Sunday 8 January 2012

Copycat Mantlepiece


This morning, inspired by a photograph from my Homes & Antiques magazine 2012 calendar, I decided to create a new look for the mantlepiece in the room we lovingly refer to as the Library.
Even though our fireplace isn't as elaborate as theirs, in fact it's very plain indeed, and my mirror isn't oval or silver, it's rectangular and gilt (!) I collected a few bits and pieces from around the house and set to work.


A pair of chinese blue and white vases purchased at auction in Hungerford, Berks, UK over 30 years ago, some pieces from my Nana's wedding china, a vintage French pewter candelabra and a small Bristol blue vase.


Once all the Christmas decor has been packed away the clean surfaces left behind give us the opportunity to rethink what goes where and try new looks.
I think I like this new mantlepiece but I may tweak it in the coming days, I usually do tweak things once or twice!


What about you, have you been tempted to try a new look or do you always prefer to maintain the status quo?
Joining Mary @ Boogieboard Cottage
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27 comments:

  1. When I have time, I love to 'tweak' and move things from room to room. I find that I'm often too tired after work to summon the energy/inspiration to look in the cupboards for something different. I know that when I DO get around to a little tweaking I'm always very happy - feel as though I've had a gift given to me.

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  2. I am constantly tweaking. I love your new mantel display, it is fabulous. Using the china is such a lovely look and you did a wonderful job of copying your inspiration. However I like yours better. Hugs, marty

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  3. I often move things around and I'm surprised at how much better things look. I like Your new mantle arrangement better than the original. it has more warmth!

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  4. Yes, definitely like to change things around but haven't done much of it lately due to you know what! Your mantel is lovely this way - especially love your Nana's china - great job. I love your plainer fireplace because it's original French country!

    Will be e-mailing you soon in reply to your recent one dear.

    Mary X

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  5. I think I like your version better. Nana's china has more presence. ~ Maureen

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  6. I love what you did with your mantel and it looks great as is but tweak away if you choose. As for me...I'm afraid I am a "stick in the mud" type. And my husband hates change.

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  7. I love the "new" mantel Maggie. Beautiful china plates from Nana.
    I also love to tweak and I have replaced things in the house too. I find things back after the new year and forgot where I placed them before so it gets a new place.:)))
    Have a nice week.

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  8. Great copy cat, Maggie! I really like it better than the original. I finally took our Christmas down yesterday (my daughter helped) and I took out a few Valentine's stuff.

    I like to change things around, but I am so limited in decorating our mantel due to the large TV.

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  9. I love this, Maggie! I am seeing more and more pottery on mantels and that's something I don't have a lot of. You did great!

    I am a tweaker...I looked at the picture of your mantel and then at mine...mine definitely needs a little work!!

    XO,
    Jane

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  10. Your mantel tweak turned out well. I am addicted to tweaking. Sometimes little things, sometimes whole room arrangements - it's fun and lets me see my things in a new light.

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  11. Maggie, I like the new look. I'd like a new look for the mantel in the living room, but I've yet to come up with something. I need to look through my magazines for inspiration. ;-)

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  12. I have just cleared my mantle of the Christmas decorations. Now I need to to decide how to decorate it. You have given me some ideas.

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  13. Morning Maggie, your mantelpiece looks very classy. I love reading magazines to get ideas, although I have my own little treasures I like to have on display. I occasionally tweak it, I have a wide window sill in the lounge so I use that for display purposes too.

    I found some daffodils yesterday, will share a photograph on my next post, probably Wednesday!!

    Have a great week, Jackie in Surrey, UK.x

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  14. You're a good tweaker! I'm doing some myself. I have some dishes of my aunt's I need to do something with and think I'll hang them on the wall, an idea I got from a friend this weekend. Cleaning surfaces after putting up decorations helps. xo Jenny

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  15. Your mantle looks wonderful! The china plates are such a special touch. As you saw on my blog, I love trying new looks. I get a lot of ideas from talented bloggers like you. So, thank you for sharing your pretty mantle because I haven't decorated mine since Christmas and am needing ideas. Your mantle would be nice to show at my party tonight so join us if you can.------ Shannon

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  16. I kinda like to switch it up a bit and keep 'em guessin'.

    Girl, your arrangement on the mantel is better than the mags in my opinion. ....and I'm kinda picky like that.

    God bless ya and have an awesome day sweetie!!! :o)

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  17. Your mantle is really pretty like that! I'm sure my house would look a lot nicer if I were to tweak a bit more. But full time job doesn't leave a lot of time for changing things around.

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  18. I love what you have done with your mantel, and am glad you shared your inspiration photo. I found you at the Cozy Home Party! Thanks for sharing.

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  19. I love the way your mantlepiece looks, just beautiful. Beautiful vases. I am pretty much status quo, until I get something new!
    Thanks for the follow, following you back. I'm enjoying your blog.

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  20. Love that beautiful blue vase! I took the Christmas-y stuff out of my mantle, but can't bear to take down the winter decor yet - so I have a lot of pine cones out still. Love 'em so!
    come see:
    http://cannaryfamily.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-resolutions-2012.html
    I would SO love to come to Normandy, btw!

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  21. Hi Maggie. Thank you for visiting my blog. I think you found me at Marty's. I am thrilled to have found you and will now be your newest follower! Oh goodness, I was just dreaming this morning of renting a cottage in the English Countryside or in the South of France. And here you are, in the center of a dreamy lifestyle. Your home looks absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to browse thru more posts! Love the mantel ~

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  22. Still enjoying your mantel and love your candelabra.

    Just making the rounds and wanted to thank you for adding this to my party and including the link. Hope to see you next week.

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  23. Maggie, I like your mantel better than your inspiration mantel. Of course, I always love blue and white and those vases are gorgeous. Your china pieces are so pretty too. When I put away Christmas decorations, I can never remember how it was before Thanksgiving, so there are always a lot of changes after Christmas. laurie

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  24. Forgot to say thank you for posting my party button on your blog. laurie

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  25. I felt like I was reading my words on someone elses page! I just tweaked my mantel too and I had an inspiration mantel that I got my inspiration from! I love your combination with your china. You have a beautiful home!
    I hope to come to France some day. I know a young man who lives in Meriginac, France. He was a foreign exchange student that we got to know.

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  26. Beautiful job! Love your display! Thanks for sharing Joann

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