We love Paula Sutton's joyful Dickensian-style Christmas mantel
As Christmas approaches and the quest for joy intensifies, interior influencer Paula Sutton (@hillhousevintage) has brought a touch of nostalgic magic to her Christmas mantel to create a Dickensian-inspired display.
Paula's whimsical Christmas mantelpiece embraces the charm of pre-loved treasures, demonstrating that vintage finds can infuse warmth and nostalgia into festive decor, all while being environmentally conscious.
Paula, who released her first book Hill House Living in 2021, describes her final look as a 'joyful Dickensian-style Christmas mantel that wouldn’t have looked out of place in A Christmas Carol'.
Using a garland as a base, Paula mixed cherished ornaments from years past, along with hydrangeas, eucalyptus, and ivy to achieve a timeless look that transports us back to the joy of Christmases gone by. She foraged for pine cones and foliage to add a touch of nature, and finished off the look with twinkling fairy lights.
A set of six pre-loved rose-covered decoupage baubles, sourced from an eBay vintage decorations seller, played a starring role in transforming Paula's mantel into a Dickensian-style masterpiece.
We also love the additional styling of books and candles on the end. If you have the space on your mantel, play with height by styling tapered LED candles on tall candlesticks for extra wow-factor.
The display is made all the more warm and nostalgic with the roaring fireplace below and a smattering of gifts on the floor wrapped in brown parcel paper and tied in a bow using fabric remnants.
Paula advocates for sustainability in Christmas decor, encouraging a mix of pre-loved and new items for a beautifully layered and timeless aesthetic.
'When it comes to Christmas, I like to purchase pieces that I intend to reuse in years to come – after all nothing is as priceless as an ornament with sentimental value,' says Paula. 'Beyond just my Christmas tree, crafting a Christmas mantle really brings my living room to life. This year, I wanted the wreath around my fireplace to be abundant and fabulous, but also inexpensive and natural.'
Paula's beautiful Christmas mantelpiece proves that festive cheer can be achieved affordably and sustainably.
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