For my first of several holiday home decor posts, I’m sharing my holiday mantel! That’s right – we don’t actually have a mantel, but I’ve made our newly completed built-ins // here // into one! When Wayfair.ca asked me if I’d share my Holiday Mantel as part of their Mantel Mania blog hop I gladly agreed!
I’ve been dying to have a mantel to call my own, ideally with a fireplace, but unless we land in an older PMQ with a fireplace or buy a home with one, I’m going to be using my bookshelves as a mantel for the next few years. The good news is, they are the perfect mantel because they allow me to disperse my Christmas baubles throughout them without being too overwhelming.
p.s 10 points for whoever can spot me in the most reflections!
For my starburst Christmas ornaments // here // for an MCM Christmas house Tour // here // for my colourful and eclectic Advent Calendar // here // for my Holiday Gift Guides // here //
*Wayfair.ca sponsored this post, but all thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible.
My holiday mantel – like much of my decor – is transitioning from my pink-obsessed summer and fall, into a more gemstone centred holiday and winter season. I did this by bringing more colours into my ornament palette, and by relying on a heavy dose of greens from the natural foliage in the boughs.
The brilliant and deep jewel tones of my rug only help in that attempt towards a more mature and richer palette. What do you think?
Thankfully my mercury glass rose gold trees survived. Like several of my larger pieces, I snagged them on sale after Christmas. Because I’m buying decor once it’s all put away, I always enjoy un-wraping them the next year.
I love a good swoop on my boughs, so stringing them as I have done here is giving me all the heart eyes!
You guys know how much I love a good shelfie, especially when they’re mine! I like to think I’ve got a pretty decent eye for mixing, styles colours, textures and patterns. But then again, I was born with a healthy ego. The second I started my little chinoiserie and ginger jar collection I knew it would look amazing with coper and silver ornaments strewn throughout.
The rest of that bookcase filled itself once I opened my box of decor. I think there’s enough left for the tree…
Otherwise I might have to practice some restraint when it comes to the tree! Oh, who are we kidding . IT’S ME.
I’ve got this thing with Nutcrackers, and not just because I’m a ball busting broad from the big city. We’ve got one big one for every Christmas that we’ve had together, but that doesn’t account for the dozen or so small ones that I’ve picked-up over time. They range from ornaments to miniature figures and so on. Some are thrifted, some are purchased at fancy stores, and others were picked-up at our dollar store. Point being, a collection is made of things you like, not just because they all come from such and such a place.
If you’re looking to add to your collection you can find some awesome ones // here //
OH, and this is my favourite photo of QEII ever. It’s an unexpected shot, and hints so wonderfully a the woman behind the crown. As a Royal Canadian Artillery family, I couldn’t not have a photo of her somewhere. Mine just happens to be small and fun.
During our move this summer, it looks like an entire box of ornaments was lost! I searched high and low and could not find a box of pink decor. Faced with the prospect of rebuilding our collection and with better quality ornaments, I jumped at the chance to do so. I also decided to expand my colour choices too.
If something similar happened to you, or you’re ready for a change, you can find tons of great inspiration // here // and start by building a colour palette with balls // here //
Cassie Bustamante says
i just love how you mix color- so fun! everything looks festive and fabulous!
Ariel says
Thank you Cassie 🙂
Emy says
Love it! The swag with the ornaments is so pretty! Love all of the color!
Ariel says
This is the first year I’ve had a proper bough and I love it! Thanks 🙂
Angie Fisher says
The colours are fantastic! Looks great 🙂 Hohoho! ????
Ariel says
Thanks girl <3
Erica says
This is perfection! Only you could take a million bright colors and make a home look flawless the way you do! Please come to Kansas and help me decorate. I love your style! 🙂
Ariel says
Why thank you! You know how I love colour and patterns. I’ll be there in a jiff!
Tara says
Ariel, this is so bright and beautiful! I love your take on the mantel = it’s fun just like Christmas should be!
Ariel says
Thanks Tara! I like it fun and colourful year-round, so Christmas just means I get to amp it up!
Heather says
I love that you have a photo of the Queen! Hilarious. Love your style a lot.
Ariel says
Darn straight! I only have it because a friend sent me a postcard and this was on the front! I love it!
Shauna says
I love how you created a mantel out of bookcases. So envious of your blue & white ceramic collection. I have a few pieces, as you know, but I’m always on the lookout for more at thrift shops. Few and far between. The bright colours you used paired with the gold accents looks fab!
Ariel says
I think my collection is due to the fact that no one else around here is buying it. In an urban centre it’d be gone in an instant! But thank you 🙂 I’ve gotta make due with what I’ve got, right?
Nicole Q-Schmitz says
Love all the colours, and the garland below the TV works great (it’s pretty much the same as a regular mantel!).
Ariel says
woohoo! Mission accomplished if it looks like the real deal!
Mila says
This is cute!!!! Really cute!
Ariel says
Thanks girl!
Becki says
I knew your Christmas decor would be unreal!!! Love it!!
Ariel says
Thanks girl! Yours is slowly creeping in on my colour game! I better up the ante! 😉
Michelle James says
I am blown away by the awesome colors! So pretty & just makes me smile! Would love if you would link up at #HomeMattersParty which is live now! ????http://ourcraftymom.com/home-matters-linky-party-114/
Ariel says
Thanks Michelle! I’ll see if there’s still time to link-up!
the cape on the corner says
i loooove your rug and that turquoise chair. what fun it is here! do you read tatertots and jello? i feel like you’d be on board with her christmas look.
b
Ariel says
I don’t know her! I’ve gotta check it out 🙂
Thank you for the kind words friend!
Kati says
The greenery with the bright colors is so beautiful! I just love it all.
Ariel says
Thanks Kati 🙂 I love the smell of the greenery too! Our place feels like Christmas!