Well, the sun never came out (hello, Washington in December!), but despite the overcast afternoon I managed to take a few photos of my Christmas mantel. While I added red accents in the dining room this year, in the family room I kept the palette calm and simple—greens, silvers, whites and warm browns. The room is already full of pattern and personality, so I wanted the mantel to offer a peaceful, cohesive feel.
I mixed a variety of shapes and textures on the mantel this year. Shiny mercury glass brings reflectivity and sparkle, the metal letters and flower bucket add a touch of industrial texture, and the white pitchers introduce soft curves and a subtle sheen. Quilted white stockings introduce a cozy element, while fresh greenery provides natural texture and life. A book-page wreath layered over the textured mirror finishes the vignette with a handmade, organic touch.
Simple, layered, and finished.
I’ll step back and share the tree and more festive corners of the house on Monday. Until then, a little behind-the-scenes: people often ask to see more photos of Jack, so here’s what happened when we tried to get him to wear a Santa hat.
Easier said than done.
We couldn’t even get the hat on his head because he grabbed it and ran off with it.
We really tried to get it out of his mouth and place it on his head. We attempted several strategies.
It turned into a tug-of-war—his favorite game. Eventually we retrieved the hat, but getting him to keep it on proved impossible.
Maybe by Monday we’ll capture him wearing it. Maybe not—but he’s always entertaining.
Thanks for stopping by to view my Christmas mantel.
Looking forward to having you back on Monday for the rest of the holiday tour.
The 2011 Christmas Home Tours at The Inspired Room begin at 6PM PST on Monday. Details about timing and how the tour works were shared in the original announcement.