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Holiday

4 Steps to a Simple yet Stunning Scandinavian Holiday Mantle

By 11/30/2015November 16th, 201625 Comments

mantlesanta2

I always decorate for the holidays the first weekend of December.

This year, I wanted to create something easy and totally different from previous years, yet still wanted to use decorations I already own. I have so much Christmas decor stored in plastic bins, that we had to have a small storage shed built alongside our house.

When I arrived at Minter Country Gardens Nursery to pick up some glittery Poinsettias on the weekend, I saw white flocked trees. So I decided to go white this year and also picked up two large branches with attached pinecones that had also been flocked.

So here’s how I used them:

scandinavian

 

Step 1

Wrapping branches with lights is not easy and makes them too visible so I laid them underneath.

Step 2

Once you have them spread out evenly, simply position the first branch on the right so you can layer the second one overtop. Make sure to clip the other side of the branch, you can use those pieces to fill in or use in a vase like I did.

Step 3

Add the pieces you’ve clipped from the branches into a large vase. I’ve had this cream and gold santa for years, I placed him beside the vase.

Step 4

I repeated the mercury vase with a mercury finial and added some wooden trees that I spray painted gold. The angel wings I added with a 3m hook (you can see it below, I photoshopped it out of the photo above). The 3 elaborately decorated boxes I bought from HomeSense and reuse every year.

santawings

Just a short post today, have so much decorating to do! Have a wonderful week everyone

xoxo

Maria

Related posts:

Holiday Tour of my Townhouse in 2011

Holiday Mood Lighting Lessons from Twilight

The Gucci Guide to Holiday Decorating

25 Comments

  • So beautiful! The mercury glass vase is fantastic with everything, and I love the 3 presents at on the floor. (And I love your short, simple, sweet blog post too- xoxo!) 🙂

  • Nancy says:

    Maria , just beautiful!!! Looke so peaceful!

  • Fran says:

    So elegant. Love it!

  • Lucy Haines says:

    How cute and simple is that! I love your idea of laying the lights on the mantle first to give it that under glow. Are they battery operated or plug in? The mercury glass gives the whole arrangement some sparkle. Did you put this post on pintrest?

    I love the whole look! Good job!

  • Judy H. says:

    Maria, I adore everything “Scandanavian” and your mantel is simply gorgeous and every bit as beautiful as all of the Scandanavia style I love! Thank you for showing the steps on how you built this lovely mantel, those are very helpful. Your large mercury glass vase and darling Santa Claus are perfect!

  • Susan A. says:

    Lovely! This mantel speaks to my heart with its quiet nod to Norwegian winter evenings by the fire, aaaaah! (And you’ve given me some fresh ideas for using my mercury glass candleholders and vases!) Thank you for sharing your abundant creativity with us all, Maria. 🙂

  • Love it! Easy, but very beautiful!

  • Bravo, so wonderful, clean yet luxe looking!
    I’ve switched to flocked trees and haven’t looked back, they are gorgeous!

  • So pretty! Heavenly.
    But what happened@ Mom’s?

    • Maria Killam says:

      Haha, that post is coming up next when I’m sure she’s on a plane which is tomorrow 🙂 Maria

  • Daphne says:

    Your mantel is gorgeous. Thank you for the idea of putting the lights underneath. I’m definitely doing that this year. And, I love that you used both gold and silver! The packages are a great idea, too.

  • Linda says:

    Maria,
    The fireplace decor is truly beautiful! Your idea of laying the lights on the mantle and placing the flocked branches on top is smart and much easier. Thanks for the tip!

  • Mary-Illinois says:

    So…you decided to go white? Shocking!! Haha.
    Your mantel turned out so pretty. You’re further along then I am. I don’t even have my bins down from the attic yet.
    I like to do something different on my mantel each year. I might have to try doing white. As long as I don’t need to buy a bunch of new items. Mr. Scrooge has put his foot down.

  • Alison says:

    It is at this time of year I wish I had a mantle to decorate. A tropical Christmas although lovely in its own way is just not the same. Your mantle looks wonderful and speaks of Christmas Maria.

  • Lorri says:

    I love anything Scandinavian, white, snowy and serene.

  • Susan Telfer says:

    Putting the lights underneath reminds me of a little mantle village scene my dad did when I was a young child. So sweet!

  • Annie says:

    Gorgeous!!

  • Joyce B in Atlanta says:

    Very pretty. Very much enjoyed the step-by-step transformation of your mantle. Be sure to sit down sometimes and just enjoy what you have done – I think I’m speaking to myself here!! 🙂
    I always look forward to your posts. Thanks.

  • roz Kavander says:

    Love the mantle. Especially love the wreath. Very pretty.

  • Trisha says:

    I love this style of decoration and you do it so well! I have Finnish inlaws and love the country and its design ethos, both traditional and the contemporary stuff. On a personal note – we have just bought a ten year old house in Highlands of Scotland. We have the luxury of being able to decorate before moving in. There are pine doors, window frames and skirting boards throughout, which I quite like and want to keep, but they have a very brown/orange tone and wondering where to start with kitchen colours and a scheme throughout house. What section of your site would help best and any suggestions of how to start off?

  • Anna says:

    Beautiful, love your work Maria. Thanks for the tips.

  • Very festive – I like how you put the lights under the branches!

  • Danielle says:

    Can you tell me what kind of wreath this is?

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