Warm and Rustic Christmas Mantel with Vintage Flair
I am so excited to share my vintage inspired Christmas decor with you this holiday season.
Last week I shared our Very Vintage Christmas in the Family Room and Our 2019 Christmas Trees and today I’m sharing our Warm and Rustic Christmas Mantel with Vintage Flair.
Warm and Rustic Christmas Mantel with Vintage Flair
This year’s Christmas mantel has warm and rustic elements along with more elegant vintage pieces.
I struggled with what to call this mantel and thanks to the help of Julie of My Wee Abode, came up with this title. Hopefully it will make sense as you see the details of how I decorated our mantel this year.
Christmas Ideas Tour
I’m sharing my mantel with a talented group of blogging friends for a Christmas Ideas Tour hosted by Angie of Postcards from the Ridge. Angie is a dear blogging friend whose style I adore. If you’ve never visited Angie’s blog, I encourage you to do so. 
On today’s Christmas Ideas Tour, you’ll find ideas for:
- Christmas Mantels
- Christmas Porches and Decks
- Christmas Tablescapes
- Handmade Gift Ideas
- Gift Wrap Ideas
You’ll find links to all of the ideas shared today at the end of this post.
Warm and Rustic Christmas Mantel with Vintage Flair Details
The mantel part of this year’s decor is warm and rustic while the mirror and candles hanging over the mantel have a vintage vibe.
The vintage vibe continues on the hearth with the use of an antique cooking pot that I borrowed from my mom.
This mantel wasn’t what I envisioned when I planned how to decorate, more on that in a moment, but I really like the end result.
DIY Patchwork Christmas Trees
The main element that I wanted to use for this year’s Christmas mantel was a pair of DIY Patchwork Christmas Trees that I made last year.
I took a shortcut this year and instead of using fresh greenery on the mantel, I used a garland. To jazz up the garland, I added plaid ribbon and faux red berries. The same plaid ribbon is also used on my family room Christmas tree as well as the one on my porch.
Last year I had so much fun making these wooden trees that I made two extra ones to give as gifts. I really like how the trees look nestled in the garland along with the pops of color from the ribbon and berries.
Over the Mantel
Decorating over the mantel did not go as planned. My idea was to make a large Magnolia wreath and decorate it with the same plaid ribbon and pine cones.
The first wreath that I made completely filled the space over the garland and was too big to be visually appealing. I made a second one and it was still too big. After the second failed attempt, I decided to use the antique mirror that usually hangs in this space.
Instead of making a third wreath, I found a wreath that is actually a candle ring in one of my Christmas bins that was the perfect size to hang on the mirror.
I added red berries to the wreath along with a red Cardinal. Red candles in the vintage candle holders add another pop of red to this area.
Decorating the Hearth
Red continues to the hearth with a large Poinsettia. I’m not much of an indoor gardener and I hope that I can keep this alive through Christmas.
George Washington is peeking through the glass to admire the Poinsettia. Virginia Metalcrafters made many sets of George Washington andirons and they used to be quite common in homes in my area. We found this set in an antique shop in Charlottesville.
Swarovski Christmas Tree
Every year since we’ve been married, my husband gives me a Swarovski snowflake ornament. I display them on a tree that we made that sits on a music stand that belonged to a relative. As the light moves from one side of the room to the other as the day passes, the snowflakes create refracted light patterns on the walls and ceiling.
I’ll share more details on our Swarovski tree later this week when I share the rest of the Christmas decor in this room.
Last Look
I’m loving how my mantel looks this year and I’m going to enjoy it every day of this shorter than usual Christmas season.
Christmas Ideas Tour
Now it’s time to see all the Christmas ideas shared today by my talented friends. I’m really looking forward to being inspired by each of these posts!
Mantels
Porches & Decks
Tablescape Ideas 
The Chelsea Project // DIY Beautify // Atta Girl Says
Handmade Gift Ideas
Gift Wrap Ideas
Vin’yet // Redhead Can Decorate
Paula your vintage style rustic mantel is so pretty. I love those wooden trees!! It’s the perfect mix of antique gold mix with Christmas red and green.
Thank you so much, Patti!
Paula
Paula, your mantle is perfect. Those trees are amazing. I need to pop over to that post to get the full DIY. And George Washington is adorable! Ha! He just made me smile… 🙂 Happy Holidays!
Thank you, Kim! George needs to be welded to some andirons but for now he and his twin just hang out in the fireplace.
Paula
Absolutely gorgeous! You home always has meel leaving with cozy feels and wanting me to build a fire. I love those adorable tree cutouts.
Thank you, Christy! I always enjoy seeing your home as well.
Paula
Love the red popping against the green. And LOVE the plaid ribbon woven on the mantel greens. Always so happy to see red poinsettias. You know just how to steal my heart. Beautiful, as always! Happy Holidays! Susie from Chelsea Project
Thank you so much, Susie! I haven’t decorated with a Poinsettia for a few years and I’m glad to have one to enjoy this holiday season.
Paula
Paula,
I love your mantel, and it is definitely very warm and rustic. Those wooden patchwork trees are so fun. And I laughed out loud when I saw the little George Washington peeking our from the fireplace. So cute! Love the iron pot with the poinsettias too.
Thank you, Angie! And thank you for hosting this tour. It’s definitely a good one with so many great ideas for Christmas.
Paula
I love your rustic trees, Paula! Pinned them! They look awesome tucked into the greenery. Always love to see how you decorate your pretty mantel for the season!
Thank you, Lora! I have been looking forward to using those trees since last Christmas.
Paula
What a gorgeous mantel, Paula! Merry Christmas early, but it’s coming quick! So happy to be in this tour with you today. Totally pinning this to my Christmas board! XO
Thank you, Julie!
Paula
Paula, I am beginning to believe we are sisters separated at birth! Not only do we share Christmas stockings, but my husband has gifted me Waterford ornaments since before we were married and I am setting them up with their own tree this year!
Of course, your mantel is lovely and so classic! Like everything you do! Those patchwork trees are adorbs! What a great idea.
Thanks for opening your beautiful home.
Hugs,
Lynn
I am looking forward to seeing your Waterford ornaments on your tree, Lynn. After seeing your stocking yesterday, I need to find mine and add it to my decor for this year.
Paula
I always love to see how you decorate your mantle, Paula! It’s beautiful all decked out for the holidays and I love the patchwork Christmas trees. The perfect touch! Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much, Kristi! I’ve been looking forward to using those trees since I made them last year.
Paula
Sometimes our hard work (like making multiple wreaths) doesn’t work out but what we use instead works out even better!. I love the candle ring idea! It’s size is perfect and looks fantastic on the mirror. And those wooden trees are beautiful too. I haven’t seen the dark ones. I think I NEED those. 😉
Thank you, Cindy! The great thing about the two large wreaths that I made is that I sold both of them almost immediately on Facebook. The two ladies that bought them were thrilled to have them.
Paula
You are a genius! I would have never thought to sell them. Wish I lived in your FB area. I’d want one too!
Everytime I see this space, it stops me in my scroll. I just love the color combo — those blue curtains and the red plaid ribbon really complement one another. And you know I love all the vintage brass touches, but George Washington might be my favorite. What a fun hidden treasure, and a great antiquing find. Cannot wait to see more of your holiday home and to hear the stories behind your vintage treasures.
Thank you so much, Amy! We need to go antique treasure hunting together one of these days.
Paula
Your mantel is beautiful, Paula! I love the rustic wooden trees paired with the plaid ribbon, evergreens, and berries. It all looks very warm and inviting and has that lovely old fashioned Christmas charm.
Thank you, Marie! Old fashioned Christmas is definitely my vibe!
Paula
So pretty! I always love fresh garland… but that plaid ribbon just takes it to the next level & I love those wooden trees you made… so cute!!!!
Thank you, Maryann!
Paula
Pinned those wood trees and added them to my husbands to do list. He’s gonna be mad at me before the end of the week with all the tour ideas!
Ha-Ha! The wood trees really don’t take too long to make, so he shouldn’t be too unhappy. It’s great to tour with you this week!
Paula
This is gorgeous! I LOVE the red poinsettia in that metal pot, stunning contrast! You know I adore those rustic trees too, so beautiful! All so beautiful! xo
Thank you so much, Laurie!
Paula
Your mantel is so, so pretty, Paula! Those little wooden trees are adorable! They look so perfect nestled among the pine garland and tartan plaid ribbone.
Paula, your mantle is absolutely stunning! I have always dreamed of a story book vintage holiday mantel, but currently, my mantle houses the television and is ensconced between book shelves covered with kids’ stuff! One day, however, when I live in an empty nest, I will follow suit and recreate a similar idea! Thanks for sharing and linking up with me!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
So beautiful Paula! I am happy to feature you at TFT this week!
Paula,
The patchwork trees are so eye catching. I just know whoever was lucky enough to receive one as a gift was thrilled with it. Pinned to my Christmas Decor board.
Merry Christmas,
Judith