Those of you who are new to my weekly design challenges: For part of my weekly blog posts I have decided to feature different design challenges followers, clients, and friends have asked me about. I will post a style board or real life images with a product list and give design tips on how to achieve the look.

This weeks challenge is how to decorate your mantel. I had a sweet follower message me asking how I decorate my mantel and make everything look "so put together" - as she worded it. Although I do not always feel my mantel is "so put together," I will share some tips on how I select items and style my mantel.

I tend to use items that fit the style of the room the mantel is in. I honestly don't change my mantels that often. I will add different pieces here and there for different holidays, but for the most part my mantels stay the same year round. If you have seen my living room you know it has a very neutral, french country, farmhouse feel. It's almost like my living room mantel in a small reflection of the room as a whole.

Right now my living room mantel has a black metal arched window frame, a magnolia wreath, wooden candle sticks, mercury glass votives, and some old books. Throughout my living room I have used touches of black metal- my chandelier, curtain rod, and various other decor pieces in my living room are black metal. So I wanted to pull this material and color onto my mantel and I did with the arched black window frame.

I also have a lot of natural wood in the room- my chicken coop coffee table, my Everett Foyer Table from World Market, the accents on my couches, my display cabinets, my floor lamps from Target, etc. - lots of wood accents in here. So the wooden candle sticks help tie in this element.

The old books and magnolia wreath add a decorative touch that helps tie it all together. So you might be thinking "so now how do I do this in my home."

1. Step back and look at you space, study the different elements and materials you have used.

2. Think of materials you could use to make your mantel a reflection of your room.

3. Shop your house. Pull items your already have then shop for the rest.

Once you pinpoint the items you can use on your mantel its time to bring it all together. Try layering items- like how I used the magnolia wreath over the arched window. Work your way outwards in height. Use your largest pieces as the center focal point. Then work your way out.

Below are some different ways I have style my mantel.