Did you see my reel on Instagram when I was decorating this fireplace mantel area?  Don’t let all of these photos fool you.  This mantel was the ONLY thing that had any type of organization.  The rest of the place was a complete and total disaster.  You know how it is when the Christmas tubs are pulled from storage. Chaos.

Throw a tree on it….

That is pretty much my motto.  If you have been here for awhile, you know that my holiday decor is usually quite simple.  I add white lights pretty much everywhere and very few, if any, ornaments.  I  tuck trees in every little space I can find.   This year is no different.  I keep in mind that my holiday decor may stay up well into January so I gear my decor more towards winter than Christmas.   I’m sure this mantel will change several times but for now, here is our very simple winter fireplace mantel area in the cottage.

Simple Winter Fireplace Mantel

For the record, I like to update my holiday decor every year by adding just a few new trees, big and small, to the mix.  And then I donate the older items.  This year, while searching for a few new life-like trees, I found several that I will be sharing over the next couple of weeks.  Because I found some great options.   See the entire list!

Life-Like Trees are my FAVES!

These cedar pine trees are probably the closest thing to real-life that I’ve seen.  They not only look real, but they even feel real.  They are on the pricier side, but they are also something that could remain in your decor all year long.  I love that they are wispy and resemble little evergreen trees you find out in nature and in the woods.  And they come in these cute pots that look like aged concrete.    Do you recognize these candlesticks?  They are one of our Trash Tuesday pieces.  They were something else before we turned them into candlesticks.

I added these tufted chairs on each side of the fireplace mantel and then added a stool between them with another sparse tree.  I believe I found that one at Hobby Lobby a few years back.  A throw and a few pillows complete this very simple winter look around the fireplace here in the cottage.  

If you want to see any of my past Christmas looks, I rounded them all up in one area for easy access. 

Other Sources:  Chairs / Pillows / Throw / Life-Like Wreath