How-To: Gilded Mantel Garland

Since the holidays are a perfect time to gather around the fire with family and friends, the mantel often takes center stage as we decorate for the season. This year, we're decking our mantel with a combination of bright, gilded metals and finds from the garden. We crafted this colorful strand by connecting a few metal garlands end-to-end, then added a finishing touch with fresh bay leaves and some dried Echinops for a splash of bright purple. With its neutral, metallic base, this garland is easily adaptable to any holiday palette-- some of our favorite pairings are the rich oranges and greens of winterberry and magnolia, or fragrant, fresh-cut evergreen boughs.