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Showing posts with label rustic mantel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rustic mantel. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Rustic Pallet Decor: The Autumn Mantel

No, I don't have a real mantel. Having a real fireplace is something I've missed in this home. This time of year when those chilly evenings arrive and we're snuggling under some extra blankets in our beds and on the sofa, I sure miss the warmth and cozy ambiance of a wood burning fireplace!

Last year I created a backdrop and faux mantel for my little electric fireplace, and I've really enjoyed having that space for seasonal decor. Even if it's not 'real', I think having something that feels like a fireplace wall adds alot to this room, which has little in the way of architectural interest. 
The last time I shared this area was in my Summer Living Room post. 


This week I'm working on warming up this room a bit with more of a rustic, nature-inspired look-starting with the fireplace wall.


I started by replacing the white mantel shelf with a more rustic piece of weathered wood that I've used here in the past. 






Months ago I picked up this half of a pallet from a curbside junk pile. I've actually had a million ideas for it, but it's just been sitting down in the basement waiting for a new life. I'm kinda thinking this might be my son's next headboard, but...one thing at a time! 

Can I just take a moment to say how much my 16 year old loves it when her mom says, "Hey, can you come hold this pallet up on the wall for me?" She. loves. it. Don't let her tell you otherwise :)






 




Well, I knew I wanted to try it up there, but I didn't have a plan for what was going on it. I tried some words in chalk. Sorta kinda liked it, but....no.
I decided on a white-framed vintage mirror and some illustrations from a backyard birds book. Somehow, birds always seem to make their way into every vignette around here!



Above the pallet I placed a wreath I made with brown coffee filter flowers. I had envisioned it being much fuller, but I used up all the filters I had and didn't know when I'd get more, so there it is : ) 
I'll probably add some more to it at some point...


On the mantel shelf, a conglomeration of birdies and squirrels and other rustic, fall-ish feeling items. 























How cute is this little guy?? My daughter gave him to me this weekend as a little Fall gift.






My 9 and 6 year olds came in the room at separate times while I was working on the mantel and told me how much they liked how this area looked. It was so sweet of them to notice and take a minute to tell me that!




I am really liking this warmer look, but in all honesty I'll probably be feeling the urge to simplify within a couple of weeks : )


That's one more little area Fall-ified over here as I move slowly along into my favorite season. I'll share the rest of the space with you all soon. I hope your week is filled with Autumn beauty!



      "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, 
for beauty is God's handwriting."
                                            
                                                      -Ralph Waldo Emerson  


Joining the fun at these parties this week-


Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
The Fall Nesting Party at The Inspired Room
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

  













Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Be Inspired at Common Ground  
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage 
Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo 
The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm 
Party Junk at Funky Junk Interiors 
Empty Your Archive at Mums Make Lists 
Junkers Unite at Knick of Time 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Spring in {Half} the Living Room

Today I'm going to show you a little of the Spring updates in the living room. You only get to see half the room, really, because the other half is...well...just too messy today. 


 A couple of weeks ago I shared with you about the rustic wood planter box that I took apart, hoping to re-purpose the pieces.  


 

I was hoping to use this piece to replace the white mantel shelf, but I really wanted to find something cool looking to make brackets out of. 
 

Nothing I came up with was working, so I decided I could live with leaving the white brackets. When I called this board "rustic" that may have been an understatement! It's totally wrecked, but I like it. Besides, just laying it across the brackets makes for a look that I can easily change when I'm ready for something different. I'm in love with the chippy blue paint!


Warning: LOTS of photos today. I hope they aren't too repetitive.
I fussed around for a couple of days with the mantel, because I thought I was going to do alot of color here. I just couldn't come up with something that felt right, so I resorted to my good ol' pal-neutral. 
You can see my Winter mantel here and my Valentine mantel here 
Yep, both neutral : ) I guess I'm getting pretty predictable. Maybe I'll really go color crazy for summer! Maybe.
 

I know, I know...it's not bright and happy Spring. But it really does represent more what this month is like here in Colorado. Nature has not produced any happy color yet! I feel like I have plenty of Spring color in other places anyway, so staying pale here just feels better to me. 


I made two little "cloches" by turning over an old glass on top of a little piece of architectural trim.






At Christmas time, I used the clay pot with the bird on it for my Tiny Tree Vignette.

 
 This nest sure has had an interesting "life". My friend Dina gave it to me several years ago, and I still love it! We used it at my daughter's wedding in 2011, instead of a ring pillow. We made a little cushion of moss and tied the rings with a pretty pale blue silk ribbon.


 
  
Here I've tucked a tiny blue bird, an egg, and a sprig of Baby's Breath under a pretty cloche.






 

This cabinet has been an unfinished project for a long time. Someday, when I can get some paint, I'll have a cool transformation to share with you!



 Old suitcases, old wooden box, old books....






This little garden trellis will hopefully live in a real garden again someday, but for now it stays indoors.




See! There IS a little color in this room


Of course pillows are the easiest way to bring in a little color, changing the whole feel of a room.





The Geranium was soaking up some some wonderful sunshine today!




 So, I could have done some nifty design on the chalkboard. That would be the obvious choice, right? The thing is, I'm just not that good at it! So I decided to use the blackboard as a backdrop for one of my Currier & Ives prints.


 I love the way it stands out against the black background.


Technically this is a Summer print, but I like the way the it looks with the other colors in the room. I have a pair of these that belonged to my grandparents, and I just love them.



You can see how I updated this lamp for just 50 cents over here.
 

I'm going to be making this sweet vintage Easter postcard available as a free printable in the next few days, so stay tuned!


  Whew! That was alot of photos for only half a room! One of these days I'll get my act together and show you the whole living room, kitchen, dining area space together. After I shovel up the legos, put away the projects and pick up all the books! 
Thanks for reading, my friends. I'm so happy you're here with me!

Jeanette 

Sharing over at:

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable 
Welcome Home Wednesday at Vintage on a Dime 
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage 
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours 
Be Inspired at Common Ground 
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo
SNS at Funky Junk Interiors 
Power of Pinterest Party at Fox Hollow Cottage 
and Debbiedoo's
Creative Bloggers Party at Homemaker on a Dime 
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House 
The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch 
Budget Decorating at Creative Cain Cabin
Pretty Things at twelveOeight 
Knick of Time Tuesday 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm 
It's a Spring Thing! At the Picket Fence 
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed 
Creative Inspirations at Embracing Change