Welcome to the 2nd annual Holiday Home link party! I’m covering mantels this year and I’m SO happy you stopped by! Don’t forget that next week, my friends, Kate and Sarah will also be hosting Holiday link parties. Kate’s up next Monday, sharing Holiday crafts and Sarah will be showing off her Christmas tree on Wednesday, the 14th, and you are all invited to link up as well, to show off your Holiday home!
This year, I helped my sister do a little decorating at her house. It’s driving her crazy not to do the total explosion of Christmas that she normally does, but that will have to wait til next year. She’s getting ready for a party this weekend at her house, so getting the mantel festive and pretty was on the list for us to tackle.
I decided I wanted to do a big white urn with paperwhites and the rest of the inspiration came from her shopping trip to Homegoods for most of the rest of the pretties that made up this mantel decorating. She got 2 large apothocary jars with lids that I filled with pretty shiny silver and mercury glass ornaments. She picked up some silver angels and other mercury glass pieces to fill in all the rest and we were ready to get started. Silver, white and green are our colors on the mantel.
I’d like to show you what a plain fake lighted garland looks like on a mantel without adding anything to it and then what a difference it makes to add fresh greens. I’m a huge fan of cutting the fresh stuff: magnolia, cedar, pine, holly berries, there are so many possibilities growing outside this time of year, so we took advantage of that. We drove around and found plenty of fillers to add the wow factor to this garland, so come along and see how it turned out.
We started with a plain fake lighted garland, which you can find anywhere. I’m sure you’ve got a bunch of these hanging around too. We began adding the larger main pieces to balance things out. The large urn in the middle was a stand in until I could bring over the big urn with paperwhites that have been growing. They aren’t quite ready for their photoshoot, but we do have a couple of blooms popping out.
Here’s the finished mantel, looking all cheery and happy with the addition of my 2 moss wreaths that I made last year, a fake wreath in the middle with silver accents, and the rest of the mantel is glass, silver and mercury glass pieces. Sparkly and shiny, it comes alive with the light of the garland bouncing around all that silver and glass.
See what a difference all the fresh magnolia makes. I’ll show you some closer shots too.
All you have to do is cut and poke these in place. The fake garland holds everything together just fine. Cut and poke! Easy peasy. Those are the two moss wreaths I made a couple of years ago.
You can see the 3 fresh greens I used on the mantel: magnolia, pine sprays and the softer feathery cedar, all found nearby. These textures add so much to a mantel and fake garland. The fake is just a good base to start with.
I added this vintagey glittery Merry Christmas that I picked up at a thriftstore a couple of years ago. Wonderful greeting for guests.
Glass, silver and mixed greens, it’s a great combo this time of year.
The paperwhites should all be blooming in a few more days. I added these sparkly tiny mercury glass ornaments to the base and love the effect. My sis found these at Homegoods too. They are so cute!
Here’s the view from the side of the mantel looking over to the huge white and silver tree we put up also. I’ll show you that in another post.
Right side of the mantel. You can see the large glass lidded jars are full of pretty and sparkly ornaments too. I love the simplicity of just piling in ornaments in glass or a beautiful bowl. We also wired on some silver ornaments to the garland too for a bit more sparkle and shine.
Mercury glass is so pretty and appealing and I have fallen for it big time, as has my sister.
Paperwhite blooms are just coming out.
I added my large hurricane to the coffee table with some additional huge mercury glass balls.
In the foyer coming in the door, we placed my tall prelit tree that I got from Ballards two years ago, full of the multi-colored ornaments I used last year. I love this happy colorful tree! That Saturday Evening post print of my sister’s really adds to the spirit of Santa.
Her family room console table holds a bit more sparkle and shine on burlap. Just a little more Christmas!
Thank you so much for stopping by the mantel party and I hope you got some inspiration this year from my sister’s mantel. We sure had fun putting it together and I think it turned out spectacular!
Feel free to link up YOUR mantel too! The more the merrier. Isn’t it fun to hop around blogland and see all the beautiful Christmas decorating that is going on now? That’s the fun of blogland, all the inspiration.
You can use the button to link back or a simple text link will do, but please do link back on your mantel post, so that everyone can find the party too!
I’ll also be linking up to my friend, Beth’s mantel party on Thursday! Stop by and get in on her party too!
Also, Julia from Hooked on Houses is having her annual Christmas tour, so I’m joining her too.
Charlotte says
Beautiful mantel….great job…. your sister’s home is.beautiful…..could you run down to MS and do a little decorating for me?????…hahaha….. .
Richella @ Imparting Grace says
Your sister’s mantel looks just beautiful, Rhoda! What a stunning display–very elegant and festive.
I know you must particularly miss having your own home to decorate at this time of year, but I am so inspired by the way you’ve applied yourself to your sister’s and your mother’s homes. I’m sure they are so grateful to have you near them this Christmas season. Home really is where the heart is–so I know you’re at home right where you are! God bless you.
Angie@Echoes of Laughter Blog says
Rhoda~Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful party! It is so magical to see so many lovely mantels! You did a fabulous job on your sister’s mantel! And Happy Birthday … I hope you had a terrific day! I just wanted to let you know that I have been reading your blog for a long time…at least 3-4 years and I have always loved your work! I want to let you know that you are a incredible woman and so brave…I thought you faced your challenges this year with such grace! You are an inspiration! Wishing you all the best for Christmas and 2012! Love your reader and devoted fan, Angie xo
Jeanette says
Incredible ideas, creativity, inspiration and style. Thank you to everyone for linking up and sharing your beautiful mantles.
Honey says
Great party and terrific inspiration! Thanks for hosting!
the cape on the corner says
love those mercury glass trees! thanks so much for hosting, too.
Centsational Girl says
Wonderful party my friend, and wow, LOVE the silver, green and white, beautiful! Merry Christmas to you my friend!
xo
Kate
cristin @ simplified bee says
What a great party… so much inspiration here. Wishing you a very merry Christmas.
xo,
cristin
Sandy says
Hi Rhoda,
I’ve been looking at your blog now for several weeks and I love it! What a wonderful idea to have a holiday mantel party. I’ll take some pictures of mine (hopefully they will look okay). I’m tired of my corner mantel and the red accent wall. This spring I’m thinking about painting the accent wall a light color and then painting my maple fireplace.
Wonderful inspirational ideas from everyone! Next week we should have a holiday kitchen/breakfast room party. In Michigan we call our kitchens with dining areas an eat-in kitchen.
SheilaG says
I love the silver and mercury glass! Thanks for hosting the party, Rhoda! 🙂
Shannon at madiganmade says
Love the mix of sparkle and natural elements!
Thanks for hosting, Rhoda!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
It’s stunning, Rhoda! Love the theme of nature and the layering. Very elegant indeed.
Brenda
Sue says
Of course I have to say I love the magnolias! You southern gals have it made to have them at your beck and call. 🙂 The mantel does look lovely. Lots of layers and pretties!
Paula says
It looks beautiful! I love the combination of silver with the fresh greens.
Shelley @ Calypso In The Country says
Your mantel is beautiful! I love the colors and the fresh greens!
carmel says
The magnolia leaves are perfect! The mantel looks so beautiful! Thanks for the party!
Michaela says
Rhoda- thanks for hosting the mantle party! Love seeing everyones pretty Christmas mantle (: xo Michaela