Thursday, December 6, 2012

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:

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/


Sunday

Sunday’s Best
Creative Bloggers Party Hop
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Sunday Show-off Link Party
Monday

Metamorphosis Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cowgirl Up!
Cowgirl Up!
Cowgirl Up!
Wednesday

Blissfully White Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
What’s it Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wed
Thursday

Under $100 Link Party
Share Awesomeness Thursday
Time Travel Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Doin’ It Yourself
Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Potpourri Friday
Frugal Friday
Inspiration Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend
Frugalicious Friday
Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

White Christmas Mantel, Part 1...


Here is my first Christmas Mantel.
After all, my Fall Mantel took 3 attempts.
And I have a couple of tweaks in mind 
for this one already...


Doesn't this look like a snow globe?
It needs snow. Tweak #1...


And I have to get a few candles...

But all in all, I'm fairly pleased now.
It accomplishes my goal of using
vintage whites, golds and silvers.

And I don't see anything that is lacking
at the moment, besides the things I mentioned...


The $2 spent on silver twigs and eucalyptus
at Dollar Tree added a little sparkle...


As did my looking Glass faux mercury glass items 
and my newly thrifted mercury glass goblets.
They're holding moss balls from my Fall Mantel.


Aside from the silver greenery,
moss for the moss balls, and the
future white candles, everything
on this mantel was found at a 
thrift store or garage sale. Or it was free.


And honestly, I don't think I could have
gotten the look I wanted if I had gone 
to "real" stores. I love the eclectic look.


Next time, I'll show you some vignettes 
around the living room...

But first, a trip to Dollar Tree for 
Epsom Salts and candles.

Word for the Day:
Acts 3:6
But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold
but what I do have I give to you. 
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, 
rise up and walk!”

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

Homa Style 12 days of Christmas
Sunday

Sunday’s Best
Creative Bloggers Party Hop
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Sunday Show-off Link Party
Monday

Metamorphosis Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cowgirl Up!
Cowgirl Up!
Cowgirl Up!
Wednesday

Blissfully White Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
What’s it Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wed
Thursday

Under $100 Link Party
Share Awesomeness Thursday
Time Travel Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Doin’ It Yourself
Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Potpourri Friday
Frugal Friday
Inspiration Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend
Frugalicious Friday
Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday