Inspiration for the Season: Festive Mantels

Once Thanksgiving has passed, Adelaide Burton fills her nearly century-old farmhouse in Buckhead with casual and uncontrived Christmas decorations, a tradition that has remained as her family has grown up in the historic home. Festive stockings are hung by the cozy  stone fireplace, which boasts a more traditional look and and natural trimmings that cultivate a classic sensibility.

Designer Benji Jones bestowed a seasonal touch to every room of his Virginia-Highland home, where he keeps things artistic, fun and not too serious. “I never have liked the idea of destroying a mantel just to put a wreath on it,” the designer says. His own living room fireplace is creatively embellished with a card-studded circular mirror, a few festive stockings and a mix of fine art and flea market paintings.

During the holidays, Suzanne Kasler’s predominantly neutral palette provides the perfect backdrop for the designer’s carefully edited Christmas embellishments. “Too often, people try to put things on every surface,” she explains. “I don’t put everything out; that way, it’s more special—and not so overwhelming.” The fireplace mantel incorporated Kasler’s collection of antique ornaments, along with Frasier fir, juniper berries and a wreath.

During the holidays, Brian Patrick Flynn transforms his Ellijay, Georgia cabin into a rustic-chic holiday home. Above the fireplace’s walnut mantel, the always-creative Flynn turned scripts from his favorite holiday movies into seasonal décor and hanging them on drapery rods as scrolls.