admitting you need help is the first step...
Do you have a fireplace that fades away into the background? Maybe it needs some coaxing to bring it out of its shell.
This fireplace mantel was painted out the same color as the wall behind it. That’s a big no-no in my book. A mantel is architecture, like trim moulding, and should never be treated like a wall!
Blah Fireplace
The Christmas festivities have begun – my family and I travelled to my husband’s aunt and uncle’s home yesterday for our annual family Christmas get-together. I just have to share a little of my aunt and uncle’s historic home.
They have lived in this lovely Victorian home for the last 20 years, and it has been a popular Bed and Breakfast for several of those years. It even has it’s own fancy name: Academy Place – named for the girl’s school it used to house a century ago.
One of my favorite things about this home is the amazing fireplaces in many of its rooms.
I was inspired - so I took the plunge and did it! I filled my fireplace box with a ton-o-books and . . . tah-dah!
How About This for a Book Storage Solution?
Love it or hate it – what do you think? I just love it – and if I must say so myself, it looks even better than the ones I posted about here. It was easier than I thought – no need to fill up the entire fireplace, just stack them in the front directly in front of the gas logs (I did push them back a smidge). I took a garbage bag and lined the bottom and layed the rest over the logs so as not to smoot up my books. The ones around the edges of the opening may need a little dusting come Fall, but they should be fine.
Fireplace Chocked Full-o-Books
I get points for at least taking a chance, right? On another note, I am very excited that Heather Spriggs Thompson spent the afternoon photographing my home today – my home will be featured in her new on-line design magazine, Gatherings, coming out in July!
The Decorologist’s Bedside Table
Heather is a fabulous photographer – I can’t wait to see my home through her eyes.
The Decorologist’s Sunroom
Stayed tuned and have a lovely weekend!
It’s finally summertime, and I won’t be lighting a fire in my fireplace anytime soon. So . . .
I’m really considering cleaning out the firebox and stacking it full of books for the summer season.
Why not put my love of books on display in a creative and unexpected way? I have such a large collection, it should be fairly easy to fill.
I really, really want to do this. I’m just concerned about cleaning out my gas fireplace well enough that I don’t soot up all my tomes . . .
I guess I’ll have to store all that fake ash stuff that sits in the bottom under the grate. Where on earth will I put that?
Maybe I’ll go to a yard sale and buy a bunch of really crappy books to line the bottom and outermost sides with. Then I won’t have to worry about ruining the ones I love.
Fireplace from a Bookshop in Lark
I know I’ll love it if I do it, but what a shame they’ll have to come back out in the fall. I guess it’s not much different than the trouble of putting up and taking down a Christmas tree, right? Do you think I should???
Brrrrrr. It’s cold and snowing in here in Nashville. But it can be cozy and warm in the little nests we make for ourselves! Here are my top 5 ideas for cozying up your home in winter:
1. Bring in cozy fabrics in pillows, throws, and drapes like velvet, corduroy, or fur. Even ruffles – which are everywhere in decor right now – add fluff to make you feel just a little warmer.
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The mantel over your fireplace is a great place to create a focal point, display beloved items, and show your personality. The mantel itself can hold objects of all kinds: candlesticks, crystal, books, pottery, collections. Little children can’t reach, so put out your favorite breakables. If you don’t have a fireplace, you can use a large shelf or even the top of a long console table to create your “mantelscape.” Here are a few ideas to help inspire a new look for your mantel. |
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