I spent most of Sunday afternoon in decorating mode.

Tis the season, after all, And futzing with decor is one of my favorite holiday activities.

I decided to focus on one thing at a time. I’m doing that a bit better these days.

I concentrated on the mantel in the living room where I have a large rectangular mirror framed in antique gold propped in the center. Casually leaning against the large mirror is a smaller round one, framed in a crudely carved wood and painted gold.

I left these two mirrors in place and removed the summertime accessories of blue and teal.

Next, I assembled everything I could find in the house that was gold and silver. It feels like that kind of year.

A quick weekend shopping jaunt to the local hardware store yielded a pair of perfectly-sized, resin trees flecked in gold glitter to anchor each end of the white-painted mantel. On the right side, I’ve arranged four gold votive candles around the base of the tree along with two doves.

On the opposite side is a wire chapel with a steeple, onto which I painstakingly hung a vintage mercury-glass bell that I found at the bottom of a box with some miscellaneous cast-off holiday decorations. The bell is the perfect size, shape, and patina. I love when that happens . . .

Just a week ago, a friend gifted me with some beautiful footed metallic candles. I polished a silver Santa bell till it gleamed.

Off-center – just in front of the round mirror, are two crowns (fit for a queen!): an elaborate one in antiqued silver, the other crown – set atop a carved wooden pedestal – is a simpler style in a burnished gold.

I stepped back, admiring my work. My professional-designer friend, Shelley, will be here on Tuesday, and I will ask for her advice in re-arranging my mantel. It’s pretty good, but surely it can be improved.

All I know is that I was in my element for a few hours, enjoying the zen-like journey of assembling the puzzle pieces, and the artful arrangement which came together with ease. The result is a thing of beauty.

Serene, simple, composed, balanced – with just the right amount of bling. Kind of like me these days.

And when Shelley arrived on Tuesday, I asked for her advice. “It’s absolutely perfect!” she said.

My masterpiece!