Thursday 3 July 2014

On My Mantel...

 

 
 
 
I love my mantle, I love it's blackness.....the depth of its shelf, it feels solid, chunky.....it feels like home.
 
It's not an original, it's not even really in keeping with our 1920s home, but that doesn't matter to me. Perhaps if I'd given it more time and thought, a few years ago when we were replacing our ugly 1980s fireplace, I might have tried to source an original wooden mantle, one with an integral oval mirror, and maybe I will.....one day. But for now I'm happy.
 
 
Inspired by a post written by Lou for Seeds and Stitches I've decided to document, over this next year, what's On My Mantle. This space celebrates, more than anywhere else in our home, what's occurring for us as a family.
 
 
It's where we share our celebrations....Birthdays, special cards for special days....a treasure we might find on a little adventure, my latest charity shop find...something homemade.
 
For years it never changed, I was too busy with work and a young family to even give a thought to what was on there, now it's displays change regularly, echoing and reflecting our family life.
 
 
 
 
 
 
So this was my first image, taken a couple of weeks ago...we'd just had picture rail put up, which gives great proportion to the room. There's the Fathers Day card our girls gave their Dad, and a cheeky little pot dog I had just bought at a local vintage sale.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Last week My Mantle looked very sad......waiting to be decorated!
 

 

 

 
 
 
And today, well......our living room has finally been decorated! I love, love, love the colour! And after almost a year, the lovely little watercolours I bought from Florence are looking snug in their new frames, as is the beautiful print I picked up from Covent Garden. And last night I made the little Pom Pom garland using the yarns in my blanket. I think it looks very cheery there!
 
I will tell you all about the other stories sitting there on My Mantle, but that will have to wait for another time!
 
So, what's on your Mantle? Or Shelf? What area in your home captures what's occurring for you and your family? Let me know if you post an image, I'd love to see!
 
 
I've been popping by to see you all, as and when our Internet allows, (for weeks now our supplier has been updating the line and it usually goes off whilst I'm in the middle of trying to do something online!) I've also been leaving comment and as I press publish they disappear! This has only been happening on blogger, and I don't think it's when the moderator is on....but I will keep trying!
 
 
Weekends coming up......have a good one!
 
 
 
Bye For Now,
 
 
 
Ada :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Only 64 more squares to go..........)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

37 comments:

  1. What a beautiful blanket your working on the colours look amazing together. Your pom pom, garland looks brilliant on the mantle x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the colour of the wall. Wonderful mantle, I need to give ours a little spruce up after seeing this. Your crochet blanket is looking glorious xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love mantles too Ada! Mine is like yours and constantly changing and evolving ... I love to decorate it at Christmas too ... loving that blanket too ... you are clever! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh if only we had a mantle. We have a Victorian home but with non of its original features (just rising damp unfortunately!). Yours is gorgeous. Loving the pompom garland. xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely mantle Ada, mine is an ugly tiled affair but as it is hidden by the sofa I do not think about it. I put my bits and bobs on the bureau but I could not have a pretty pom pom garland, it really makes the mantle come to life.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your mantle looks very stylish!!!! Love the color on the wall!!! And the pompom garland gives it just the right color pop!!! Your blanket is coming on nicely, can't wait for the tah-dah moment!!! I just love it!!!! Have a happy fun filled weekend!!!
    Love
    AMarie xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh I love your mantle, and the idea of doing a regular post. I have serious mantle envy ( no need for fireplaces round these parts ) and the one flat surface that should be a serene and pretty space is unfortunately a dumping ground for all sorts of ghastly stuff plus a heap of prep cardboard creations! You have inspired me to sort it out and make it lovely though! mel x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Our mantle celebrates with the family too. I love the idea of the garland matching the blanket. I might have to copy! x

    ReplyDelete
  9. im afraid my mantle merely accumulates clutter like every surface in this wretched house ...lol

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well I sure do love your mantle! but like the poster previous my mantle is just a dust collector, an items gatherer of sorts that doesn't really do much. But it's a rental so I am not fussed about it... maybe in the new house, our house I will be. One day! Hazel x

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a brilliant idea Ada, a keepsake of treasured memories. I love your mantel especially the garland and your chosen colour for the walls.
    luv
    irene
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have been doing a once a month mantle post all this year and really enjoying it. Love the colour of your walls - great choice!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The garland is super cute!! So bright and happy!! I have a shelf above my sink in the kitchen that I update quite a bit. I love changing it out as the mood hits.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your blanket is looking good! I like the idea of you chronicling your mantle over a year, I change ours around from time to time and at different times of year and it can really change the feel of the room can't it. Love your pompom garland!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bonne chance with your blanket! the color is so beautiful.
    Lucie x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your mantle looks wonderful Ada, I love the pom poms and the little paintings.
    Jacquie x

    ReplyDelete
  17. it's a very hearty mantle Ada and hasn't it got a lovely deep shelf. It goes well the colour you choose, I think the picture rail is totally right for this room. You've done well. Finishing touch the pompom garland, gorgeous! ....and I like the little dog! X

    ReplyDelete
  18. My mantle piece is ever changing too, I love rearranging it, actually think it might be due a little makeover! I love the pom pom garland! xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Gorgeous and cosy, I don't have a mantle in my current home, plenty of shelves instead!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ada, I love your mantle! The depth is great....it really is like a piece of furniture. Your pom pom garland is perfect! Bright and cheery! My mantle has always been a thorn in my side :( It is too narrow, but more importantly the wood is rough - almost like a railroad tie. I have been so tempted to sand it and paint it...maybe you have just given me the proper motivation!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yes, you are quite right to be proud of your mantle, Ada :-) It's a stunner and worthy of any dispaly of family memorabilia!

    And your crochet blanket? Stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I now have mantle shame... mine is a dumping ground but I'm going to get it sorted now. Love your new wall colour and the riot on the floor. xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the blanket..... my mantle never seems to change. The things on there jsut get rearranged. Perhaps it's time for a change!
    Jacqui x

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love your mantle too. I would love to have a mantle to put things on and rearrange. Looking forward to your future displays.

    ReplyDelete
  25. will be lovely to follow what you ut on your mantle and see how it changes. Blanket is looking snuggly and warm

    ReplyDelete
  26. What an amazing blanket! Our mantelpiece has a couple of embroidered pictures, two lustre jugs, and a piece of volcanic ash from a mountain. A bit eclectic!
    www.thequietsticher.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Looking fabulous Ada - I do love a good rearrange or faff every so often :) I've removed my pom pom garlands for house viewings to try and make the space a bit less cluttered and easier for people to imagine themselves in the space...so now I'm looking forward to having a new space to decorate and make my own, eventually!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hello Ada - thank you for your lovely comments about my blog they were so kind. It would be an honour for you to link to my blog, at the minute my mantle posts don't come at a set time because I am a little disorganised about it but I could make the effort and coordinate with you. X

    ReplyDelete
  29. You are fabulous! What a great idea, will be fab to look back on those mantle photos in years to come. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is a lovely idea, and I love the paint colour you've used. We have 3 fireplaces and none have a mantle you ban stand much on apart from the kitchen which is too high for you to notice anything on it!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Its all looking very beautiful Ada, love the new room colour and the pompoms are so cheerful :) have a lovely week xxx

    ReplyDelete
  32. Love the idea of your mantle having its own blog! I look forward to following his/ her adventures!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Ada, I do like the idea of a mantle but unfortunately we have never had one as our fires have been free standing log burners and now in our tiny cottage we are kept cosy with a heat pump.
    I do sooo love your very colourful crochet blanket. I'm inspired to try one.
    Blessings Trills.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm making a blanket very similar, but have only done about 12 squares lol
    Our mantelpiece is still sporting Easter decorations - time for a update methinks!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your mantle looks lovely....I love the pom poms and your colourful blanket is gorgeous!
    Helen xox

    ReplyDelete

Hello! Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts and messages with me. I read each and everyone and will try and answer any questions as quickly as I can! :)x