Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Mantel Makeover



Hello, everyone!  Since I keep tweaking my bookshelves that I promised to show you in the office, I decided to first show you my mantel makeover and get back to the bookshelves another time.  After I took down my Christmas mantel, I wanted to go with a totally different look than I've had before.  I'm really loving tarnished silver right now, so I used that as a starting point.


I already had one of these larger urns, and recently bought the other one, not realizing that it's an exact match to the one I had!  Happy accident :)  I figured that these little 'trees' that I had out for Christmas could pass for 'winter' decor, so I placed them in the urns and put one on each end of the mantel.  I've had the little zinc pots for a few years and thought they'd go well, so I added them to the mix and I hung the little wreath to 'unite' all of the greenery.  So far so good...I'm pretty happy with how the silver and greenery is looking.


Ok, so now for my 'dilemma', if you can call it that.  I've tried many different things on this wall, but I haven't quite gotten the look that I want.  I've had empty frames, a huge chalkboard (that was up at Christmas,) an old window... and while I like all of those, I just want something different.  While struggling with what else to try, I remembered this large picture that I've had stored in my basement for years, and it fits the space well, however...


 ...I'm not sure if I even like this picture!  It's one of those things where I like the idea of it-the size is right, the colors are good, the frame works- but I'm not really digging the actual picture itself.
Even Keith, who usually compliments everything that I decorate with said..."Hmm, that's kinda ugly!"...which is a little stronger than I feel, but not too far off!


I mean, it's not hideous or anything (at least I don't think so) but it's not ideal, either.  Well, are you ready for it?  Here it is in all its glory...


It's definitely got a vintage vibe to it, and it actually has grown on me a little since I put it up, but I'm keeping my eye out for something better.  The wall is a pretty good size, and the things that I've seen and like that are big enough are REALLY expensive.  So I also want a good deal...I don't think that's too much to ask for, is it?  :)  How 'bout you, do you ever 'settle' for something until you find just the right thing?


Well, there you have it-my new mantel makeover.  What do you think?  (If you hate it, please be gentle! :)  Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time, have a fantastic day!

33 comments:

  1. Loving the new mantle makeover!! Have been liking the look of tarnished silver too! Sometimes I have had to settle for something that was not exactly what I wanted, but patience pays off. That perfect thing I want will come along at the right time, for the right price! Yes, the picture has a lovely vintage vibe to it. I don't think it is ugly at all. In fact I like it!

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  2. The new look is great. I love that you didn't polish the silver, the tarnished looks is so much better:)

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  3. I saw a great idea on Pinterest the other day. You take an old picture/painting and attach letters to it so it spells out something you like (or numbers). Then you paint over the whole thing and when you remove the letters, the old pic shows thru. It has a great look and the only cost would be the paint. Nice mantel look!! Jean

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  4. I'm really liking the combination of silver and greenery this winter. Your mantel looks perfect, even with the painting you're not crazy about. :-)
    Mary Alice

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  5. I actually really like the picture, but maybe its a tad busy with the greenery in front of it? I'm not good with mantels but I think I would hang the picture on a separate wall, all on its own. The rest looks great! I mean, it looks good as is, but ... am I digging myself into a hole?

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  6. Hi, Susan

    The mantle is beautiful and I love the tarnished silver too. It looks great. Have a great week.

    Hugs,
    Vanessa

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  7. BEAUTIFUL!!! I love tarnished silver mixed with greenery!

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  8. anyone would like a good deal!! the tarnished silver definitely adds a vintage vibe :) beautiful pieces

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  9. Like your mantle.. Mine is in a corner and has to hold our t.v. and digital boxes etc.. He rises also from the fireplace so have to be careful.. It leaves little room for anything else.. Growing up my dad liked everything in one place and never liked change. Isnt it nice now that we can move things around room to room.. Have a great day!

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  10. Drooling over the tarnished silver and the zinc pots. Nice vintage vibe.
    Cheers, Gee

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  11. I think your mantle makeover is lovely! It's charming and simple yet elegant looking. I usually hold out for something that I really want even if it costs a bit more and I have to save to get it. But, sometimes while waiting until I find and save for what I want something else comes along at just the right time at a more affordable price. SERENDIPITY!

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  12. What's not to love about your mantel? Tarnished silver, burlap, greenery, the painting...it's all good!

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  13. Oh I love it! I really like tarnished silver, too. Everything goes together really well :)

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  14. I'm really drawn to the beauty of green during Jan. And it looks so pretty with the silver and I like the colors of your picture. Very warm looking.
    Leslie (aka Gwen Moss)

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  15. Susan,
    It looks fabulous!!!! I love that you left everything simple with burlap and greenery and tarnished silver. It really gives the mantel character. Love it.
    Kris

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  16. I like your mantel. I do normally LOVE your mantels but I do like all the elements of your latest one - I think the picture is what does it - I don't dislike it, but I'm sorry to say I don't love it. I'm currently 'doing' my lounge - have a big pale wall freshly painted and can't find a thing to go on it!! Have been looking for quite a while and am thinking I'm gonna make something - although to what success I don't know! Historically I'd make do as long as it 'worked' but since my accident (and epiphany 2 years later) I promised myself to only bring things into my home that I or a member of my family LoVE!! J9 x

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  17. I actually love it! I really do. The picture has an aged quality to it that goes well with all the other aged items you have in your house. I think the trees in the picture play off nicely with the greenery you have on top of your mantel too. Something you might try doing to lighten it up a bit at night is hang a picture light above it. Then it would have that rich painting look! I would recommend a picture light in an oil rubbed bronze finish. If you have to, just paint over a brass one that is sold at hardware stores everywhere. Just an idea!

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  18. I like how the greenery frames each side of the painting. I have moss balls on my mantle right now too. Definitely fit for Spring. Also, I like the painting and all the warm colors.

    Blessings,
    Meredith

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  19. I too, love the tarnished silver!! Your mantle looks great and very vintage. Great job!

    Judy

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  20. Paint over the picture and do some fun artwork. the frame is great. And while the picture isn't BAD, I agree with you it's a little... I'm not sure!
    And I LOVE the zinc pots!

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  21. I have an idea, perhaps cover the picture with a clear gesso or matte medium with different swerves of the brush to make it look like a real painting.
    Just a thought.

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  22. Beautiful Susan...you have such a wonderful collection of silver...I just love all of your vintage trophies!!...

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  23. I think it looks great and know what you mean about the bigger things you'd like costing so much. One of the great things about design and decorating is being able to pull from here and there and continue to change things up. And yes, I see what you mean about the picture. The frame is the right size and while others have said to paint over it, you could find a poster you like that's not too expensive and put that in the frame.

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  24. Susan your styling is over the top amazing. I love it!!!

    The trophies are so lovely and all of the vignettes as well

    xoxo
    Kate

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  25. I really really like it! I just put my trophies on my mantle! I really do like the picture also!

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  26. Great mantel, I love the silver touches.

    Cynthia

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  27. Love the tarnished silver, but I'm with ya on the picture...not diggin' it.

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  28. Hmmm, I actually like the picture. I notice how the colour of the burlap role and the antique book pages pick up on the autumn shades in the picture. You've got the greens in the picture matching the 'trees' and the red book cover picks up the red stripes in the burlap roll. The silverware finishes the look just right. That is a big expanse of wall and perhaps you could group smaller accent pieces on either side of the picture?

    Love your eye for details!

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  29. I like the picture too, I think all the colors on the mantel all work together in a very nice way. Loving the silver touches. How about smaller shelves on either side or grouping of smaller pictures?

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  30. I think you should embrace the ugly. I have an old oil painting that my husbands grandmother painted and I think it is ugly. The frame actually made it worse. When I took the canvas out of the frame the painting became quirky and interesting. If you did that and set it off center on the mantel then had something tall and thin to balance out the opposite side it would look cooler. And yes, I make do with all kinds of things - but I never look for perfect.

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  31. Lovely makeover! I love the greenery. I actually like this picture. I focus on the canvas, because frame can sometimes be misleading. You can always change the frame color that's not a problem. I painted a bunch of frames white last year, and people were like : ''Where did these pictures come from? They're beautiful.''
    I said: ''They've been here all along.'' :-)

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