Turn your fireplace into an eye-catching focal point in the room with seasonal flourishes. SLHL asked three local design shops to put their spin on mantel décor in a beautiful custom-designed home in Creve Couer by SR Homes. With only 30 minutes to dress up the space, the results are astounding. Ribbons, bows, garland and ornaments transform the mantel from everyday to Santa’s workshop.
A Touch of Vintage
By The White Rabbit
The White Rabbit added a touch of vintage to the mantel décor with frames, urns, an antique chair and sleigh. Built around a neutral gold color scheme, the designers started with a pine garland base, their number one selling garland each year. Enhanced with magnolia leaves (great year round) and shimmering gold poinsettia flowers, the mantel feels more natural and less glam.
Layering was key for the designers. They started with a vintage mirror as the focal point and built off of it. Two frames stacked against the mirror added depth. On the fireplace hearth, an old-time sleigh is stacked high with presents neatly wrapped in craft paper table runners and placemats. The designers note it is a great way to use up leftover pieces of craft paper.
Everyday Elegance
By Three French Hens
The design team at Three French Hens was inspired by black urns and candleholders you might already have displayed on your mantel. They added festive flair by incorporating touches of gold. The mantel décor started with a base of frosted garland to which they added picks of white magnolia and platinum and gold balls. The look is not overly Christmas so that it can be left up through the New Year and winter.
A large, vertical picture is propped on the mantel to enhance the height of the space and is illuminated by two lamps flanking either side. The design wouldn’t be complete without a touch of MacKenzie-Child’s signature check in the black-and-gold ribbon, topiaries and cheerful Santa. This mantel is sure to sparkle well beyond Dec. 25.
Classic Meets Contemporary
By The Rusted Chandelier
The key to a successfully sparkled space is using the items already in place and dressing them up for the holidays. The designers at The Rusted Chandelier played off the contemporary painting, Asian statues, urn and gold lamp on the mantel to inspire their transitional look. Their favorite holiday accent is the red velvet sticks sprinkled throughout the garland and displayed in the vase.
Non-traditional Christmas colors such as black, white and blue accent the greens and reds with a touch of contemporary. The black chair on the hearth pulls out the color in the painting, while the white pillow adds texture. The blue-dyed hide is a fun and unexpected pop of edgy. Dressing your current décor and adding in a few fresh pieces every year keeps your decorations from having a dated look.
