Mantel Redo Reveal!

The mantel transformation for the holidays is complete!  Let me start by saying that after my Halloween and Thanksgiving transformations, the mantel and fireplace did really start to grow on me.  I promise I was no longer complaining about it.  But when I showed Art a picture of the above wreath in the Target catalog, he said "It's nice, we should paint the fireplace and it will really stand out."  It took me about 2.5 seconds to say "Okay!".

We started by priming the bricks one by one by hand.  After about 1 hour we realized that we were getting nowhere fast.  So he ran out and picked up a paint sprayer.  Since we already had an air compressor, the expense was not as much as you'd imagine (we already had primer on hand).

The sprayer cost about $70, plus a gallon of paint.  Total fireplace redo= $85 

Once we had the sprayer we had the job done in about an hours time.  The most time consuming part was taping and prepping the area to spray.  The spraying only took about 10 minutes.

For the Christmas decor I was going for a natural woodsy feel with the berries, garland and pine cones, which have been collected by the kids over the last few years, and I save them away with our Christmas stuff.  The only thing I purchased this year was the wreath because I loved the color and the size, but in actuality it could be even bigger. Now with it painted, the fireplace looks huge!

I wrapped boxes in burlap and hot glued them down (tape would not do!), and then wrapped them in bakers twine.  I put some moss in little votive holders, and to add a punch, covered mini pine cones in Martha Stewart glitter.  The fireplace screen is from Restoration Hardware and we've had it since our old house.  We took it with us because I knew I'd be able to use it again eventually.  My favorite part of the entire mantel though is the fresh garland.  I work very close to the Downtown LA florist mart, and I picked up 75 feet of garland for $50 yesterday on my lunch hour.  I am covering the house with the stuff!  

And that's about it!  I love it and got the biggest smile on my face when I woke up this morning and saw my pretty new mantel.  Too bad I won't be able to enjoy it for a couple of days.  I leave for New York this afternoon and when I get back on Thursday night, we turn around and leave for Mammoth for 5 days!  Please say prayers for safe travels as I leave my babies.  I always get so nervous!  

I'm linking up to The Lettered Cottage's Holiday Mantel Link Party!

Wishing everyone a wonderful week and a great start to the Christmas season! 

p.s. In case you were wondering about the stockings, it's tradition in our house that we don't hang them until Christmas Eve so Santa can fill them with goodies