Love and a cottage: Winter White Mantel

Another holiday season has come and gone. Seriously? I swear it just goes faster and faster each year. That being said, I kind of couldn't wait to take down the Christmas decorations. It wasn't that I didn't like them, it was more of the fact that the house was starting to feel cluttered, especially in the living room with the tree.

I waited until New Year's day to start the demolition, but once I started, I was on a mission. I started by pulling everything that was purely Christmas and boxing it up. I was already feeling a little better. The trouble with Christmas is that there's a fine line with what is Christmas and what is just "winter". For example, a snowman holding a sign that says Happy Holidays is Christmas. But just a plain old snowman - winter.

I knew I wanted to do a simple winter white mantel. I already had some pieces I wanted to use, but felt something was missing. I really wanted a bell jar and was lucky enough to find exactly what I was looking for at the Christmas Tree Shop. I filled it with two decorative wicker balls I already had and then added some silver and white candles, a snow globe, and vase to the mantel.

Once I had this, I needed a centerpiece. I of course kept the shutter and mirror I use every season, but I needed something else to tie it all together. I had found a driftwood wreath at the consignment shop in town a few months ago for only $12, but it was a little too summery. I ended up taking a gray ribbon I had saved from a Christmas gift, wrapped it around the wreath, and tied a bow on top. It immediately took the wreath from summer to winter. The final touch was candle on top of a Bath and Body Works stand Dan got me for Christmas.

I really like the crisp, white look of this mantel, and I think the transition to spring will be simple. As for the blanket ladder in the corner, I switched out the red plaid tablecloth I was using as a throw for a white one.

In the kitchen, I just updated the shelf in between the windows and door. I kept the mugs I had out at Christmas and added a few odds and ends to winterize it. I've started to utilize the top of the shelf which is something I've never really done before. I like how it gives me a little more space to add some of my favorite things, but doesn't overwhelm the shelves.