If you’re in the same position I am…kids doing homeschool (meaning I’m doing homeschool)…business planning for the new year and general home maintenance all while trying to keep my sanity, I’m trying to look for little decor projects so I feel like accomplished something today! 

We’ve packed up Christmas and it’s amazing how everything looks just so bare and sad!

So with that, today’s little project was updating our fireplace mantel decor. 

I’ll start by saying, I wish my mantel was as bright and open as my cover photo for this blog, but to be honest, I live in Bloor West, so our principal rooms are a little smaller LOL and I’m not yet ready to paint out all the trim! (I did paint out our stairwell which looks great! Check out that Blog for details and pics). 

So it’s a little darker than I’d like, but I’m embracing what’s there and adding items working with that in mind. 

Given COVID, my usual go-to (Homesense) is closed these days, so I was forced to use items I had on hand. Luckily I do have a little collection of staging items in my basement, so I was able to take of a few pieces from there and add some personal items that mean a little something to me. 

As I mentioned above, I’m a little torn between homeschool and work, so this is what I’ve come up with so far! But as I always tell people, especially with these types of things, live with what you have for a few days and update as needed. None of this is permanent, so if you’d like to make a little switch or move things around, go for it!

I started by adding some taper candle sticks. These were a lovely little birthday gift from my friends and are perfect! I’m loving the gold bases and height of the candles. No need to have even numbers too! I actually prefer odd, so these were a great start. 

I then added some greenery. Full disclosure, these are faux and from IKEA, but I still think they add a little life! I plan on getting some real plants but this is a start and gives me something to work off of. 

I’ve added an art piece that was my grandmothers, she recently passed away. So it was nice to add a little something of her’s and I really like the bold frame. I finished it off with a hand-made charcuterie board (I often create these as closing gifts for my clients, but made one extra for myself) and a little candle I picked up from Homesense back in the day. 

Overall I’m pretty happy with it. Nothing too busy but pieces that come together nicely. I like the variety of height, colours and textures!

Need a little change-up with your decor? Take a look around your house and see what you can put together. I know my credit card could take a bit of a break these days, so this was the perfect way to change-up our look without spending a cent!

Want to check out what else I’ve got on the go or future projects? Follow me on Instagram!