A tale of two mantels

I was looking forward to sharing this post this morning, but due to technical difficulties (yeah, I'm looking at you, Comcast.) I had to wait all day!

I basically ended up reworking the items used in my winter tablescape for the mantel. I added a new Christmas tree and some gold boxes that I'd gotten from a shop's old retail display. I thought it was all lookin' pretty swanky.

 

But then I asked my husband what he thought. Ever so gently, he asked if I'd maybe want to try adding a color. Gah! Color. Right. One cannot always decorate in neutrals.

With the gauntlet thrown down, I began assessing my decoration stash for colors. Turns out, I had red shiny and glittery ball ornaments. So red it was. I switched out one of my gold boxes for a red one. I painted some branches bright. I unwound my grey yarn cone and rewrapped it with red yarn.

I really didn't want to spend money on this second mantel look, but I did end up at the local drugstore snagging red candles. And at the last minute, I also painted the tips of the pine cones red and sprinkled a little glitter on them.

 

 

 

 

So there ya go. Two Christmas mantels for the price of one! What do you think? Was my husband right? Is it better with some pops of red?

This project was part of the Dare to DIY challenge hosted by Decor and the Dog, Maybe Matilda, Newly Woodwards, and Two Twenty One. Be sure to stop in and see what other ladies came up with! And, I also linked to the House of Hepworths Party and A Thoughtful Place.