I'm a big believer in stress reducing patterns, but this post is really going to focus on PROCESS. So many people, who know that I like putting things together in a weird sixth sense way, don't know that I really don't know what I'm doing... at first. I usually know which elements to have available (in this case I did pretty much use what I set out to use...). However, it takes time, patience (and some frustration), and a lot of what I call "step-backs." I'll explain as I talk us through the process of finding beauty by creating it with unconnected objects.
First, let's start with the "before" picture. It's always an important shot to take because it inspires more joy when you look back on the process. Think about God's process for every stunning sunrise. It's more beautiful when juxtaposed to the darkness of night. Here's a pic of the mantel from our first fire, without any Christmas beauty. Remember, beauty is there. We just need to kindle it.
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| "The Before" |
So. The misconception. It's abra cadabra, right? Some people got it, some people don't. Not so much.
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| So inspiring. Fake garland in a heap on the floor. Ha. |
The next step: play. I trudged out in the snow to the shed in my pajamas and robe to get the wrought iron planter. I wasn't completely sure this is where my husband put it. However, I was happy to see it. I carried it in, and played with its placement on the mantel. Then, I used a few pieces of unmatching artificial garland(WHAT?! UnMATCHING? Yeah, I said it. They don't match, but you can't tell when it's all done so don't stop reading yet). Then, I pulled a bunch of pine cones and some leftover real pine garland and created a scene that balances to the left of the mantel. Then, I took one of my wandering "I'm not sure what else it needs" walks around the house and added two tall candle holders to add some delicate weight on the right side. See below:
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| For a more minimalist taste, the mantel looks great at step 1. Another reason to step-back. Maybe the beauty is already there, and you don't need to add anything else. |
At this point in the project, I sat down and stared at it for a few minutes. I didn't like how the wrought iron was leaning forward. I wanted the top panel, in all of it's rusty glory, to be parallel with the wall all the way up. Instead of nailing it to the wall, I went on a pilgrimage for something I could place under the rods on the bottom to prop it up. What did I find? Folded fabric didn't work. I tried to rip a piece of wood off of our firewood and nearly jabbed a hole into my hand. Then, it came to me. Acorns. Acorns, you ask? Who has acorns lying around? I do. And how would acorns help? Look at my professional (sarcasm), but seriously resourceful solution! So organic.
These little acorns have really held their own!
Mind you: when you use random little things to get things just right, it brings you swells of happiness that the big plans that go off without a hitch cannot provide. My husband still doesn't know that those acorns are holding that planter up. I'll show him in a moment of show-and-tell pride.
Next: how to hang the stockings. When in doubt, use raffia. Raffia is a very strong, organic length of dried palm. It's great on gifts too, as an alternative to ribbons and bows. I used raffia to hang the stockings, the red behind the green to not overpower the design with bright red from the wrought iron planters left bottom wire. And the acorns stayed strong with the added weight!
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| These stockings, embroidered from Pottery Barn during a "free embroidery" promotion a few years ago, touch on the wall color and the hint of red in the hydrangeas. |
The final step was to add the frame and the wreath. I originally intended to use a real vintage frame and a fresh boxwood wreath. To be honest, I improvised with what I had. I didn't want to spend the money on a fresh wreath, and when in our "post-move gallery of stuff" basement I had an aha moment. I could use the wooden artdecoesque frame my husband bought for an "amazing deal" (his words, by the way... so proud) on Black Friday. If I remember correctly, it was $7. This frame is probably priced at Michael's for $35. At the least. As many bargains I can use in my projects the better. It feels more like "found" art materials that way, doesn't it? I also decided to use a small dried grape leaf vine wreath I noticed among my yet-to-be-used things downstairs. And, I had a left over gold leafy garland section that I thought might work to hold the wreath to the frame. It worked!
However, it took a while to get the balance right. This is where "step-backs" and trusting the eye for balance come into hand. I originally had the wreath in the center of the frame, and had two wraps of gold leafy garland around the wreath. But it looked like it was trying too hard. No one wants a bossy unbalanced mantel! After a few careful (the glass candle holders almost fell a number of times) adjustments, five step-backs and some touches with red silk hydrangea petal groupings, I was very happy. I had done it! In my own way, I created a mantel following the beauty only I could put into action, into real space where others can enjoy.
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| I wrapped a cut piece of gold tree garland and tucked the end into a groove of the woody wreath to hang the wreath from the frame. It took a bit of balancing and adjusting to coax the wreath into hanging straight. |
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| I tore apart the silk blooms of a red artificial hydrangea. These blooms, in nature and in artificial form, offer many mini groupings of flowers that can be broken off to adorn in a very detail-oriented yet impactful way. |
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| A bigger grouping of petals pops out more effectively from the brown color of the grouping of large, small, and medium pine cones. Start collecting some now- many stores sell cinnamon scented pine cones near the check-out lanes. Buy one bag a year until your collection (while not as fragrant after a year in storage) grows to an exciting number. |
Before I show you the final picture of the mantel, I'd like to encourage you to incorporate the elements in your focal point throughout your home. It can be in small, thoughtful ways. Our Christmas tree continues the gold and amber color from the leafy garland, reflective wrought iron, and gold glass candle holders.
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| I even added a hanging paper star I found at Pier One a few years ago from a plant hook from the ceiling. I'm not a huge fan of traditional tree-toppers. The gold plume of glittery silk flowers stuck in the top and the star balance well. |
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| Just by using simple amber-colored glass sphere ornaments, glittery bead garland, and gold leaf garland (all bought on sale, by the way), the gold-themed tree balances the design in the family room. |
Don't be afraid to just add little touches of the elements of the focal point in other areas. My favorite not to the garland is my work on the banister of our entryway stairs. (I've always wanted stairs with a banister!). I again used raffia, read pine garland, and repeated the use of tucked in silk red hydrangeas.
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| If a guest walks in through the house from the front door, the banister is like a visual introduction to the mantel. |
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thank you for our God, who made us in His image by giving us vision and joy that comes from plucking it out of thin air (and our imaginations) and prodding beauty into being, revealing what was there to enJOY all along.
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