Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

  • Home
  • About
  • Site Information
  • Privacy Policy

My wintry mantel and a little tour

December 1, 2011 by Barb 39 Comments

I finally finished up my mantel today. On the weekend we hung our Robert Bateman print ‘Winter Run’. Today I added the two little shrubs wrapped up in burlap (they remind me of the snowy branches in the painting). However, the wreath beside them almost didn’t get to stay. It kept falling off the mantel and that was OK until the time it hit me on the head, bounced off, crashed onto my finger (the finger that had stitches this past summer) and cut it. I did a little dance around the living room saying a few words (not to be repeated here) but I think they were warranted at the time . . . grrrrr. I finally got the wreath to sit there with a little help from that blue sticky putty stuff. I added a trio of birch logs tied together, a couple of white candles in the holders that I already had, lights, and some silver balls which will match my (soon to be decorated) tree.

first, an early evening view
the overall view – daytime
birch logs and white candles
little burlap-wrapped shrubs from Home Sense
my little antique parlour stove
looking out the great room window – you can see that it snowed the night before
looking into the kitchen/dining area
My new (old) window frame and vintage paper trees
my twinkly banister

It’s just my style this year; low-key, natural, partly homemade. I can’t put my tree up until the 7th of December but it will be sitting directly behind where I stood to take this photo. Can’t wait to start that!

(btw I think my finger is going to be OK as well as my head)

Filed Under: HOME DECOR Tagged With: mantel

Comments

  1. Rural Revival says

    December 1, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    I just adore your entire fireplace setting and your home for that matter…very beautiful!

    Reply
  2. Kathy says

    December 1, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    LOVE it! Being the Christmas decorating junkie that I am, I just adore seeing everyone’s x-mas decorating. Love the monotone nature or yours…very soothing!

    Kathy

    Reply
  3. Nancy @ A Rural Journal says

    December 1, 2011 at 1:56 pm

    Love the understated tones, Barb. Your home is beautiful. :)

    Reply
  4. Jill says

    December 1, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    Your home is gorgeous! Wow, the coloring in the photos is perfect. It’s all so peaceful.

    Reply
  5. down to earth style says

    December 1, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    My name is Holly from http://downtoearthstyle.blogspot.com/ – I nominated you for the Leister Award. Check out my blog to see all about it. Your featured! :)

    Reply
  6. erin says

    December 1, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    it all looks wonderful and warm! i love the print above the fireplace and the way it sets the tone for the rest of the room.
    erin
    xxoo

    Reply
  7. TexWisGirl says

    December 1, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    i like the subdued colors and natural textures. sorry about the cussing dance! :)

    Reply
  8. Marissa @Life On Our Side Of The Mountain says

    December 1, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    You have a beautiful living room! Love everything about it!

    Reply
  9. Seraphina´s Phantasie says

    December 1, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Fantastic decoration for the Advent and Christmas time. I like all the warm brown tones with little accent in white and red. So beautiful !

    Reply
  10. MaryAnn says

    December 1, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    Beautiful, the decorating fit so good with the surroundings… Simply beautiful.

    Reply
  11. melanzana says

    December 1, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Jako lijepa kuća!! Prekrasno si je uredila, super…Kamin je posebno lijepo uređen, sve mi se jako sviđa…

    Reply
  12. Torunn says

    December 1, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    So beautiful you have it Barb! Absolutely gorgeous … so good you are to decorate and make it cozy.

    Reply
  13. Ms. Becky says

    December 1, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    your home is lovely and so comfortable looking. I’m looking forward to seeing your decorated tree. and I’m glad your finger and your head are alright too. the things we go through for a little fun and festivity, huh? happy day to you Barb.

    Reply
  14. Deanna says

    December 2, 2011 at 12:35 am

    What a lovely home you have…so calm, peaceful and serene. Love your decorating style. Wonderful collection of natural decorating on your mantel, you should be quite proud.

    Reply
  15. EG Wow says

    December 2, 2011 at 1:09 am

    It looks exquisite. You have great taste!

    Reply
  16. Bunch of Barrons says

    December 2, 2011 at 1:42 am

    Love the decorating! So pretty and festive!

    Reply
  17. deb duty says

    December 2, 2011 at 2:23 am

    You have such a lovely home and it’s decorated beautifully. I would love to sit there and look at the winter scene out the window!

    Reply
  18. Nadege, says

    December 2, 2011 at 2:49 am

    A lovely home, I love your leather couch and fireplace.

    Reply
  19. missing moments says

    December 2, 2011 at 3:01 am

    Love what you have done … the simplicity yet elegance is wonderful!

    Reply
  20. Seeing Each Day says

    December 2, 2011 at 6:21 am

    Thanks for the tour – I really enjoyed looking around your living area – so interesting. I could easily pick out 20 things to mention that I caught my eye but due to time limits shall just mention my top top favourites of your decorating techniques firstly, your overall colours & style – are beautiful, next – LOVE the lanterns on your mantlepiece, next – LOVE the 3 piece mirror on the other wall, next – LOVE the view outside your window, next – LOVE the arrangement & light around the balistrades of your inside stairs. It’s always a nice feeling popping into your blog – thank you.

    Reply
  21. the cape on the corner says

    December 2, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    majorly loving those birch logs, and those 3 trees on your buffet. great job!

    Reply
  22. Pieces of Sunshine says

    December 2, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    You have a wonderful house and you have prepared it delightfully for this season.

    Reply
  23. Audrey says

    December 3, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    So beautiful. I could spend all day here. Love your decorating style. Must try to make the trees.
    Blesssings. Audrey Z.

    Reply
  24. Jessa Irene says

    December 3, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    What an amazing style you have, and such lovely photos. Beautiful!

    Reply
  25. Sherry says

    December 4, 2011 at 5:06 am

    Very pretty! Love your home! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

    Reply
  26. Sue says

    December 5, 2011 at 12:09 am

    How festive and pretty. I love the birch logs and all of your natural elements. They suit your room perfectly! I love your window mirror ~ beautiful.
    Merry Christmas
    Sue

    Reply
  27. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    December 5, 2011 at 1:27 am

    So pretty and wintry! I love the Birch logs and your twinkly banister!
    Your home is lovely!

    Reply
  28. Tracy says

    December 5, 2011 at 4:33 am

    What a gorgeous, peaceful room! I love your mantel, it’s perfect! Have a very Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  29. Pamela says

    December 5, 2011 at 4:45 am

    Your home looks so warm and inviting! I love your lil stove and your banister is delightful! Thanx for coming to party and giving a link back!:)

    Reply
  30. Bella Vista says

    December 5, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    Hi, your home is lovely and so welcoming. Love your mantel, too.

    Barb ♥

    Reply
  31. Salmagundi says

    December 5, 2011 at 11:06 pm

    The birch logs and the shrubs are perfect for the style and view out your beautiful home. Sally

    Reply
  32. Jo's This and That says

    December 6, 2011 at 4:52 am

    Beautiful photos of your lovely home thanks for sharing,love the mantel!

    Reply
  33. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Your home looks so lovely with its holiday decorations. Love that little antique parlor stove. The view from your window adds to the wintry feel.

    Reply
  34. Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas says

    December 6, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    I LOVE LOVE this!! So calm and serene and beautiful! I love the style of your home….can’t wait to see the tree!!

    I am your newest follower and I will be back!

    Lou Cinda

    Reply
  35. Trish and Bonnie @ Uncommon says

    December 7, 2011 at 3:29 am

    Your home is stunning. So simple and classic… just beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing at our Home for the Holidays link party!

    Reply
  36. Cottage and Broome says

    December 7, 2011 at 5:13 am

    Love the mantle, the birch, picture and everything looks great. Love the parlor stove what a great find. Will be your newest follower, hope you will stop by and visit us, Laura – Cottage and Broome

    Reply
  37. So Many Little Things says

    December 9, 2011 at 5:18 am

    Beautiful! I love all of it!

    Reply
  38. brockey says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:13 am

    So naturally beautiful. I will save this !!!! Your home is beautiful

    Reply
  39. fiona anderson says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    I’m checking out some of the other mantle link ups and checked yours out first. It’s gorgeous, and I especially love your window turned mirror.
    Hoping you may pay me a visit on justpaintitwhite.blogspot.com

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

Categories

Archives

Copyright 2020 * Keeping with the Times * All rights reserved.