Oh, what fun this week is shaping up to be. On to the 2nd party in the Christmas Blogger Block Party hosted by My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia. Thanks to Heather & Vanessa from At The Picket Fence for having this overall cool blog event. Today’s topic is mantels, of which I happen to love to decorate for Christmas. Actually, I just love mantels in general, plus the ambience of a fire!
The main mantel at La Belle Epoque is a 9’ late 1800s antique cherry and walnut piece from a Victorian mansion near Cincinnati. It was purchased at Architectural Salvage in Louisville before we built the house. It is a non-working fireplace. I wish now I would have inserted gas logs like we did in the others. We had the architect draw plans around this mantel for the sunken music room and it’s one of my all-time favorite architectural finds. I also love the original finish and detail and would never consider painting it as it has such a warm natural cherry glow. I’ve had this same Father Christmas in the niche every year since we moved in, and he’s become a tradition. This location is where the stockings are hung and we open presents around the main tree.
The mantel in the family room is more traditional and surrounds a see-thru fireplace. Both sides are totally different and the other reflects a rustic Italian vibe with hand-made tiles from Sonoma Co. in CA. I like full garlands with lots of della robbia fruit.
The French limestone mantel in the master bedroom is decked out in a lighted swag. I just noticed Murphy’s toile dog bed in the first master mantel photo! Spoiled dog! lol
Last, but not least, a faux shabby chippy mantel in the basement is host to Murphy’s (our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) stocking which will be filled with toys and treats and some tin soldiers found at Big Lots years ago.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this tour of mantels!
Joyeux Noel
Kim
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6 comments:
Kim, these are all just gorgeous! What great eye-candy! Of course, you know I adore the Italian-inspired mantel with the fruit! LOL! That captured my heart right away! These are truly beautiful!
What beautiful mantels. Love how full and lush the garland is. I found you from the mantel linky party and am a new follower.
Beautiful mantles! And your Christmas decor is gorgeous!
Wow, I can't pick which mantel I love best. Beautiful.
Wow Kim they are all adorable and festive delight!
Veronica
Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds
I think architecture in la will likely be great.
Rios Clementi Hale Studios was founded in 1985 as a multi-disciplinary design firm. We create singular, integrated and comprehensive solutions for a variety of design challenges. Combined, our talents comprise a wide range of professional skills including architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, interior design, graphics and signage, exhibit and product design. Project types include commercial, residential, civic, educational, institutional, exhibits and product and furniture design.
We are dedicated to applying a strong interdisciplinary collaborative approach to the design process, whether on projects within our office or in consultation with other design firms. A broad mixture of clients and projects has given us solid experience in dealing with various and complex design issues.
I think la architecture will be great.
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