Christmas Mantel Party at The Lettered Cottage

Today I'm joining Layla at The Lettered Cottage for her Christmas Mantel Party. This year's holiday mantel at Opulent Cottage is a tribute to mercury glass and glitter, with simple elements and soothing color.

 

Not a single item was purchased for this display! It's so much fun to "shop the house," and come up with creative ways to use items that we already own. I started by collecting all of the mercury glass candlesticks that were scattered throughout the house. I'm addicted to the sparkle of mercury glass this season! A theme soon emerged of silver, red and white.

 

The silvery glitter trees and beaded red trees were recycled from last year (you can see our 2009 mantel here). Both were discount store finds, and such great basics for starting any holiday decor. I simply perched the silver trees atop plates, set inside these sweet vintage tureens, and trimmed the base with a few snippets of cedar.

 

 

The large candleholders have been many colors throughout the years, but I am still loving this red! It's my favorite, Heritage Red spray paint from Rust Oleum.

 

I grabbed the pretty glass bottles at the end to fill the bare spots. I may fill them with red berries, or even try the faux mercury glass with spray paint that I have seen done on so many blogs. Have any of you had success with that technique?

 

For the garland, simple white lights and just a few ornaments tie in well with the mantel. These striking  red mercury glass ornaments were a thrift store find many years ago. I only bought 5 - what exactly was I thinking? I think I recall there may have been a whole table full. And my sheet music wreath ornaments (tutorial here) were perfect to accent the corners of the mantel.

 

While I'm not usually known for having restraint, I'm really happy with the effortless look of this year's mantel. Even though there are quite a few items displayed, the simplicity of color gave the exact look I was going for.

 

Thank you for stopping by to see our mantel! I hope this inspires you to try creating your next holiday display from items you already own. I'll be joining in on so many holiday parties, and can't wait to show all that I have done. Next up will be Christmas vignettes with Rhoda at Southern Hospitality, on December 2nd. I have a fun one that you all haven't seen before! See you there!

 

Comments

[Marianne@Songbird]

Yes working with what you have definitely beats getting all new.
Love your silver trees.

[Elizabeth@BlueClearSky]

I love the colour combo with the sparkle. Very pretty.

[Paige@TheWanderingCottage]

Pretty!

[amanda]

wow I love it. The trees everywhere are super cute!

[Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality]

Oh, it's all so pretty! I love the colors and how shimmery & elegant. Very nice!

[Libby]

Great idea for grouping the bottle trees in the tureens. Will definitely be doing that! Really nice Christmas mantel!

[Kristen @ More Than Mulberries]

Love the traditional colors. The trees are so cute!

[Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top]

Very pretty! I love the red candleholders. They are a perfect touch.

[Lisa Shatzer]

So very pretty and festive! Love the silver trees!

[Leslie, the Home Maker]

I have looked at several mantles (Okay 30+) tonight, and yours, to me, is the loveliest so far!
Really!
Exactly my taste!
Thank you for giving me some ideas! I
have those same silver trees- got them from Big Lots, last year, or the year before...I also have a few (ahem, many) soup tureens.
Where DID you get that awesome mirror?
It's delightful!!
HUGS!
~Leslie

[Leslie, the Home Maker]

Meant to say: "mantels". Good grief--too much eggnog for me!

[Jenni]

Wow, your mantel is AMAZING! I love all of the mercury glass you added to it! :) And I agree~ your little sheet music wreath ornament looks SO sweet up there! I just love how you made yours! :)

[Jen]

Wow! I really love this! Those trees are gorgeous!

[Roxanne]

Very classy! Love it. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings
Roxanne

[maggie]

I simply love how you use the tureen to create an elegant and unique mantle.
visit me sometimes at
http://passionatelyartistic.com

[Sue]

It is beautiful...all that sparkle with the mirror behind it, perfect!

[Kim]

I love the mercury glass with the traditional red & white. So pretty & fresh!

[Becca's Dirt]

Love it.

[Aubrey]

So beautiful! I am definitely a sparkle and shine kind of girl and this mantel is right up my alley! I'm also a red-aholic so your mantel is pretty perfect! (c: I'm also totally jealous of that fabulous mirror! love

http://loveallthingsbrightandbeautiful.blogspot.com

[Cindy]

Your mantle is so pretty and you did a great job of photographing it. I just visited your blog for the first time and really like it!

[Nita@ModVintageLife]

I love those silver trees in the urns and the touches of red. It's so modern yet traditional too. I think it looks just fabulous.

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