I’m finally, finally starting to feel caught up after moving in my house with all the little things that were left to do. And I’m about finished with my Christmas decorating too, so now I can sort of relax the rest of this month and actually enjoy the holidays.
Today kicks off our annual party, my blog girls and I. Layla starts off the festive fun with a mantel party and since I don’t exactly have a mantel right now, I decided that a flat surface would do, so my sideboard in the dining room is my mantel for the moment.
Can’t wait to share it with you!
It was fun taking the lids off my Christmas storage boxes and getting out all my pretties again. This year, I decided to go really natural and neutral in the dining room, since that room doesn’t have a lot of color. Love the different textures of the metallic grapevine swagged along with a faux green spray with pincones and lights. At night, I’ll turn on the lights for some additional sparkly and shine.
And as usual, I love to layer and make it interesting, with metallic bronze ribbon and some metallic beads draped in there too. My huge glass cloche comes in handy at the holidays and I put it on top of my white cakestand and added this pretty bronze angel. I think she is a collectible, but I don’t know the name.
My spray painted metallic acorns and nuts are perfect to surround this cute little angel under glass.
On the other side, I just added a simple large mercury glass ball to the top of a white urn. My metallic bronze birds are fun to perch too.
This little faux tree with pinecones was picked up a few years ago after Christmas and makes a nice tree display for Christmas.
And all I did was weave beaded garland and metallic ribbon through the faux greenery spray, along with the lights. Dropped in more of my mercury glass balls for shimmer and glitz, that that’s all that’s needed to create a pretty tabletop.
Love the mercury glass I’ve picked up along the way.
And this cute shimmery beaded bronze bird is a cute addition to the little tree.
Here’s a shot with the lights on at night, so sparkly and twinkly.
And that’s my sideboard/mantel display this year! I’m running around like crazy trying to finish the rest of my house and should be ready for my girl’s party on the 14th. Since we go to the trouble of decorating our houses, it sure is nice to have folks over to help us enjoy it. Can’t wait to have my first official party in this house!
Now, I hope you have a mantel to share too and if you do, just click on over to Layla’s for the link party and link up your mantel too. If it’s not there yet, it will be soon! Kate will be crafting some festive pretties on Thursday and I actually have something to share for that.Â
Merry Christmas!!
Another fun event is coming up today and tomorrow with me and several of my blog friends. We are participating in the first ever Ballard Designs blogger event, right here in Atlanta and we are getting a behind the scenes look at how the catalog orchestrates their photoshoots and lots of fun stuff planned. Can’t wait to share all that with y’all too!
Mary says
Love your tablescape Rhoda, the rustic elements with the glitz, you certainly have a knack for accessorizing. Enjoy the holidays, you deserve to relax after all your hard work this year.
Rebecca says
I’m running behind on my decorating this year, but hope to have my mantel up today. If so, I will post a picture for the party! Love the natural look of your sideboard vignette; the little metallic bird is so sweet. Is he a recent purchase, or from your stock? Would love to find his brother to put on a forged iron tree, which holds bird ornaments that were presents to my dear mom, who passed away about 2 years ago. So glad you’re going to enjoy your house for the holidays. Enjoy, enjoy!
Rhoda says
Hi, Rebecca, all of that is from my packed up Christmas decor, those birds included. I found them in Birmingham at some point, but don’t remember where or when. I’m sure you can find more out there, I usually look at Target for some good stuff.
Thanks so much!
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Rhoda, your sideboard “mantel” looks fabulous. I love the mix of the rustic with the glitz! The beautiful birds are the crowning touch!
Gina says
Love the mix of mercury glass, bronze, and rustic!
Martina says
GORGEOUS!!!
Layla says
GORGEOUS display, Rhoda! And oh what fun it’s going to be at the Ballard event! I would have loved to attend that with you. I’ll look forward to reading your post about it! 😀
Jessica says
Your decor looks great! 🙂
Cynthia says
This just gorgeous with all the touches of greenery. Noticed a touch of mercury glass one of my favs. I love it.
Cynthia
barb @ The Everyday Home says
Can I tell you how happy I am for you that you are back in your element and are able to decorate and design. I know your heart is at peace too. Your sideboard is elegant and woodsy and just gorgeous. I love those vintage ornaments.
What a fun event at Ballards. I can’t wait to read about it. Hope you have a wonderful time. xxoo
Doreen@househoneys says
So, so pretty Rhoda! You must be thrilled…your first Christmas in your forever home! I’m not doing much decorating this year (long story), but I’m loving living vicariously through you and all the other awesome bloggers!
Athena at Minerva's Garden says
A beautiful tablescape/mantel, Rhoda! I love the spray-painted nuts and your beautiful lamps, along with all the amazing mercury glass and the cute birdies! I used some birds in my decorating this year, too. Have fun at the event today–looking forward to seeing your post about it!
Cory S. says
Please take pictures of your Girl Party on the 14th and show us your party display. I LOVE to see party set ups. I really have a thing for dishes and stemware. When I go shopping, I’m drawn like a calling Siren to the china department of the department store, my eyes glaze over and I clutch lovingly every piece in the place. Most times my husband has to drag me outta there! 🙂
Rhoda says
Hi, Cory, I’m definitely going to blog about the party. Can’t wait!
Sandy O says
Rhoda,
You have a beautiful buffet/mantle display. You do such a wonderful job mixing textures and metals. Love the mercury glass and cloche with the rustic. I enjoy your posts and am sure you are happy to have the things you love surround you again.
Gina says
Your display is gorgeous! Love the natural elements…..that’s what I’m hoping to do this year if I can get my act together and start decorating. Amazing that with all you’ve been doing with your beautiful new home you are ready for the holidays! The Ballard event sounds so fun! Wonder if you will find another deal like your light fixture earlier this year?
Mary L says
Rhoda,
I love the colors you used and all the natural materials. I used a lot of naturals this year as well and I am loving it.
May you enjoy many Christmas’s in your lovely home.
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says
I love your “mantel” and that you are getting to pull all your Christmas decorations out this year. Enjoy relaxing this month and celebrating your new house as well as the the true meaning of Christmas.
Margaret says
Rhoda-
I LOVE your sideboard! It is so good to see you decorating again!! I have truly missed getting inspiration from you – your accessorizing is the BEST! Enjoy your first Christmas in your lovely new home!
Blessings,
Margaret
Linda@Coastal Charm says
Rhoda,
What a pretty sideboard/mantel you have here. Looks like we have both used the same colors this year. Luv that little tree you have too. Thanks again, for MMS ‘s book…just called my daughter and told her to take it off my Christmas list:) Looking forward to reading all about the Ballard event.
Blessings,
Linda
Meredith & Gwyneth says
Rhoda! Your mantle is absolutely beautiful! We don’t know how you have moved, decorated and filled your home with holiday spirit so fast! You are superwoman and our inspiration on so many levels!
xoxo,
Meredith & Gwyneth
Mary Beth Schwarz says
Your sideboard display is stunning! Who needs a mantle when you have this (ha!)? I enjoy your posts very much and the natural with birds look is more my style. Mercury glass is one thing I would love to add to my collection for more old fashioned bling. Mary B.