Well, one of my “mantels” is actually a piano, but I decorate it like a mantel, so we’ll go with it.
This first mantel…okay…piano, is in my living room. This vignette is simple, neutral and all about my taste in decorating. The Hess trucks, laughing Santa and such are banned to the family room.
A German glass glitter “Christmas” banner is hung from an antique bead board door leaned against the piano.
I was only able to find two of these raw chipboard banners, so I sold one and kept one for myself. Aren’t you proud of me? And you thought I sold everything…
The wreath is live and was $9.00 at the grocery store. That beats the $20 I was quoted at the Christmas tree lot.
Ironstone pitchers are lined in front of the wreath and the vignette is rounded out with framed family photos and a large gold leafed “and” sign.
I also arranged an ironstone and live wreath vignette over my curio. I can’t wait to pick out a live tree and adorn it with my sheet music and glass glitter line. Of course, I still have to make it all, but I know it’s going to look beautiful. I’m also going to make a ruffled linen tree skirt and a very cool burlap garland. I thought I was burnt out on Christmas, since I’ve been making decorations since September, but I’m finding renewed energy.
The second mantel, which is a for real mantel is in my family room. This one is about family, comfort, and playfulness.
Half of an antique dutch barn door is the backdrop for artificial greens, sparkly snowflakes, and hand-crocheted stockings (made by my mom.)
I used the antique baby buggy frame as a miniature Santa sleigh filled with ornaments and a mini tree wrapped in a jingle bell garland. A simple burlap scrap lines the buggy.
I made the German glass glitter “ho ho ho” banner. Click here to view my video tutorial on making these.
The artificial wreath is filled out with bunches of shatterproof balls, burlap garland and German glass glitter snowflakes.
Glittered snowflakes are hung from twine across the barn door. I love the sparkle against the original red paint.
Donna, quit drooling over my hinges.
More Christmas decor to come, but I had to get my mantels done to share them at Layla’s Holiday Mantel Party. Thanks for hosting, Layla!
























46 Responses
LOL!! You're awesome. It's more than the hinges though. That entire red door is calling my name…
LOVE the look on both! You made the family colourful one a must have as well. How adorable is that tree in that buggy! So unique!
You won me over once again. Now I feel inspired to do the rest here as well. I always benefit from a MMS visit. Gorgeous!
Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Both are adorable, but those pitchers are oh-so-sweet. I am SO GLAD someone besides me is going to show their decorated piano! I do not have a fireplace, but my entire life, my mom has decorated our antique upright piano, and once I inherited it 4 years ago, I continued the tradition. Speaking of which, I need to get mine done ASAP.
Carol
antiquetexan.blogspot.com
both are beautiful!!love them lots
P.S. Check my blog in a couple of days, because as soon as my upright gets decorated for Christmas, I will have it up. Your post will definitely be a link in the post, as well. Also, there are only a few days left to enter my CSN giveaway, if you are interested!
Carol
antiquetexan.blogspot.com
I am drooling over it all. I love how you use color and neutrals and it all goes together. That barn door is to die for.
Love the red doors! I'm a sucker for fresh greens too. Love the simplicity of the arrangement on your piano. And the baby buggy is a lot smaller then I had envisioned from your previous post about it. How cute it is!
My grandmother used her piano like a mantle always changing it out with the seasons, holidays, picture gallery you name it.
LOL on the hinge envy. Beautiful…. simply beautiful. 🙂
They both look beautiful! I never thought of treating my piano top as a mantle, but it's about to get a Christmas makeover!
In love:)
I love the mantel! It's really cute. I like the rustic/natural mixed in with the cuteness. 🙂 I like your piano top too. It's simple and natural.
Love the piano and the mantle is really fun and pretty,I'm really in love with that baby buggy, the uses for it are endless.
BEautiful Marian…and the second one is so fun!
How cute did that baby buggy turn out to be. I love both mantles.
I love both your mantles! I think "rustic" Christmas decor are always my favorite!
Both 'mantels' are lovely. I LOVE the glitter against the red door on your actual mantel! I see your baby buggy found the perfect spot!
xoxo,
Jami
I love them both! Really love the glitter, Have a blessed day!
love them both, I adore how you have a natural elegant one, and a playful colorful one, yet they still match each other. Wonderful job!
Ohh wow great price on the live wreath! I never buy them in my area….they usually start at $45 and up! So I would have thought the $20 was good!
I love the baby buggy! Everything looks beautiful, Marian. I bet your tree is going to be lovely. I love your fresh greens, pops of color and your German glass glitter for a touch of sparkle.
LOVE LOVE that barn door! Both are just gorgeous!
XO
Kristin
LOVE the red barn door. I left a few of those behind when I moved a few years ago. It made me sad then and more sad now! Regardless, your 'mantles' are lovely. The fresh wreaths are super in the living room. And I love the buggy you had the vision for! Great work. Lori L
I love your "piano mantel" Its all so pretty, classic and stunning!
SO creative- the doors and wood with the decor on it…LOVE it!
Love them both! My piano currently has a tiny village a top.
Your mantels are so pretty! I love that you can do two totally different styles, that is what I love about decorating! (lovin the red barn door!! mmmmmmmm! )
They both look great!! And your baby buggy looks super cute in that second vignette!
I haven't even started my Holiday decorating yet… I should probably start with the dead Mums that are planted in the urns in front of my house. Not a festive look!
It all looks great! I LOVE the red door!
GOOD GRIEF!
Your mantels are STUNNING!!!
Next year, you're comin' over and decorating ours while we sit on the couch and sing Christmas carols for you.
🙂
Layla
Marian-
I love both of those mantels! The buggy is so cute as a sleigh!
You rock girl!
Tammy 🙂
JUNK WILD
very inspiring! happy holidays! 🙂
amy
You're only allowed to be good at one mantel… not two, haha!
They are both gorgeous! Love the old red door and sled!
Happy Holidays!
xx,
Michelle
Marian – I'm in serious love with that door over your mantel! Soooo cool! Hinges and all! lol! The first mantel definitely called my name. Quiet, serene, and just beautiful! 🙂
xoxo laurie
Marian – I'm in serious love with that door over your mantel! Soooo cool! Hinges and all! lol! The first mantel definitely called my name. Quiet, serene, and just beautiful! 🙂
xoxo laurie
I love them both! The "and" sign between the two photos is genius! I love the German glitter glass ornaments and letters. So pretty! Thanks for once again inspiring me beyond belief!
Love love love your mantels! They are gorgeous! The use of the doors is wonderful. And I love the way you have included the baby buggy…a Santa's sleigh…who knew!!!
Fabulous!
Hugs
SueAnn
You are just so amazing! I get so many ideas from you, I can't even finish reading the post before I jump up to fix something because of what I learn from you.
Love it!
Hugs to you
Oh wow! I love, love, love the mantle with the red door and what you've done with the baby buggy. Very pretty!
Gorgeous! absolutely lovely. WELL DONE, wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Katherine
Totally CHARMING…
Warm blessings,
Spencer
Love your mantles, especially the barn door..
I was so inspired by your sheet music wreaths – I made the ornaments for our church Christmas Tree.. Check it out if you have time.
http://www.JustHeavenlyDecor.blogspot.com
We get our tree at the grocery every year now….cheaper! smiles,
Both are absolutely gorgeous! I'm doing something similar at my house – neutral and simple in the living room, with MMS inspired ornaments, and colorful and family oriented in the dining room (because that's where the tree is.)
Beautiful. Inspiring. So, if you can decorate a piano as a mantel, I can decorate a mantel just propped up against the wall waiting to be secure. Right? As long as I use shatterproof too? lol
Beautiful job as usual!
Enjoy the weekend!
Roeshel
I feel like I am the only one in America without a barn door over my fireplace! I wonder if I can find an old cabinet door someplace a use that? Ann
Fabulous!!! I love the baby buggy as a sleigh!
Angie