I will admit to having more than just a few obsessions.
With things like fresh flowers
original patina
and crystal chandeliers to name a few.
Remember how I told you about that obsession that sparked a New Years Eve tale
that was wild and crazy
but not in a Times Square kind of way?
It was an obsession that involved a road trip through tiny towns in the countryside,
an old 1969 pick up truck
an antique treasure…
and that great debate
about which road would have been faster.
(and who was right)
Well, we all know who was right.
😉
And even though we spent 6.5 hours on the road that day
when we planned on 3 total…
but there was good reason for it.
At least in an obsessed, blogger, stylist, junkers mind.
I mean, look at that patina…
Old spidery lines and
chipping paint
and oodles and oodles of original charm and details
in that most amazing center carving.
Seriously. I am obsessed.
And I am okay with it.
I have been on the hunt for the perfect antique mantel for awhile now
just because, for photo shoots, you name it.
Though there were a few that popped up here and there
none of them said
‘I am perfect for you- come get me’
And in my now a little more selective collecting mind-
something has to knock my socks off to come home with me.
Though I would find one here and there…none of them spoke my language just perfectly
in size and style and detail.
And even if I tried to love them like I loved them and had to have them…
my socks stayed right on my feet every time.
Until this one.
This mantel spoke my language perfectly.
Covered in original charm and patina and the size is HUGE.
As in nearly the size of our over 8′ long mantel in the living room.
And it is all original- not painted over and tinkered with
right down to the blistered old paint from the years of the fire warming it.
I placed this beauty originally in the sitting area outside the bedroom
but I moved it my office this weekend and played with a simple styling
that does a little dance in between winter and spring.
I am mildly obsessed with it…
and with peonies of course- which needs no explanation at all.
And stacks of old books are always a favorite as well-
especially if they are ‘naked’.
So for a simple winter styling- that borders on spring
but that makes me happy happy- think a few of your favorite things.
Something with patina- check.
Something pretty- check.
Something rustic- check.
I added just a couple small bouquets of blush pink peonies
mingling with stacks of books
and a few sprigs of eucalyptus
and that was all that this gorgeous beauty needed.
I am in love with it.
And in case there was any doubt with the abundance of photos I took this weekend…
yes, the obsession continues.
😉
Hope your Monday is off to a great start
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It is drool-worthy… 🙂
Really beautiful, Courtney..Happy Monday..Judy
It is gorgeous! Looking forward to more mantel posts!
Barb 🙂
I so love your mantel, it's so beautiful. Your photos are so pretty as always ????
Love, love, love it Courtney. I love mantels and yours always looks so inviting. I too found a great mantel but it was way….too big for any room in my house. I plan to use it for styling in our antique booth. It was painted turquoise with lots of different layers on paint underneath. I chipped off lots of flaking paint and plan to do a whitewash over it. It took has all the crackles. It's from 1919 and is huge with big corbels etc.
I love everything about these pictures. The simple whites with pink accents…nothing is more stunning. I love the character of the mantel and the selective items your paired with it. I know what you mean with obsessions, I have quite a list of my own that seems to keep growing, but like you said I too have to be selective and it has to speak to me in order to make the cut. It is simply beautiful! – Vanessa
Hi from Australia! Very pretty styling!
I can see why you are obsessed it is beautiful, stunning, gorgeous, all of it, enjoy!
Old books and crusty things. Yay!
ABsolutely breathtaking..i have 2 antique mantels i’ve been dragging around with me since 1977😱 from CA to Pa to Fl..i Have one inthe mb & in the entry hall. I love what you’ve done with yours and am looking forward to redecorating mine..