Wednesday 5 December 2012

Christmas Mantelpiece - Simple - Elegant

On a dull, wet, Auckland Spring day I tried to get some photos of my Christmas mantelpiece.  I'm not so happy with the image results, still waiting for that elusive upgrade camera, "I know, ya..ya.. you have heard this before". However, yet another Christmas I have had to make do with my point and shoot, so please excuse the fact that I don't have a wide angle lens, and I had to work in poor light.  I am a perfectionist at heart and would rather wait until I have that perfect camera, but I realise, if I wait for perfection, my readers would too. I am thankful for photo enhancement to add some light to the images, although I may have over done it slightly.

I wanted this years mantel to reflect nature and elegance, and to include items of mine and my mothers. For nature, I chose Orchids, I adore them and they flower for such a long time, I knew they would see Christmas and New Year too. My pair of porcelain Cheetahs complimented the white orchids and their black pots and added to the symmetry.  I then  up cycled a vintage fruit salad glass that belonged to my mum. I had lots of old broken pearl necklaces of my mothers and placed these in the bottom of the glass, adding a simple white candle. I finished off with a delicate garland of tiny silver stars to swag across the mantel and voila!... Simple but definitely elegant, don't you think?





























Poppy was totally miffed yet again at being dressed up, she is giving me her, "sad dog" look.

If you want to see my mantelpiece from last year, please visit "here" or if you still haven't planned your own mantelpiece and want more inspiration see my previous post "Christmas Mantelpiece Decorations".

Later this week I'll be sharing more images of my living room makeover decorated for Christmas and next week my Christmas tablescape which this year is a touch of "vintage". I'll  be using all the beautiful vintage items I have inherited from my mother to create a pretty vintage Christmas tablescape.

Last years tablescape of mauve and silver can be seen "here"

Have a wonderful week, start to plan your Christmas day meal now so you won't stress.  If you haven't thought about gifts yet, you might want to check out some of my  gift ideas "here", its still not too late to order on line.
















9 comments:

  1. I love your mantle! So elegant, and it looks even better with Poppy.

    I can't wait to see the rest of the decorating, especially the cabinet you mentioned :)

    - Ididtellyou.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Caroline for dropping by. I hope to get the other photos up by this weekend so hope you can pop back and take a look.

      Lee :)

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  2. truly gorgeous!

    hope you'll find a moment to stop by (if you haven't already!) and enter a giveaway i am hosting: http://www.hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2012/12/personalized-lovely-giveaway.html

    smiles and happy weekend to you.

    michele

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    1. Thank you for dropping by, I will definitely hop over and look at your blog.

      Lee :)

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  3. Your mantel is simple and beautiful. I too long for a better camera, but ya know I think you do great with your point and shoot. Your room is so bright and white. I love it.

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    1. Thank you for popping by Brandy and thanks for the comment about my camera skills. I think I over did the lighting on picasa editing. My room is white but it is a colour called "Rice Cake" by Resene. A white with a slightly grey/green neutral tone to it. It works well with whatever you put in the room which is great.

      Lee :)

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  4. Love your mantel, love the whole room, it's a room that you just want to walk into and stand and feel the ambiance of Christmas beauty. :)

    real estate ph

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    1. Thank you lisa for your comment, I hope my Christmas guests will feel the same when they arrive Christmas day. Just a small gathering of us.

      Lee :)

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  5. Love your mantel and home decor! It is fresh, crisp and cozy! :)

    Julie

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