Let’s be honest- what isn’t inspired by pinterest anymore? I recently got inspired to transform my ho-hum mantle into a holiday masterpiece. Check out my Holiday Mantle inspirations here. First order of business: color scheme. I chose a red and gold vibe… since my husband got to choose our tree decor this year (mine would have undoubtedly been red and gold)… ant it would coexist nicely with the tan wall and modest white mantle.

{ho-hum mantle}

I always believe in using what you have – I gathered up a few things. First I grabbed a few things that traditionally go on our mantle: stocking holders, stockings, etc. Then I gathered anything that touched on the red and gold thing I was going for. This included a hodge-podge of items pictured below.

{Clockwise from top left: white candles in holders, old red satin tree skirt, twine, twine wrapped wine bottle, gold picture frames, nutcrackers, stockings, stocking holders (center), red ribbon, beaded garland strands in gold and red, gold glitter sticks (hard to see), red ornaments (and one random gold one), glass vases, monogrammed pitcher. * not pictured: sticks and twigs}

The only thing I bought for this project was gold spray paint (for the frames and twigs)… and a little bit of twine that I stumbled upon on my way out of the hardware store for a buck. So this is literally a $6 project for me.

Think about your mantle in layers so that you don’t throw a bunch of stuff on it and spend all day balancing and removing items.

Layer one is the red satin tree skirt. I bunched it up and folded it to fit the mantle. Other ideas for a first layer could be evergreen garland, a boa -wouldn’t a white one give a cool snow effect?!- any fabric, brown craft paper, mirrors to reflect a little light…. the list goes on. Try anything!

Layer two is where I added my frames. This layer serves as the back ground so you can add anything. Mirrors, faux trees, lights, family photos, holiday pictures, anything you can imagine!

I also threw on a couple of the large sticks that I spray painted gold … I guess they are technically part of layer one.

Layer three is to add height. I used a tall thin vase and the twine wrapped bottle. I added some gold twigs and a few gold glitter sticks.

With the fourth layer I sort of skipped to the front of the mantle to hang the stockings. I knew I should add them while I could still make them symmetrical and not have to move much to do so.

{Stockings hung by the chimney with care}

Then I started layering in a little more height and personality with these nutcrackers. A little off the color scheme but still fit if you ask me.

{Hubby’s nutcracker collection}

{Better view of nutcracker addition. Starting to see a composition!}

{Scattered the tiered candle set for height and balance}

{Create a little vignette by putting ornaments and globes in a vase}

{Coming together!}

With the excess ornaments, I tied them to some of the frames so they could “hang” and give a few more pops of red. I also made “JOY” garland from a little bit of twine and paper. Tutorial coming soon on that and the twine wrapped bottle. There are a couple of empty vases that I plan on adding cranberries to after my next grocery trip. But all in all, that was pretty cheap and easy!

Tada!