You don't have to have a mantel to decorate for Christmas. Do you have a fireplace or other focal point wall? Hang a big wreath there. Go all out on your lovely staircase with thick garland swags and big bows on the posts. A few seasonal pillows and a warm throw will finish things off. I know you are tempted to "do" the ledge. If you must, do a few LARGE candlesticks in a grouping or a row of three small trees. Keep it simple and large scale. And that corner is begging for a tree. Happy holidays!

address the opening ledge as the mantle. Keep it simple. a large wreath above the thing on the other side of the white chair . let the stair be the focus of the layout. festoon the railings with greens...if in the south Smilacs. Very simple and understated

Greenery swag or garland (with our without hanging baubles) would hang very well in the opening without completely blocking it. Stockings would also hang from the sill with a few stocking holders.

One more idea: Hang BIG Christmas balls from tiny cup hooks screwed into the top of the opening. Hang them at various heights. For a contemporary look, use monofilament (fishing line) to hang them. For a traditional look, use ribbon.

There is a nice spot on the side of the area that protrudes from the wall (where your tv is sitting) that you can build nice bookshelves.

Your tree can fit inside this area as well.

Just design by the matra...KISS KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID...no harm in that...just simple not complex will win every time. just make it lush. no skips

Choose a wrapped present design to inspire you then do just that; wrap the projection where the framed art is like a big present. Who cares if the paper all matches or not. Make it fun, make it yours. For more design tips, please follow my blog "Lauren's Design Library": http://blog.laurenjacobsendesign.com/

There is a gas fireplace behind the painting that is sitting on the floor. There is another opening on the other side. Thanks for your ideas. I have never posted online before so it is nice to know there are people that like to help.

For the Living Room, this could be fun. Then go to Pottery Barn, West Elm, Cate and Barrel and get some festive holiday pillows for the sofa and occasional chair, some candles on the coffee table and it will feel like the holiday is here :)

After seeing the second photo you posted, the insets flanking the fireplace would be a great place for identical trees and hang a great wreath above the fireplace. A few candles in the table and some toss pillows and you will have a fabulous holiday room.

After seeing the second photo you posted, the insets flanking the fireplace would be a great place for identical trees and hang a great wreath above the fireplace. A few candles in the table and some toss pillows and you will have a fabulous holiday room.

Nice cozy room to work with. Lots of options just from looking at the photos. I like your colors of the yellow and blue and would work in more of the blue in the decorations. Some modern print draperies on the windows and fireplace shelving could be for all year. The stairway is nice and that could have some decorating but not the ordinary garland but swags of fresh greens. The corner where the chair is located would be a great place for the tree moving it so it is visible from the stairway just a bit. Then to balance the tree something tall and large could be placed on the opposite side of the ledge. A large urn with branches would be nice. That was fun! Happy Holidays!

Everything is so low. You need some hieght so a tree would work perfectly. Just a thought, you seem to enjoy reading, judging by the possition of the lamp, so why not have bookshelves either side of the chimney breast and put the tv on the wall in the middle

iikiiioiooo

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