My Christmas Mantel 2014

My kids are soooo happy!

They have been asking and asking and asking WHEN am I going to start Christmas decorating?!

Well, the wait it over!

Yep.  

I decorated my mantel for Christmas.

merry little christmas mantel

 

One space down, several more to go!

I have to say, I think this is my favorite Christmas mantel I’ve decorated in this house.  

It’s a little bit rustic and a little bit traditional.  

Christmas mantel 2014_v2

 

I adore green and red at Christmas.  I think it will always be my style.

 

You’ll notice, the decor is pretty simple.

I think it’s my mantra this year — “Simple, simple!”

 

In year’s past, I’ve had a lot more garland and more “stuff.”  

This year, I didn’t want to fuss or have the mantel compete with the tree that will eventually sit right next to the fireplace.

Did you notice I got a wild hair and exchanged my usual chippy arched window for a new chalkboard I made?

merry little christmas chalkboard

 

I made it the same way I made the one in my dining room.  I used an open-back frame, some hard board cut to measure from Lowe’s and some chalkboard paint.  So easy!

(By the way, I did the chalkboard writing free-hand, but if you just want to buy one already made I fashioned mine after one found in Dear Lillie’s online shop. If you browse the site you’ll notice that they offer different sizes including a 24 x 36 size which is just a tad smaller than mine which measures 30″ x 40″)

plaid nutcracker_v2

 

The nutcrackers are a new find from Target.  I couldn’t resist them.  

I love their traditional, yet rustic appeal.

nut cracker_v2

 

The kids helped me pick them out.

I think we may have started a new tradition — collecting nut crackers each year.  

I think it would be cute to line them all up on the mantel, each having it’s own story of how and where we bought him.

I love traditions like that.

Christmas mantel_v2

 

Maybe that’s why I love red and green so much.  

It’s tradition.

 

Full disclosure — I will probably tweak this space once the tree is up and/or all the Christmas boxes are hauled out of the attic, but right now I love it.  Bring on the holiday season!

 

Looking for more Christmas inspiration?

Be sure to visit all the other blogs on the Christmas Mantel Tour this week.

Thank you to Sonya and Melissa for inviting me to take part in this tour! 

tour graphic  

Today’s Line-up:

Cherished Bliss
Domestically Speaking
Lilacs and Longhorns — you’re here!
Two Thirty Five Designs
The Happier Homemaker
My Soulful Home

 

To see yesterday’s posts:

Monday, Nov. 10

At Home With the Barkers
On Sutton Place
All Things Heart and Home
Stone Gable
The Woodgrain Cottage

 

Coming up tomorrow:

 

Wednesday:

Top this Top That

Refresh Restyle

Town and Country Living

Setting for Four

At the Picket Fence

 

Wishing you a day filled with joy!

signature

Sharing at:
Savvy Southern Style

Don't forget to share...Pin on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on Google+Tweet about this on TwitterShare on StumbleUpon
Share on facebook | Share on Twitter | Pin on Pinterest



36 Responses to My Christmas Mantel 2014

  1. Sonya ~At Home with The Barkers says:

    I love everything about it Julie! I think my family was just as happy that I decorated a little as well. Thanks so much for joining us on the tour. ~Sonya

  2. Pingback: Christmas Mantel - At Home With The Barkers

  3. Pingback: Christmas Mantel Tour - Day 2 - daisymaebelle | daisymaebelle

  4. Pingback: Christmas Mantel Tour - The Happier Homemaker

  5. Pingback: Rustic Woodland Christmas Mantel - Cherished Bliss

  6. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says:

    It looks wonderful and I bet the kids are ecstatic! I do love Christmas — the cheer and the lights. It is perfect for the dark dreary days.

  7. laura@top this top that says:

    Yes, bring it on with your happy merry mantel!!

  8. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says:

    Your mantel looks great! LOVE that chalkboard art! Thanks so much for being a part of the tour! Life to the full! Melissa

  9. Debbie says:

    Beautiful! I love it all and I need those pillows :) Thanks for the chalkboard tips!
    Debbie

  10. Moni - Zu Haus at Home says:

    Everything looks lovely, Julie! The chalkboard looks great on your mantel and I love the red and green decorations, thanks for the tip on the chalkboard!

  11. Stacey Keeling says:

    It’s beautiful! You did a great job on the chalkboard. Love the chairs parked right by the fireplace.

  12. Vanessa says:

    Oh I just love this so much Julie!! It looks so festive and cheery! I cracked up because my kids were begging me to start decorating too although I don’t need too much encouragement to get going on it. LOL! So fun being apart of this tour with you!

  13. martina says:

    I love it Julie!!

  14. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says:

    What an adorable, adorable mantel…I love it that the chalkboard is center stage and you did a fabulous job on the chalkboard art!…the mantel and surround are just beautiful and full of country charm…I so love this Julie…great job!!!

  15. Robin says:

    Absolutely DELIGHTFUL Julie! I love the chalkboard and those happy pillows :) I found myself smiling the whole way through your post! xo

  16. Kelly says:

    Beautiful Julie! Simply lovely! Very impressed with the chalk board writing!
    x

  17. Kelly Dexheimer Hansen says:

    OMG! I just happened to stumble on your blog! What a small world! Your house is amazing!

  18. Pingback: THE REMAINS OF FALL

  19. Pingback: Christmas Mantel Ideas - Refresh Restyle

  20. Pingback: Vintage Christmas Mantel - Town & Country Living

  21. Pingback: Glam Christmas Mantel - Setting for Four

  22. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says:

    I always love a giant chalkboard… super cute on your Christmas mantel! Thrilled to be on this fun tour with you. Pinned!

  23. Pingback: Behold Christmas Mantle - All Things Heart and Home

  24. Donna Z says:

    Love the nutcrackers – run to Target – quick! Pretty chalkboard too! Enjoy your blog!

  25. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says:

    So cute! Love the chalkboard art and the big buffalo check pillows are a great touch!!

  26. Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says:

    Your mantle is so beautiful Julie! I think I will always love red and green at Christmastime too! And you free handed that chalkboard! Amazing!! I’m going to check out your tutorial!!

  27. Deidre Gilchrest says:

    Just LOVE this beautiful chalkboard so festive!

  28. Pingback: Christmas Mantel Inspiration- At Home with The Barkers

  29. Pingback: Christmas Mantel Ideas - daisymaebelle | daisymaebelle

  30. Pingback: Simple Christmas Mantel Ideas - Our Southern Home

  31. Pingback: Christmas Home Tour

  32. Pingback: 10 Gorgeous Christmas Mantles - Re-Fabbed

  33. Dear Lillie says:

    It looks lovely!!Just a little FYI we have always offered this as a 24″ by 36″ download which is pretty similar in size :)

    • Julie Julie says:

      Thanks so much for your sweet comment! I will update the post to reflect that you offer the 24 x 36″ size because I would love to send readers your way! Everything you do is so beautiful and inspiring! Merry Christmas to you!
      Julie

  34. Pingback: Christmas Mantel Decorations All About Christmas

Leave a Reply to Julie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *