Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Christmas Mantel "Do-Over"

I knew it was going to happen. 
Everyone's showing their gorgeous mantels and wouldn't you know it, I've got a case of the "do-overs". 
Every few years, for some reason, I decorate the mantel, or entry or something, and then decide it isn't exactly the way I want it, and then I... do it over.
This is one of those years.


Here's the mantel I showed you in the peek, a couple of posts ago...the mantel I decorated for last Saturday's party.




Here's the peek...




...Here's the mantel, before I added magnolia branches and other
evergreens. I didn't take a photo after I added them, because I was pressed for time, and you get the idea.


After the party, I decided to take down the poinsettias, because I wanted to add more natural elements...but what?
Sunday afternoon, I visited a local gift shop which was having a sale. Yay! 


You'll never guess what I bought...




...okra pods!!  


I've been looking for dried okra pods since last year, and was thrilled to find some with long stems.
I wanted to add more of the natural look, and used them to brighten the greenery...and no, I didn't spray paint them gold. 
Do any of you  remember doing that?




The "R"  is special to me, not only because it's the first letter of my last name, but because it came from Rich's Department Store. 
Some of you might remember Rich's, if you're from the South.
The "R"s were used in their Christmas garland that decorated the store.



So, what do ya think?
Do you like the poinsettia or the okra pod mantel? 






Hopefully, my  case of the "do-overs" is over.  :) 
At any rate...I'm NOT doing my mantel over again...this year.


Thanks for visiting. I'll be joining:
Rhoda@Southern Hospitality for Merry Mantels
Kim@Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays.
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Holiday Mantels.  



41 comments:

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Babs I LOVE LOVE your do over!! Your mantel looks BEAUTIFUL!! Love the magnolia leaves. Martina

Richard Cottrell said...

I love real magnolia branches for Christmas. I love your do-over. Richard from MY Old Historic House.

red.neck chic said...

The okra pods! THOSE ARE GORGEOUS!!! Heck - your whole mantel is gorgeous - both times!!!

;-D robelyn

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

I have to admit, I have never heard of an okra-pod Christmas mantle, but it is beautiful! Love the magnolia's added in there also. If I had a penny for all of the do-over's I have done in my time, I would have a pretty good stash!

Anonymous said...

You little silly! I didn't think your mantel could look any prettier and then you redid it and it does! It's gorgeous and I love the natural elements and the okra pods! They're so pretty! ;)
You did good so now you can rest.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

I love the do-over Babs. It is gorgeous!

I had forgotten how wonderful dried okra is in arrangements. I used to grow it and dry it at the farm.''

I wish I had a magnolia tree.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello Babs,
I love your mantel. It looks lovely and the gold is so very festive! The okra looks fabulous; good job! Thanks so much for coming by and leaving your nice comment. I'm a new follower.

Christmas blessings,
Sandi

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Babs, this one is richer looking with the magnolia leaves added and the pods just add that extra touch.

Denise said...

Hi Babs,

What beautiful mantels! I definitely prefer the "do-over" with the okra pods, and the cluster of Magnolia leaves is GORGEOUS. I don't have any pretty reindeer, and I'm thinking I need to put that on my list for this year. You've done a beautiful job and thanks for sharing! Have a blessed Christmas season.

Denise at Forest Manor

Barb said...

Babs, it is beautiful! I love the elegance of it. Lovely.

A glass of wine sounds delightful to me. :-)

Barb ♥

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Babs, this do-over is gorgeous! Love the magnolia leaves and the okra pods! Very pretty! You always come up with the best things!!

On Crooked Creek said...

Babs,
I adore the okra pods and the addition of Magnolia leaves!!! This is so elegant looking, dear friend! Thank you for sharing how just the addition of one or two new elements can make a HUGE impact!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Such a gorgeous mantel!!!! Thanks for linking up, love your blog!
XO
Kristin

Kathijane said...

I love the okra pods!! (Of course, I am from the south, so....) Beautiful! Love the do-over mantel.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

I have to say that, although I love them both, you are on to something with the okra pods and the magnolia! Yes, I remember painting them...and seeing them painted as little Santa ornaments! Lovely mantel, Babs!...hugs...Debbie

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

Well being from the South, I love the okra pods the best! The addition of the magnolia leaves make it look lush and full.

Kelly said...

Both of your mantel's look great, however, I must say that I DO like the last one better. I love the full magnolia leaves in the center and the addition of okra pods and pinecones. It's so classic and southern. Well done!!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Such a gorgeous mantel, although I loved the one before, the new look is beautiful too! Yeah, I've done things like that, and I'm always re-arranging what I've already done.
Those magnolia leaves are just the right and perfect touch, how pretty they are along with the okra pods and pine cones. Lovely my friend.
Happy Holidays,
FABBY

Blondie's Journal said...

I love it, Babs! The okra pods and the magnolia greens make it more interesting. How I wish we had magnolia here! Beautiful!

XO,
Jane

Alycia Nichols said...

OK, I liked the one with the poinsettias, because I really like poinsettias. But I LOVE the okra pod one because it is really different...and you KNOW I like different!!! What a great addition to the mantel decor! It really gives it a touch of the South which personalizes it like crazy!!! Love your R, too. I have Ns all over the house! :-)

Alycia Nichols said...

Oops....forgot to say how much I love the magnolia leaves, too. They are also a touch of the South that can't be beat for personalization. Those are so glossy!! They look really great with the other elements! OK...I'm done now! :-)

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Oh my gosh there is no question. Hands down the Okra mantel. I think it might be the best mantel I have seen on any blog and I'm not kidding! The magnolia leaves are stunning. I just love it. If I were you I would just sit and look at it! Now you can relax...no more do overs!

Haven said...

Wow, your mantle is soooo pretty. I, too, remember Rich's in Atlanta. We didn't have one in Chattanooga.

Sue said...

I am LOVIN' those magnolia branches!! And those quirky pods add just the right touch of flavor, too. Wish I could get a hold of some- I'd preserve them in glycerin so they'd last. You are a lucky duck, girlie! Love your mantel a lot!

Wendy@Once upon a rose haven said...

Your mantel is so gorgeous! I love it!
Blessings, Wendy

Emreen said...

Oh ! how gorgeous Babs !!! Love the leaping Reindeers, the wreath... the green of the magnolia blends so well with the gold... Such a warm and lovely mantel decor... !!! I love the 'R' sign... Lovely addition !!

Rose H (UK) said...

Fabulous mantle! I love gold and the wreath is gorgeous. When you get a little fed-up of the letter 'R' remember me! ;o)
Best wishes
Rose H

Debbie said...

Okra pod! I think it looks just fabulous. I thought the other one was too, but I love the do-over even better. I did the same thing with a wreath of mine.

I have a habit of decorating and then seeing something in blog land that makes me want to completely redo it. That's why this year, I have just put up some greenery on the mantel and am waiting for blog inspiration from the get go.

Savannah Granny said...

Babs, I loved the first mantel but this one is absolutely gorgeous. Love the okra pods and magnolia leaves. Don't redo it this is perfect.
Love the "R". Yes, I remember Rich's. I shopped there often as a young girl and woman. Loved the downtown store and the "Great Tree" on the bridge.
My oldest daughter's wedding dress came from Rich's
Thanks for the memories.
Blessings, Ginger

Diane | An Extraordinary Day said...

Yay for a great do-over!!! Love it!!! The natural elements really make it more elegant!

LindyLouMac said...

A very attractive look for your mantelpiece. :)

Toni said...

I love the okra pods! So very unique. Your mantel is so elegant and under stated. I do not see a redo on your future!

Chubby Chieque said...

Wow! Barb, you done a great job.

Love the gold touch with green.

Happy mid-week.

Greetings from a slippery & freezing Stockholm,
/chie

Maggie said...

I love the do over, although the first one looked great, the okra pod mantlepiece is stunning so classy & chic.

Sue said...

Another vote for the Okra pods!! they look great.

Elegant Economies said...

Okra pods and magnolia leaves...lovely! You are a fantastic 'layerer'! [New word]
Blessings, Audrey

arrielle_p said...

I'm so loving this! Really love your mantel, love the whole place it's a place that you just want to walk into and stand and feel the ambience of Christmas beauty.

land for sale

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Look great Babs! I think the do-over turned out wonderful! If your happy that's all tha matters anyway! Yes I remember things painted gold- lots of it when I was much younger- perhaps that's why I still love the warmth of the gold tones. I remember making wreaths out of pinecones and eventually spraying them gold too!

Kim said...

Oh Babs, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who suffers from this. I've been tweaking and re-tweaking for weeks! I just can't seem to leave it the heck alone. Your new mantle looks awesome. I just love the magnolia leaves.
xoxo,
Kim

Helen's Decor said...

Babs!!! I'm loving the okra pods with the gold monogram and those gorgeous magnolia leaves. Did you shine the leaves with anything special? I just wondered if they would shine more than usual if a little Guardsman was wiped on them...or Pledge? Love the reindeer you have! Merry Christmas, Helen

~CC Catherine said...

A stunning Mantel display Babs! I would have never thought of putting Okra amidst the display...It's quite beautiful! I like unusual things like that. The entire decorated mantel is fabulous! The wreath and deer are striking!