How to Create an Elegant Christmas Mantel using Branches

I may have gone a little “extra” with my dining room Christmas mantel this year, but it was so much fun to create! I chose an asymmetrical design with lots of silver and white. Can you believe I actually scaled it back to not be as large? Anyway, here is how to create an elegant Christmas mantel using branches.

How To Use Branches to Create An Elegant Christmas Mantel

1.Create a frame out of foraged tree branches

2. Weave fabric tulle through the branches

3. Use floral wire to attach faux floral picks to the branches

4. Add ribbon and embellishments

Build a Base out of Branches

The first step is to create a structure to hold the floral picks. I gathered these branches from my yard, but they are not random. Look for branches that are sturdy and have a flow-y shape. That is not a very good description, but imagine them laying flat, to see if they have a curve and a flow upwards. Clear as mud? You can then add straight branches to fill in, using floral wire wrapped around the main structure to hold the branches.

If you have ever worked with branches, they really don’t like to cooperate and it can be a little frustrating. To keep them in check, I attached removable hooks to my mirror, twisted floral wire around the twigs, and then the hook. I did this in a couple of spots.

Adding Tulle Fabric

To soften the branches and cover wires and whatnots, I added in some tulle fabric. I selected this gold color they was a similar shade as the tea stained scroll. The fabric will be arranged and fluffed later.

Add Floral Picks to Your Branch Structure

The leaf and flower picks are from Hobby Lobby this year, but everything else I already had from past years.

Using floral wire, I wrapped the floral pick stems to the branches.

The leaves were added to the ends of the branches, and then flowers and pearls.

To keep the branches from holding too much weight, and to fill in more space, I wired picks onto single branches. The branches were then wired onto the structure. I continued adding picks until I achieved the look I wanted.

Add Ribbon and Embellishments

After I added all the leaves and flowers, these white (I have no idea what to call them) fern leaf like picks were just stuck in randomly.

I did these ribbons just like on my Christmas tree. Cut the ribbon into small pieces.

And tuck between the branches.

The final touch was a cream bird and a white ribbon bow. Oh, I also added this tinsel garland for a little extra movement. I hope sharing how to create an elegant Christmas mantel using branches inspires you to create one of your own!

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Sharing with The All About Home link party

Thanks for stopping by,

Janet