1/22/2010

Friday Mantel Party

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It's Time for Friday's Mantel Party!
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Hello my friends! I hope that you're having a fabulous Friday! I'm so glad that you came by today for a visit!
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It's time for Friday's Mantel Party...hosted by Beth over at The Stories of A to Z. I am really enjoying this new Friday meme! There have been some really beautiful mantels showcased for this Mantel Party and I'm always looking for great mantel decor ideas! Please go over and see what Beth has for us today and while you're there you can check out all of the other fabulous mantels!!!
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Thank you, Beth...for hosting this fabulous, fun, Friday Mantel Party!!!
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A Winter's Fireplace With a Little Hope for Spring

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Well...the Christmas is finally put away and I have redecorated my faux fireplace mantel!
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This fireplace is in our living room and the result of my most recent building project. I have always wanted a fireplace in this room...and secretly, I have envied everyone that has a beautiful mantel that they can decorate...so with a little planning and a brand new mantel, we now have a faux fireplace!!!
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If you would like to read about the faux fireplace project...just click HERE.
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Ohhh...I am having soooo much fun having a mantel to decorate!!!
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My living room is done in shades of olive green and dark red...with accents of gold. I love the look of the dark cherry wood mantel against the olive green wall color...it just feels so rich to me! Ohhh...and I love, love, LOVE the ornate detailing on the fireplace mantel...very frenchy! All of the detailing is highlighted with gold so I decided to use gold accessories to decorate the mantel! They really accentuate the gold highlights on the mantel...don't you think?
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Mantel Wall Art...
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The large piece of art hanging above the mantel is a giclee print called, "Southern Beauties" by artist Fran Di Giacomo. It's a gorgeous print and it really ties in all of the colors that I have used in my living room! I found the giclee print online and the beautiful gold frame was purchased during a 50% off sale at Hobby Lobby!
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On the left hand side of the mantel, I have place three ornate gold candleholders with ivory pillar candles. I have had these candleholders for ages...purchased from Hobby Lobby during one of their 90% off sale. If I remember correctly, I only paid around $3 for the candleholders! I tied a gold tassel around one of the ivory candles for a little extra pizzazz!
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A Little Hope for Spring...Songbirds
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We are still deep in the "throes of winter" here in Colorado...so it's nice to add a little hope of Spring into the winter decor! I found this pretty bird finial at...yep, you guessed it...Hobby Lobby! Hehe! I love Hobby Lobby! He was marked 80% off...only $2.60! Yay!!!
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Love my new little songbird finial!
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On the right hand side of the mantel, I placed an "egg shaped" frenchy gold finial. I also tied a gold tassel around the finial. I oftentimes use tassels on my candles and accessories...just a little extra "pretty"!
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More...more...MORE Songbirds!
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I found this cute little block with the prettiest pictures of birds on it...and two bird figurines at Hobby Lobby. Once again, they were all marked 80% off! They bring a little color to the mantel decor!
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Ahhh...someday soon...winter will give way to spring!
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Up front and center of the mantel, I placed an old, distressed, french table tray. A couple of old books and a beautiful french decorative box sit in the tray.
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Oooh...I just adore my little french treasure box!
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And Voila...there you have it...a winter mantel with hopes of Spring!!!
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Well my friends, I'm so happy that you came by today! I hope that you enjoyed my mantel decor! Don't forget to go by and see Beth as well as all the other mantel party participants!
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Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I'd love to visit with you!!!

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46 comments:

podso said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely! I enjoyed "stopping by." Have a wonderful weekend!

Debbiedoos said...

That is gorgeous!!~My Mom displays birds all over her mantel, she has quite a collection now! Thanks for the inspiration!

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Chari, your birds look so sweet on your gorgeous mantel. What a beautiful fireplace you have to decorate! Thanks again for linking up.

Journey said...

I just found the mantel collections and I love them!

Your fireplace is beautiful!!!

The Muse said...

Chari...
i am working on my mantle this week, can you believe that? gosh, you have given me lots of glorious inspiration!

i adore the block of birds!!!

Blondie's Journal said...

Chari~~~

Your mantel is elegant and beautiful, just like your living room! I love all the pretty candles and the details of the tassels (that is one idea I will keep) and the giclee print is beautiful! Don't you love how much they resemble real oils? And the tray holding the books and your little box is gorgeous!!

Wonderful job! :-)

xoxo
Jane

Sarah said...

Chari, your Hopes of Spring mantel is lovely. I like the bird on the branch piece. Guess I'll have to stop by HL and see if they have anymore. :-)

~Country Lady~ said...

Stunning! Absolutely stunning. All of it. I adore the beautiful dark wood and architectural detail of your faux fireplace. It's exquisite. You can teach me alot about vignettes and mantel decor. I LOVE your style. Thanks for your encouragement and support of my efforts. I truly appreciate your kindness. You have the art of accessorizing mastered!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Beautiful! Gotta love HL. :)

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

BRAVO!! Chari another great Happy to Design job well done...Oh girl I love seeing all the sweet little birds...and I did the same thing yesterday started adding birds to my coffee tables ha ha!! I know it's pushing it..but dang I'm getting tired of so much snow ha ha!! I haven't been out of this house..it will be 1 week tomorrow last time I left ha ha!! Hope all is well with you girl..Love ya sis...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Treasia Stepp said...

Just lovely. You've got the prettiest details on your mantel I think I've ever seen. Gorgeous.

Unknown said...

Chari, what a gorgeous mantel - I especially love the bird finial. You give me hope that spring will come as I look out on ice and snow :-) I'm going to start an email campaign to Hobby Lobby - we need one!

Melissa Miller said...

Chari your mantel is so striking and gorgeous! Love the precious birds and pretty french box. ~WOW!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Chari! Your mantle is beautiful! The print is perfect and I love your candlesticks, the little birds...everything! You are so talented at making pretty!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia;)

xinex said...

Your mantel is looking prettier and prettier, Chari. Every picture inspires me! I hope it is warming up a bit there. It is so nice here, been in the 70's for a few days now...Christine

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

It is so pretty, Chari!

I don't have a fireplace, but would love one - I may need to do a 'faux' fireplace! :)

Thanks for your visit to my blog and your kind words! I love to meet new people!

Hope to visit back and forth a alot!

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

CLASSY,CLASSY,CLASSY!!!! Love the birds,and the candle holders....all of it!! I am sooooooooooooooo sorry its taken me this long to get over here,been crazy busy,please forgive me!!! Enjoy your weekend,X0 Chrissy

Le said...

your mantel is stunning~just stunning. i love the architecture of the piece!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

This is beautiful! I love those birds! All of them! I have not seen a bird finial like that one at our Hobby Lobby, love it!

It is all sooo pretty!!

Lou Cinda

Lenore said...

Your mantel is absolutely fabulously beautiful, Chari! You have the most exquisite pieces and you put them together sooooo well!!
I love the birds, the bird block and especially, my total fav is your gorgeous French tray.
Thanks for the peek.
BTW, we don't have Hobby Lobby in So CA....I'm envious.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

YAH CHARI!!
This is so beautiful!! You made me day, yes you did, first with your lovely note and now with your beautiful mantel. That print looks like a very expensive oil painting, I love all the birds, what great deals you found and your frenchy box, in the basket, that's like my fave! All together, it's just stunning! Wow, you have been busy girl! We have no big plans this week-end, Wal-Mart could be our highlight too. Are you thinking of selling? I know you said something about an appraiser coming. It's still cold and dreary here today but coming by here made things cheerier! Hugs and Happy Week-end, Cindy

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Pretty! I love the birds!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

So stunning...love the little birds! Thanks for coming by for a visit...hope you come again:)

Blessings,
Linda

Tammy@InStitches said...

I love your candlesticks and your photography is gorgeous !

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love the mantel!!! I so wish there was a Hobby Lobby here in SoCal. They have the neatest stuff at the best prices. And I have to miss out on it all. Boo hoo!!! I love the birdie stuff the best.

Becca Bertotti said...

Chari, this is just beautiful !! You have such a wonderful eye for vignettes and tablescapes. Love it all !! You were so sweet to stop over to my place and leave such an endearing note about my fireplace redo. I look forward to following your inspirational blog. Take care, Becca (Adventures in Decorating)

Barb said...

Hi Chari, you know I love, love your mantel. You have such a unique talent for making something elegant without being stuffy....that is a gift! Your mantel is lush and rich in color and texture. It is gorgeous!

Have a blessed and happy weekend, dear friend.

Hugs, Barb ♥

xinex said...

Hi Chari, I am back to answer your questions. The shell shaped Sevres are not new but we purchased them later than the urns. I did NOT paint our home in the Philippines. I met a Pastor/painter from Oakland about a decade ago who is from our hometown. He invited us to see his exhibit and this painting was one of his display. He knew it was our home and he offerred to give it to me. I was so happy to get it and in return I gave a donation to his church.The home still belongs to my dad and his siblings and we get to see it when we go home...Christine

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That's a great looking faux fireplace, Chari! I love your birds and the warm feeling I get from looking at your mantle. I have to read about your fireplace, though!

Stacey said...

This party is perfect for a girl with a brand new mantel. :)

Yours looks beautiful. I am in love with the birds. Gorgeous!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Chari, I love your fireplace and your mantel decorations are just fantastic. I really like the way you've added the tassels too. You always do the best vignettes. Love everything. Hugs, Marty

Theresa said...

I love it! That fireplace is just too beautiful! Love all your sweet treasures on the Mantle. Thanks for sharing!

Lianna Knight said...

Not ONLY are your decorations pretty but your mantel itself is GORGEOUS!!!!

You can see my mantel here...

http://bethouaknight.blogspot.com/2010/01/pop-of-color.html

Sonja @ Craft-Werk said...

Hey Chari, thanks for your visit and kind comment on my mantlepost. Stopping by to return the visit - and loving your sweet bird ornaments on the mantle. Off to sneak into the rest of the blog now ;-)

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Stunning! I love everything about your mantel and your artwork looks fabulous - it was made for that space! Have a great weekend!

Cindy said...

Your mantel is really gorgeous.

MrsKBJ said...

Hi Chari, Thanks for stopping by and saying hello on my blog- spice it up.

Your fireplace is so pretty! I love the color and all the detail. Your mantel is beautiful as well! Thanks for the inspiration!

nest of posies said...

your attention to detail is amazing! everything looks beautiful. i think my fave is the birds. where we live we just had a "tease" of 2 warm days. made me anxious for spring. now, seeing your mantel & reading your post makes me even more ready for warmer days. (i do love seasons - though. i just ready for the next :)

your home is simply gorgeous!

happy weekend!

Tootsie said...

GORGEOUS!!!!!!
have a wonderful weekend...oh...and don't forget to stop by this week...starting right now to enter and learn about the great give away that is being held on my blog this week!

HouseMama said...

Thank you so much for stopping by The Frat House and for your kind words and suggestions. I'm going to keep working on it. :)

I can't wait to look around YOUR blog-I've seen some wonderful things so far.

Have a great weekend!

Simple Home said...

Your fireplace is a work of art in itself, and your mantel looks wonderful. I love those candlesticks!
Blessings,
Marcia

Marianne said...

Ha, what do I see here! Songbirds! Love it, can you guess why LOL.
Wonderful faux fireplace, I can imagine it must be big fun decorating it.

Laura said...

Just beautiful, and you know I love birds!
I think we are all yearning for a little spring.

Enjoyed visiting, as usual-

Laura

Sarah said...

Hi, Chari! So great to meet you, thanks for all the wonderful comments you left about my mantel! I can't believe you built yours, that is awesome!!! I'm loving all the warm tones you have going on...and all the detail, there is so much intricacy to everything but it all works together without any one thing overwhelming the others. Brilliant! I'm such a sucker for little birdies too:)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Chari, if anyone needs a mantle, it's you, because you decorate it so beautifully! I'm so glad you have yours to play with and show us now. laurie

Grace @ Ruby Moon Designs said...

I LOVE all the candles and the birdies. Two of my very favorite things! Great job!

Blessings, Grace