Christmas Mantel BEFORE - Backstory!

Recently, I showed you my new White Christmas Mantel.

And I haven't tweaked it much...yet.

Today, I want to show you a few of the items I used - in their "before" states.

Like the "snow globe" on the mantel. It cost $1.07 and was found looking like this...

A little de-construction, some paint, and a little wooden house, and voila! Pretty cute for a buck and change.

Here it is again with all the trimmings...literally. I added Epsom Salts and a tinsel tree...but I don't care for the tree.

The little wooden houses were collected at different times for a few cents each. I find them at thrift stores and garage sales.

It was a bit daunting to paint over their cute hand-painted details...

but the quest for plain and simple won. After a while, I did paint them white.

I love them plain white.

The faux mercury glass candle globes were spotted when they looked like this:

A coat or two of Krylon Looking Glass left over from January turned them into this:

Likewise an asymmetrical pair of glass candlesticks had a similar golden tint to them...

Not anymore! Now they look like this:

It pleases me to create an environment I find cozy and interesting - especially one that is composed of items that were discarded by others.

Often, they need nothing at all. Sometimes, a simple coat of paint will work. In any event, I can live on a very modest

income in a style that doesn't scream it!

And in my opinion, that's almost as good as winning the lottery or something.

If you could choose to have lots of money and little aptitude for design, or little money and great style, which would you prefer?

That's a tough one...but then, there are some great stylists out there - for a price!

Word for the Day:

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

Possibly Linking With http://homastyle.com/wp/2012/12/01/12-days-of-christmas/
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