DIY Mantel – A Diamond in the Stuff

Simple Winter Mantel

Courtney Carmean — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 14:00:46 +0000

After Christmas I am left with a feeling of decorating withdrawal. The house seems so full and warm during Christmas time. Then January comes around and everything goes back into boxes and the house feels sad. One area that instantly seems neglected is my mantel. So I turned some Christmas leftovers and items I had lying around the house into my Simple Winter Mantel.

I knew I didn’t want to jump straight into my Spring Mantel but I didn’t want to go crazy creating a winter one. So I started shopping my house. A walk to the garage produced this old window that I’ve used on several mantel-scapes in the past. Then I remembered a couple tubs I had full of white candles. I’m not sure where all of these candles of different hues and sizes came from, but they occasionally come in handy!

I then spotted my mound of discarded Christmas garland on the floor and saved it from it’s trashcan fate. I’m sure my husband thought I was nuts at this point. I popped the window on the mantel, draped the garland across it, and added the candles throughout. Isn’t the candle glow amazing?

It’s just what I needed. It’s glowing and warm and cozy. Do you decorate your mantel for winter? What do you think of my Simple Winter Mantel?

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

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Decorating above kitchen cabinets can be difficult. Put nothing up there are it looks bare, put too much and it looks cluttered. I found my perfect solution with these DIY Kitchen FOOD Signs.

My Updated Valentine Mantel

Courtney Carmean — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Last Valentine’s day I created my first Valentine’s Day Mantel. I was absolutely in love with it but I am learning that I get a bit restless when it comes to decorating. I struggle to leave well enough alone. So I decided to add just a couple changes to my Valentine’s mantel this year.

I kept most of it the same and decided to just add a few more items to warm things up.

Under the white pitcher filled with pink flowers, I put a couple old worn books. I love the extra warmth and texture that they provide. Instead of those black iron candle stands, I used some ornate goldish ones. They are a lot more frilly and romantic!

Nothing earth shattering, just a little updating.

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

My Springy Mantel

Courtney Carmean — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:23:00 +0000

So I’ve moved some things around and I *think* I’ve found permanent homes for my new Spring mossy items!

I grabbed my Spring wreath and attached it to a chippy old window. I used a strip of muslin, looped it through the back of the wreath and tied it off with a bow.

Here’s the right side of the mantel. I love the little bunnies!

Now my hutch and front door are looking pretty empty, I’ll need to work on that!

Here are close ups of the wonderfully chippy old window. It was a Craigslist find and I was going to paint it, but for now I’m loving it’s natural wear!

There you have it, my new Springy green mossy mantel! I love it, so green and fresh!

Linking up to these great link parties!