Hi Edie. We have 26 photos of mantels (so far) saved in our mantel Inspiration album. I'll be adding more soon I'm sure with everyone busy decorating.

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: Christmas Mantels

Wow how beautiful they are...

oh, thank you! Off to look and be inspired!

My mantle from 2008

and 2009

I may simplify this year, but I just love opulent garlands :)

Wow Alex, those are beautiful. I wish I could get a mantel to look lush like that but I just can't. I'm putting the 09 one in our album. The photo is kind of small on the 08 one, do you have a larger version of it?

hugs, Karen

Wow, thanks Karen! I'll look and see if I have it somewhere, but I think I lost those files when my other computer gave up the ghost. I had no idea what I was doing back in '08 and sized them wrong...or at least too small for any detail. Too bad, because I like that one better of the two :) I used the flash in the second and it looks much harsher than it did IRL.

Secret to lush is not stopping until you are worried it won't hold! :D

Here's mine from last year

oh, love the blue and brown together!

Wow, these are beautiful! Great mantle decors! TFS! Jeanne S.

There is a reason it's called "the web"....I was looking at one thing, then clicked on a link to something else, which then led me to another site.....long story short, I just stumbled on the Mother load of Christmas Mantels!

btw, I found this Holiday forum by that same method...was in Kitchens a lot, then over in Home Decor and then one day I heard about this forum. You guys are great.

Enjoy:

Here is a link that might be useful: Mantels Mantels Mantels!!!!

LOL, beekeeperswife, I just ran across that blog too and came here to post the link! They say "great minds think alike" so guess you and I have "like" minds--not so sure mine fits the "great" category.

Glad you found this forum, you will have fun here I'm sure. Everyone here is very kind and helpful--no disparaging words, only encouragement. ;o)

Luvs

Thanks for sharing that link, Bee. And I loved your explanation for why its called 'the Web'. LOL. That certainly makes perfect sense now.

Welcome to our craziness here.
hugs, Karen

Dawn, I love the simplicity of your mantel. It's so elegant and eye-catching!

Here's mine. The stockings had to be scooted to the side because the FP gets hot!

I love the contrast of the white garland and wreath against the stone. It really shows up! I have a stone fireplace in our family room and it always looks dark with the green garland. Great idea!

I wish my peacock blue and brown ornaments showed up as well as dawnp's! I love how they contrast with her light interior. My house is dark, so they blend and don't make that lovely statement.

I found my inspiration from that site, bee. Thanks for the link!
I've meant to ask you, is your name from the series about Sherlock Holmes' wife? I really enjoy those books.

alex--nope, my dh is a beekeeper! Just a hobby, we have only 1 hive. The girls were good to us this year, 2.5 gallons of honey!

Glad you guys like that site, there are so many mantels to look at.

{{gwi:1451929}}

I knew that link would take me to that site. I found that yesterday. Thanks for all the inspiring photos. They all look so beautiful!

Love the red balls Winchester!

Win, that is a beautiful mantel! How did you get the balls to hang down on it? Tape?

Dawn, since we have dark wood floors I bought a matching white Christmas tree and it REALLY makes a difference in the room. I had greenery on my mantel last year also and it was just blah. lol

dawnp: Thanks! They are the large ornaments that I bought cheap at the Christmas shop and they are sitting on candle sticks.

Oakleyok: Thank you. They are hanging by gold ribbon that I hooked on the greenery, very easy!

Alex, love both of your mantels. I simplified mine this year, but hopefully next year I'll be able to go all out again. Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do this year...please post a pic!

Dawn, your garland is really pretty!! The color combination is perfect and you have two of my favorite features...pine cones and birds. Where did you find the little birds? Would love to get my hands on a few of those (please don't tell me they're antique).

Bleigh, Yes, they are antique/vintage. Sorry! I actually got them at a thrift store for just a few dollars.
I know that reproductions are still made.

They have some nice red ones at Macys. See the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Birds

Thanks, dawn!! I might have to order a couple sets of those.

Here is ours - its pretty traditional...simple but we like it.

Here is mine for this year.

alex: love your mantle! I have a question: how do you keep the part of the garland that drapes in the middle from pulling down the whole thing? It seems that if I let too much hang off (or hang something heavy on it) it pulls the whole thing off. Do you have some hidden hooks or tape or something?

Thanks

Wow, they are all beautiful!!
I love the artwork in Winchesters...looks like a G. Harvey..may favorite artist!
Thanks everyone for posting!
J

rafor, the pine branches have long wire stems that I bent at 90 degree angles and fastened to the garland sitting on top of the mantle. The garland anchors it but the angle supports it as well. The berries and other greenery are very light weight so they are just weaved through the pine.

Thanks Jaybird...you are correct, Harvey is the artist. We are originally from DC so it is very special to us.

HI Dawn,

We are putting together a blog post about favorite Christmas decor and would like to use the picture of your blue and white mantle in the post. Could you contact me via my profile page?

Thanks so much!

With best regards,

Tamara Amey
GardenWeb Community Manager