I’m excited to share this ornament display idea and show you my DIY cascading ornaments flanking the fireplace, but first I want to share a little back story. This time last year, we hacked our fireplace and as a result, were were finally able to hang the TV in the middle (and I splurged on a Samsung Frame TV to celebrate – you can read my review of it here). Below is a recent photo of the dining/living room area, post-hack:
When the DIY fireplace update was done last December, I was already envisioning this year’s holiday decor: a pair of massive wreaths on either side of the TV (I previously had four framed vintage postcards on either side of the fireplace, which I moved to the bedroom after the TV was installed). But then Hubby installed the speakers at eye level and totally crushed my dreams, lol.
Undeterred, I noodled on a way to add a little festiveness to the fireplace without blocking or damaging the speakers – but maybe disguising them just a tiny bit? I ended up creating this cascade of shimmering ornaments, anchored by a lit up garland on either mini mantle, to draw the eye down. Obviously you can still see the speakers, but I think that they’re way less noticeable and the end result is festive and sparkly – especially at night.
I originally planned all-white ornaments (to look like falling snow!), but then I spotted a tube of 100 ornaments at Michael’s Crafts with some teal baubles and I couldn’t resist. I bought a silver/clear mix and the teal mix (for 200 ornaments in total). They were on sale at the time for $20/tube of 100.
With this large turquoise painting right beside the fireplace, aqua always works!
I did also buy a tube of copper ornaments, but they just didn’t pop against the grey and I love how this looks sort of ethereal and dreamy.
Szuka could not care less.
Here’s how I created my cascade of ornaments.
Supplies:
- Shatter-proof ornaments (approx 100 per side, in a small-ish size)
- Thread (I chose dark grey to match fireplace – metallic would be pretty too)
- Scissors
- Tension rod, 3M hooks, or cheap cafe curtain rod*
- Ribbon
- Stepladder
- A friend to help
What Kind of Curtain Rod to Use:
* I actually screwed in two inexpensive cafe curtain rods but I have done something similar with a tension rod in the kitchen window.
A tension rod is damage-free, but because my brick is so textured I wasn’t 100% sure it would hold. I had one in the bathroom before we installed the ceiling mounted rod and the tension rod would not grip the textured tile (we went through a couple styles). I didn’t want to find out the hard way that it couldn’t grip the brick – when the rod fell down and knocked over my Lotte lamp, lol. I decided that it was easier and safer for me to screw in a rod and then touch up the holes later with paint – it won’t be the first touch up, so no harm no fowl in my situation. You could also use a series of clear mini 3M hooks along the top and hang the ornaments from them as another temporary option.
How to Create the Cascade of Ornaments:
This project is easy! I installed the curtain rods on either side and then tied on the ornaments using thread that disappears against the dark grey. I staggered the heights and it helped to have a friend who could hand me the ornaments while I teetered on the stepladder. Then I hid the curtain rod by wrapping a ribbon around it (lightly basted onto the rod with thread).
I tried to line up all of the knots under the ribbon but they were a little shifted as I fiddled with it. But, from even a foot away, the thread disappears, so it’s not a problem. But if you can, try to keep the knots at the top so they’re covered by the ribbon.
The ornaments are a mix of metallics, glittery ones, and iridescent ones and they really catch the light. I don’t put up a tree (I don’t even celebrate Christmas) but there’s one thing I can’t resist: anything sparkly, glittery, shimmery. In the past few years, I’ve started to bring in a little “holiday” decorating because I like to indulge in some lights and sparkle. Winter is long and cold and horrible where I live, and some sparkle makes it more bearable! This is a fun way to get into the spirit without putting up a Christmas tree and doing the whole thing – I’d say it’s more wintery than Christmas-y 😉
P.S. Don’t Forget to Pin for Later!
Very pretty and subtly festive. I might not want to take them down after Christmas!
Author
Thank you! I am very tempted to leave everything as-is all winter!
I would be tempted to leave it up all winter as well. It’s seasonal decor, not overtly Christmasy. It’s makes me sad when all the lights come down after Christmas, because it is so dark and dreary where I live, they just cheer things up so much!
I really love your minimalist decorating style + turquoise = perfection!
Author
I feel the same way when the lights come down because when winter REALLY gets cold and dreary around here in Jan/Feb, and I could use some cheer too. Jan 1st it seems all of my neighbors turn them off and I miss driving home and seeing all of their lights. I’m so happy you like my decor and I’m tempted to leave it up longer too.
absolutely lovely idea and so beautiful in your beautiful home. Simple, elegant and delicious. thank you.
Author
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you love this idea, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment.