Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Christmas Mantel in Progress

I am working on decorating my mantel for Christmas and this is all I have so far. Sorry for the dark picture! I have tried several things and like the window the best. I may change out the topiaries for some lamps to lighten it up and also add lights and ornaments to the greenery. I want to hang something over the window - maybe a star or one of those cute initial wreaths I've been seeing. I have a hard time getting my mantel to look right. I don't even remember how I had it last year. I probably have a picture I could look at, but I like to do things differently than I did the year before. Of course, that does make it harder and way more time consuming. I usually don't start decorating until after Thanksgiving, but I said, "What the heck!" and went ahead with it! Please offer me any suggestions you may have to make my mantel look pretty!

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Seriously Angie! How fun! I am jealous you are starting on Christmas already! I love decorating for Christmas but I am having thanksgiving at my house this year and I have to leave the fall stuff out. My husband says so it feels like thanksgiving dinner not Christmas dinner! UGH! I can't wait to see the finished product!

Sue said...

I love the window!! I know you'll have it looking great. I, too, am having Thanksgiving so I can't decorate my den yet, but I'm slowly getting things out upstairs.

Trixi said...

We also, do thanksgiving at home first and then decorate for Christmas.
You are off to a great start. It looks great.

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Oooo I think the lights would finish this off!! Lights on the topiaries and the garland. I love lights in everything. And a star over the window, hung with a big ribbon would be perfect!! I'm so lazy this week...I'd be pulling stuff out but I'm still boxing up the piles of Halloween in the basement! :)

Tonya said...

I agree with thrifty decor chick! Lights, lights, lights! I can't start on Christmas until Thanksgiving is over, but I am so excited for both holidays.

I really need to get a window frame! I wish I had a mantel too. I put a mantel shelf over my wood pellet stove, but it just isn't the same as a fireplace mantel...although I love our pellet stove.

I can't wait for the pic after you have it put together!

Christy said...

I think mantles are by far the hardest thing to decorate. I'm always so intimidated by them. I can't wait to see what you come up with so that perhaps I can be a copycat!

Jill said...

Too funny. I have a red wall with a 6 pane white window on it too! I don't have a mantle though, so you've got me there. And I've also been trying to figure out what to hang over my window... maybe a barn star spray painted and all glittery? I seriously can't wait to see what you come up with! :D

Anonymous said...

What a huge fireplace, you have all kinds of possibilities. I would have snow in those window panes ,for sure with a wreath.

Hugs,
Chris

The Rantings of a Drama Queen's Mum said...

It looks really nice.

Darlene said...

Ooooo I am already LOVING what you have done! I can't wait to see the finished mantle.

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

I can't wait to see what you come up with...I know it's going to be awesome!

Julie said...

Angie love the mantel how about some snow in the panes with glittery snowflakes hanging in them. I also like the idea of the monogram letter with a big bow
have a great day! I'm jealous hubby won't let me until after thanksgiving:(
julie

Sandy said...

Love your window. To brighten up the area you could add glitter snowflakes within the frame or even add a snow touch or add lights around the widow as well as your tree. I'll be looking forward to what you do.
Sandy

Robin Beck said...

I'm doing Christmas too!!!
Hey when I look at your window I think vinyl rub on lettering like the word Joy. Maybe not straight across but a "J" in the upper left square, a "O" in the bottom center square and a "Y" in the top right square and maybe a vinyl Holly or something in the others or just leave them blank-The Vinyl rub on letting will peel off easy after Christmas is over.
I think a star over the window would look amazing -I have three stars I keep up all year.
Have fun...I know I am~♥

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Ooo...can't wait to see what all you do with it! I have two mantels in my home and can't wait to begin decorating. One is a corner fireplace so sometimes that REALLY presents some problems decorating it. I would add some more light/white to your mantel. Maybe some twinkle lights too. So far you are on a great track!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Okay..I just love that window...you are amazing....I am going to look for a window..love it!
-sandy toes

Kristens Creations said...

Ooooohh.... I can picture this finished. Love the window. I think lights for sure, and I see a star or initial wreath like you said, either one would look great. Can't wait to see what you do. Kristen

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful mantel...I love it already!!! I can't wait to see the finished mantel!!!!!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

It's too early! You and my hubby are on the same page, but I want to wait until after thanksgiving!!! I love the window, though....

Tracey said...

Someting tells me you will have the perfect mantle...you are such a great decorator !
It is already on its way!! Can't wait to see what you do.
:) Tracey

The Chatty Housewife said...

I like the topiaries a lot, but they are dark. I would use tiny white lights on them to brighten the area up.

Melissa said...

Ok Angie, I stumbled upon your blog and love it!!! I would put lights on your mantel...and maybe you can do some stitcheries in the window if you wanted. Check out my blog...I made Christmas Stitcheries and put them in my window on our mantel. It may be back a few posts...but you can find it. Your house is wonderful!

Screaming Meme said...

Cute! How fun..You beat me to it! I haven't got my stuff out yet...How about some scrapbook paper in the window panels? Or those flag things that I see people make that they hang on string (you can put any holiday word or words)? Or snow in the panels...Or hang some candles from the window...and add those fake candles...Or black and white pictures of your baby at Xmas last year...or some you make this year...Prop a christmas decoration/picture on the window for a layered look...Or staple fabric that is "see~thru~able" and put christmas lights behind....Okay Im out of ideas...Now I need a nap...:) Meme

Tardevil said...

Ok, well being from the south, you know we love some wrought iron...so maybe one year, you could put a wrought iron grill up there (b/c I think it would look nice against the dark red wall) & hang some ornaments in a contrasting color from it on pretty ribbons. Just a thought.