Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Corner Mantle Decorations

I have a corner fireplace that is deep and awkward and very difficult to decorate.  I have scoured the internet for mantle inspiration and there is plenty for normal mantles, but I've never seen anything for corner mantles.

This is my 50th Christmas and I have never, in my entire life, had a real tree. I don't have one this year either, but I do have limbs and trunks of real trees. Yes, I guess that I am a bit of a scavenger. I couldn't even pass up the portions of the tree trunks in the free bin at Home Depot.

This year I wanted simple, natural and rustic decorations for the mantle. The only thing I purchased this year was the red scarf that I found at Goodwill for .99¢. Oh, I take that back, several weeks ago I bought the old window at the same warehouse where I got a van load of free wood scraps. I've wanted an old window for a long time and have many ideas for this one.

My family thinks this is rather silly looking,  perhaps you do to, but I like it! It makes this nature lover very happy to see the chunky remnants of the trees with their sticky sap dripping and giving the house that wonderful aroma that just smells like Christmas.

I love this wonderful rusty outdoor lantern that I found at a garage sale last summer at a local women's shelter. I paid $2.00 for it. It still had the electrical wiring and light bulbs in it but I ripped it all out to use indoors.


This lantern is usually outside on the front porch. It too is rusty in places. The lanterns have battery operated candles but the green candles are real. There really isn't much difference in the glow.

I have a wonderful collection of  turquoise Ball jars. Some were passed down to me from my mother-in-law and her mother, others were garage sale finds or a gift from a sweet friend. I love them and I'm so glad to see them become so popular in recent years.

I have pine tree branches scattered throughout the house, both inside and out.

May your days during this wonderful season be merry and bright and filled with the things you love!

6 comments:

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

Your mantle, your decorations are as beautiful and unique as you are, Robin. You've made your home warm and cozy for the holidays. Merry Christmas!

Angie said...

Oh Robin, I've looked at zillions of decorated homes on the internet and yours' is absolutely perfect (for me, anyway)! I LOVE what you did with the chunks of wood, the pinecones, candles, that scarf is adorable on the wreath with the skates...the fresh greenery---oh girl, to me it is sheer perfection and delight!!! What nature lover wouldn't find your mantle to be the most welcoming for the Holidays. Happy Holidays and Blessed Be, Robin. :)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Robin! I love, love, love what you have done here! I would have never thought to take the cut off trunks. I have taken the branches before. What a wonderful idea. I love the way your mantel looks.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your decorations look very charming.

Julie said...

Oh, how I love those Ball canning jars! Great job decorating!

Alicia said...

I was looking for some inspiration to help me decorate the top of my kitchen cabinets and came across your blog. I have a bunch of turquoise ball jars and 4 pitchers of the same color, plus some other things I need to put up there for lack of another place. You decorate so well! I love how you put your mantle together, it's very inspiring and now I think I have a little ammo to get me started. At least I feel like it while looking at my screen!