Holiday Mantelpieces

Fireplace mantels are one of the best spots to decorate for the holidays. The hearth, the heart of the home, is the perfect focal point of any country house.

This year, I decked out the dining room mantel with freshly cut boughs of hemlock and white pine, loosely entwined with small white globe lights from Terrain. The look is wild, freeform and casual.

In The Summer Room, my collection of seashells and coral get into the holiday spirit. Combined with sprays of hemlock, layered with lit crystal branches and tied with red striped twill ribbon, the look says nautical and nice.

My dear friend Dana also shares my love of decorating with natural elements for the holidays. Her mantels, adorned with garlands of mixed evergreens, nuts and dried fruit, are simply dressed with ladies apples and sprigs of holly. The style is tailored, trim and charming.

Whether our mantelpieces are gussied up with sparkly lights, faux ice crystals, or natural elements, both of us love the simplicity and lighthearted approach to Yuletide decorating.

Happy decorating!

Love, Nora