Home and Gardening With Liz: Theodore Alexander

January 11, 2012

Tuscan Winter Mantel

After taking down the Christmas decorations I decided I had to try a new look.

Joan's new look at
For the Love of a House
became my inspiration!

My inspiration came from her earthenware pottery display. This
caught my attention because I had purchased some pottery a while
back, but hadn't come up with a
good use for it. When I saw her
mantel it hit me what I wanted
to do!
After several renditions-
which I won't bore you with-
(but it did involve white lions :-)
I finally landed on this design.

I mixed some deco balls with some
green moss balls in this pedestal bowl
and used one of my faux books to give
it some height.

The two pedestal vases at the bottom used to be above on the mantel. Below is my old version which shows you how it looked before.

It was a new look for me last January and I thought it was great. Now it looks kind of naked!

In the morning I took more
photos hoping to get better
lighting- the sun was out for
a change!

I know some of you hate
bright brass, but it does
not bother me.

I shopped my house for
most of this- that is the
most fun and pleasurable!

Thanks for stopping by and
I hope you enjoyed!
Please join me and others
for the Winter Mantel
link party hosted by
Potentially Beautiful
and
for the Cozy Home Party
hosted by Cozy Home Scenes
and
Pot Pourri Friday
hosted by 2805

October 3, 2010

French Infusion Cont'd

Le Manteau....

This is an ongoing experiment of elements on the mantel for me. I'm using items I already owned and new ones, trying to blend and create this French look I'm goaling for....

I've had people always say, your good at this you should do it for a living, but truthfully I'm just the average person trying to decorate like a professional....There is a lot to learn and it helps if you have a large wallet to grab the items you want to get your look.

I am also working with an existing fireplace with a mantle that I love, but it certainly isn't the first choice for the French look.

I found these two pedestal vases at a local decorators store that is going out of business.... I knew I wanted them immediately although I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them. I visualized them in the dining area, which didn't work the way I thought. I had ordered a new arched mirror to try with the fireplace mantel area and after it was put up, it suddenly came to my mind to try these on the mantel..

This is a newly acquired piece from another store going out of business.... ugh... such sadness these days.
This is a Theodore Alexander piece from the Atelier de la Madeleine line. I had visualized this by my front door, which didn't work. The color clashed with the wall color but when we set the drawers out in this living room it seemed like it was the place to be!
I am very pleased with it, I've got my table linens in the drawers and still have one free drawer to use.
Again, I am playing with decorating ideas...the topiary is a little project of mine, and I don't think it's going to stay there.... Notice the lamp...that was from the same store....it's a Wildwood brand lamp...and if you know the brand you will appreciate that I picked it up for under $200...

OK, this is for people with a sense of humor!

What is sad is that for a brief few moments I thought it might work! I thought I was so smart... put a brass plate over top of the urn and set the lamp on it...brilliant!! NOT!!! LOL..... You have to try or you don't know!! (I plead temporary insanity!)
You know what they say about proportions....

This had potential, but for the spot I was setting it in, it just became lost.

My mother and father went to Europe for a 7 country tour back in the early 80's....this Murano glass set was selected by my Mother in Venice.

The picture is a real oil painting that a young lady my son was dating, brought back for me from France. I was so appreciative of her getting this for me, but the dominate blue color has been difficult for me to blend in. For now I have relocated these items into a display cabinet.