Monday, December 7, 2009

Aaaannnd…the Mantle

I’m on a role here, people!  There’s no stoppin’ this Christmas decorating fool.  Well, I guess laundry could always stop me.  However, I’ve just chosen not to do it.  It’s the sacrifice I’m willing to make.

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Remember this wreath?  Luckily I’ve stocked up on the super wide ribbon from Wal-Mart, and I simply changed it out for the season.

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My neutrality (yup, made it up) took a backseat for a minute so I could implement some more red this year.  I figure it’s not too obnoxious to give me nightmares or make me break out into hives on a regular basis. 

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Of course, no fireplace mantle would be complete without some big, gaseous, high-maintenance dog plopped right in the middle of my shot.  He saw me grab the camera, and he literally trotted over to “his spot”.

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I mumbled something like, “What do you think you’re doing?” and he responded by thumping his tail on the floor.  Huh.

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  So there you have it!  The mantle.  I’ll be back after I spread more Christmas cheer throughout the house!

92 comments:

Unknown said...

gorgeous... stunning... love the last pic. w/ the cute doggy, the burning fire, mantel and tree. Love that bowa wreath... so cute and glam!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It looks great, Chris, and your pictures came out so good! Love the red {can't go wrong with that color}.

Carrie said...

Oh, so beautiful! It's perfect! I love the garland! so cozy!

Hopeful Housewife said...

Chris, I love it! Makes me want to snuggle up with a nice book or with Max, he just adds to the charm

Cheri said...

Oh your pup just makes it look like a lovely card.

It looks stunning.

Debbie said...

Oh how I love that. And your dog just adds that homeified (I made that up too) look. I'm lovin' the apple green and red, is that a real tree?

Unknown said...

That room looks so cozy and delicious. Really beautiful. Where did you get that garland?

Jen said...

OMG it's gorgeous!! I actually have a a big vase filled with similar ornament balls like yours! I feel so chic having something like you!! I even came up with the idea all on my own!! (Although I now want to add pine cones!)

I love that your dog is in the picture!! Makes it feel more homey! My dog's favorite spot is right in front of our fireplace too!!

southerninspiration said...

Looks fantastic!!! I love the look and your tree is beautiful!

Suzanne

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!! The red with the lime green! LOVE! And that wreath! I am coveting it!! And I love the last photo!! Looks like a Christmas card!

Beautiful photos!

Lou Cinda :)

Madison Sanders said...

Gorgeous. You've done it again, my friend.

Patricia said...

WOW is that AMAZINGLY beautiful!
Merry Christmas

Jessica said...

GORGEOUS!!!!! I love the pops of red!

Amber Filkins said...

Absolutely beautiful! JUST stunning!! I love red. Especially at Christmas time.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Christmas card perfect, dog and all!

susan said...

LOVE your mantel--especially the wreath! Love the ornaments in the container and,of course, the dog :)

Moore Minutes said...

Absolutely gorgeous. Your photography is really good too!

RNSANE said...

Chris, you definitely have the Christmas spirit. Your home looks like something out of one of those fancy decorating magazines...job well done.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Gorgeous - I'm totally loving that wreath!

Caren said...

It looks beautiful and I like the doggy in that perfect spot. My dog is adding the perfect "scent" to make your photo oh, so realistic... that part I could do without. ;)

jomama said...

Love the garland! So great.

kimert said...

Your mantel and tree are absolutely beautiful!!!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Beautious!! I love the pops of red! I'm obsessed with red this year. Our cats do the same thing -- they must have super sonic "the camera is turning on" hearing.

Nancy Hood said...

love the red vases!! beautiful room, Chris, in her holiday dress :)

Cottage Dreamers said...

Love the dog! He makes the whole thing come together.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

The garland is gorgeous!!! Love the feathers and natural-ness to it! Simly fabulous! Happy Holidays!

Rachelle said...

I love it. Even with the dog in the picture it's bliss. :)


Rachelle

Brittany said...

Just looked through all of your Christmas decoration posts! You did a fantastic job! I absolutely love what you did on your mantle! Beautiful!

Grace @ One Craft Girl's Corner said...

So beautiful! It makes your home seem so warm and inviting!

Momofgirls said...

Can you just come over??????

It's delicious. Love it all!

Danielle and Clint said...

The room looks so warm and cozy. I want that wreath!

CosmoGirl Carla said...

It's gorgeous. I love how Maximus is enjoying the fire. I wish I had a mantle to decorate :o(. I just gaze at yours when I'm feeling mantle-envy!

Jodee said...

I love it!

Sass said...

So...
Can I move in to your house?
It's beautiful...I can cook, clean, babysit...

Love the mantel.

Sass
:D

Lori E said...

your photos (with the dog) remind me of a high end decorating magazine. beautiful and very inspiring....and I too have a mountain of laundry to put away (we are living out of the basket right now) because my holiday decorating has taken over.

Holly said...

Absolutely stunning! Love it!

Mandi Shandi said...

Fantastic!! It is definitley pretty enough to justify skipping laundry.

Nancy said...

Are you kidding me... the feathers.. LOVE THEM!!! The dog in the picture... very BHG or Southern Living (whichever you choose). You just need to be in the picture holding a cup of cocoa and be all nestled and cozy on your couch. So pretty and "hang-out-able." Yep. I made up that word.

Richella Parham said...

CHRIS! This looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!

And think of it this way: at Christmastime, red and green ARE the neutrals. No nightmares.

He may be high-maintenance, but Maximus does add an adorable touch to those photos. I especially like the one where we can see your tree in the foreground and the fireplace in the background. Gorgeous.

I thought of you today as I wrote about my first Christmas in Michigan. :) Stay warm!

The dB family said...

It's positively gorgeous -- big gaseous dog and all :o)!!

Blessings!
Deborah

Judy said...

You have done a beautiful job! The garland is just gorgeous! Your pup knows the best place to lie down...perfect picture.

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

I love it! And I was going to comment yesterday on how I think your burlap garland is just inspired ... and the cutest idea I've seen all season. Love it all! Gorgeous room.

Anonymous said...

SUCH a pretty home!! These pictures are stunning!!! You seem like the best mom ever!! xxoxoxo

Connie said...

Looks awesome! I finally got around to making a pair of ornament wreaths you posted many moons ago. They look pretty great and I've had some relatives hinting I should make some for them. Maybe next years gift no?!

Connie said...

Looks awesome! I finally got around to making a pair of ornament wreaths you posted many moons ago. They look pretty great and I've had some relatives hinting I should make some for them. Maybe next years gift no?!

Love Being A Nonny said...

Your mantle is BEAUTIFUL!

Shanade said...

That wreath and tree are absolutely gorgeous! Well done.

Aura said...

Beautiful! I love your traditional Christmas colors. I love all the new blues and browns and pinks and purples that people are using in decorations, but I always go back to the basic reds and greens myself!

nina@themissadventuresofnina said...

Maximus is my kind of dog!
I wanna go there and hug him :) your home is looking amazing!

Debra said...

I love the mantle. That wreath is darling. The picture of your dog by the fireplace is so cute.

Love your wrapping idea from the previous post.

Sherri said...

Gorgeous! Like someone said, looks like a Christmas card. Complete with large dog. ;-)

Ruth said...

It all looks stunning and fabulous!! Your blog is beautiful. I just recently found your blog through a link somewhere else. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!

I am hosting a giveaway on my blog. I hope you can stop by and enter.

Robin Johnson said...

beautiful!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

That is the most beautiful garland I have ever seen!

LWLH said...

Looks gorgeous..I want you to come decorate my house! :)

Kathy said...

One word: WOW

Kate Riley said...

That mantle had me at hello. Where in the world did you buy/make that wreath ? I'm in heaven. Inquiring minds want to know. I'm so smitten with all the glam paired with the shiny red !!

Pink Stitches said...

Beautiful decorations!! Oh how I wish to have a mantle.

welcometomyfrontporch said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!! Very cozy too!

Sandy said...

Hello! I'm new to your blog, and love it! You have great style and are hilarious! Love the tree and the mantel. (And adore that dog! What a sweetheart!)

Girl with the Curlz said...

So pretty. The room looks fabulous. Love that garland.

Phyllis @Around the House said...

Just stunning I really love the way you have done the mantle, love all the pinecones and apples, my mantle looks very similar only for some reason I had this for once I wanted the ends to touch the floor, I think I got the look I wanted but I must say yours is a wow, come for a visit, I am a new follower of yours...

Nicolasa said...

wow. absolutely stunning! I LOVE IT!

Laurie said...

Simply breath taking!!!!

LoriLyn said...

It feels very warm. I love it :)

Unknown said...

Oh how beautiful and doggy just makes it perfect.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Chris, it's all just beautiful. Love your tree and that gorgeous garland on the mantel. You did a great job! That red & green looks so vibrant.

LOL on the dog!

Lori said...

I think that the dog just sets off the picture ~ it looks like home! Beautiful mantel ~ I love it!

Andrea said...

Absolutly Breathtaking!!

House Queen said...

Can I move in...or at least next door? YOU ROCK!!!!

Paige said...

Gorgeous. I love the last picture!

Darlene said...

That wreath is fabulous! How was it made?? What is the white puffy stuff. Do tell....and quick because I want to make one!! I am not crafty and need all the help I can get. Thanks and have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Oh, it is SO beautiful! I'm so happy I found your blog! Lovely!

Wendy said...

Love it!!! And deep down you know you love the dog. :)

Unknown said...

Your tree and mantle look beautiful! Makes me want to curl up in that room with a blanket, a book and a cup of hot chocolate!

SharDon Exclusives said...

Oh, my goodness your decorations are absolutely stunning! It looks as if it should be in a magazine. Lovely lovely Christmas decor.
Have a wonderful time in preparation for our blessed season,
Sharon

SharDon Exclusives said...

Oh, my goodness your decorations are absolutely stunning! It looks as if it should be in a magazine. Lovely lovely Christmas decor.
Have a wonderful time in preparation for our blessed season,
Sharon

Jen @ After The Alter said...

You have such an amazing eye! I LOVE the mandle! It is so classy and warm...makes me wish I had a fire place!

Courtney @ One Fine Wire said...

Um, that's gorgeous!

Davis Family said...

So pretty, i hope you are having a fun party this month to show off all your gorgeous decorations!

MaryRC said...

very nice that wreath is to die for, i want one with a blue ribbon.. oh yea!

Anonymous said...

so glad I found your site and did the fireplace garland as you described. I love it! It was fun to do and looks awesome.

Shirley said...

That garland is so beautiful and full! Where did you find it or maybe you made it? What a perfect setting with the fireplace and the dog. Looks like a Christmas card.

Jaime said...

Chris, how are you getting such great photos of your Christmas decorations? I've tried all different settings and they never come out quite right. Any pointers? Your house looks gorgeous.

2sisters said...

It's beautiful.....and the mantle doesn't look half bad either. LOL! He's darling and your home looks gorgeous!
teri

Anonymous said...

I love the wreath! So sassy!

Unknown said...

It's all good. Love the red, love the dog. :)

Erika said...

where did you get the garland you wrapped around your tree, the burlappy thing with the ho-ho and other writing....LOVE THAT!
pics so beautiful

Stacey said...

Beautiful! I love your tree!

Barb said...

Oh honey everything looks fantastic, even Maximus...He's such a lovable lug. Those sad eyes. The tree is so lovely and adore the snow ornament and HO HO HO. So CHRISTMASYYYYY

Love Mom

Anonymous said...

I love it all! It looks so inviting and just like a Christmas card! I am stopping in from Nester's Tour. If you would like to see my tour posts you can click on the 'Christmas 2009' tag on the left sidebar of my blog. Have a great holiday season!

jerriann said...

Fun post and your mantle looks pretty all dressed up in red. I love it and it is great inspiration for this year.

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