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Sunday, April 14, 2013

The "Other" Mantel

Yes, the other fireplace mantel that's in the lower level family area...

I don't post about it often because it's hard to photograph, and really pretty rustic.

We've always wanted a weekend cabin at the lake.

(We live just 30 minutes from the beautiful hills of Branson, and Table Rock Lake)

Woodsy, rustic, lodge-y, comfort.

But, I don't have one, so this area gets to be the stand-in.

Things don't change around too much down here. But I do try to keep the fireplace mantel seasonally decorated and the faux flowers in my wicker basket changed out.

It's where we hang out to watch tv and spend our evenings.

It's functional, cozy, and not "white".

It's also where the kids and grandpuppy lounge.

and did I mention that it's not white?

It's about the same as our fireplace in the living room, which is directly above it, except this room has built in bookshelves on each side instead of windows...and a massive tv and wall cabinet....also wood, which makes it darker. But so much better to curl up with a fire and a good movie. So I enjoy the rustic, lodge-y feel with Pendleton Blankets, a few leather pieces, and a deer mount or two.

...but I did want to share my Spring-ified attempt

down here with my Majolica pitchers and teapots.

...and my florist buckets filled with faux forsythia.

which brighten things up a little bit.

I found this old 40's framed print at the flea, and it's here most of the year. The subtle shades of muted earthy tones, and shabby gold frame blend in with the vintage feel.

those are a few cows in the distance.

...love me some cows and sheep in a landscape.

Are you feeling lazy?

Come on over,

and don't forget to bring your blankie.

Joining in for these parties:

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Knick of Time

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy little House

Inspire Me at A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

xoxo,

Sunday, March 3, 2013

The Skinny on Spring Wreaths

Each new season you'll find me fiddling with silk flowers and putting together wreaths, and this weekend I've been working on one for the front porch. But finding one that will fit is always a problem. Most of the time I just give up and go with a bunch of silk branches or flowers for the large wicker cone that's on the side of the front porch.

But last year we had an upset with some little finches that wanted to make a nest in the cone with my faux flowers. I thought I had managed to escape having to leave out green poinsettias until May...but no. They were all over that wonderful spot. So when I was able to hijack their plans, or so I thought, a nest of little eggs were dashed on the front porch concrete by accident. Well, birdie lover that I am, I felt horrible and realized that I would have to do better this next nesting season.

That meant NO WICKER CONE!!!!

(said in the tone of Mommie Dearest's "NO WIRE HANGERS!!")

Here's a pic from last Fall so you can see the problem;

Lovely nesting spot in the white cone to the left.

Please excuse the pumpkins,

but you can see what I mean.

...the perfect, out of the way, nesting spot.

You can also see my dilemma with my finding a wreath for the door. It's one of those glass storm doors, that only give you a few inches to work with. So if I put a wreath on the door, it has to be super skinny!

So, here's a better shot of my make-do creation,

hanging on a recent purchase from Pier 1.

That naughty Nita, made me go out and buy this...

Isn't this blackboard just so cute and scrolly?

I have plans for it on the sideboard in the hall after Easter.

OK, so back to my wreath dilemma...

I found a skimpy one in my stash, with white berries,

(Michael's for about 8 bucks)

which works for Christmas or Spring,

but it was too blah,

and needed something else...

like a twig or two of forsythia and a nest.

Just grabbed a few extra goodies from the flower bin and wired them on.

I think this may have saved the day.

Joining in on these great parties:

French Country Cottage

Have a wonderful Sunday!

xoxo,

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A little touch of Spring...

Nothing like a day or two in the 50's to get me started thinking about Spring. And since Easter is a little early this year, I thought I'd try to get a few things changed up. My hallway sideboard is where most of the Valentine goodies had been displayed so naturally, it had to be first. I like to start with clean slate, so I just take everything off of it and hopefully, I come up with something different.

The outside of this wreath was the one I had up during the Holidays, just a basic organic, mossy wreath, but for Spring it needed some color, and before I knew it a moss covered bunny had nestled itself inside. A small forsythia wreath and a petite bundle of blooms filled it out. If you remember, this big gold frame held the faux chalkboard, that now I just popped out to be open against the old window.

The galvanized chalkboard drawer also stayed, and now it's holding my sweet Easter Greeting and an ironstone pitcher filled with faux mini tulips.

This is a moss covered rabbit I found at Michael's a few years ago, who fits perfectly inside the old wicker basket.

Not a good photo,

but my rabbit casserole on an old ironstone platter.

This is as far as I've gotten with the Spring decorating, as yesterday I got knocked down with the flu. I thought that maybe I was going to escape it...but no... At least I've had my Downton Abbey Season 2 to keep me company. Between a fever and all those episodes, I've found myself "thinking" in Mrs. Hughs voice. sad...so very sad. And I won't even start on Matthew's tragic demise.