Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I’m Dreaming of a Red Christmas!

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My Christmas Mantel is done!
My Halloween and Thanksgiving mantel both used the old barn door, which I love, but I felt it was time to mix it up a little!  I also was ready for some color and decided RED!
My initial hesitation with not using the door was that I knew I needed something with a large enough scale.  Then I remember I had the mirror that used to hang horizontal over my dresser and knew it would be just the ticket!
This reindeer was brown and cute but I wanted to make more of an impact so I sprayed painted him red.
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I really like the mirror because it reflects several of the other Christmas elements in the room as well such as my paper mache carolers on top of my armoire.
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I used several of the pewter and silver plate vessles I have picked up recently as bases for a mixture of artificial and real trees.  I love the detail on this piece.
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I used a slice from a branch (my husband cut down a lot of trees this past weekend so look for more projects with this!), a few pieces of greenery and some vintage bell ornaments that I had to hang in the center of my “wreath”.  I found the felt snowflake at Target.  Since I already had so much greenery included, I wanted to keep the “wreath” simple.  I used an embroidery hoop, spray painted it red and then hung the wood, snowflake and bells in the center.
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The red really pulls in one of my favorite things in our house – our big key sign.  I found in about 10 years ago at a random antique barn in NY but it is from the town my husband grew up in and his family still lives there.
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I had the red stockings and they seemed to work really well.  Actually, I will have to find a way to hang a bunch more stockings because we are lucky enough to share Christmas with a lot of our family.
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I also took a few pictures at night and I really love the change that the light makes on the color of everything.  In the background of this picture you can see our kissing ball which we have had for years.  My youngest promptly told me I should kiss Daddy under it as soon as he gets home!
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I found the flocked bell and pinecone star at the Christmas Tree Shop when I went there a few weeks back. I hung it from the ladder I got at an auction recently and like the rustic element that they bring to the mantel.
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Now I can’t wait to just sit down with my family and watch It’s a Wonderful Life and enjoy the Holidays. 
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So now that the “back” half of my house is pulled together, I need to work on the rest.  Oh yeah, and I think I have a third grade diorama to assist with this week!

If you like what you see, I would love if you followed me!

Thanks for letting me share this with you!  I will be joining the link part at The Lettered Cottage.  Come check it out and see what great mantels have been submitted!

21 comments:

Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants said...

This is just beautiful!! I am using red also. I love the rustic pieces you have added too! Would LOVE to find one of those pinecone stars. I have been picking up silver pieces like that too for my niece. Great idea to add the trees!

Anonymous said...

Love it! looks great!

Miranda @ Pressing On said...

I love everything you did. It's striking. I think it has a perfect mix of elegant and rustic. Your living room is beautiful and that Key is amazing!

michelle said...

I just love your mantel once again! The red is so beautiful with your pewter and silver pieces and I love all the greenery you added in them!! That key is so cool, what a great sentimental piece!! Your room looks so cozy and comfy to watch all your movies! Enjoy and good luck on the diorama!! :)

V@WhimsyLamb said...

So pretty! Love the red deer and silver tea pot!

Andrea said...

Very pretty! I love how it all came together.

Kate H.(www.sprinkletherapy.blogspot.com) said...

What a gorgeous home you have. Love the Christmas decor!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Your mantel looks so wonderful!! I love the red. I went more neutral this year, but I'm kind of missing the red. Well there's always next year. I adore the trees in the silver pots, so pretty! I love the pinecone star too!

Dana and Daisy said...

My favorite part is the mini trees in the pewter tea pots! How creative of you!

Beth said...

What a gorgeous room! I love everything you have done. The teapot trees, the giant key, the rustic ladder--fabulous!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

Red is the perfect color for Christmas. The whole room is lovely. I adore the red reindeer.

Jill said...

It looks beautiful! I especially love your teapots for vases!

Unknown said...

I don't know what to comment on because I love it all! I'm glad you painted the reindeer red, that really makes the mantle.

Jen said...

Gorgeous! And of course I LOVE
the red reindeer!!!
and all the little trees!

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

First of all, what a room, wow! 2nd, I love all the elements you've used on your mantle! The greenery in the silver is fantastic and hoop on the mirror, love that! Great job!

Kristen said...

I am loving that gorgeous silver teapot. Your whole room looks so warm, cozy and inviting!

Biljana said...

Absolutely beautiful, I love it:))
Greetings from Europe, Biljana

Denise C said...

Yours is one of my favs from the mantel party. It's so pretty!!! The greenery in silver is wonderful!
I linked to your post on my blog - firstadream.blogspot.com/

Krista@RustikChic said...

Love it! Great job:) I love the silver and pewter with the pine...and the pops of red. Everything flows so nicely and it is so Christmas-y!

Emily P. said...

I love your pewter pots! Hope you don't mind if I show them on my blog...we're moving this week, so everything holiday is still packed away. Since I can't post about decorations in my own home this year, I highlighted a few I found in others!

Unknown said...

I love your mantel! Where did you get it from?