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Christmas Mantel: Snowy Woodlands

Despite the cloudy, rainy mess our December is turning out to be, I was more in the mood for snow. Perhaps I needed the peace of snow falling in the woods after my shiny dining room and busy Christmas schedule. To be sure, I kept the sparkle to touches of shimmer. Let us take a look at the snowy woodland inspired mantel.

I know you should never lead with an apology, but excuse these photos. It seems we will never have another sunny day in which I can photograph my decor.

To create the upholstered/snow draped mantel I placed batting under white seersucker fabric. Those lovely corners? Yeah… I cut and pinned those because I was too lazy to walk downstairs and sew. I figure temporary display merits temporary seams. To offer some contrast to all that white I added fake alpine trees and collected pine cones. I also found some decorative cinnamon sticks (i.e. decent scent but not good for flavoring) I had squirreled away with last years decorations. They worked great to cover the bases of the trees in lew of a tree skirt.

I did want some shimmer so I took these dollarstore candle holders from last year, brushed a little white glue on the tops and rolled them in Epsom salt mixed with a pinch of clear glitter. I had planned on disposing of the candle holders after this Christmas since the candles are stuck (and they were only a dollar) but I may have to find a way to hang on to them. I love the subtle shine!

Again I am a huge fan of using what I already have on hand to create a new display. My wardian case became a candle holder in the fireplace, plant pots and baskets got co-opted to create stands for the candles and display pine cones. The snowflakes hung from the dining room chandelier last Christmas. Only the snow ball trim was new and at $2 per 30 foot roll I spent a total of $4 bucks.

While not shown (I’ll be doing the great Christmas reveal next week) the Christmas tree will sit next to the mantel and bring in a little more sparkle to the scene. As a hint, it will involve home-grown crystals to make an icy complement to the snow.

12 thoughts on “Christmas Mantel: Snowy Woodlands

  1. Are there candles inside the epsom salts topped holders?

    1. I used the fake tea lights. Didn’t want to risk any fire.

  2. Love your ideas

    1. Thank you so much! What a nice complement.

  3. […] Can you imagine actually living in a gingerbread house? How awesome would that be? Well, since the ants and every bug known to mankind would happily intrude on your tasty house, we’ll just say that it’s not possible. Instead, we thought of decorating the house to look like a gingerbread house. Cotton batting can be used to line your house with “icing” or “snow.” (Real Mountain Values) […]

  4. Here is how to get out stuck candles. Stick the whole thing in the freezer for a while until they contract enough to pop or pry them out. It really works!

    1. I’ll have to try that out! Thanks for the tip.

  5. I love the use of “snow” for Christmas decorating…it adds that unexpected element. Great mantel!

    1. Thanks so much! I love snow, and though we get some it is never enough around the holidays.

  6. I love the snowy mantel scarf with the snowflakes hanging beneath… so pretty! I think the cinnamon stick/pinecone combo is WAY better than a tree skirt! How clever! It all looks beautiful!

  7. No apology necessary! Your mantle is beautiful! I love the epsom salts idea!

    1. Thanks! I struggle with my pictures on good days so I get even more frustrated when I’m working with bad conditions.

      Who knew how many uses Epsom salts would have?!

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