Monday, January 24, 2011

The Key to My Heart Mantel

Valentine Mantel and auction photos 085
I really wasn’t planning on doing a mantel, but then I realized in the back of my I already had been planning one.  The best part of doing this mantel was that I didn’t destroy my family room in the process.  My family was at a sports activity, so I took my time, watched some American Pickers, and didn’t get myself too crazy like I sometimes do.  I was really not feeling the red and pink thing, so I went for a more subtle, still wintery, rustic and a little bit of bling.
I found the piece of fence at an auction this weekend and I loved how it fit right into the mirror.
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 042
I had picked up this beautiful brown wool yarn recently and knew I wanted to use it.  I made a garland with some chandelier crystals and wrapped some hearts cut out of cardboard.  The centers are symmetrical, but I liked how they are kind of wonky.
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 056
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 059
I hung my key I found in Paris from a milk glass plate that actually has heart cutouts, a milk glass vase and two candlesticks.  I placed yarn balls on the candlesticks and added a few more crystals.
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 064
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 068
I loved this small key because the opening is a heart.
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 071
It is a little difficult to tell from the picture, but the birds are in an actual birds nest, placed inside the bowl, backed with an ironstone dish with some more keys hanging.  I added a few pinecones as well.  I placed the whole vignette in an old champagne crate to contrast the white and to give it all a little more presence and height.
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 074
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 079
I really love the contrast of the rustic fence with the mirror and the chandelier crystals.
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 081
It is a little difficult to see in the picture, but the fireplace surround is slate so I added a little love note to my family.
“You are so loved”
I feel very loved because my husband has a fire all staged for me in case I get cold!
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 097
There are two milk glass candle holders filled with crystal door knobs.  The bingo style letters are from a set I found a while ago at Marshalls.  I had been wanting the ones I had seen in catalogs, but they were so expensive.  I leaped at the chance to get these on clearance.
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 102
And what would a Valentine display be without some love birds.  These were randomly in a box from an auction box lot and they made a nice addition.
Valentine Mantel and auction photos 103
I will be sharing at some of the parties on my sidebar, stop by and see what everyone else is sharing!

Off to a busy day, I hope you are all well!
Take care,
Laura

27 comments:

Dannyelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dannyelle said...

I love the restraint of you're all white and rustic mantel. It's very beautiful, and full of amazing little details.
Dannyelle from www.lifeisaparty.ca

cyndi said...

wow! what a lovely and elegant mantle for Vday! i really love it!

michelle said...

What a beautiful mantel! I love the simplicity of if and yet there is so much meaning behind it with your treasures. :) Your mantels are always one of my favorites my friend! :)

Ginny said...

What a great display, of all things pecial. Enjoy your day.

Melanie {The Tiny Tudor} said...

This is such a simply charming mantle. I love the white calm theme- very pretty!

Robin Johnson said...

There is so much I love about your mantel. Love the cystals and hearts. Love the box display and the gate. All together it is stunning!

Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants said...

So sweet and simple and high contrast is one of my favorite things, lOVE the rustic with the bling, great job as always Laura!

Beth said...

Okay girl, no lie. I was scanning all the linkies, saw your linky pic, didn't know it was you, and said to myself, "Oh my gosh, how cute is that! Whose is it?" Should have known it was Little Miss Mantel Queen herself! I love it. It's perfect. And you have a gift.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This is so pretty, Laura! I love the look of the crystal against the rustic wood, and all the different elements and textures you used! Thanks so much for stopping by and following my blog...I am a new follower, too!

Homeroad said...

Your mantle was the best! You have great taste!
Susan

V@WhimsyLamb said...

OMG I love this so much! Your so talented!

Sarah, Three Boys said...

Looks amazing! What a great job!!

Krista@RustikChic said...

Oh wow, I love the subtleness of this! All of the little touches of hearts and keys with the white...love! And that fence??!! It is great! It all looks very nice, as usual:)

Full of Grace said...

I love the way this looks, it's so pretty! Great Job :)

Lynn said...

Your mantle is really lovely. So soothing yet so full of interest with whimsy. Very clever and creative. Thanks for sharing ~ really nice job.
~Lynn at Cottage and Creek

Megan Gunyan said...

Hey! I recognize that ladder! I've seen this mantle before...and I'm in love with it all over again! It is a very elegant mantle. I love how you used the gate and the crystals together. Great job.
I hope you can join my link party today! All participants are eligible to win #130 to CSN stores.com! alittleknickknack.blogspot.com
Have a wonderful day!

Katie @ OhhBaby said...

I think this just looks amazing! What a good idea! I love the vintage keys!

Emily Carter said...

It is ridiculous how beautiful this is! Stunning, really. Thanks for linking up so I could see this!!

Ericka said...

GORGEOUS! I tried the red and pink thing and tore it down a few days later. This is beautiful and simple. I love the milk glass! :)

Mel said...

What a beautiful mantle. It's simplicity and colour palette is gorgeous.

kinga @ blueloom said...

I love your fireplace and the mantel decor is just fab!

Heaven's Walk said...

Laura ~ I'm your newest follower and I can't tell you how much I adore your sweet blog! Your design ideas are right up my alley and I'm just sitting here soaking them all up! :) Your mantel is just oozing with ideas that I would love to incorporate into my home. The birds, the keys, the bit of bling.....so pretty! I'm really looking forward to more inspiration from you!

xoxo laurie

abeachcottage said...

Love your mantle and all its valentines day decors. It looks so sweet and lovely

Jennifer said...

Love the Mantel and how you added the old crates ~ very nice! I am a new follower , can't wait to come back and visit again!

Emily Carter said...

I wanted to let you know we featured this on WhipperBerry today!

The Loops said...

I'm your newest follower. I love the look of this mantel. I'd love it if you would swing by my blog. Yours is gorgeous!

http://theloops13.blogspot.com/