1 Mantel Done 3 Ways for the Holidays
See how this New York stylist dresses up her mantel with fresh touches for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Mantels are an ideal place to show off your decorating style, and even more so during the holiday season. Interior designer Annie Mistak of Brontosaurus put her own spin on a seasonal display for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in her 500-square-foot Brooklyn studio. See how she created three distinct looks for her original 1901 marble mantel and firebox.
Before: Mistak previously displayed a collection of dinosaur figurines and painted cat food cans on her mantel above a nonworking fireplace. The cans were originally used in a show house room she designed.
Chic and Organic Spooky-Style Halloween Display
The mantel: This subtle Halloween mantel uses fresh and pretty farmers market vegetables for an organic touch and a pared-down look inspired by Mistak’s fond memories of science labs and an affinity for potions. “I’m drawn to the idea of spells, recipes and botany,” she says.
After placing a trio of white pumpkins in the center, she created the first accent piece by putting kohlrabi in a cloche jar with the bulbs at the top. She then closed the jar by adding the base and setting it in place. The result feels like an elegant lab or classroom science experiment.
Black ostrich feathers bought from a store in South Africa are tied together with a glittery ribbon and displayed in a vintage silver goblet-style vase to add an elegant vibe.
The mantel: This subtle Halloween mantel uses fresh and pretty farmers market vegetables for an organic touch and a pared-down look inspired by Mistak’s fond memories of science labs and an affinity for potions. “I’m drawn to the idea of spells, recipes and botany,” she says.
After placing a trio of white pumpkins in the center, she created the first accent piece by putting kohlrabi in a cloche jar with the bulbs at the top. She then closed the jar by adding the base and setting it in place. The result feels like an elegant lab or classroom science experiment.
Black ostrich feathers bought from a store in South Africa are tied together with a glittery ribbon and displayed in a vintage silver goblet-style vase to add an elegant vibe.
The firebox: Mistak found the black-and-gold fireplace screen on a stoop in Brooklyn Heights. She cut off a piece of lace from the bottom of a faux leather skirt bought from a consignment shop in Savannah, Georgia, to make it function as a scarf-like accent for the top of the screen.
Read more about how to create this spooky look
Read more about how to create this spooky look
Sophisticated Harvest Festival-Inspired Display
The mantel: The trio of white pumpkins from the Halloween display transition easily to a harvest festival theme. Seasonal vegetables and plants from the farmers market add a natural and chic touch. The richly colored plumage in the silver cups is reminiscent of fresh-hunted fowl associated with harvest festivals. Eggplant-colored croton leaves ground the display and take the place of a traditional garland. The canary-yellow spaghetti squash is a hallmark of harvest feasts and brightens up the neutral fall scheme. Silver goblets filled with millet add texture and height to the display. “The millet reminded me of corn,” Mistak says.
Neutral colors and the glow from votive candles give the finished mantel display a warm feel.
The mantel: The trio of white pumpkins from the Halloween display transition easily to a harvest festival theme. Seasonal vegetables and plants from the farmers market add a natural and chic touch. The richly colored plumage in the silver cups is reminiscent of fresh-hunted fowl associated with harvest festivals. Eggplant-colored croton leaves ground the display and take the place of a traditional garland. The canary-yellow spaghetti squash is a hallmark of harvest feasts and brightens up the neutral fall scheme. Silver goblets filled with millet add texture and height to the display. “The millet reminded me of corn,” Mistak says.
Neutral colors and the glow from votive candles give the finished mantel display a warm feel.
The firebox: Carefully lit unscented votive candles give a warm and inviting glow to the floor of the nonworking fireplace.
Votive holders: Michaels; saddle and coque feathers: FeatherStore.com;
unscented glass votive candles: Hosley; find similar votive candles
Read more about how to create this harvest festival-inspired look
Votive holders: Michaels; saddle and coque feathers: FeatherStore.com;
unscented glass votive candles: Hosley; find similar votive candles
Read more about how to create this harvest festival-inspired look
Cheerful Vintage-Inspired Christmas Display
The mantel: A familiar red-and-white color scheme brightens up this heartwarming holiday mantel inspired by vintage Christmas animation shows. Santa and Rudolph highlight the simplicity and classic nature of Christmases past, when the technology may not have been sophisticated but the message of holiday spirit captivated children and adults alike. “I was inspired by the [vintage] Christmas decorations I saw at ABC Home and flea markets,” Mistak says.
The reindeer and Santa dolls are flea market finds from a vendor named Mikey’s Parents’ Basement. “They have vintage toys and things you’d find in someone’s parents’ attic,” she says. Branches from the Christmas tree add real-life greenery to the reindeer vignette and a gleeful fabric-covered Santa, red winterberry branches and vintage milk-glass vases provide texture with a jolly vibe. Traditional candlesticks, used with caution, accentuate the vintage decor with a cozy, winter-white feel.
Vases: OllyOxes via Etsy
The mantel: A familiar red-and-white color scheme brightens up this heartwarming holiday mantel inspired by vintage Christmas animation shows. Santa and Rudolph highlight the simplicity and classic nature of Christmases past, when the technology may not have been sophisticated but the message of holiday spirit captivated children and adults alike. “I was inspired by the [vintage] Christmas decorations I saw at ABC Home and flea markets,” Mistak says.
The reindeer and Santa dolls are flea market finds from a vendor named Mikey’s Parents’ Basement. “They have vintage toys and things you’d find in someone’s parents’ attic,” she says. Branches from the Christmas tree add real-life greenery to the reindeer vignette and a gleeful fabric-covered Santa, red winterberry branches and vintage milk-glass vases provide texture with a jolly vibe. Traditional candlesticks, used with caution, accentuate the vintage decor with a cozy, winter-white feel.
Vases: OllyOxes via Etsy
The firebox: A glittery paper garland that spells out “joy,” handmade by Mistak’s mother, adds holiday prettiness.
Instead of using traditional wrapping paper, Mistak went with leftover designer wallpaper from the Decoration & Design Building as gift wrap. The leopard and Bethlehem-like prints highlight the warmth and spirit of the season.
Votive candles used in the two previous mantel displays are nestled in the firebox as a final touch. The live Christmas tree full of vintage and quirky ornaments complements the whimsically styled mantel.
Read more about how to create this vintage-inspired holiday look
Tell us: Have you decorated your mantel for the holidays? Share a photo in the Comments below.
More
Holiday DIY: Sweet and Festive Pine Cone Garland
10 Unexpected Ways to Style a Gorgeous Fall Mantel
Instead of using traditional wrapping paper, Mistak went with leftover designer wallpaper from the Decoration & Design Building as gift wrap. The leopard and Bethlehem-like prints highlight the warmth and spirit of the season.
Votive candles used in the two previous mantel displays are nestled in the firebox as a final touch. The live Christmas tree full of vintage and quirky ornaments complements the whimsically styled mantel.
Read more about how to create this vintage-inspired holiday look
Tell us: Have you decorated your mantel for the holidays? Share a photo in the Comments below.
More
Holiday DIY: Sweet and Festive Pine Cone Garland
10 Unexpected Ways to Style a Gorgeous Fall Mantel