Styling a Fireplace Mantle

I've been searching Pinterest and blogs for ideas to style our fireplace mantle.

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I am totally enamored by fireplaces in French apartments.  The high ceilings, parquet floors and beautiful trim add to the allure.

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I seem to be drawn to mantles that feature a mirror.  

January / February 2013 - Lonny Magazine - Lonny

And then the decor is layered in front of the mirror, lavishly, 

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or as in this case, dramatically austere.

I was inspired by this mantle in the Parisan apartment we rented over the Christmas holidays.

I've never been quite satisfied with the look of our fireplace mantle.  The condo builder just built a box around the gas insert.  We added a granite top but I never really knew how to style the mantle.  The French poster was something I owned and it fit so it rested on the mantle for several years.  I would change the other decor seasonally.

What I really wanted was a mirror...just like the French mantles I admired.  I finally found the right size mirror, with a style that made me happy.  I added an antique urn with a plant, a tall, brushed metal vase for flowering branches and several pieces of raku pottery that I collected.

I love the way the mirror makes the space feel brighter and bigger and reflects the loft.  It certainly is a work in progress but I think I'm on the right path.  

I'd love your input.

Potterseed: Ceramics from South Africa

Potterseed is a new line of ceramics from two South African potteries.  I first became aware of these fabulous ceramics from a piece in Elle Decor.

Potterseed is the gorgeous new range developed by Kate of Mustardseed & Moonshine and Chris of The Potters Workshop.

One specializes in delicate ceramic flowers; the other makes dishes painted in vivid abstract patterns.

Individual pieces can be seen and purchased by clicking here, Casa Nova by Natalie.

I am draw to the vibrant color palette and the botanical detail.  The abstract motifs enhance the floral patterns and allow for a myriad of combinations of various pieces in the collection as seen in the photos.  One piece is not enough: patterns need to play off of one another.  

Have a colorful weekend.

Bottle Brush Christmas Trees

I'm enamored by bottle brush tress as Christmas decor.  

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These sweet little trees are decorated with vintage glass beads and sit in vintage tart tins.

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Door knobs serve as tree stands. 

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I love the snow globe idea with bottle brush trees under glass.

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You can easily bleach the green trees purchased from craft stores and then dye them any color you wish.  Then decorate with glitter, beads or ribbons.

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Click on the link above to access the site for a bleached bottle brush tree tutorial.

White Christmas: Table Decor

I love the simplicity of a white table for the holidays.  A touch of silver and the flicker of candlelight makes white magical.

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Fireside snacking

For the white table by spiralstyle 

Lovely pieces for the white holiday table.

Half Glaze Pitcher, $56 / Bistro Cutlery, $51 / Platinum Etched Champagne Glasses / Washed Linen Napkins, $15 / Holiday Entertaining, Serving Pieces | Jayson Home / Tabletop | LEIF / High Street Market - Home Decor / High Street Market - Home Decor

All That Glitters

The holidays are certainly one time of the year to bring out the bling.  Anything that glitters, glimmers, shines or shimmers is fair game.  But, a little goes a long way.  Use gold for a POP of sparkle, it will be more outstanding that way.  Here are a few of my picks.

All that glimmers...shoes by spiralstyle 

Ukala wool boots / Kate Spade glitter pumps / Diane von Furstenberg strappy heels / Jimmy Choo glitter pumps / TOMS black flat, $64 / Flat shoes / Kate Spade

All that glimmers...beauty by spiralstyle 

Lulu Guinness glitter handbag / Shimmer eyeshadow / Shimmer eyeshadow / Yves Saint Laurent lip stick / rms beauty / Burberry beauty product / NARS Cosmetics gold nail polish, $40 / Topshop metallic nail polish / Metallic gold nail polish / RMS Beauty Cream Eye Shadow Lunar / Smashbox lip gloss

All that glitters..home by spiralstyle 

Snake Gold Christmas Plate Charger / FORNASETTI 'ROSINI' set of 6 plates, $1,805 / Votive Cups - Set of 12 / Decorative Pillow 18 x 18 Gold / Coro Glassware Set of 4 / Soiree 8" Plate / Versace Arabesque Mug with Handle, $160 / Gold Flatware 5-pc. Set / Lazy Susan Coral Candleholder Gold

Terrariums and Succulents

I was doing some shopping earlier this week and noticed a theme in store decor.

Restoration Hardware

Club Monaco

Another use for Mason Jars!!

Club Monaco

Crate and Barrel

All of the stores used faux plants.  The Crate and Barrel image is of faux plants for purchase.

Terrariums and Live Plants by spiralstyle on Polyvore
Glass Terrariums / Succulents / Cacti / Open-Face Terrariums

Mini-garden terrarium from Vivaterra

Instructions for how to make a live terrarium can be found here.

Are you inspired?  

Faux or Live?

Studio Makeover

Before

This studio needs a makeover and fast!

Is it no wonder I procrastinate going to my studio to make jewelry?

After

I went with my favorite color combination, coral and turquoise.  

I made a visit to the Ikea "as is" room.  I found these turquoise 'trash cans" with lids for $5.99.  They are perfect for holding my crafty stuff like yarn.

I repurposed some terracotta yogurt containers I brought home from France to use a pencil and small tool holders.  The wicker cutlery caddy was a mark down at Target about a year ago.  I knew I'd find a good use for it.  Now it holds my medium sized hand tools and scissors.

I found this Ikea stool that someone put out for trash pick up.  I took it home and gave it the "dip dye" look by taking leftover wall paint and mixing it with some semi gloss white trim paint I had on hand.  

Now I'm ready to get to work.  The color is energizing and everything has a place.

Do you have a space that is just for you?  Did you style it "just for you"?

Natural "Beachy" Decor

Although I am landlocked, in the (almost) middle of the continental United States, I still like to imagine being on a beach.  In summer, I use my collections of beach treasures from my Bahamas home to get that beachy feel in Michigan.  I found some inspiring ideas to share.

photo Lonny Magazine

I love the idea of beach grass in a glass vessel with sand and shells.  Makes it feel like a terrarium.

photo Lonny Magazine

Sand, shells and woven mats.

photo Coastal Living

Larges sea sponges on the wall for texture along with other nautical inspiration.  Love that huge shell for a basin.

photo Coastal Living

Collections of shells looking so effortless.

Some sea sponges I collected in a glass cylinder next to the tub. 

A few beach treasures on a silver platter.

What's your summer decor theme?

Dinner Party: Decor and Dinner

We gave a little dinner party last night.

I used a lot of color and a nature theme for the table decor.  The napkins were black with colorful insects and the salad plates were underwater scenes.  

I found colorful buckets at Target for $1 and filled two with flowers and one with shells and another with sand, a candle and shells.  A few more candles completed the decor.

Dinner was this roasted sea bass that takes a total of 10 minutes cooking time and is plated with grapefruit and oranges sections as well as avocado slices.

Pan-roasted Sea Bass with citrus and avocado from Bon Appetit

 We started with olives and this easy flatbread topped with olive oil, onion, sage and tomatillos, and cherry tomatoes. 

Julie's flatbread  from Martha Stewart

We baked these on the grill.  

Dessert was chocolate cake with ice cream and raspberries, but I was too exhausted to take photos.

Have a delicious weekend and I'll see you on Monday.  Ciao!