Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Mantel Reveal

* First of all...if you noticed my misspelling (sp?) of MANTEL and wanted to point it out to me you're too late. A kind soul already did and I am very thankful (like when a good friend points out that the back of your skirt is tucked into your panty hose...which actually rarely happens anymore since most people don't wear pantyhose anymore, but enough rambling) On to the show!

I took my white Christmas snow village down from the mantle today. I am sad to put it away. The mantle feels so blah to me now. This was the best I could do, and I like it but I feel like it's missing something. One interesting, unique thing to make it whimsical and fun. What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

p.s. I'm irritated that my mantle isn't deeper too. : (









What could I add to make it more playful and adventurous?

♥Linsey
*sidenote* Special thanks to the blogger who pointed out the picnik website...look what I did!






shabby creek cottage





vif187






The Shabby Nest







43 comments:

Ginger said...

I actually love your mantel because I love the old windows! Maybe some tall twigs in a vase or plates hung on the wall beside the windows to balance the height?

Blondie's Journal said...

I LOVE those windows! Maybe a spot of greenery would liven it up!

XO,
Jane

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I don't know, it's pretty darn perfect like you have it! hugs, Linda

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

I love it as is! Maybe a tall branch of a cotton plant for an organic touch.

Linda said...

I absolutely love it! Love the vases

foreverdecorating said...

Wow, I love your mantEL, even though you misspelled the word. No one ever claimed that I could spell correctly either. The windows are awesome and valuable and I collect those kind of ironstone pitchers. Lovely combination.

rachel@Acts of Life said...

Linsey it looks so pretty. I love old windows like that and white pitchers make me happy :) I have a window like your smaller one and wish I had a mantle to put it on. I think it looks nice the way it is..and your cow is too cute! Are your drapes from Lowes? Love them!

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

Thanks Rachel! The drapes are from the discount store Tuesday Morning. They are waverly fabric. Each set of 2 panels was less than $40! My mom teases me about them, she thinks they look like the drapes in the sound of music that Maria turns into clothes. Haha

Town and Country Gals said...

Linsey,
your mantle looks great! Things always look a little bare when we first take down our Christmas decorations. It makes me sad too!
I really like your green paint color, do you remember what it's called and where it's from?
Rebecca

Town and Country Gals said...

PS. I'm the worst speller ever! I had to take a spelling class once and, amazingly enough, it really helped, way back then, now, not so much!
Thank god for spell check!
Rebecca

Holly @ Bella Nest said...

Hi, Linsey! I love your design style! Your windows are GORGEOUS! I'm your newest fan! Please stop by bellanest.blogspot.com if you get a chance. Happy New Year!

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Looks perfect to me. I think someone suggested some twigs to add some height that might be nice, but I love it!! I have an old portrait of my girls on my fireplace so sadly I never change it out!!

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

Hey Rebecca...the can says Homestead Resort Moss by Valspar Ultra Premium. I took my curtains in to Lowe's and found the color that matched the green.
♥Linsey

Barb said...

I think an old "rusty" or weathered weather vane (say that 3 times!) would be beautiful with those old windows !

Kelly said...

I didn't know that was the wrong way to spell mantel! Oops! I did it again. I've been spelling it that way forever. Are you sure? I thought there were two correct ways to spell it. I like how yours looks. If you wanted to add something, you could try adding some skinny twigs or curly willow to one of your pitchers up there for height.

Antiques In Old Town said...

So Pretty...I vote for the twigs...but I would add a nest in them ! Beautiful Home....

Faded Charm said...

I think your mantel looks perfect.....simplicity at it's best:-)

xoxo
Kathleen

Kim said...

First, those two girls in the pic on your sidebar are the two most adorable things I've ever seen! Now, I remember reading a post somewhere and they did a tutorial about making their mantle ledge wider. It looked super easy. I think you just remove the top piece (should be easy) and get a piece of lumber from the hardware store that's the width that you want. Paint it the same color, distress it if you need to and then put it back on. Wish I knew where I saw that post!
xoxo,
Kim

Unknown said...

I hate it when I mis-spell in public!!! Lol. So, does this mean I should check out picnik?
I'm liking the mantle (sp???) but I don't have one so I may be mantle decor deficient...sorry. :)
Thanks for stopping at my place...glad to have been here for a visit. Everything looks great!

chateau chic said...

I find your mantle so fresh and beautiful in its simplicity. Each element is such a nice contrast against the green wall. I wouldn't change a thing!
Mary Alice

foreverdecorating said...

Well, I still think you mantel is wonderfully decorated. Maybe you can get a handy person to put a wider board on top. And you fixed the word in the title but not in the copy. It's a start. LOL

Heaven's Walk said...

Ooops! I think I've been spelling that wrong all along! lol! Anyway, your mantel looks perfect! You did a great job with it! Love your use of the windows. :)

xoxo laurie

Lynn at Cottage and Creek said...

Oh, your vintage windows are wonderful. Your mantel looks great. Have you considered bunting strung higher up towards the ceiling. Might look cute. I made a bunting/banner and hung it over my kitchen sink. It says "PEACE" as I'm striving to live a peace-filled life. I'm your newest follower and I hope you can stop by Cottage and Creek and follow back. Happy New Year!
Lynn

katt said...

add a wider board trim with crown molding
it will give you more room for decorating.

Unknown said...

I love the old leaded windows ! I think it looks good just the way it is !

Fishtail Cottage said...

Lovely! those windows are to die for & the pitchers are fabulous! xoxo, tracie

Life In The Thrifty Lane said...

Your mantel is very pretty. Love your pitchers, I started collecting them lately. Visiting deom My Romantic Home.
Veronica

Katy said...

I love your mantle but I know how you feel! When I took down our Christmas decorations and stockings, I was left with a very bare and boring mantle :(.

Maybe you could add something above the white pitchers? I think a pretty green wreath or linen wreath would work perfectly with your style!

Anonymous said...

I dislike narrow mantels too - I have been suffering with them myself. I'd say rip the darn thing out, make a wide one and have a ball decorating it (at least that would be my dream! ha!) I like your mantel looks just lovely.

Anonymous said...

I was spelling it "mantle" too til I saw on someone else's blog about mantle vs mantel - live and learn right?! Ha, either way I like yours! Hugs ~ Mary

Revi said...

OK - I'm more confused than ever now. This word is confusing because both spellings are correct words - they just mean different things.

Mantel is the right word for the shelf that surrounds a fireplace.

I like the objects on your mantel and your white theme! I read the comments above and agree it might be nice to see an organic form like a branch/twiggy thing. Another thing that might add a little something would be to incorporate a few small items on the wall next to your windows to expand the vignette - saucers, rusty gears or tools, something to add non-rectangular shapes to the vertical stuff. You might place one in the space where the two mirrors overlap, and two on the side above the pitchers. I would love to see more JANUARY decor - after Christmas, things just look NAKED. Hope your new year is off to a great start!
-Revi

Charlotte Wilson said...

Your beautiful mantle reminds me of mine. Very nice with the white pitchers!

♥charlotte

Barbe @ Beez Rental Designs said...

Hi just found your blog,
I won't get into the spelling as I tend to be a perfectionist on spelling and it bothers me. lol
I love your mantel and only thing I would if anything would also be something organic as others suggested. If you check HGTV and the DIYnetwork.com, you should find ways to enlarge your mantel without tearing out the whole thing. Also, if you're only looking for a small increase in depth, why not hang one of the windows low instead of it actually sitting on the mantel. This would give you a bit more depth for sitting something in front of it. But as said, love it the way it is. Thanks for sharing, and hope you'll visit my blog when its started. It will be based on decorating for renters, coming soon! : )

Unknown said...

HA HA... You think your mantel is too shallow? I don't even have a mantel! :P I think it looks darling. I have a piece of stained glass that we will be hanging in a transom in the next month or so. I can't wait... seeing yours just reminded me!
Happy New Year!

~Liz

P.S. I'm following you now... hope you will come by and say hi.

Amy Chalmers said...

Ok I always forget how to spell it too...Mantel is for fireplace surrounds, and Mantle is a crust that covers the earth.

Unknown said...

Very pretty! I like it because it is different.
Blessings My Friend,

Jane, Naples, Florida said...

I think it's beautiful the way it is!

Jane
Flora Doora

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Just for the record, the person who corrected you is wrong, too. Well, not wrong in his/her correction, but the dictionary lists both spellings. So whether you spell it mantel or mantel - you're right. :) Ether way, you've been given some great ideas. Cute blog!

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

I love your mantle/mantel...I think its perfect however you spell it :) LOL, glad to see I'm not the only one having trouble with that silly word :) Chat soon, Laurel

Geneva said...

I like your mantel... It's simple but elegant! Great Job!

Renee said...

It's pretty no matter how you spell it.

Kirstin Joy @ Burlap and Buttons said...

LOVE this mantel... the windows are so great and chippy! The contrast of the white against the green wall paint is perfect. Very lovely!

Unknown said...

I love how much space you have to work with above your mantle. With that space a huuuuge mirror with a wreath hanging from it would look awesome!!! I love the windows! I have one very similar in my master bath propped against the window for privacy.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...