Christmas Mantel in the Hearth Room

It's my first Christmas here at our new-to-us cottage, and I finally have the fireplace and mantel I have hoped for. I had a few criteria that were on my wish list in a new home: an actual hearth room that had either a wood burning fireplace or a gas fireplace that didn't make me nauseous from gas fumes, a lower mantel that I could actually reach to decorate, and that it would be white. Is that too much to ask for? I didn't think so.

With a little tweaking of the mantel, we were able to check off all the items on my wish list. I've been having fun decorating this space since it's neutral and easy to reach. For Christmas I wanted to stick with a white theme and add in some faux greenery and topiaries. I bought the little white ceramic houses last year from Crate and Barrel, but I hadn't had a chance to use them since we were moving. Before I got this look I tried several different wreaths but decided on the white. It has small lights so several of these pics show it lighted too.

The Pottery Barn lanterns are my favorite standbys that I use every season (somewhere).  I thought about adding plaid ribbon to the topiaries or lanterns, but I've just left things as is. It's easy to over decorate here, so I usually end up editing my decorating efforts.

I've had the "Noel" sign for years from a vintage market vendor, and was handpainted.

My vintage red/white quilt is on the ottoman and I share my chair with a plaid Pier 1 pillow from my sis a few years ago. I love having this space neutral because it's so easy to change things up for the holidays and seasons. I'll share the rest of this cozy room later this weekend.

I shared about my antique porch column last summer with the post, It only took 5 years.

 That corner is the perfect spot for it (because it hides some really ugly gas lines.)

It's been pretty chilly around here, so I've been enjoying the fire.

It's so nice to crawl up on the sofa with a warm throw and grab a little cat nap.

And if I'm real lucky I can actually nap with a cat.

Hope you're having a great week.

Work continues on the landscape and it's starting to take shape.

It was one of those things that "got a lot worse before it got better."

Christmas Vintage Inspiration here.

Christmas Home Tour here.

see you Monday evening for

joining in here:

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home

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LouLouGirls Fabulous Party

Tips and Tutorials at Home Stories A to Z

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Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home

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Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Farmhouse Friday at The Painted Hinge