Welcome back, friends, to another week of action-packed fun (can you see the sarcasm dripping off those words?)! It’s a good start for one of you, though…I announced the winner of the HeartGram. Go see if it‘s you, and shoot me an email (winner had no email address listed!).
I loved, loved, loved our mantel draped with jewel tones this past Christmas. But I also love when you pack up the holiday decor, and are left with clean and minimal again.
I’ve found a formula for styling the mantel that works for me…balanced
height, something shiny, and at least one living object. In this case, the candles and stems add height, the silver candle sticks shine, and branches cut from our Magnolia tree, along with a piece of driftwood from this trip, bring the natural elements.
Next to the hearth, I threw a sheepskin (like I used to recover the piano bench) over the little stool…which is actually a camel saddle. For reals. My great-grandfather worked in Afghanistan, and used it while he was there. Whenever I think of getting rid of it, I remember these are the types of things that give a room character and life. If you have something not available at a mass retailer, hang on to it!
This is a double-fireplace, with the other side in the Family Room. Since installing the TV over that mantel, we decided having fires wasn’t a great idea….which means time to spruce up the fireplace box.
After cleaning out most of the ash, I gave the grill a fresh coat of black spraypaint. I love the look of birch logs, but we aren’t privy to them around here…so I improvised.
I picked out just the round logs from a pack of grocery-store firewood, pulled off most of the rough bark, and gave them light coats of flat white spraypaint. Not enough for solid coverage, just a dusting.
I’m sure you Canadians would notice the difference if you stopped by, so I’d have to distract you with a hot toddy. No one around here will know my secret. Unless we decide to light the fire…that could be a problem. Disclaimer: That was sarcasm. I don’t plan to burn wood that’s been sprayed with flammable paint. I suggest you don’t either.
I love our fresh Winter Mantel….which will likely be the Spring Mantel a few months from now. What do you think of the faux birch logs? Want to come sit around our fire-less fireplace and drink hot toddies?
So creative! Where did you get your sheepskin?! I've been searching for one high and low!
ha! I love this idea with the faux birch. I might just have to try this one out!
I love that trick with the wood, but I feel like Chris would accidentally light them on fire!
I love your formula for styling your mantel! I will have to remember this three point rule, when styling mine. Thanks for the awesome tip!
Pretty mantel. I love the color of the candles. Such a pretty shade.
Your mantel is pretty and nice faux wood. I hate mantel decorating,it always seems to be a thorn in my side so when I see a pretty mantel I'm only slightly jealous. 😉
Beautiful Cassie! I love how you got creative to create your own birch logs. I live in Canada, although I'm American, and we have a birch tree in our front yard. I LOVE it!! You could take a little black craft paint and go around some of the rough edges of the bark for an even more natural look. That is, if you are extremely bored and really, really have nothing better to do. haha
Have a great week! =)
~ Catie
REALLY like the idea of something living being a part of your mantle equation! I need to do that for sure!
I love your fireplace and mantel. I desperately need to tackle mine…. This year!
I love it! Canadian here and I never would've known…but I'll take the hot toddy anyways ; )
Looks so great – the mantel and the faux birch logs. And, how cool that you have your grandfather's camel saddle! That's certainly a conversation piece. "What's that?" "Oh that's just my grandpa's camel saddle. What? I thought everyone had one of those." 😀
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