My mantle is the first thing you see when you walk through my front door, so it sets the tone for the rest of the house. And there’s nothing like sitting by the fire while everything glows.

I’ve styled it asymmetrical and I’ve styled it symmetrical. Both work, as long as you layer everything around it. This year it’s symmetrical but drapey: lush mixed greenery, natural elements and matte velvet ribbon. Here’s how to build it.

1. Start with a faux base. Lay a faux garland across the mantle first. It gives you shape and fullness, and something to wire the fresh greenery into. And it doesn’t drop needles all season long.

2. Wire in fresh greenery, and mix it. The more varieties you use, the lusher it looks. I use cedar, fir, magnolia and boxwood from my yard. You can buy faux versions or purchase from a local nursery. Read this to learn how.

3. Layer in natural elements. Tuck in dried orange slices, dried roses and berries to add natural color that complements the deep greens. Learn how to create “cascading echoes” here.

4. Add velvet ribbon. Tie it in loose bows, or let it fall in loose streams. Keep it matte. You won’t find shiny ribbon on this mantle, because velvet is what keeps it moody. For more ribbon ideas, read this.

5. Go up. The mantle is the midpoint, not the only place to look. The wreath over the mirror anchors the center. Add candlesticks in different finishes, then fill them with taper candles in complementary colors. Symmetrical doesn’t mean matching: balance the two sides, but don’t copy one onto the other. Mixed candlesticks are what make it look collected.

6. Go down. Pull the eye toward the floor with stockings or greenery draped low, or layer a few lanterns, poinsettias, or a basket at the base. It’s all about scale.

Other Variations

Go asymmetrical. I’ve done it both ways, and the same layering applies. Just attach the garland end at one corner of the mantle, and let it drape down the other side.
Skip the stockings. Let draped greenery or a lantern cluster do the work of drawing the eye down.

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