A lodge-style mantel gets much of its character from the contrast between rough pinecones and soft plaid. Before arranging anything, look at the mantel from the sofa. Note where a picture frame, mirror or television already fills the wall. Work around that shape so the greenery has a visible outline.
Choose where the garland will end
Lay the pinecone garland along the shelf and try one end slightly longer than the other. If you have a narrow mantel, follow the back edge with the garland and keep the front lip clear. On a working fireplace, check the appliance’s clearance guidance before placing any seasonal material nearby. A sideboard can carry the same arrangement.
Use plaid where the pattern can be seen
Set the plaid cone Christmas trees toward the shorter end of the garland. Give the tartan some breathing room against a plain section of wall. Place aged metal bells with a rope hanger at the opposite end on a support suited to their weight. Their rounded shape breaks up the line of pointed trees and pinecones.
Stop at the doorway for one last look. If the display reads as one dark band, open a gap between the trees and bells. Explore Christmas at the Lodge for the woodland pieces. For an old-fashioned mantel with snowy village scenes, visit A Very Vintage Holiday.
Work around an off-center mirror
If your mirror hangs off-center, let the taller plaid tree sit beneath its open side. Check the reflection before adding another tree; the mirror may already give you the shape twice. In a room with a busy stone surround, draw the pinecones into a shorter sweep so their edges show against the shelf. A simple wall can carry a longer run with more space between the bells and trees.
Explore two more Christmas looks from Rust & Cinder with Gilded Starlight and Merry & Bright Christmas.