For the past few years I have been decorating the collage shelf in my living room with a “Silver White Winters” theme but since we have the fireplace mantle I decorate that instead. It really makes the best place to hang out when there is snow on the ground because the sunroom is so bright and the fire is warm.

Silver White Winters Fireplace Mantle Decor

Winter Fireplace Mantle Decorating Ideas

I started off with a flat canvas panel that I painted with hand lettering script. I took an old frame with no glass or back and spray painted it silver before distressing it lightly with sandpaper. Then, I just duct taped the panel to the back.

It progressed from there… I painted another old frame black and printed out a black and white photo of the litter of three week old kittens that we rescued and raised for “whiskers on kittens.”

silver white winters DIY hand lettering decor

“Snowflakes that stay on your nose and eyelashes…” My brother makes incredible metal art and I swiped one of his snowflakes made of washers and bolts. A piece of wood brushed with white paint makes is stand out better. To layer behind that I hot glued flannel fabric to a canvas. It creates a simple layering piece that was super popular at the height of the farmhouse trend. The little tree was left from Christmas (although I considered getting some faux roses out and adding hot glue raindrops!)

I also added “brown paper packages tied up with strings” using an old box and a block, cotton yarn, and a Trader Joe’s bag.

Trader Joe's bag to brown paper packages

The “warm woolen mittens” are my Sun Dog Mitts and made from an upcycled fleece shirt but I think the embroidered snowflakes add another good touch.

The barn wood star is always on my mantle. It just matches so well! The crochet bobble garland was made using a tutorial from Delia Creates.

My new addition is the “bright copper kettle.” I have been keeping an eye out for one with no luck. I saw a ceramic teapot at the thrift store and decided that for 89 cents I could try adding paint.

Smooth surfaces can still be painted with regular acrylic paint. A light scuff sand or coat of spray primer is ideal, but it will still work. It will chip more easily so this is a tactic for things that are just to sit around and look at.

I took the handle off and spray painted it black. For the ceramic part, I just got a thin coat of copper color acrylic paint on and then continued adding thicker layers by sponging it on with the brush.