Monday, December 23, 2013

How to Style a Coastal Christmas Mantel

How to Style a Coastal Christmas Mantel

Here's one for those of you who thought this was a coastal decor blog.  I know it's been all about the food this Christmas and a little light on home decor, but that is how I have felt this season.


Even though I like to do a Christmas Mantel every year, I was not too sure about how to proceed with it.  I did not want to spend another cent on Christmas decorations, so I was wondering how to use what I had, to make it pretty. 


 That frame had a chalk board in it, for last years Christmas Mantel . Later in the year, it was happily sitting on my front deck, with a new message on it, when a big gust of wind blew it off the wall, dislodging the blackboard from the frame, in the process.



This year, I dressed the frame with my shell wreath and strung it up with bakers twine. I tied my trusty old piece of red Christmas ribbon around the bottom and strung the IKEA snowflake lights around it.


 I placed the frame on a bed of Norfolk pine needles and finished the mantel with 2 glass votives, dressed with candles, shells and pine needles.  The glass votives,  I got from the discount store, years ago.  A few shells dotted around and some mercury votives to bring the silver frame and golden shell colours together.


And there you have it. I think it has come up rather coastal Nordic, if you will.


The night before, Mr Beach House and I had a lovely dinner for our wedding anniversary.  He grumbled about the cost and said "I was worth it."   I enjoyed every tiny bite.......I like to think of our anniversary dinner as a time to sit quietly together and reflect on another year and what we have created together.  It seems I am always pleasantly surprised and remember why I married him at these dinners. We get on pretty well most of the time and when you take away all the day to day drudge surrounding a marriage, it is basically a good one.

  When we walked into the restaurant, some clients were sitting at the next table.  One remarked how well he brushed up.  My mother bought him a shirt for his birthday (also last week) and I must say, how nice it is to see him in a shirt, rather than King Gees or sailing gear.  But as you can see, he does not iron.


Perhaps it was the dinner, which revitalised me into putting the Christmas Mantel together the next day.  I did enjoy the creative outlet and now feel my house is completely decorated for Christmas.




Go well Beach Dwellers and I have said it before.  More Christmas inspiration with respect to food and decor, can be had here.

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Today I am linked up here
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Live Laugh Rowe
With Some Grace
Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday

12 comments :

  1. Beautiful decorations. Cute couple you are. Happy Anniversary.

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  2. Lovely decoration and photo of you two!Merry Christmas!AriadnefromGreece!

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  3. Both the mantle, the tree, and that shot of you two!

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  4. This is a lovely idea. I have not seen this before or even thought of it. A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  5. I love it. It's so pretty and yes, very festive and totally sets up the room for Christmas. Gorgeous and I wish I had just a tenth of your decorating skills. Glad you felt revitalised after your anniversary dinner. Merry Christmas to you and all your family and may it be your best ever xx

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  6. Oh, how beautiful. I love this - both the look and how very diy friendly it is too.

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  7. Gorgeous! I adore those tiny snowflake lights. I love that your date with your husband inspired your creativity - I find that some one-on-one time with my husband often has the same effect on me :) I love your style.

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  8. Such a simple aesthetically pleasing idea. I love the shell idea. You've inspired me :)

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  9. Love it - simple but gorgeous :-)

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  10. Every time I came here I am amazed with your decoration style...can I hire you to decorate our Motorhome for next Christmas?
    I love the Beach feel to the Christmas Mantel that you put together - its gorgeous with the frame, the lights, the beach shells - all of it makes it seem like a true Australian Christmas.
    And yes going out to dinner to celebrate Anniversaries is such a good way to remember why couples got married! I think that taking away the stress of day to day living is a must on a regular basis for a happy marriage :)

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  11. The colors are great! You were able to mix and match the colors well :) This is very cool and unique!
    Thanks
    danasurfboards.com

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