Design Tip: Holiday Decor For Your Blanket Ladder

Earlier this week we showed you three different ways to hang stockings when you don't have a fireplace mantle. A vintage ladder being a beautiful option.

Gray Oak Studio - Creating a Festive Holiday Vignette

Today, we have a quick design tip for bringing some holiday decor to your vintage ladder (should you not need it for stockings!). Here it is: hanging mason jars. They're cheap and they can beautifully display decor for any holiday and any season.

Gray Oak Studio - Holiday Decor for a Blanket Ladder

For the season and holiday of the moment, we filled our mason jars with mini pinecones and cranberries.

Gray Oak Studio - Creating a Festive Holiday Vignette
Gray Oak Studio - Creating a Festive Holiday Vignette

But, the possibilities are endless - mini ornaments, tinsel, holly berries on stems, candy canes, red and green felt balls, and jingle bells. So easy, so fun.

Here's how to get the look at home:

Gray Oak Studio - Holiday Decor for your Blanket Ladder

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.

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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. 

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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.

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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

*This post contains affiliate links*

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:

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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