Roxie My poor little house has had the after-Christmas blues for several weeks now. Taking down holiday decorations is always bittersweet for me. I love to get cleaned up and back to normal, but at the same time, the house feels a little sad and boring when the festivities are over. My mantel has looked especially weary in the new year as I have done nothing to it since Christmas. While I am being honest, I need to tell you that I didn't even take my paper banners and Christmas picks down until this week! It was high time to whip this mantel in to shape and prepare for spring!
I love to decorate a mantel. At my shop I keep one decorated for the seasons to give people ideas for their own homes. The mantel at my house, however, has stumped me ever since I moved in. I hate having the TV over it. I am just not a TV-over-the-fireplace kind of girl, if that can be avoided. In my case, unfortunately, it could not. There is no other place to put the television in our home. I have decorated it different ways, and changed it several times, but I have never really been happy with it.
This was my set-up in the summer when I shared with you my living room and kitchen reveal. I was never quite happy with this one.
This was my set-up in the summer when I shared with you my living room and kitchen reveal. I was never quite happy with this one.
This is my holiday mantel from Christmas 2015 that I shared with you during my Holiday Home Tour.
This week I came up with this little set-up, and I think I am finally happy with this collection of treasures! These are all special pieces that I love and already had in my home: glass candle holders, an old tool box, old books and a clock. I added the spring greenery as a corner swag just to spice things up for the season. I have gone back and forth between the two iron pieces on the hearth. I couldn't decide which I like better so I finally decided, why not both?!
Through all the decorating and re-decorating of this mantel, I have learned a few things about creating a beautiful mantel that happens to be under a television.
1. Stay away from family pictures and picture frames. There will be plenty of "people" on the TV, so you don't need to add extra folks into the mix.
1. Stay away from family pictures and picture frames. There will be plenty of "people" on the TV, so you don't need to add extra folks into the mix.
2. Choose a few larger items to fill your space rather than a lot of small items. The space between the mantel and the TV will be limited, so large, low items will be more pleasing to the eye than a mantel cluttered with small pieces.
3. Some sort of plant or greenery always helps in warming things up and making your space feel more full. Here, I used large gray faux succulents. You could just as easily use a nice faux fern pot or an arrangement with different grasses. My large succulents also conveniently hide an ugly cord coming down from the television.
3. Some sort of plant or greenery always helps in warming things up and making your space feel more full. Here, I used large gray faux succulents. You could just as easily use a nice faux fern pot or an arrangement with different grasses. My large succulents also conveniently hide an ugly cord coming down from the television.
4. Old books and a clock are always a good idea. When choosing your books, be sure to choose an intenional color scheme. I have chosen shades of teal and green with the brown and tan books incorporated to keep it interesting. I always have a clock on the mantel. Not only does it seem right at home there, it is also very practical!
If you have a more formal living room, and you do not have a television over your mantel, lucky you! You have many more options when decking out this focal point in your living room. This is the mantel I keep decorated in my shop. Right now there is a beautiful vintage mirror hanging above it with a gold metal wreath and gold picture frame layered on top. (I love layers, just in case you didn't know that about me!) There is room here to incorporate the tall candle sticks to give this mantel setting some height. You can see, even in a more formal setting, tip #4 still rings true. Old books and a clock are always a good idea.
I love incorporating old family photos when they are not battling a television for the spotlight. There are plenty of candle sticks and votive holders which create a wonderful atmosphere when lit in the evening. Swagging a full, eucalyptus garland across the front of this mantel was a great way to bring a lush quality that speaks of the coming spring.
I also clipped little butterflies on to the garland to add a touch of whimsy!
I hope these pictures and tips have inspired you to conquer your mantel for spring! I would love for you to share pictures of your progress! Happy decorating y'all!
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