Wednesday, April 17, 2013

our spring mantel and bookcases...


My 'modern meets antique' post yesterday was inspired while I was updating my
mantel and bookcases. I wanted a sophisticated library look for the bookcases,
but needed something with a little edge to mix it up. Remember this
diy framed abstract fabric, it was in the dining room, and had the look I needed to keep
 the gold frames from looking too formal. Since every bud and blossom in our yard is
 buried in snow I resorted to Hobby Lobby for my forsythia branches.


I've always loved the look of artwork hanging on the frame of bookcases, these three
 pieces were cross-stitched years ago by mr. simple's mom and we love having them out.
The sunburst mirror is my all-time favorite thrifting find from a few years ago.
I had planned to line the back with a patterned paper, but decided it would have been a
 bit busy with all I had going on and opted for a clean, simple background.



Fingers crossed, 'Fifi' my Fiddle Leaf fig is still doing well after two months. :)
One leaf turned yellow and brown and dropped, I'm hoping that was because of the transition
from FL to CO. It gets a lot of light, I put it in the sink and give it a good soaking
about every 10 days or so. It's next to the window and fireplace...I'll let you know how it goes.











I think it could use a couple more modern accessories in the mix,
something with a fun jolt of color...maybe for summer. :)
Do you know before blogging I only changed my mantel and bookcases at Christmas.
Do you change yours up?

Come check out the inspiration at:
 Kim's @ Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays

24 comments:

Unknown said...

It looks beautiful - love love love the artwork on the bookshelves!
I've always been addicted to changing things around - always lol
XOX

Cassie Bustamante said...

love the mantle and all the fresh live touches in the room! looks so good! and the books are so fun tuned the other way!

Julia@Cuckoo4Design said...

Everything looks wonderful. I think I might have to try to turn my books around too. Love how yours look. And thanks to you I have also been trying to find my own 'Fifi' at Home Depot but no look yet. Love him!
I'm not much of a mantle changer ;)

Unknown said...

Beautiful Pam! I like the books with the spines out and the addition of a little edginess. The needlepoints are lovely and work perfectly in the mix! I change my mantle occasionally, but am too lazy to do the bookcases. I need to take a page from your book and change them up more often!

Andrea said...

It looks lovely. I love the addition of the needlepoints. I'm a blogger and I still only switch up my mantle at Christmas. Sad, I know.

Unknown said...

I love this Pam, the simplicity, the neutral tone, the bits of gold and black! I rarely touched my mantel pre-blogging, too. Now I'm obsessed with getting it right.menjoy your day.
xo Nancy
Powellbrower.com

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Just beautiful Pam...When I walked into Arhaus for the first time during their grand opening in our city, I was taken back by the beauty of one of their bookcases..they had the books with the covers removed and I thought how wonderful that looked..I so love the way you decorated your mantel and bookcases...I love the neutral tones with the pops of gold and black..

My Little Bungalow said...

Pretty! I love the graphic black and white framed art you made. It looks great on the mantel layered with the gold framed mirrors. Nicely done, Pam.
Claudia

Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles said...

What a great mix! I love the loads of books stacked up and absolutely want to hang something on the front of my shelves too. What a treasure from your mother in law! Glad Fifi is good. MIne little one is hanging in there as well-I sort of forget about it and it's been fine! Have a great day admiring your pretty new shelves. Hope you all thaw out soon!

Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home said...

You are the queen of layering! Love how you put your shelves and mantle together.

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

I love how you change up your bookcases and mantles now! You have such a way with vignettes. Love that you incorporated the needlepoints that are special to you and that they bring in a touch of black. My own shelves are styled with your tip of facing the pages out - I love it!

Kim said...

I love the way you layered the mirrors and art on your mantle ... beautiful! Love the bookcases too!! I agree with keeping the backs of the them clean, sometimes I get over zealous with color and pattern! xo

Lori said...

So pretty! I love the embroidery in the black bamboo frames. I would keep those out all of the time they're so pretty!

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

We are of the same mind! I have been hanging art, mirrors, etc on windows and the frame work of book shelves for "ever"! Love the look and most find it very eye catching. And...most have never seen it before...at least here! I am an considered a little "different" here in the Country South!
I am very fond with the layering on your mantle. I love the look!
I change out my shelves, etc. all the time! Always some new idea! It's fun!

Sew a Fine Seam said...

Lovely! I really need to redo my shelf in the living room for the blog - but I just don't seem to have the time! I'll do another tablescape instead :) In fact I will be doing a tablescape - a very good reason to do one is headed my way! Can't wait till it arrives :)

Kerry@homecrushblog.com said...

This looks lovely -- light, and clean, and I love your modern touches!

Cindy @ a curious gardener said...

The entire wall looks so interesting and attractive! Okay, you are the queen of vignettes as well as being the queen of scoring stylish bargains-the sunburst! The embroidery looks perfect in the black bamboo frames.

Are your bookshelves Navajo White also? Love that color.

I do fool with our shelves regularly but no one would know it because I am just swapping out small accessories or rearranging the books to purge and dust. We have too many books.

Hope you get a warm up soon, 80 and sunny today but weekend getting chilly again-such is spring! Our daffodils were saved last week, received less rain that predicted so we are thankfully getting a long show this year.

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I love the look and how you have them styled! I'm pinning this... and always believed that a room should have one antique in it.
I do my mantle with the seasons and love doing it different each year:)

Crissy @ House of Marlowe said...

Looks great Pam! My favorite are the cross-stitch pieces.... they look so lovely against all of the neutrals and what a wonderful memory associated with seeing them each day!

Vel Criste said...

Looks so elegant Pam!!! And glad Fifi looks great still! I finished my craft room over the weekend and posted about it today, check it out if you have the time! have a great day!

Elaine said...

you have a great eye...enjoying the blog!

Moni - Zuhaus at Home said...

Looks beautiful Pam! Love how you incorporated cross-stitch pieces! You have the neatest ideas! So inspiring!

Gypsy Heart said...

Looks gorgeous! So many special touches ~

xo
Pat

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your mantel and bookcases are beautiful. I love the mirror on the bookcases, so pretty. I would love for you to link up to my Inspire Me party that is ongoing.
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/05/164th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
Hugs, Marty

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