Mantle Upgrade :: Using What I Had

Using items I already had I incorporated:

  • Layers
  • Texture
  • Contrast
  • Color

It looked like this last week. But it was missing some umph.


It started out with a pretty but pipsqueaky little raised embellishment. So I made a tiny nail hole and hung a wood carving over it to bulk it up a little.


Here's the before.


Here's what I added. I wonder what it will look like next week.

Wait till I show you the 5 minute fireplace surround upgrade tomorrow--it changed the whole room.

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like it! And I like the idea of using what you have. I want so badly to get a new bed frame, but don't have the $$, so Im going to have to get creative and work with what I got! Thanks for the inspiration!

Wendy said...

You're a smart little lady! Lovin it!

Sara F. said...

Can't wait to see what you did to the fireplace! Mine needs a quick makeover.

Unknown said...

I have that "pipsqueaky" embellishment on my range hood cover. However, on a larger scale it does not have nearly the impact as my range hood cover does. Amazing how scale changes everything. Can't wait to see the rest!

duchess said...

Keeps getting better. Great job being frugal.

Lamp Tramp said...

Very pretty and the larger embellishment made such an amazing difference!

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Simple and beautiful mix of items! Love it!

Amy

Colleen P. said...

MUCH better-the ornamentation that was on it was much too small for the scale of the rest of the fireplace. I like the addition of color and texture too, the reddish plant material pulls the curtains into the picture very nicely!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I really think it is important to look around and see what we have and try to be creative. Sometimes we have just the right things already if we just look at them in a different way. Hugs, Marty

southerninspiration said...

Oooooooohhh, I like it!!!

Suzanne

Angie said...

Beautiful, just beautiful!! I love the shutters. You are an inspiration!!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That's one of the great things about mantles ~ you can constantly change out based on your mood or the seasons and it's not a lot to deal with.

Love the embellishment you added! You're right it does bulk it up a bit and looks great there.

Shell in your Pocket said...

Looks so pretty...

sandy toe

Candace said...

Fun stuff. I feel like writing you a for-real, good ole fashioned Thank You note for the wealth of resourcefulness you have shared on here. But alas, a comment will do for now! Keep rockin you Nester you!

Kari said...

I think it looks fab - love your creativity once again!

Delightful Dwelling said...

Lovely! I'm always on the lookout for fireplace makeovers and decorations since I'm forever changing mine around.

Carol said...

I <3 it! Nester, you are my hero! Now, I am on a quest to find some shutters.

Home as Hobby said...

It looks great! I love your curtains too. There is something about checked curtains that says "home". Great job! I think I will do the same today.

Dana and Daisy said...

Big improvement! Love it! I followed your advice for shopping the house yesterday and linked you on my post today. You might enjoy seeing the additional changes I've made in my kitchen!

Terri said...

Can't wait to see more. What I love about you is the journey of home decor. It isn't about arriving at the destination of "done", but the process of adding, deleting, adjusting, incorporating, and sometimes, starting all over again. It is very freeing for those of us who read and follow you! Blessings!

NicNacManiac said...

So pretty......so creative!!

Tanya said...

I have surprised myself with some of my favorite makeovers by choosing to use what I have. Your mantel is looking great. Lots of texture which I love!

Home as Hobby said...

Oh yeah, having a giveaway at my blog..stop on by!

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love how you were able to place something right over the existing "embellishment"! I so appreciate how you never allow yourself to feel limited by being in a rental . . . instead, you seem to embrace the challenges and roll on full-steam-ahead! You go, Girl!

Grins and kudos!
Pamm

Unknown said...

LOVE. IT. Especially the contrasty and texturey parts. Can't wait to see the surround tomorrow!
Hey, girl, check out my new blog design when you get a chance. I'm dying for people to see it!

michele said...

you are inspiring and creative!

Kimba said...

Love it! Love it! Love it!

I just got back from Lowes where I was looking at their pipsqueaky embellishments to use on my bathroom cabinet.

I really wanted to like one of them but I didn't. Now I know why. They're too pipsqueaky! Off to find a BIG HONKIN' embellishment.

Kimba

The Blushing Hostess said...

Turned out great and yes, I agree it did need something else...

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Oh, I love it! And I love your shutter too. :)

Connie from Beverly Hills California said...

It looks beautiful!! Great job!! Thanks for sharing. Connie

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

Love it! Do I see more Christmas branches in that urn up there? You rawk lady!

I did a tutorial on making big ol' honkin tissue paper pom poms today, but I'm thinkin they just won't look right up on my mantle ...darnit! Come by and see, if you have a minute.

~Amanda

~Amy Rose said...

Love the idea....I have been wanting to add somehting to mine too! Thanks for sharing and as always giving me GREAT ideas!

Laurel said...

Love it. Funny how different it looks up close. Nice job. Once again inspiring.

Renee said...

Love it! I've just really throughly enjoyed all your posts recently. Who would have thought to price out their space, all exciting and scary at the same time. LOL Thanks for your posts and all the sharing!

Unknown said...

Big change and I have also been trying to use more of the things I already have at home. Can't wait to see the rest. Keep up the inspiration, your great at it.
Sandy

Richella Parham said...

"Pretty but pipsqueaky." I really like that phrase. You do have a way of putting things that lets us know just exactly what you mean. This is one of the things I love about you.

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

Wow! Great job, AGAIN! I just linked to your mistreatments in my last blog. I show my OWN mistreatment! http://theoldpostroadblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/un-do-it-yourself.html

Tracy Watier said...

Smart choices and pretty result. Thought you should know that I mentioned your blog in mine today... your blue armoire helped me make a point... thanks!

Melanie said...

How creative. Love the new look!

Unknown said...

I love the concept of using what you have. I think so many of us are on budgets these days, and your blogs about showing how you use what you have are so valuable. It makes us realize we CAN still make changes that will create a beautiful home. Thank you!

Sheryl

Free Art Printables said...

hmmm.. I love a little umph!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Layers
Texture
Contrast
Color

THESE are four great things to keep in mind -- I love it! I need to write these down. :)

raveninthewolfden said...

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