Saturday, November 28, 2009

Our Merry Mantle

After a supper of delicious Thanksgiving leftovers, and a warm nights rest thanks to three layers of blankets and the living heating pad I call "Max", I woke up anxious to add some Christmas cheer to our mantle this morning...



I paired some things we already had, with some pretty pieces the ladies at White Flower Farmhouse sent us. My goal was to create a merry medley of earthy colors and textures, punctuated by sparkly silvers and glittery golds.



I'm excited to blog about all the individual bits and pieces over the next few days.
I'm also looking forward to sharing a few other holiday decorating ideas I used in other areas of our living room too. I really had to get creative this year, but that's okay- I love thinking outside the box! Or should I say outside the "giftbox"? :-)

Happy Holidays!

Layla

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35 comments:

  1. The Old Painted CottageNovember 28, 2009 at 6:07 PM

    Your mantel looks gorgeous, and I'm looking forward to all the details.

    PS: Yep, we're definitely due for another phone conversation, and I'm gearing up to beat our last record. Besides, I always have 5 hours to spare : )

    oxox
    Jennifer

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  2. ~Grace Happens~November 28, 2009 at 6:15 PM

    that is so beautiful!!! can you come over and decorate my house? :) happy holidays!

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  3. Hopeful HousewifeNovember 28, 2009 at 6:29 PM

    Beautiful! I love that is it very festive without seeming out of place in your home! Fabulous!

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  4. AnonymousNovember 28, 2009 at 6:45 PM

    You know Im loving those stockings!!!

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  5. AnonymousNovember 28, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    Love it!

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  6. Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...November 28, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    Very pretty!!! So many wondeful hearth ideas !!! Hard for me to settle on just one, I keep rearranging! Have a great week , xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  7. KaceyNovember 28, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    So pretty and so classy & festive. Love it!

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  8. Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comNovember 28, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    I love the pinecones! and the sparkles throughout! I'm gonna do something like that.. thanks for the inspiration..great photo.

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  9. Jamie, the Very Worst MissionaryNovember 28, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    Aw, So pretty!
    I can't decide if I'll be doing any holiday decorating this year as we won't be at home to enjoy it, but this makes me want too...

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  10. AnonymousNovember 28, 2009 at 7:52 PM

    Layla,

    The mantel is beautiful. I notice Max's stocking there -- or is that his sleeping bag?
    I wish I had your Mary Poppin's Bag - you always manage to pull off some creative magic and leave us all in awe.

    Deborah

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  11. LindsayNovember 28, 2009 at 7:54 PM

    I have to be a littel creative this year too, thanks for proving it can be done!

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  12. UnknownNovember 28, 2009 at 8:11 PM

    Totally looks like it should be in a magazine! Lovely, lovely!

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  13. Maryann @ Domestically-SpeakingNovember 28, 2009 at 8:11 PM

    It looks perfect... cute cottagy Christmas.
    Passing the Kreativ Blogger Award on to you! Check my blog for the image and rules.

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  14. L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoysNovember 28, 2009 at 8:14 PM

    Very nice Layla!

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  15. KatherineNovember 28, 2009 at 8:18 PM

    We are actually almost finished building our mantel. We started it last week, because we really want it to be done in time for Christmas stockings. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  16. Raised In CottonNovember 28, 2009 at 8:38 PM

    Simply beautiful Layla. Love the colors you picked.

    Blessings,
    Carol

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  17. micahNovember 28, 2009 at 8:38 PM

    Your mantel is gorgeous! I'm doing silver & gold too - yay!

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  18. UnknownNovember 28, 2009 at 8:57 PM

    That is so gorgeous! I wish I had a mantle to decorate. Have a great week!

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  19. The Tuscan HomeNovember 28, 2009 at 9:22 PM

    Your mantle looks phenomenal...love it! Liz

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  20. KellyMellyBoBellyBananaFannaNovember 28, 2009 at 10:35 PM

    Layla, I love your mantle! One of my favorite things I've seen on your blog! Where in the world did you find those (perfectly paired) stockings?!

    The textures and colors... love!

    Kelly
    http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com

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  21. AmandaNovember 28, 2009 at 10:37 PM

    Lovely as always! Can NOT wait to see your upcoming posts on holiday decorating. I sure could use some not-so-pricey decor ideas so be sure to share! :)

    BTW, I finally posted photos of our kitchen including the "cotton fluff" cabinets. ...If you would be so kind to stop by and take a look (at my blog of course, unless you'd like to make the drive to Ohio, in which case I'd invite you right in for Christmas cookies and cocoa)I'd love love love your opinion on a few ideas I have. Any and all opinions help my severe case of "indecisiveness". :)

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  22. Christine ~ JAZ CreationsNovember 28, 2009 at 11:12 PM

    Wow! I absolutely Love the natural tones with the green! Love it!

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  23. mkelton24November 29, 2009 at 12:46 AM

    lovin the stickings! i have been looking for stockings or easy to make for our newly painted mantel-but the search has been unsuccessful thus far.
    www.thekeltonscozycottage.blogspot.com

    if anyone has ideas please send them my way!!

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  24. Moore MinutesNovember 29, 2009 at 1:20 AM

    SO perfect. :D I am excited to see the rest of your holiday decor in the upcoming days!

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  25. ginaNovember 29, 2009 at 6:28 AM

    So calm and festive at the same time- very nice!

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  26. Sharon@Sharon at HomeNovember 29, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    Layla ... Your mantel is beautiful. I love how you make it look so simple, but when you look at it carefully, you notice all the layers.

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  27. AnonymousNovember 29, 2009 at 9:12 AM

    Simplicity is key! You take it a step further with the layers and still keep it looking simplistic. Love it!

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  28. CindyNovember 29, 2009 at 10:10 AM

    The Mantel is so perfect. Oh and I LOVE THE GREEN RUG!

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  29. Kate Riley November 29, 2009 at 12:12 PM

    So lovely my dear ! Perfectly balanced ! I am cracking up because you, me and Sarah are all posting about mantles today.

    LOL !

    Kate

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  30. katNovember 29, 2009 at 1:22 PM

    Love the stockings! You have me longing for a fireplace. :) My decorations are also gold and silver with touches of green.

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  31. AnonymousNovember 29, 2009 at 3:47 PM

    I LOVE your mantle (and it's decorations)! Did you install that specific mantle (and if so, where did you find it?), or did it come with your home?

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  32. Lady KatherineNovember 29, 2009 at 5:02 PM

    I love the stocking they look so wonderful with your mantel. Have fun at Virgina Beach. Rent one of the bike carts so fun to ride on the board walk.

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  33. Lettered CottageNovember 29, 2009 at 5:26 PM

    Hey toaster073069!

    Here's a link to the post we did on the creation of our mantle:

    Our $82 fireplace makeover

    :-)
    Layla

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  34. brockeyNovember 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM

    So pretty !! Love everything. i have bought things from White Flower and they are so nice.

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  35. Kendall@ Finesse Your NestNovember 30, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    Aaah! Thanks for sharing your mantle. It's just the inspiration I needed. I literally THREW some things on our mantle in a rush to get Christmas going and it's sad, oh so sad!

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