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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

SUMMER MANTLE IN WHITE

This summer when I went to change my mantle I did something a little differently. In the past I have always added blue and white to add coolness for the summer months, as seen in the picture below:

Summer changes 028 

Summer changes 010 

Summer changes 031
For the other looks my mantle takes on throughout the year you can go here if you would like to see more.

This summer I decided to do something a little different by adding some watermelon pink to the mantle.

summer mantle change 004 (800x227)
First I took away all the accessories to have a blank surface. This mantle is 17ft long with only 3ft 9in. of wall space above it. It is a bit hard to decorate. I have found for my own personal taste I like fewer but larger items on the mantle.

I gathered together the items I thought I wanted to use to create a color story.
summer mantle change 008 (800x534)
 I thought I would add a bit of the watermelon pink since that color is also in the room. It all looked as if it would work when I gathered the pieces together.

 This is just a picture of the pieces gathered this is not how I placed them!!
After trying and trying to live with the pink for one day, It was just too much going on for my eye. I felt that my eye jolted from one piece to the other and that is NOT the look I was going for.
I proceeded to take all the pink away and then it finally started looking like the peaceful serene mantle I was trying to decorate.

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My all white mantle! Simple, Yes, Calming Yes!! Just what I wanted. It is a light and airy feel and it works well in the room. Here are some close-ups of the pieces I used on the mantle.

Summer mantle in white 010
I love the bubble balls, they remind me of the bubbles in the ocean surf. The picture on the wall is of a small sailboat in the distance. I only wish I could be on that little sail boat. You can catch a glimpse of a star fish and a mercury glass votive that glows so pretty in the evening and it also picks up the finish on the picture frame.
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This is a close-up of the picture.
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This is the picture on the left side of the mantle.
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The left side of the mantle.
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This is my antique overmantle. It is from the late 1890’s and it is mahogany. We added moulding at the base to make it look as if it is integral with the mantle piece. I had to have white so we painted it to match the white of all the woodwork throughout the house. It is Kelly Moore's Swiss Coffee, a warm white.
Summer mantle in white 018
So there you have it, my summer mantle in white!!
“Enjoy the Process” Of:
Making fresh,new changes for the summer months!
Kathysue

19 comments:

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Kathysue...

Ohhh my...I just adore your "all white" summer mantel, my friend! It really is gorgeous and so serene! You really just can't beat that "all white" look for summer...so fresh! You know that I love the beautiful blues and greens that you also use, but it's always fun to change things up a bit! Ohhh...and I think you know just how much I love that fabulous ornate mantel piece! I remember when I first seen it at RMS...it just took my breath away!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful summer mantel with us...such a treat, my friend!

How are you doing, Girlfriend? I see that you are keeping very busy this summer. I hope that my note finds you well! It's been busy, busy...at my place but I've enjoyed every minute of it! Talk to you later, sweet lady...

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

I love the way you did the all white mantel. It is crisp and cool and refreshing to look at. I remember the antique mirror from before - gorgeous! Linda

Privet and Holly said...

I purchased a big
bubble ball this
spring and I just
love the look!
I like how you
shared your editing
process, Kathysue....
Sometimes less truly
is MORE! That is
a challenging mantle
and you really made
it sing!
xx Suzanne

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Kathysue,
I think your mantle looks lovely, soft and pretty. Very summery.

hugs
Sissie

Allie and Pattie said...

Kathysue, I love this look. I, too, went with mostly white on our mantle for the first time this summer. I'm finding as myself drawn to more serene looks lately- probably because life is so chaotic right now! Gorgeous!
xoxo Pattie

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Beautiful as always, Kathysue. You have just the perfect scale. Not too much and not too little and that is hard to do on a mantel that long.

savvycityfarmer said...

it's soothing, clean and very refreshing!

you must just want to gaze at it all day!!

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

I love the little touches of pink!

vignette design said...

Your mantle is looking so fresh Kathysue. You have so much room to work with and you staged it perfectly. I really like the lamps on either end casting a soft glow. I have a confession: I hardly ever change out my mantle. I'm too lazy!

A Southern Rose said...

Your mantle is so pretty. The detail is awesome. I love it painted white too.

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Perfection! I love it all! The pictures are just gorgeous...the subject matter and the frames! The antique mantel piece is breathtaking! I adore the all white them it is just soooo calming!

Love love love!
Cathy

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Kathysue, it looks perfect. I love it in all white. You always decorate it so beautifully, but I think the all white is my favorite. Gorgeous and you know how much I love this room. So pretty. Hugs, Marty

diane@onlinefabricstore said...

to really appreciate and enjoy the symmetry I would remove the plate and candles from in front of the mirror. Other than that it looks great and how nice to be able to have lamps on the mantle. Love the bubble balls as well.

Jemsmom said...

So simple, beautiful and elegant! Love it!

Beach House Living said...

I would be thrilled for a mantle that long. Our home built in the 20's has 7 foot ceilings and stucco walls meaning no hanging anything unless you are really sure.

We did pick up a lovely piece like the one you show but without the shelves. It just overpowers. Sad.

Unknown said...

A beautiful, feminine design asthetic, just as I would expect from you. If someone asked me to design a Kathysue mantel, that's what it would look like! I love the bubble balls!
Hope you're doing well my friend. I"ve missed connecting with you some this week!
Sally@DivineDistractions

La Dolfina said...

I love it, but I love everything you do, I even liked your idea of the watermelon accents and the look of your gathered items. In my book... you can do no wrong :)
Love you
x

Averill said...

I actually love all 3 iterations: the b&w, the watermelon, the all-white. You could teach a course of styling mantles! ;)

Cashon&Co said...

Pinkish red is a great color and it looks so good with your white and blue. I think that was a great idea. It's so fun to see changes you make!