mantel

Wall, Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan in Aubusson. Fireplace and mirror in Paloma. http://www.anniesloan.com

To get started decorating your mantel, make sure you have supplies on hand to tie lights, attach ribbons and hang ornaments. This may include twist ties, floral wire, wire cutters, pipe cleaners, zap straps, etc.

STEP ONE: GREENERY Decide on your garland material and don’t be afraid to mix it up! You can even mix real and artificial together.

STEP TWO: LIGHT If you have a plug on the mantel you can use electric lights, otherwise plan on a few strands of battery-operated ones. I like to use two different sizes and styles of bulbs, but stick to the same color temperature. Wrap lights around the branches running from your furthest point back to the plug. With the battery-operated strands, hide the battery pack underneath a large branch somewhere easy to reach to turn them on and off. Once you are generally happy with the light locations, use green twist ties to keep them in place and help direct the bulbs. Always work with the lights on, this makes it much easier to see if they are even.

STEP THREE: EMBELLISH
Much like when decorating a tree, plan on having different sizes and styles of ornaments you can use to layer and create interest. Consider the color scheme on your tree or in your room in general.

STEP FOUR: FINISHING TOUCHES Think outside the box – this could be wide gauge ribbon (6”+), wood beads, strands of burlap, feathers, etc. Regardless of what you choose, start in the middle and work out to the ends.

STEP FIVE: PICKS AND SPRIGS These could be artificial or real and come in many sizes and varieties. For a more natural look, select picks that look like red berries or eucalyptus leaves. For a glamorous look, add gold or silver picks.

TEXT by Trish Knight http://www.knightvarga.com

Photos From: Kids Help Phone’s Homes for the Holidays, Photography by Janis Nicolay
Left Photo: Design by Tanya Krpan Floral by Hilary Miles Flowers Retail Sponsor Indigo
Right Photo: Design by Karin Bohn Floral by The Granville Island Florist

Mantel Decor We Love

Right Picture – Lowes http://www.lowes.com

Left Picture – Canadian Tire http://www.canadiantire.ca

Left Picture – Design by Gillian Segal Design
Floral by Hana By Celsia
Retail Sponsor Avenue Road

Right Picture – Design by KPM Design
Floral by West Van Florist
Retail Sponsor Gardenworks

For the past 17 years, designers, florists and retailers across the Lower Mainland have worked together to create stunning holiday home tours in support of Kids Help Phone. This year, for the second year, the tour will be available in a virtual format that can be enjoyed across the country! From November 20th to December 5th, you can purchase tickets in support of Kids Help Phone and have an opportunity to virtually tour 5 gorgeous homes decorated for the holiday season! As an added bonus, Todd & Rebecca Talbot have teamed up with Homes for the Holidays this year, opening the doors to their charming family home as well.

This annual event raises money for Kids Help Phone, Canada’s only 24/7 national service offering bilingual (English and French) professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people. For more information, and to purchase tickets or make a donation to Kids Help Phone, please visit http://www.homesfortheholidays.ca or follow us on Instagram @homesfortheholidaysvan

Photography by Janis Nicolay

Left Photo: Design by Purity Design, Floral by Floralista, Retail Sponsor Potters

Right Photo: Design by Knight Varga Interiors, Floral by Hilary Miles Flowers, Retail Sponsor The Bay

Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays

Photography by Janis Nicolay

Design by Knight Varga Interiors

Floral by Hilary Miles Flowers

Retail Sponsors Indigo and Tweet Shoppe

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Canadian Home Trends magazine gives you a personal tour of the most stunning homes and condos across Canada. You'll be inspired by a selection of accessible home décor products, trend reports, simple yet stylish DIY projects, and much more. In each issue, you are given the tools to recreate designer spaces you've always dreamt of having at home, in-depth renovation and design advice, colour palette and furniture pairings, and Canada's best places to shop.