As Christmas is nearing, we transition our homes with wintery and Christmas adornments. Often one of the key places to start with is the mantle, or mantles. Quite a drawing point in the main spaces of the home, the mantle beckons décor through the seasons, and for winter, can be most magical. The two shown here offer such a strong look, with large scale pieces chosen. Indeed, more decorative pieces are combined in balance with simpler ones, with height and repetition playing key elements in achieving the look.
Mantle 01: The miniature pillars may be left in their place, but busts may be replaced for angelic figures, or perhaps small scale, live trees in pots. Alternatively, one could place a multitude of candles, with different heights and scale, in the cloches, or, rolled music/documentation.
Mantle 02: The glass containers seem to be filled with flour perhaps, which also slightly suggests snow, but alternatively, could also be filled with artificial snow and tiny figurines could be added, skiing down the slopes, for a bit of whimsy and fun. Glowing Christmas lights could be added.
I would love to know: which mantle do you prefer, and also, what would you do with it?
Images (scanned):The New French Décor, by Gilles Trillard
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such adorable ideas. The flour is so practical too, it doubles as storage! Plus with the figurines under glass, you don't have to worry about dusting as much.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of creating little scenes in a cloche, like looking into a winter wonderland.
ReplyDeletexxx
I gravitate towards the softness of mantle #2, really lovely
ReplyDeleteI love the 2nd mantle with that beautiful solid plaster work and the sculptural elements! I like the idea of all manner and size of white candles, add tiny tiny christmas lights and thick rich green ivy. The whimsy can be little reindeers or birds made of cork and twigs and feathers?
ReplyDeleteDearest Sarah,
ReplyDeleteLike the mantle with the glass cloches best!
Have a great week ahead and love to you,
Mariette
Flour in a jar on the mantelpiece ... I never thought of that. I think I'll go with the artificial snow, I've got plenty of that ;-)
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a wonderful start of the week Sarah!
Love mantel #2 and your suggestions!! xo
ReplyDeleteI love them both, but I would love to add greenery and berries to the first mantle. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Sarah.
Teresa
xoxo
The first one. I love the ionic columns against the weathered mirror!
ReplyDeleteHow about powdered sugar?????
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas for x-mas decor!!!!
xoxo
m
HI Sarah
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the 2nd.. the mantle, the jars and the ??plasterwork above.. even the statue below..
Well christmas in australia is more heatwave weather.. beach weather.. hard to reconcile the traditional christmas images with that for a northern hemisphere resident I guess.. hard for us aussies too.. haha... I could always fill those jars with sand and seashells.. although I prefer it just how it is.. born in the wrong half of the world!
Have a lovely week and thanks for the kind comments my way.. ciao xxx Julie
I would add candies into the jars! Beautiful mantel with the most amazing moldings, *sigh*
ReplyDeletem: powdered sugar would be lovely as well! x
ReplyDeleteJulie: how beautiful it must be—sounds wonderful, though not as traditional :)
Loving those glass bells, and the glass containers..love it just as it is.
ReplyDeleteAudreyx
Audrey: it is quite beautiful as is, isn't it? I can only imagine what the rest of the home looks like!
ReplyDelete