Mantle Madness

Does the thought of decorating your mantle and door for the holidays give you "Mantle Madness"? Sometimes looking through a box full of decorations after storing them all year long creates stress, and creativity goes null and void . Make everything look fresh and new each year by coming up with a starting point. What do you know you want to use again? Do you have a theme or color scheme? Is your style inspired by nature, traditional and true, bold and beautiful, or cutting edge contemporary and cool? Pick one and run with it. Give your Holiday decor a definitive style. If you use certain colors every year such as red, green, and gold, eliminate one and only use green and gold for a new twist. Or, add one color such as silver - use red, gold and silver. Then start by layering.

If you want year round decoration, the new trend is keeping grapevine around the front door and altering it by adding to it for each season- adding theme and color. Add lights to the vine-Christmas white lights or rope lights. Your next layer for Christmas would be green garland or colored mesh fabric or wide ribbon. To this layer add sugared fruit,red berries or ornaments throughout, securing them by wiring them into the garland. On the mantle have fun by adding unexpected items into your garland for height and variety. Topiaries on each end, figurines or candlesticks in the center or even vases, picture frames or architectural items such as column bases or finials. Again, continue your selected theme or color scheme and begin your layers.

Taking your decorating projects and breaking them down into manageable steps helps you from becoming overwhelmed with the final result. Take pictures and keep a file for next year to easily recall what you have, what you need, and what you want to do differently. Don't stress through the holidays. Have fun with your decorating and sit back and enjoy!

Nikki Wiygul,
Interior Designer
Bella Interiors