The mantle is bare again and it is a rather sad and lonely thing.
It was so festive over Advent and Christmas. Exuberant even, and I love the pure excess of it, although in retrospect I might tone it down just a little bit next year.
But now I am back to ordinary time and my still bare mantle.
It hasn't always been completely bare. Various items have taken up temporary residence, but none have lasted long. The painting stays. One would have to be very convincing to get me to move it. But the rest of it seems to be beyond me.
I have no experience with mantles. There were two fireplaces in the house in Hyde Park, but neither was traditional, and one, a large stone fireplace between the kitchen and family room, had nothing that could even remotely be considered a mantle. The second fireplace was modern, and free standing, and had a shelf on four sides that was perfect for displaying art and small objects, but it was nothing like a mantle.
I can collect pictures of mantles that inspire me, but translating the ideas to my own house, seems to be beyond my ken. I've tried going out looking for specific types of objects, shopping with a specific idea in mind, but that hasn't really worked for me either. My insistence that everything has to be loved or have some particular meaning in and of itself before it is purchased has foiled me. I am sure perfect things exist, but they elude me. I am stymied.
I am hoping now that the room is more settled, now that I have furniture arranged in a way I like, the mantle project will become easier, my attentions more focused. Perhaps not. Nonetheless, let the mantle project begin.
Comments
6 responses to “Bare”
I like your lavish mantel for Christmas! Most of the year, my mantel is very simple, with two tall candleholders with pillar candles and two faux topiaries. I tend to be VERY symmetrical!
There is nothing wrong with bare.
I that bare is OK in principle, but it feels a little too bare to me. I don’t want extravagant, just simple but not bare. Maybe if the painting was bigger I’d go with bare and a large painting. But that’s not an option at this point either.
Tricia, Two candleholders and two topiaries sounds lovely. That is about all want. I suspect I just need to look a little further.
I loved you festive mantel.
I just lean my paintings on the mantel – two birds one stone;).
Many antique or vintage clocks are clock perfect for a mantle. They are charming and need not run. Desk or table clocks, mantle clocks- there are many options.
You can also put books on a mantle, using just part of the space, held by beautiful bookends.