Monday, May 9, 2011

mantel makeover

I'm not the kind of person who decorates my mantel all the time for the seasons or holidays or whatever. I would like to be that kind of person but frankly I just don't have the time or energy to keep up with it all.  So, I decorate my mantel the way I like it and leave it all year.  I will change it out for Christmas but then I put it all back the way it was.  After this past Christmas, I decided I wanted a little change.  I put a few things back on the mantel but never finished it.  It sat unfinished and ugly for the last 4 months.  This weekend, I changed that, inspired by the mirrors I found in my last post.


Here's what it looked like before.  Really, it's just a few things stuck up there.  
I can't get a close up because it's probably really dusty.  
Yep, ugly and dusty was the mantel design we have lived with for the past 4 months.

Now, here's the new and improved and clean mantel.
I left the flag that's framed in an old window because I just love it. 

I added two of my new mirrors on the left side along with the box (that had the locks),
a smaller pine box, my little bowling pin and a plant in a pot that I painted and aged.

Oh I am loving those mirrors.

 
Chippy and lovely and imported from Scotland and cheap!
Since I got 6 mirrors and a bunch of other stuff this past weekend for $50, 
I figure these mirrors cost me on average of 5 bucks each.

They really brighten up the space.


I put one on the right side, kept my cool industrial red 3 and old exercise pins
and added the little wooden boxes that I showed you here.




I moved my father-in-laws old wooden tops to the mantel and added the
French binoculars I also found this weekend.  I actually think they are opera glasses.



I think it looks a heck of a lot better, don't you?  I may add some
more greenery to it with another plant or two 
but I like the simplicity and sort of symmetry of it.


10 comments:

  1. Wow...your mantle looks GREAT! And of course it would not be complete without a 3. I look forward to seeing you guys this weekend, however you will not be happy with me as I am not doing red! Oh well, we can at least chat. See you soon.
    Denis

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  2. The mirrors and bowling pin look great and give your mantel so much more life.

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  3. Ooh I love it, Gina! No one has awesome stuff like you do. NO ONE.

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  4. Wow, looks great! Makes me want to do mine over.

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  5. LOVE the simplicity and the fun mix of "junk" you used. Looks great! Laurel@chippingwithcharm

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  6. Love the bowling pin!!! Nice mantel!

    Xo, Meme

    BTW, I am having a $100,000 giveaway! Ok, $100...;) Stop by and sign up!

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  7. Those mirrors are great! You got such a good deal on them.

    I love what you've done with your mantel! All the things on it are fantastic on their own, but when you put them together it's really something special.

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  8. Drooling here.........i especially love the bowling pins, and of course, those mirrors!!!~devon

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  9. Love it! The mirrors, the pins, so great! My package arrived today. Wowsa, gorgeous! Thanks so much. I hope to take some photos soon.

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  10. Wow! Looks great. Makes me wish I had a mantel along with my wood stove. Wonderful treasurers. I like the mirrors too... I think the mantel looks best when you like it the best.

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