Christmas Mantel 2012

Sugar Coated Christmas

I finally got my tree and mantel decorations up yesterday.

This post is devoted to my mantel.

My tree and dining room will follow later in the week.

I wanted to do something different this year on my mantel.

Somehow it developed into a house and trees scene again but totally different than what I've done in the past.

I used a putz house given to me by my good friend Shannon H.

She gave it to me last year for Christmas. It's surrounded by bottle brush trees.

Sit back and view - lots of photos showing the details.

I put up my white tree again this year...and so I HAD to use white garland.

Luckily I have lots of it I bought on sale one year at Target after Xmas.

The sparkly garland I bought years ago also super discounted at Michael's.

This is the first time I used it.

I never intended to use it on the fireplace but I found it in my stash and on a whim 

hung it and loved it.

I originally was just going to use the large icicles.

These were also in my stash of Christmas stuff I haven't used in a very long time.

I pulled them out of my stuff that was put away in the garage.

I was planning on doing a more streamlined design this year....but so much for that.

I just kept adding stuff to it.

The wreath has been years in the making.

I keep adding more ornaments to it each year - all vintage shiny brite.

My blogging friend, Valorie Hart aka The Visual Vamp sent me the precious

little box decorated with a porcelain pup.

She said it just looked like me when she saw my decorations two years ago

and popped it in the mail to me after Christmas.

I was thrilled to get him.

Like I said...I just kept adding to the mantel decor.

The little bottle brush stars came from Pier 1 last year...my friend Petra came in one night

and I told her I loved them but would not be getting because I wasn't even putting up a tree.

One night she brought me a sack of them.

I couldn't wait to use them this year.

Those bottle brush snowflakes came from Target several years ago...after Christmas...super cheap.

I thought I couldn't like my Christmas mantel any better than the one I did in 2010

but I like this one more.

See last year's here...

Yes, I love this year's more.

Totally inspired by this putz house.

This pillow is really the only new thing I bought this year and it came from....Pier 1...where else?

I wanted it last year but we sold out before Christmas.

I made sure and grabbed one early this year.

I bought the pom pom fur throw there last year.

All my posts this week will be about my own Holiday decor.

So be sure to come back...oh...I'm having fun now.....

sharing at

 

Fabulously Creative Friday Linky Party at Jennifer Rizzo

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Mod Mix Monday #81

Snowy Showy Shelves

via

Yummy

I don't know what the original source of this photo is... if anyone knows...let me know.

I have loved this image forever.

I usually don't like rough natural wood that much...but when it's right...it's right.

And everything about this room is right.

Of course I love the huge aqua blue hutch with snow trim and shelves full of white china.

Normally, I'd like a painted table but this one is so perfect and in just the perfect color of wood.

Love the lighter colored wood chairs too.

Anyone know where this image comes from?

I'd love to know.

Lots of good Christmas decor in last week's Mod Mix Monday.

Here we go with my favorites....

Restoration Redoux shared her little putz village. She has some great ones...doesn't she?

I'm so jealous.

Denise of Bella Dreams added some Merry Christmas to her collection of 

brown transferware and ironstone. 

I'm alway amazed when brown works at Christmas.

It's the addition of lots of white and a little sparkle and vintage baubles.

Melissa of Daisy Mae Belle rocked the brown Christmas look too.

Hmmmm...perhaps I need to ditch all my pastels and bring in the brown.

I am loving this so much....and that is what I loved about this week's inspiration photo too.

Laura of Cottage and Broome did some super cute, super easy and super fast decorating.

I'm not really into canning jars in decor but look how cute this is!

She put an ornament in one jar and an old Christmas card in another on a silver tray 

and added some greens and candy canes and it's darling!

Brilliant....Laura.

Custom Comforts is peppermint crazy...she made very very cute Christmas accessories using 

peppermints and a few things from the Dollar Store. 

Cute and Tasty

Betsy of Betsy Speert's Blog really scored with some beautiful antique 

pieces she found at an auction. She repaired this piece and painted it gray.

Lovely.

I just love seeing everyone's Christmas stuff, don't you?

Right now...I must get back in my living room to finish up my own decorating.

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Open House Sunday

Pretty in Dallas

The listing on this home says it was redone in 2007.

I'm sure this is an older home..I just don't know how old.

I think the outside is charming with the stone, the shingles and the upper railing.

Inside...there are lots of pretty details.

Most of this home is done in light neutrals except....

There are dark patterned rugs..which in my opinion are out of place.

See...too much pattern on the floor.

I'm not a fan of this table and chairs.

Here is the kitchen. Love all the marble.

and the windows too

This is the sort of rug that should be in the other rooms too.

It does not distract from all the pretty light furniture.

I'd like to see this bed painted white.

Pea gravel back patio

I think this is a nice solution for a back patio.

Pea gravel with a few flagstones for a pathway.

See the full listing here.

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