our mantel...get the layered look

I've had our Christmas decor down for a few weeks and everything is slowly

 coming back together. Today I styled our mantel with my sweet friend

 Jennifer from The Pink Pagoda in mind,

she's having another awesome Blue & White Bash that I'm excited to join, don't miss the

beautiful inspiration on February 3rd!

I' thought I'd share how I went about creating this layered, collected look

 I was in the mood for.

 Choose a large mirror (mine is 32") as your background, then layer a smaller

mirror (mine is 27"), empty frame or piece of artwork in front.

Now move to the center, I like a nice sized vase, pot or urn

Fill it with something textural from nature (twigs, greenery, branches, flowers) I just

take a walk around my yard with my pruners.

Oh, this is just perfect - I'm right this second noticing my vase should be taller!

 Do you see how it would look better if it weren't the same height as the books to the left.

 (I could easily put a couple books under it, or replace the taller books with shorter ones). 

What's that quote? Do as I say, not as  I do - vary heights!! 

That reminds me of another TIP:

 Take a photo, it's much easier to see what looks out of place! :)

Books are one of my favorite ways to add color and as a base to vary the height of

accessories. Estate sales are a great source to buy them, 

(no one wants to move a load of books, and they'll practically give them away).

From the center I work to the left and then right balancing accessories,

including opposing elements gives it interest. Some examples I've used here: 

smooth, rough = porcelain, concrete 

traditional, modern = ginger jar & black and white artwork

traditional, modern = ornate mirror & round mirror 

formal, casual = boxwood & branches

formal, casual = gold peacock & concrete sphere 

shiny, matte ~ round, square ~ curved, straight

You get it.

Look around your home, think of using items in a new way,

bring in garden elements, I went outside and grabbed my DIY concrete sphere out

of the dirt. 

And then keep tweaking until it feels like you!