Styling a Winter Mantelscape with Vintage Art

Changing from holiday to winter decor at the start of the year is always a challenge. I am so over anything to do with Christmas, but it’s way to early to bring out any kind of spring decor. I had found an amazing vintage paint by number while shopping and wanted to use it when refreshing my living room. The colors were so moody and amazing and I wanted to layer it with a mirror. It was perfect for styling a winter mantelscape with vintage art.

You can watch the video to see what the mantel decor looked like before I swapped it out. I have to admit, after the holiday decor came down a few days after the new year, I wasn’t really feeling it. I left some wood trees up and my brass deer until I could figure out what I wanted to do. I just wasn’t feeling inspired until I came across the vintage paint by number.

It so 1970’s with the violin, pocket watch and pewter carafe. That’s what I really love about it. The colors are so amazing on it, and the graphic detail really pops.

See here how to add a faux box mantel to a faux fireplace

Once I had that for a base, I knew I wanted to create a mantel that almost echoed the painting with books, candles and a vase. Inspiration for design and decor can come from all kinds of places. I loved the idea of layering it with of gold. On the right of the painting, I propped some thrift store books covered in green velvet. You can see how to make those here. I love the texture they add.

Now, my husband would call what’s in the vase “dead”, but I prefer to use the word, “dried”. I had picked up some fresh eucalyptus over the holidays, and I love how gracefully it dried that I decided to dump the water out of the vase and keep it a little bit longer. It added a pretty sage-y color against the dark walls.

I had also thrifted a really amazing vintage mirror with a bamboo frame and I love the gold detail. I might use a little Rub n’ Buff and take the gold tone down a little bit. On the left side of the mantel I stacked a few books and added vintage brass candlesticks and with cream colored tapers to balance out the other side.

When styling a mantel with vintage art repeat themes, create contrast, or make a focus by creating height on the outside or the inside (but not both).

The mixed gold and brass add a nice richness to the mantel that catch the gold in the paint by number. And I always love a good book stack for display and vignette’s.

The layering feels warm and cozy and is a great transition from holiday to winter. I always find this a difficult time of year in transitioning and need to make my home as cozy as possible. Here are a few tips if you also struggle at this time with making your home feel cozier.

You can also see a previous year’s winter mantel here.