MantLESS in Atomic Ranch

After living in an art deco stucco bungalow equipped with a gorgeous fireplace mantle, I am beside myself with the means of decorating our new mid-century home without a fireplace. The mantle is that lovely focal point where large mirrors and paintings lovingly hover over the fire. The mantle is also that central station for holiday greenery, Christmas stockings and funky decor to be displayed.

Now that we are settled into our mid-century home, I have had to change my mindset in terms of decor. Our furniture has changed from late-1800s Empire to 1950s atomic styling. Our plentiful early 1900 decor collections have been thrown in a box for addressing at another time. Now, we have our vintage holiday decor, with no fireplace to rest upon. 

How does one decorate for the holidays in a home without a mantle? How does the holiday design flourish in an atomic home that is intended to demonstrate minimalism and accentuate thoughtful design? I have used various areas of the home to substitute as mantles for holiday decoration, but I want to hear from other atomic ranch owners.

Steamer Trunk Winterscape: For now, we have moved our vintage 1940s steamer trunk to the mid-century home. We aren't sure if we will keep it in our home but trunks in general are terrific for storage, so it is staying for now. All the same, this steamer trunk is falling victim to displaying our holiday decor. I tried keeping the decor to a minimum, only pulling out holiday items that had the atomic vibe, including items from other parts of the home. 

Credenza Santa Festival: This vintage Danish Modern credenza was the biggest monetary splurge for our new home. It hides the television and stereo equipment and provides ample storage. This credenza is pretty much the focal point of the living room, much like a fireplace mantle. Why not use it like a mantle for holiday decor? I dug out all of our vintage and Scandinavian Santas so that they can have a party of a lifetime. The holiday cards we received in the mail were also displayed amongst the gathering. 

Peaceful Entry: Where would the holidays be without a door wreath? As you know, I'm nuts for changing up our holiday wreath between October through January. Our rosemary bushes were out of control so I had bunched and tied a handful of rosemary trimmings to our wreath. The wreath is not illuminated in this photo, but I found these tiny LED dewdrop lights that were perfect for wreath illumination. The whole look was offset by a starburst ornament kicked off to the side. The lore associated with rosemary is also perfect for the entryway: It is believed to ward off evil spirits, provide good energy, and purify the air. Rosemary symbolizes love and loyalty and the scent is known to enhance memory and leave a lasting impression. Why wouldn't you want rosemary at your entry to do its magic for you and your guests?

Our vintage aluminum tree was displayed in the middle of the room this year, so that it could be seen from the walkway. Last year, we displayed it near the sliding glass door, which could hardly be seen unless you were lounging in the courtyard.

I would love to hear from other mid-century home owners who do not have a mantle. How do you decorate for the holiday season? Where and how do you display your holiday decor?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!