Inspiration

We asked a few of our favourite designers how they decorate their hearths for the merry season.

Designer Mantels Some of our favourite design pros show off their holiday mantels.

Deb Nelson HALIFAX

“The holidays can be hectic and I often don’t have a lot of time to decorate, so I add natural elements to what I already have. I fill antique baskets with excess boughs cut from the balsam fir trees in my backyard. I love the scent of a Christmas tree in the house, and the boughs add even more fragrance. And while greenery gives a burst of colour, tall branches will add height to your mantel.”

Rosie Daykin VANCOUVER

“Our Christmas tree doesn’t get a makeover because of the memories attached to all the decorations we hang, so the mantel is a great opportunity to try something new. I asked my friend Jessica Clark of Quince Fine Florals to create a largescale arrangement. I foraged greenery from the yard and neighborhood, and Jessica brought along some lovely winter hellebores. It’s all real, and it smells divine! With very little money and effort, the scale of the piece completely transforms the space.”

Brian Gluckstein TORONTO

“I wanted to keep the look simple but festive and integrate the colours in the room, so I used snowy whites, soft gold and green. I love reindeer as a symbol of the holiday season, and I collect nutcrackers, so I always have to incorporate them into my holiday decorating. This year, I went with classic all-white.”

Garrow Kedigian NEW YORK CITY

“My decorations tend to get more elaborate with each passing year. It started with just a bough of evergreen, then I added faux berry branches — real ones become a decorator’s nightmare when the berries end up on the carpet — and this year, the pinecones along the top. My mantel offers a wonderful vista in my open-concept apartment, and I like that it’s a nice deep, dark finish — colourful holiday decorations really pop!”

Erin Feasby TORONTO

“We have these jewel-toned monogrammed stockings in plaid, tartan and houndstooth patterns, and I wanted to pull out their claret and plum palette. So, I tucked goldand wine-coloured eucalyptus leaves into a faux garland, and mixed in black iron candlesticks, my silver trophy and real amaryllis. I love lighting the fire and seeing our initials all lined up in a row.”

Sophie Burke VANCOUVER

“I wanted the mantel to feel really warm and natural, and I liked the idea of just using greenery, instead of mixing in any colour. I often use fir or cedar branches to decorate but decided to switch it up with eucalyptus this year. I made the garland myself by laying the eucalyptus pieces out in the shape I wanted, and wiring them together. I love the look of large baskets filled with firewood and how all the candles add a soft glow to the room.”

A creamy, wool pom-pom garland adds a touch of softness to the natural greenery. Photo frames, Indigo; pom-pom garland, Conifer Shop; mirror, chandelier (reflected in mirror), Deb Nelson Design.

“This is an achievable project for everyone,” says Rosie. “Wire some florist oasis onto a metal tray that’s hidden beneath where the branches will be, and start arranging, beginning with the largest boughs and working outward.” Florals, Quince Fine Florals.

“I love softening a mantel with a garland — this one is faux because we like to leave it up for quite some time.” All holiday accents by GlucksteinHome, Hudson’s Bay.

A bowl of favourite vintage ornaments from Garrow’s childhood and a red apple wreath sit on a petite side table in front of the hearth. Garlands, Dutch Flower Line; berry branches, wreath (on side table), Jamali Garden.

Erin gave her pinecone stocking holders a facelift with a coat of cream paint. Faux garland, Home Smith; black candlesticks, CB2; pillar candle holders (on mantel) and vases (on shelves) by Sophie Cook, Hollace Cluny; candles, Wills & Prior; rug, Y&Co.

“I’m not a big fan of faux greenery,” says Sophie. “You miss the scent from the real thing!” Armchairs by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, Cassina; fireplace tools, Eldvarm; sconces, Schoolhouse.