I talked last week about how my Christmas decorations this year are inspired by the beauty of the winter landscape around me, with bare branches, fern fronds and a palette of earthy browns, beiges and off-whites that speak of frost-covered fields and frozen woodland. Well, today I want to show how I’ve translated that into a festive mantelpiece display, and share a step-by-step tutorial to help you recreate the look yourself.
The idea for this display has been floating around in my head for a few months now, and I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out. It’s surprisingly easy to do, and you really can let your creativity and imagination run wild. What’s more, it doesn’t contain any fresh foliage, meaning it will last until Christmas and beyond without water or any unsustainable oasis foam.
Here’s what you need to make your own mantelpiece display:
- Bare branches (forage for them, or ask your local florist)
- A selection of dried and / or faux foliage with different textures and shapes. I used ferns and wispy grasses, together with a pine spray from Layered Lounge that I cut into smaller sprigs (yes, it’s plastic, but it looks incredibly realistic and I’ll reuse it in future years)
- Masking tape
- Floristry wire
- A good pair of scissors
- Candles and candle holders. I used tapered candles and small metal holders from Ester & Erik [affiliate link], but pillar candles or votives in glass jars would also work well
- Pine cones (optional)
And here’s how to do it:
1. Build the BRANCH base
Start by using the bare branches to build the basic framework for your display. Think about the overall shape you want to create, and try to select branches with swooping sections for a natural, slightly wild look. I like an asymmetric display positioned at one end of the mantelpiece, but it will work just as well in the centre or all the way along if you prefer.
When you’re happy with the arrangement, use masking tape to stick the branches in place. When the time comes to take your display down, it will peel away without causing any damage to the paint or woodwork.
2. Layer up the foliage
Now it’s time to add the foliage. Gradually layer it up, starting with the sturdiest bits (in this case, the pine sprigs) and saving the most delicate (here, the grasses) until last. You’ll find a lot of it can simply be slotted in among the branches without needing anything to hold it in place, but use twists of floristry wire to secure things where needed.
Try to follow the movement of the base branches, and position the foliage so that it covers as much of the masking tape as possible. Go slowly and stand back every now and then to assess how the overall display is looking – it’s much easier to add more foliage than it is to take bits away, especially if you’ve already wired them in place.
3. Position the candles
Once you’re happy with the foliage, position the candles where you want them, varying the heights for a more balanced, eye-catching look. How many candles you need will depend on the size of your display, but keep in mind that objects tend to look better to the human eye when grouped in odd numbers rather than even.
4. Add the finishing touches
Finally, insert a few sprigs of foliage in between and in front of the candles so that they look as if they’re emerging from within the display. I also dotted a few pine cones here and there for a natural forest-floor look.
When you’re done, take a few moments to check that no branches or bits of foliage are at risk of getting too close to the flames, and there you have it – your finished mantelpiece display!
I’d love to know if this tutorial inspires you to create your own mantelpiece display, and how you get on – just let me know in the comments below.
Please note this post contains affiliate links (all clearly marked), which means I will receive a small commission on any resulting sales. You won’t pay any more by clicking on these links than you would by visiting the websites directly, and it helps to support the free content I create here.
All photography by Abi Dare
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