Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas Bears on the Mantel


I have one of the homeliest fireplaces ever seen in a tract house. The wall height on the left side is about nine feet, and the right side angles up to about twelve feet. One of the reasons I started following blogs was because I had googled "How do you decorate a corner fireplace?".  That's where I found Thrifty Decor Chic.  I loved what she had done with her mantle,  The moldings that had been added were definitely cute.  Well all these years later I still have an ugly fireplace and mantle,  I just have not gotten around to figuring out what to do with it,  but I try to work with it.
Not a pretty sight is it?  I really would rather have a regular fireplace,  I had thought about painting it black and embellishing it with wood trims,  but there really isn't anywhere on the sides to add any tiling or wood trims.


The only thing I like about this corner fireplace is the depth when it comes to holiday decorating.  It is tricky to figure out a height and a width to add any wood trim on the walls because of the awkward disparity in the ceiling above either side of the mantle. This year I had Home depot cut a handy panel into two pieces for me and attached them above the mantle.  I then took apart an old fence section, trimmed and cut the pieces in half then glued them to the handy panel pieces.   Now I have the backdrop for decorating a rustic little vignette with The Three Bears!
corner fireplace Christmas mantel, Chridtmas mantel

The house was made by the Amish south of where I live (I bought it at Goodwill),  the low fence in front of the house was found at a garage sale a few years ago.  The bears were found at the Volunteers of America store nearby,  the taller green tree's came from Marc's several years ago.

Christmas mantel The snowflakes came from the VOA too.

Baby bear behind the house is sitting on a small wooden box from Goodwill.

Christmas mantel

Christmas mantel
The wood fence sections came from a fence a neighbor had torn done.  He cut the fence into sections about fifteen inched wide and tied them into bundles for the trash.  I took one of the bundles home in the trunk of my car.

Corner fireplace Christmas mantel,  Christmas mantel
Papa bear is carrying a small tree and holding a big bag of presents.

Christmas bears
Mama bear has packages in one arm, and a large star ornament held by a string held in the other paw.

Christmas mantel, Christmas bears on mantel
Baby bear is holding a toy train up with one paw, and packages in the other paw.

Christmas bears
I have added a picture of last years Christmas mantle so you can see the difference that the fence boards have made to the overall look of the mantle.
Christmas bears, Corner Christmas mantle
Last years (2012) Christmas mantle.

Have a great day!  Thrift on ladies, thrift on!!

Linking to:


Inspire me Tuesday

Make it Pretty Monday

We Call It Junkin - History and Home link party

Tweak it Tuesday

What's It Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Let's Dish

Friday Favorites

 Fun All Things Christmas Party

13 comments:

  1. I love the way the boards brighten up the spot - and those bears - so cute. I think you should leave the boards up - they add a lot of character and you could decorate the mantle for the different seasons. Very cute!!!

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  2. I was going to say "Oh you poor dear" after I read your Mantel Odyssey but then when I saw what you didn I couldn't.
    Candy,
    It looks so amazing. And Happy!
    You could leave the boards or have several settings for future settings you wish to create. Doing the best - the great - with what you have has ever looked this good.
    Thank you for sharing and Enjoy!
    Teresa

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  3. This is just amazing, I love it. Reminds me of a scene in Disneyland. It looks fabulous. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Oh how beautiful, Candy. Love the woodsy look...Christine

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  5. OMG!! I love what you did!! Great job! I would die for a fireplace of any kind...
    Thanks so much for your kind words on my Bathroom Christmas decor!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  6. Hi Candy! Oh, this is adorable. Love the backdrop and it really helps to show off those darling little bears! Thanks for popping in to see me.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  7. Candy - we love bears at our house. This is so cute! By the way, you won a gift card from Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen and she needs your address. She posted something about it tonight. Did not want to you miss out - check her blog tonight! Merry Christmas!!

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  8. Hi Candy,

    Fireplace mantels can be challenging to decorate, depending on the shape. I have yet to decorate my home for Christmas as I didn't know if I would be here during the holidays. Turns out that I will, so am going to try to decorate just my mantel and my Welsh dresser.

    Saying this, YOUR mantel is adorable and festive and fun! Love the colour combinations and the overall cute appeal! A very happy place!

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Poppy

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  9. I just love this, I can't get over your finding each piece in different places and putting it all together so well, it looks like it could be in a dept store window display. Thanks so much for sharing this at my History & Home party, I hope you keep coming back, each Tuesday :) Wishing you blessings ~ Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

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  10. I get all warm just looking at them. I also have started to crave chocolate!

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  11. I think those bears are just as cute as can be! I love them, and you did a great job with the mantle. It is perfect for Christmas. That fence could take you through the rest of the year as well, and you could also do two older windows there. I like that you found such great potential from a fellow blogger, but it took your own creativity to see it through! Good job!

    XO,

    Sheila

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