You all are such an easy bunch to please.
In my last post I asked what you wanted to see here and based on the feedback, what I thought was boring you all to tears is exactly what you come here for. You like seeing simple and easy ways to change things up – no big budgets or messy renovations required. That my friends, I can do – you are coming to the right place!
I think we all like the feeling of less clutter and open space at the start of a new year. It’s refreshing, rejuvenating, and I, for one, find it so much easier to just think and breathe when I’m not surrounded by a lot of stuff.
So every year when January rolls around I crave spaces that feel open, airy, and fresh, yet still maintain that warmth that makes you want to snuggle in on those cold winter nights.
Christmas day really kicked off a string of super cold days for us here in the Chicago area. Yesterday it was around 14 degrees and it felt like a heat weave – and that is no lie. So needless to say, I have been enjoying the heck out of my little fireplace night after night.
You may notice I removed the snowguards-turned-sconces (don’t worry – they’re being relocated to another spot in the house). I was starting to feel a little boxed in as to what I could do on this mantel – plus it’s nice to move things around – so I took them down to allow for a little more space to arrange things on my already challenging (it’s so skinny!) mantel/ledge. Full disclosure: I totally photoshopped the holes from where the sconces were screwed in. I spackled…but I didn’t sand…and I had already put the ladder away…so…you know…it is very likely it will stay that way for months. Hey – you wanted real. 😉
I spotted the wall basket from the Hearth & Hand line at Target (find it here) and I just couldn’t resist – all that warm color and texture was speaking my love language and I had to bring it home (it comes in two sizes – this is the larger one). A couple of my favorite vintage books elevate an old bottle holding a few faux eucalyptus stems (find them here) – I love how the soft green plays off the white, wood, and rattan – and simple black candleholders finish it off.
I’m always surprised by the power of even the smallest pop of black in a room. It makes such a crisp, clean statement that can somehow manage to feel vintage, modern, and everywhere in between all at the same time.
And because extra candlelight is never a bad idea, I left the lanterns next to the hearth from Christmas, and used an old crate to hold a few birch logs and fireplace tools – functional storage that can pass as decoration is always a bonus in my book!
And if you’re looking for more mantel ideas from winters past, take a look here and here.
Looks so good….simple, clean and uncluttered….and that new basket…..love it!
Thanks Linda! Isn’t the texture and color of that basket just lovely?!
Beautiful! I’m in the process of removing Christmas decor, and after a thorough cleaning, it will be time for the house to breathe a little. The texture of that basket seems to say BREATHE!
It does, doesn’t it? I had the same kind of reaction when I saw it – which is why it’s now sitting on my mantel lol. 😉
Your mantel looks wonderful…….you are so good at putting things together that I’d probably never think of. Thanks for the ideas.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂
A perfect warm and cozy look for winter! I really love the inclusion of old books and the way that you have placed them on your mantle. Your room is so inviting and beautiful. Thank-you!
What’s a mantel without a few old books stacked on it, right? I just love the yellowed pages and worn covers. Thanks Ellen!
I love your mantel. It’s just perfect and that fire is so inviting. Those lanterns are just the right touch, and I agree, you can never go wrong with a little black. I get so many great ideas from you.
Thanks Sue! I have really been enjoying the fireplace this winter – it’s not so great for productivity around the house though lol!
Thank you so much for including the source for the eucalyptus branch! I have been looking everywhere for them but haven’t been able to find them at a reasonable price. These are perfect! So perfect I ordered 5:)
Lol. Yay! Enjoy those branches Dani! 😀
Hi Tonya, super pretty !! Pinning ! Thanks for sharing the source for the wall basket from Target! Happy New Year
Oh thank you so much for the pins Christine! Happy New Year!
Your fireplace looks so cozy with these frigid temps all over the country. Love the simple but beautiful look. Happy New Year to you.
Thank you Terry! I have really been enjoying this fireplace the last couple of weeks. Happy New Year!
I love the lanterns, they give such a cozy feeling all year. The basket art is a good selection to fulfill my desire of tobacco baskets, and the depth would fit my small space better. It’s all so serene; so refreshing after all the holiday busy decor. I too love a pop of black in each room. Have a wonderful day.
Thanks Ann! I too have a tobacco basket stashed in the basement that seems to be just a bit too large for pretty much any place I try to use it. But I love the smaller scale and texture of these wall baskets. Same effect – just easier to put to use in a smaller house!
Simple is theeee best of all! Thank you for that! Cozy and charming and please…..tell me you have plenty of wine for these cold nights by the fire, too!!!
Oh you know I do Patty! 😀
I recently purchased the same pair of lanterns but it never occurred to me to place them on the hearth – now I just need to get some candles. Your mantle looks perfect and after the decor of Christmas, I am also going for a simpler look.
There is just something about the start of a new year and a clutter free look that I find so refreshing. Have fun with those lanterns Liz!