No Mantle, No Problem

The current state of our Instagram feed (like most) is 80% fireplace mantles that are decked for the holidays. And we love looking at gorgeous mantles. We also love this year's seeming holiday decor trend - lots of natural greenery and neutral, muted colors. It's so cozy and winter wonderland. The type of decor that could comfortably last through February. 

But...BUT...not all of us have mantles!!! Where do us mantle-less-folk put our artificial pine garlands? And those drift wood trees? And what about stockings? Where do the stockings go??? Without a mantle, holiday decor can find a home on a dining room buffet or entryway console table or almost nook. But, seriously, what about the stockings?

Today we have an answer. Or, rather, three answers.

First up: hooks. The coat hooks in your mudroom will work perfectly - some festivity first thing as you enter the house. If you don't have a chimney (and mantle), Santa's coming in the front door anyhow. Or, command strip a hook rack on a wall in your living room. The perfect (temporary), seasonal solution.

Stockings / Rattan Star (similar...and on clearance for 48 cents...)

Or, how about a ladder! We snagged this vintage ladder (below) at a flea market. These days you can find vintage ladders at antiques store, Craigslist and Etsy. Or, skip the vintage and get a new wood ladder. Use chalk paint to make it interesting (may we suggest Amsterdam Green or Paris Grey). Use s-hooks or twine to hang the stockings. 

Galvanized metal hurricane / Faux fur pelt (simliar) / Stockings

Last, but not least, if you have the fireplace but not the mantle, you are the perfect candidate for command hooks. They work on ANY surface - brick and field stone included. Add a little garland (more command hooks) to mimic the feel of a mantle. And, suddenly, who needs a mantle? They're so conformist.

Firewood bucket (similar - get 5% off with code 4E318) / Garland

Have a great week. We know it's bound to be a busy one!

- Leah

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H&M Giveaway

Haven't you heard?! We're giving away a whole bunch of awesome home decor from H&M! We're smitten with the H&M home collection and we wanted to share the love. It's the season of giving after all!!! I know, we thought it was the season of cookie eating too, but turns out that's only half true.

Like the H&M clothing line, the home collection is wonderfully budget-friendly and completely chic. For seasonal decor or just a quick room refresher, we think H&M nails it. So, when we picked out a bunch of decor for an upcoming project install, we decided to pick up a bunch of decor for you guys too. Here's what we grabbed:

starting top left, moving clockwise: tea towel / kitchen supply tray / growth chart / pillow cover / small storage bin / large green vase / small green vase / denim apron / large storage bin

To enter is simple: 1) Subscribe to our blog, and 2) leave a comment on this post! Easy peasy.

You can also enter on Instagram or Facebook if that's more your speed. We will collect entries through Friday, 12/15 at 5 pm. GOOD LUCK. And, happy holidays!

- Michele, Sonia and Leah

Windsor Project - The Dining Room

As promised, another Windsor Project reveal has arrived! After months (I think it really has been that long...) of teasers with quite a few photos of these glorious chandeliers on Instagram and Facebook, it's time to dive into the details. For the record, you can blame the long wait on that hutch back there. There was a hutch fiasco.

Anyway, here's another look at the chandeliers, because they really are glorious. 

And a close up. 

These beauties are from Overstock. Not what you expected, right? While light fixtures are often something we would say goes into the splurge bucket, especially for an open concept dining room where they are center stage, it's not a black and white rule. Don't automatically skip over the budget-friendly sources.

Back to the chandeliers. They are the perfect compliment to the breathtaking dining room table. They make a serious statement without overpowering the room.

The table is custom. It's made of reclaimed wood and it's enormous. We spent a lot of time considering all sorts of equally enormous captain chairs for the table heads. In the end, we loved the simplicity and clean lines of a full table of matching chairs. Especially these chairs. They are a modern take on a classic Parson shape. The nail heads bring a touch of elegance and tradition. And the size is the right amount of substantial to fit the table and the space.

And here's the hutch. Oh, the hutch. Without boring you with the details, it was backordered. And, yes, worth the wait. It's glass front doors are perfect for displaying your favorite/obligatory china set or displaying all your fun HomeGoods finds. 

This console table is maybe our favorite part of this room. (I know...but, those chandeliers!!!) Here's why: we DIY'd/customized it to fit the space and style. We added the casters to give it a more height and more interest. And, we accessorized it to our hearts content, which is always so. much. fun. Oh, and the mirror! It's got that glam feel, which plays off the chandeliers, but doesn't stretch too far into the fancy realm to feel out of place.

And, here's how we accessorized the extra large bay window.

We filled the lanterns with some simple remote control LED candles and the vases with faux eucalpytus for a neutral, any time of year, feel. But, both the lanterns and vases are perfect vessels for holiday decor. The lanterns can be filled with acorns or cranberries or LED string lights as the seasons change. And the eucalyptus can be traded for dried wheat in the fall or glittery branches in the winter and dried lavender in the spring.

And that's that! Thanks for waiting so long for these photos. Again, blame it on the hutch! That beautiful, back-ordered hutch. Sources for all these treasures are below. 

Wall Color - Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore

Ceiling Color - Dove White by Benjamin Moore

Chandeliers - Overstock

Dining chairs - Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Hutch - Ballard Designs

Drapes - Pottery Barn

Drape rods and finials  - Drapery Rods Direct (telescoping rod and Kirsch finial)

Lanterns (in bay window) - Pier 1

Remote control candles (in lanterns) - Pier 1 (on sale!!!)

Vases (in bay window) - Crate and Barrel

Dough bowl (on dining table) - Wayfair

Candelabras (on dining table) - Crate and Barrel

Console table - Birch Lane

Casters (added to bookshelf) - Caster Connection

Mirror - Pottery Barn

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