Sunday, October 24, 2010

Mantel Metamorphosis

I am definitely not a person who believes in waiting for the “perfect” time to entertain. I find that most people are willing to overlook imperfection when it is accompanied by sincere hospitality. But as our good friend Laurie @Bargain Hunting and Chatting says, “howevah” :)….. sometimes I need an event to nudge me. A recent baby shower was my impetus.

CIMG2772

This is a rather blurry picture of my mantel as it was about three weeks ago. I’ve been dabbling with the mantel for months now. I just never was satisfied. Something just wasn’t right.

CIMG2774

And then it hit me. It was the picture over the mantel that was all wrong. I love and cherish this picture taken at Seaside, but that little guy on the end is 6’ 1” now! Our daughter’s wedding portrait is newly hung and firstborn has changed too! Time to update!

CIMG2890

Although I love the library paneling in our family room, it does tend to make it a little dark. I thought a round mirror might help offset the squares of the paneling and bounce a little more light around. Hmmmm…..now that old brass fan shows up too. Isn’t that the way it always is? You start out rearranging the top of the mantel and you end up at Home Depot buying a fan? :)

CIMG2776

Next I rattled around in the closet and found this urn leftover from last year’s wedding reception. I am the proud owner of several of these….I thought I was just renting them. :) They needed to be put to use so out came the black spray paint to the rescue.

CIMG2900

Then I remembered my stash of pheasant feathers from one of Beloved’s hunting trips and thought they might work. This was a completely no-cost arrangement if you don’t count the cost of the florist for the reception or a trip to Wyoming to hunt pheasants :)

CIMG2897

I think I like it! The colors in the feathers play off the colors in the mirror (from Hobby Lobby 1/2 off, of course).

CIMG2899

I changed the candles to black and added a couple of baby pumpkins. I think this will work…at least until time to decorate for Christmas!

razor pig pig

Also, we just returned from a road trip! We made the long trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Ole Miss/Arkansas game. And while they beat us and we were evacuated from the stadium twice due to lightening, we had a wonderful time! As I said earlier, conditions need not be perfect for your guests to enjoy themselves! The Razorbacks were gracious hosts!

Thanks for visiting! Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch has inspiring makeovers at Metamorphosis Monday!~~Susan

15 comments:

  1. Love your gorgeous paneling and your mantel. The mirror is absolutely perfect. Those urns are fabulous decorations, I would have them all over the house. Love it black with the feathers, and the candles are wonderful. Great arrangement. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really like the new look, Susan! I think it has more visual weight to it. AND I love the pheasant feathers! I have those on my mantel, too, and I never get tired of them. Love the "rental" urns. LOL!

    I also love that shot of your kids. You have such a beautiful family. Glad you had fun at the game, and I'm sorry that Ole Miss lost.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovin' your new mantle! The urn and mirror are beautiful:@)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really do like the new look - Very pretty! Know exactly what you mean about making a change and having to replace something else. Seems like every time I do one thing, I have to replace something I had not planned on. Gotta love a can of spray paint. :-D

    ReplyDelete
  5. That looks fantastic. I love the new look.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Susan,

    I love the new look to your mantle and isn't it nice to have a change around.

    Happy week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great arrangement, Susan. Love the mirror...Christine

    ReplyDelete
  8. I need those feathers! This looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well done Susan!
    Your mantel is just so beautiful and spraying the urn and adding the feathers and the gorgeous mirror really added to it!
    Great Job!
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your mantel makeover is beautiful, Susan!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, my goodness, I saw they evacuated due to the storm. Our family witnessed a man struck by lightning on a vation to Florida one year. Glad they kept you all safe.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the update! You did an excellent job ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh Susan, your mantel looks beautiful! I love the black urn with the pheasant feathers (love the "no cost except the cost of the reception and the hunting trip-you are sooo cute!) That mirror looks beautiful on that wall, "howevah", you are sooo right about one change leading to another! (It was so fun to see a reference to me in your post!) As much as I would have liked to have been at the game, when they announced the evacuation of the stands - TWICE -, I was kind of glad I wasn't there. So glad the Razorback fans were hospitable. I've enjoyed catching up with your beautiful posts today. laurie

    ReplyDelete