Mantels and More

Kari and Kijsa are hosting a mantel open house! We all get to show what we're doing with that wonderful ledge above the fireplace. It's perfect for displays of all sorts.


For Christmas I use lots of greenery, candles, pine cones, and some paper cut trees made years ago.


In the fall I use a bit of orange and brown although they are nowhere in my decorating scheme. But natural things, like pumpkins and leaves, fit in everywhere. I change the artwork above the mantel to reflect the season as well. Sometimes it's hung, other times I like to prop up pictures. Our mantel is fairly high, so the space above it isn't expansive. Propping the pictures brings them down into the whole fireplace scheme of things.



And here's the current look. You'll notice that we painted out the dark blue. I was sad to see it go, but wanted more light for the summertime. In the winter it was cozy, but I like the light. I stacked a couple of paintings one in front of the other. Tall branches, trailing ivy and a bit of crystal provide a contrast in textures and shapes.