I pretty much skip over our bedroom for holiday decorating except at Christmas.
Sadly, I leave our master bedroom mantel the same old same old all the other times of the year. Why you ask……well decorating around a flat screen TV with a fireplace can be a challenge.
You don't want to obstruct the view or interfere with the viewing.
I am so excited to be participating with the Scoop Group in its very first tour. This month's challenge was to create a fall vignette. Be sure to see the entire tour schedule at the end of this post!
This sparked my imagination! Why not show you all how to create a fall vignette around a flat screen TV. I don't know why I haven't done this before. We watch TV frequently as a family in our bedroom…..two in bed and two in the club chairs in front of the bed. Now it is so warm and inviting for our family to enjoy!
The key is to keep things low in front. You are OK as long as you don't get too close to the viewing area. I would recommend keeping things here fairly neutral as to not distract the main viewing event!
A little embarrassed, but it has looked just like this for 9 years!!! ……except for the little Christmas change!
Why did I wait so long? Let's break things down so you can decorate your TV mantel!
Let's begin at the floor. I added my very large olive bucket from Decor Steals. It's filled with a few pieces of drift wood and a throw. The book/magazine stand was a Restore find that was painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. This warms up the space from top to bottom.
For this mantel, I didn't spend a dime! I shopped our home, yard and woods! Add your height on either side of the TV. Here I have used the candle urns from my dining table that were not currently being used. They have an iron base with a bubbled looking amber glass. I even left the wine corks in the bottom. My handy-dandy helper saved the day and took our dog on a treasure hunt with the list I gave her……twigs, cedar limbs, magnolia clippings, boxwood clippings and pine cones. My daughter and lab had a blast. She loves doing this! Due to limited space it this room, it is hard to get a straight on shot and not be in the reflection of the TV screen. The side urns are a little distorted due to the angles, but are really matching in size in terms of urn and greenery.
Simply start arranging twigs and greenery of your choice. Even just an urn full of twigs is perfect! You can even spray paint the twigs. I placed the urns first and took a look. I like to start with my bigger anchor pieces first.
Next, I moved to the center. I have two of these oval wooden trays found at two different thrift stores at different times in two different states! I was quite excited! It fit perfectly on the mantel. Then I placed my same battery operated flame-less candles from Ballard Designs. I've never wanted real candles right under the TV. My luck they'd flame up and destroy the TV screen! I'm starting to see my vision. I placed two of the large twigs off of each side of the wooden tray. I Knew I wanted to keep the center symmetrical for TV viewing so it wouldn't be distracting.
Notice on either side that I went a bit asymmetrical.
The center is very simple with just the addition of some compact boxwood branches and pine cones…..all simple and low.
The vignette starts to grow out as you get closer to the edges of the TV.
This is where I go asymmetrical. I covered one book with craft paper and wrapped a piece of ribbon around it. Then I stacked an olive wood mortar and pestle from a trip to France many years ago on top with one little Annie Sloan Chalk painted pumpkin!
I filled in with a couple more painted pumpkins, pine cones and boxwood. Notice I left white areas so there would be obvious space on the mantel.
I didn't fuss over the urns…..fast, simple and natural was the look I wanted.
I did the same on the right side, but added 2 books and a large bookend.
If you want to use real greens for your fall party or Thanksgiving follow these tips. 1) Decorate the mantel in advance with the exception of the greenery, pine cones and pumpkins. 2) Shop your home for items that work well with your mantel and TV. 3) Maybe you want to skip the greenery urns. Place large candlesticks on either side of the TV. Instead of candles place pumpkins or moss balls. Use multiple candlesticks in varying heights. 4) To keep things looking really fresh wait until the day before or the morning of to add your greenery. It really takes no time to cut clippings. 5) None of mine were placed in water. 6) From my experience, boxwood and magnolia last quite a few days before looking withered. My cedar can go a few days. A lot depends on your home and air.
These simple ideas can be applied to all of your mantels with a TV. I'll be sure to share my Christmas mantel and a NEW everyday mantel in January!
Be sure to visit all of the blogs on The Scoop Tour listed below!
The complete tour schedule is listed below!
Friday Nov 8
Saturday Nov 9
Sunday Nov 10
Monday Nov 11
Tuesday Nov 12
Link Parties that OSH parties at on occasion!
Saturday: Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday: DIY Showoff, Three Mango Seeds
Monday: Between Naps on the Porch, Alderberry Hill/Make the Scene , Amaze Me Monday
Tuesday: The Scoop, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Home Stories A2Z/Tutorial and Tips, Inspire Me Party, Project Inspired{d}, Brag About It Tuesday
Wednesday: Savvy Southern Style
Thursday: From My Front Porch to Yours, 52 Mantels, Stone Gable, Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life, The Shabby Creek Cottage,No Minimalist Here
Friday: French Country Cottage, My Repurposed Life, Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Friday, Common Ground, The Charm of Home, Rooted in Thyme,Imparting Grace, Keep Calm and Link Up
Kathy says
Beautifully done, Christy – love all the natural decor! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
Heather says
Seeing your lovely vignette, I so miss my Virginian magnolia leaves Christie! Your tips are wonderful and your home is so welcoming and beautiful just like you! It’s been fun to party with you in this blog tour! Pinned and shared on facebook! xo Heather
Therese says
Love it Christy! Lovely layers and items of interest. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks. Be well!
Cheers!
Cindy says
So pretty Christy! Lovely room, I wish mine were as pretty…so much still to do!
Blessings,
Cindy
the cape on the corner says
I love the layering with the books and little gourds. I do the same thing, which is to style the sides, but I don’t put anything in the middle. it’s so limiting, I think when we take down part of our wall i’m going to set the tv off center.
Christy says
Thanks so much! Enjoy decorating yours! ~Christy
Megan says
Love it! I am trying to learn how to style mantels so I am definitely taking note of what you did here. Gorgeous!
Pamela says
That is always a hard one Christy but you did fabulous with it!
Paula says
I love how you decorated around your tv making the area attractive but not taking away from the tv screen. You have serious talent at creating vignettes!
Christy says
Oh, Paula…what a wonderful compliment! Thanks so much, friend! XXOO Christy
laurie says
I don’t even have a tv over the mantel in our bedroom, and the only time I change it is at Christmastime. You’ve done such a pretty job of decorating this for Fall, and still leaving the tv accessible. laurie
Christy says
Thanks so much, Laurie! You sound like me! I hope to change now. Now that I see it accessorized, it makes the room so much warmer and cozier feeling! XOO`Christy
Laura says
Great tips, Christy! I too, have a flat scree tv over my mantel and have never really tried to decorate there. But after reading your tips, I may just get brave this Christmas! 🙂
Christy says
Thank bunches, Laura! I really think lots of people just leave it alone. Now that I’ve decorated it, I’m inspired to keep it up! XXOO -Christy
Kristen says
This is gorgeous! I love all the natural elements like the magnolia leaves and branches! Just beautiful…Glad to have been on the tour with you!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kristen! I have loved this tour….just focusing on one element at a time has been such fun! XXOO -Christy
Vanessa says
Christy this is so beautiful! I absolutely love the greenery and how it frames the tv. It really makes the tv feel apart the whole vignette! You did a wonderful job and I’m so thrilled to be part of this tour with you!
Vanessa
Christy says
Thanks so much, Vanessa! I really enjoyed this project…great for me to finally warm up that blahh space! Happy fall, friend! -Christy
Vicki says
Beautiful! I have a tv above a fireplace- but there is no mantel. I have no idea how to decorate.
Christy says
Thanks, Vicki!!! Hmmm…do you have space on the sides or above? Feel free to email me a picture, and I can take a quick look! 🙂 _Christy
laura says
Hi Christy- how nice to have that fireplace and mantel in your bedroom. Is it gas or wood burning? Lovely job changing it up for the season.
Christy says
Thanks, Laura! It is gas and very convenient! Great when the power goes out….close off the room and we can get toasty! XXOO -Christy
Anne says
Christy your master fireplace mantle is beautiful!! Love your vignette it is simply yet so elegant!Adding perfect balance,color and texture!So happy to have you part of the tour!
Christy says
Thanks, friend! This was such a fun tour! Loving all of the vignettes. Fun partying with you! XXOO -Christy
Marisa Franca says
I love your mantle! We have a flat screen TV and I’ve done nothing with the cabinet it sits on. I can make it into a mantle and do something decorative. Thank you for your brilliant ideas 🙂
Christy says
Thanks so much! What a clever thing for you to decide to do! Happy accessorizing! ~Christy
Artsy Chicks Rule ( says
All of the different setups on the mantle are amazing Christy!! Such great ideas…and I needed some! We just moved our TV in the Family Room over the mantle and this is perfect timing for me. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Nancy
Christy says
Thanks bunches, Nancy! Well…it only took me 9 years to do it! Hopefully, you’ll be a little speedier than me! XXOO -Christy
Kelly says
Christy so well done & lovely! Swoon to have a fireplace in the bedroom…. You really did a wonderful job working around the tv…hardly even notice it with all the pretty objects artfully arranged around it.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kelly! I am now inspired to keep it up! LOL! Fun touring with you!! XXOO -Christy
Martina says
BEAUTIFUL Christy!!
Shenita says
Christy, the mantel looks great! And all of the natural elements make it so easy to change it our whenever you’d like! Fabulous job!
Sharon says
I love your mantel with all the fresh greens. It is lovely!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Sharon! It was truly a fun post for me! XXOO -Christy
Anita from Cedar Hill Farmhouse says
It is so hard to work around one of the TV’s and yo did it splendidly.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Anita! I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the very first Scoop!! XXOO -Christy
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says
Great tips! I love how you decorated your mantel…looks wonderful! It makes me want to cozy on up right with you all as you snuggle in and watch TV! 🙂
Dria says
Beautiful! I love the covered books that was genius. You did a fabulous job!
AtHomeWithTheBarkers says
Looks so great! I love the natural elements!
Mary Alice Patterson says
Christy, Your mantel is gorgeous!! The beauty created on your mantel detracts from the tv…when it’s not on. 🙂
Mary Alice
Christy says
Thanks so much! I am so happy with how warm and inviting the space turned out. Completely changed the room…only took me 9 years to finally decide it needed something! LOL! That ugly black box just disappears somewhat! Thanks for stopping by. XXOO -Christy
Pat says
This is beautiful Christy. Wonderful ideas for doing a mantel with a flat screen. So happy you did this!
sonny says
that looks so beautiful.. I’ll have a fireplace in my next bedroom and now I know where to put my tv and how to decorate around it…
so glad I saw your post and thank you for letting us in for a peek at your lovely home.
Sonny
Christy says
Thanks so much, Sonny! Placing above a fireplace really is a space saver! Happy Fall! XXOO -Christy
Confessions of a Plate Addict says
Your mantel looks fabulous! I love the addition of the books! And I have to say that I am envious of the fresh magnolia! I’m afraid that if I planted one, it would never get to have any leaves! lol Thank so much for joining us for the tour!…hugs…Debbie
Marty says
Oh your mantel is gorgeous. I love the beautiful greenery arrangement you created and the books and pumpkins add even more texture. Beautifully done. Hugs, marty