THIS YEAR'S MANTLE

Well this year's theme in the living room is EXOTIC PEACOCK....so of course the fireplace mantle must be included.  I wanted something a little over the top this year...something eclectic, bright and just out of the box (literally)

Here is my Peacock Themed Mantle for Christmas 2011

This year's mantle is dressed a little differently that last years.

Big swag w/ colorful balls, some jewels and also 2 mini trees on the bottom adorned with baubles.

Closeup of all the pretty vintage goodies from my box and a special peacock ball in the center.

Glass bowl of vintage glass ornaments

Right side mantle drape

Turquoise Ball Jar & McDonald jar filled with snow and trees and Christmas (left)

Left side mantle drape

Reading chair area next to fireplace (former home of the yearly tree)

This year's Peacock tree and inspiration for the mantle decor

Southern Hospitality

THRIFTY THURSDAY....MANTLE MAKEOVER......AGAIN!

Here was the beginning of the initial transformation of my Craigslist Oak fireplace.  I decided I wanted it to be more of a focal point since it's the first thing you see when you walk in the house.  I used Valspar black paint Nero.

This was the stripped down look, I had to sand before painting.

This was the end result for beginning of summertime.  We have an island theme in our living room and I dont plan of changing that but I wanted a lighter summer feel.  

Sooooooooooooooooooo.....everything came down and I started playing around.

The center artwork came down and I took 2 frames from the nursery to bring the colors of the shells on the walls.   

I also distressed the fireplace a bit too...it was very nice and black but I wanted a more worn, aged look.

I added some more seaside accessories.  Like the big shell ball from our beach bathroom downstairs.   We always collect seashells so we are never in need.  

I have this lovely HAMILTON typeset drawer that I havent yet listed in my L7D Etsy shop.  So I borrowed it and using it for Etsy photos too (im a multi-tasker) lol

I filled those awesome little compartments with some cool shaped and colorful shells. 

I hope I can part with this thing...Im really loving it on my wall there and can use it year round for holiday displays...Uh oh I might be in trouble!

Here is what Im working with at this point...I like it but I know myself and will switch it up a bit by next week probably sooner. 

Here is a look of the total left side area of the living room.  Dont mind Sesame Street on the TV...just one of things you will see daily in my house.  We love Elmo...luckily there isnt any blocks or cheerios on the floor.

So dont be afraid to use unusual things in your displays and play around and have fun with it.....often like me if you like too!

-MJ

I decided to do a breakdown of the items and there origins.

Fireplace - Craigslist

Island tree art frames -    The Great Indoors (now closed)

Glass apothecary jars -  Home Goods

Shells - collected from various beach trips

Shell Ball - Home Goods

Candlestick - Vintage pottery piece from flea market

Cream Chair - Craigslist

Vintage birdcage - Craigslist

Elephant tables - Craigslist

Ivory/wood tray - Home Goods

Ostrich balls - handmade

Bamboo sticks - Home Goods

Typeset drawer - estate sale

Cream frames - found broken & repurposed w/ burlap

Black throw - actually one of my scarves :)

Olive rainboots - Spring

SUMMER MANTLE.....THINKIN ISLANDS & COASTAL AS USUAL

Well the rain has finally stopped here in New Jersey and the sun has been shining with temps in the 80's!   So I decided it was time for a summer island mantle.

The decor in our living room has a lot of island inspiration......palm trees, banana trees, animal masks & prints.  So when doing my mantle I try to keep within the color scheme if I cant go with theme.

Finally here there was no issue.....sand, shells and glass and I had myself and mantle!

Here is the fireplace wall in the living room

An apothecary jar from Home Goods filled with sand and Ocean scented candle, starfish, seashells and some coral crustation under the glass lid

A glass bowl filled to rim with variety of collected seashells, 2 large shells on display and a palm leaf inside old pottery piece.

Here is our Summer Mantle!

-MJ

UPDATE:  I SWITCHED IT UP A BIT.

Since my little one is walking, I took the glass dish with shells from coffee ottoman and moved it up onto the mantle.  I added a few more shells.

Took this big shell from out beachside bathroom downstairs and also switched out the palm leaf for a ocean breeze candle (you can see I use my candles)

apothecary jar top with pieces of interesting beach finds

I think this will do.......for now

Linkin up to this party because I love this couple, their blog and their project ideas.

The Lettered Cottage

IS CUPID CREEPING INTO YOUR CRIB?

Thought I'd use my Jersey slang in my blog title...lol    Crib is a home, house, apt, etc....
                                           Okay now onto the business at hand:


I had the winter mantle up and I just wasn't loving it.   So after I found that fabulous red mercury urn piece at Home Goods I decided to start early with the LOVIN'.....Valentine's Day.

I also couldn't wait to use my fabulous Valentine's typography print that I got from Barn Owl Primatives  http://www.etsy.com/shop/barnowlprimitives...if you haven't been over to her shop then it's a must.   I have a wish list of signs that I want from her...good stuff!

So here is where I am so far......NOW...NOW you all know me by now that this will eventually (meaning daily) be tweaked probably up until Valentine's Day itself.  But I wanted to keep it fairly simple with the Red/White/Black theme.    

What is Valentine's Day without RED????   Sorry for all you white loving girls out there...but every now and then some color wouldn't hurt.   Especially when the symbols fo the holidays are Roses & Hearts.   Sorry to say but theyre usually RED.    Okay enough about my Red Ranting...lol    Enjoy!

Here is the soon to be painted mantle

Little vignette of white/red candles..Letter J and antique tart tin

Branch from my Advent tree adorned with red ornaments and pink tags with romantic words

My fab red Home Goods find with some black accessories and red Christmas beads

Table/planter next to the fireplace needed some red love too.

I did a little red beading and hung a red tinsel heart like the ones I have outside the house.

AND BECAUSE ....I cant just have one area decorated for a holiday.  Cupid sprinkled some red love dust in other areas.

Some red beads and heart coaster on side table

Small red mercury glass vase, red candle and another coaster.  Oh and that fab Anthro frame with that hot couple was bday gift from sis Jenn years ago. lol

Red beaded placemat & awesome Red Envelope Rose box given to me Vday 2009 while hubby was in Iraq.  One of my favorite things.

The kitchen sliders to backyard deck area got some Red/Cream paper heart garland and a cute wooden plaque hung from Red satin ribbon.

Added some decorative red boxes to the display area next to front door (bottom shelf collects all the winter hats, gloves, mittens) Therefore, I left that mess out of this pic. lol

The inspiration for my red/black/white Vday theme.   Barn Owl Primatives typography that I purchased in her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/barnowlprimitives   So cool she did a black one just for me!   

There is also a Barn Owl Primatives going on over at Tatertots and Jello http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/01/giveaway-monday-barn-owl-primitives.html

Dont miss your chance to have a unique BOP piece too!

TODAYS POST MESSAGE:  USE WHAT YOU HAVE....left over Red Christmas items work fabulously for Jan/Feb decor!

MANTLE MADNESS..

Let's start this one off with saying that the word can be spelled Mantle or Mantel.  It normally just comes out mantle when I type so thats how you will see it most. lol

Okay, so after Christmas the mantle must be cleared and then redesigned....except this year Im having a really hard time.   Last year I didnt have a huge TV on top of it.  

Even taking pictures of it is difficult because of that big black box.  Ive tried hiding it with decorative plant & stand and that didnt work so I just decorate around it!