are so talented.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing space! The mantle display is just breath taking!
ReplyDeleteI am a southerner & yes, we love our magnolias! This mantel looks so pretty! You nailed it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love the lanterns, and your gorgeous candle stands and fireplace cover--so pretty!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love your style! ~Kim
ReplyDeleteYou are a true talent! I love this one as much as I love the other!
ReplyDeleteLinking back from My Uncommon slice of suburbia
Oh my, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour mantel is gorgeous! This is definitely my favorite of the ones I clicked on from Layla's link party. Wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteLove your mantel! I love those lanterns!!!
ReplyDeleteKristen - you have created such a lovely holiday room! It belongs in a magazine!! Beautiful colors and textures!
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Your mantel is stunning! Featuring a little later today!
ReplyDeleteXO
Beautiful! I can't wait for the magnolia leaf tutorial. I have a friend here in New Orleans that has several in her yard and it looks like we may have a new project to work on! Thanks for the lovely inspiration.
ReplyDeleteChristi @ A Southern Life
http://asouthernlife.com
Found you from Tuesday's Treasure's features . . . your home is gorgeous, and I love your Christmas decor!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love everything about it!
ReplyDeleteKristen this is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Other people said stunning which I wanted to say too but I thought I would mix it up a bit. LOL! It is stunning though and looks like something out of a magazine. You have incredible talent and it shows in everything you do. :-) Thanks for sharing it with us at Inspiration Friday!
ReplyDeleteVanessa
Oh, I need your help here tonight. I worked on my mantel this afternoon, didn't like it, and now it is a blank slate again. I'd love to know how you made the magnolia swag. I cut magnolia to use on my mantel, but it was too much. This might be perfect.
ReplyDeleteYour lantern were a fantastic find! Love the look of both your mantels and the wrapping paper is great. I'm going to go get some..........Sarah
Your Christmas decor is so elegant - magazine worthy!
ReplyDeleteOh, Hello Magnolia Leaf Wreath! You are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteComing over from Common Ground - love the magnolia garland. Just yesterday, I risked life and limb trying to break off a few magnolia branches growing wild on a back road - couldn't quite reach across the ditch!!!
ReplyDeleteThe old lanterns are incredible!
Rhonda
So lovely . . .and simply elegant.
ReplyDeleteyou are very creative :)
Connie
I found your blog through The Lettered Cottage mantel link party, and my, my! Your magnolia leaf swag made me do a double take! Amazing job!
ReplyDelete- Dana
Just gorgeous! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home and have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSherry
I love the warm yellow/Beige of your walls with the cool blue of your drapes. I am so in love with it that I am thinking of copying it.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know the name of the paint you used- that is if you don't mind sharing.
-Deb