Jan 26, 2012

Winter Mantel/Thrifty Find

Hi there!
While everyone else in blog land is posting their Valentines mantel.
I just finally finished my winter mantel! 
Yeah!! 
Go Me!!
You see God delivered me a little gift...via an early morning (or late night) thunderstorm...including full on tornado warning in the middle of January. This storm was so fierce that during one lightening strike our house shook like a tornado...it vibrated the entire house...the next thing we hear...is glass breaking!! Hubby jumps out of bed...and checks every room in the house, including the basement...and we could not figure out what broke...I decided to investigate a little deeper...come to find out...a whole bunch of seashells that were nestled in a GIANT heavy glass flower bowl...that was sitting atop 2 silver plate trays...shimmied and shook right off the shelf in my storage closet...otherwise known as the hoarders den...once known as the exercise room.  If you're ever in need of sound effects...and need to recreate the sound of breaking glass...you now are equipped with the know how! 
Let me just say...
this sceered the bejeebers out of me! 

Anyway...the next day we realized that we had lost a tree outback. A Poplar tree. This was the gift from God part I was talking about... for 2 reasons, first being, I wanted branches...had looked at Hobbly Lobby for some...but did not find what I was looking for...and I knew I could find real ones for free, and secondly I did not like where this tree was planted...and am happy to have it down.  
So, I grabbed up some of the branches...and rearranged the mantel a bit. Remember the sweater candle/vase covers, I showed you  here. I had not put them away...because I thought they were just to cute...and could be left out for the winter. I did have candles in them...but I took those out, and put the branches in instead. It is so gray and blah outside...we are just not getting any snow...not any that will stick around anyway...so bare branches on the mantel is very fitting! 




 

  Gotta have a little sparkle...and a little dust and grime on your mirror apparently, since I can see it now in the picture and can't with my bare eyeballs!  
I love these birds I had picked up at Michael's during Christmas...so they, and the mercury glass candleholder add the sparkle...and the promise of spring!
I guess I should tell you about this mirror too. I picked this up at a yard sale a couple of years ago for a measly $3.00! 
This is not plastic or lightweight! 
This is SOLID heavy wood! 
It originally was blonde wood, and I spray painted it black. The only problem with the mirror...is that I have about 10 different places I would like to put it...and can only put it in one place at a time!
Sorry no pictures of the before...since it was long before my blogging days!

 

So there you have it...very plain and simple...not much color...just like the great outdoors right now!
This is where we spend out winter evenings...here cozy-ed up next to a roaring fire!!


why can't I seem to quit talking and end this post?
I have 2 questions...
1.  Should I paint my fireplace white? My trim is white...but my kitchen cabinets that are opposite this fireplace are not...I am seriously considering it. What do you think...PLEASE give me your opinion and your advice...not that I will take it...ask the hubby...he always wonders why I bother to ask his opinion, and never do it his way. I don't understand why he doesn't get it.
2.  This mantel is extremely long...almost 7 1/2 feet long, only 7 1/2" deep and the room is only a normal 8' tall so there is only 35" from the top of the mantel to the ceiling.
Anyone have any ideas? I hate when everything looks like it's squatty and lined up in a row, like a bunch of soldiers!

I just happened to think why possibly I can't quit talking...not to long ago...I drank a bottle of 5 hour energy....
I think it works!

I hope you have a lovely cozy evening!
Goodbye till next time!

Sharon

Linking to:
Beyond The Picket Fence












14 comments:

  1. Judging by the other colors I see...I'd paint it black!

    We need to see the rest of the room and furniture.hint hint : )

    Linsey

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  2. Your mantel looks great. I agree we need to see more!
    I just found your blog and am a new follower. I can't wait to see more of what you are up to.

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  3. I love your mantel just the way it is--the wood is just beautiful, so it would be a shame to cover it up! Hey, I need your advice on my blog header--I LOVE how you have multiple photos lined up, horizontally--can't figure out how to do that on blogger...any advice? You can e-mail me if you'd like at lnwillard@hotmail.com...thank you, Sharon! I LOVE your decorating style and your blog, more than most things.....

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  4. I love your mantel just the way it is--the wood is just beautiful, so it would be a shame to cover it up! Hey, I need your advice on my blog header--I LOVE how you have multiple photos lined up, horizontally--can't figure out how to do that on blogger...any advice? You can e-mail me if you'd like at lnwillard@hotmail.com...thank you, Sharon! I LOVE your decorating style and your blog, more than most things.....

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  5. Your mantel is perfect for this time of year. I love the little sweater vases. I needed your energy drink yesterday. I kept falling asleep while I was keeping my 4 yr old granddaughter!

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  6. Hi Sharon boy you DID get a gift. Your mantel is beautiful and that mirror ... I could think of 10 places in MY home it would look perfect at. As far as the mantel, I wouldn't paint it. It's SO beautiful. I think if you paint it, you will eventually want it back to the way it is BUT you could just strip it off. That's ALOT of work though. Just putting my 2cents in : ) I'm a new follower btw. I likey what I see : )
    ~ Deanna

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  7. Hey Sharon! Thanks for your sweet comment on my "Accessorize your Pillows"! I think you should paint it white or antique white and then the space above won't seem so short to the ceiling...more open looking? Just my opinion...a decorator I am not! xo wendy

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  8. Well...I am going to say something else. I say go for white. I think it is in your thoughts and it is not going to leave. It is not impossible to go back if you don't like it. Hard yes, impossible no? Could you possibly tape some kind of white paper or something on it first to give you an idea? Having said all this I too think your mantle is gorgeous left how it is. Sandy

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  9. Just found you through the Shabby Nest. Love your blog!!

    Your mantel is so pretty! Love what you've done!

    I'm your latest follower. Come by for a visit!

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  10. Your mantel looks great and I just love the sweater covered vases. You should share this at my Shabby Shares Saturday link party!

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  11. Hi Sharon! I love your mantel, and your blog! Thanks for visiting me at Cottage Charm Creations... that's funny you have the same parlor doors! Anyways, you are truly talented!

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  12. I think your mantel is gorgeous. So warm and cozy. All those things make me happy. I'd love to curl up in front of it. :)

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  13. I just added a few tiny things to my winter mantel and voila, I have my Valentine mantel. :)The pressure we bloggers put on ourselves can be silly...pretty soon we'll have to have mantels for President's day, MLK day, etc. :)
    Thanks for your kind comment on my gray shelf makeover.

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  14. Love your little fat silver birds!!
    Just found your blog, you are hysterical sista'

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