{ WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED...... }

{ WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED... }

The Story of my Mantle { that only I love }

So I want to tell you a little story about one of my favorite things in our home....

My lovely turquoise mantle, which serves the purpose of holding up our TV.
This mantle was a point of many "debates" when it first came to live with us.  

My husband complained about it everyday for the first month or so and mumbled, 
"Why can't we just get a normal entertainment center for the TV like everyone else?"
(I would have thought he knew me better than that by now).  

My mother couldn't understand why it had to be turquoise (or any color for that matter).  She asked, 
"Why didn't you just paint it white to match the baseboards?"  
(my love of art and color did not come from my mother)

My dad and step-dad didn't get the "point of it".  They both said, 
"Why do you have a mantle, but no fireplace?" 
(okay, so my creativity didn't come from a paternal side either)

Here's how I ended up with my little mantle....

When we bought our house I immediately knew I needed to find something to put our TV on or in that would fit in with the rest of the house and decour (which consist of a lot of handmade, painted, salvaged and antique/vintage items)

My Nanny and I spent an entire weekend searching for the right piece the week before my husband, Felicity and I were to move into our new home.


Unfortunately I don't have any "Before" pictures, but when I found the mantle it was a creamy yellow and in sad shape.

Even though it was in need of a makeover I fell in love with it the second I saw it out of the corner of my eye.  

It was funny how it seemed as if it were meant to be.....

After an entire weekend of running around through several towns finding a lot of things that "might work", but nothing that I loved, I was feeling down and frustrated and then at our last stop of the day we walked into a little store and I immediately exclaimed, "That's it!"

Have you ever had an experience like that looking for something for your home?


I painted it turquoise and then sanded it down quite a bit to reveal some of the yellow underneath and then painted the low middle part in a navy blue.  I went back just yesterday and added a little bit of Valspar Glaze in a few select places to create the darkened effect you see below on some of the paint.


I hung leopard print fabric in the open part at the bottom to conceal the wall and cords behind the mantel.


I think all the "debates" and negative comments about my mantle in the beginning made me feel the need to love it and "protect" it even more. 

 I know that sounds crazy since I am talking about an inanimate object here, but seriously, that's how I feel about this piece, I am deeply attached to it now.

I'm constantly changing out what is on the mantle, but here's a closer look at some of the things on it at the moment.


This embroidered scarf covering the top was made by my great-grandmother and is a treasure I adore.

This is a new floral arrangement I just fixed up this week...

So that's the story of my lovely little mantle, which holds a TV that plays pretty much nothing other than "Dora The Explorer".

Have you had any similar experience with a piece of furniture or object in your home others didn't like or understand, but you deeply loved it?

I also wanted to show you a new piece just added to my store..... 
Introducing our new funky peacock feather hair fascinators for kids & adults:
Funky Purple Peacock Fascinator-purple, green, turquoise, feather, fascinator, funky, feather clip, feather bow




33 comments:

  1. I for one ADORE that mantle of yours...for two reasons! 1. I have a faux fireplace in my bedroom that nobody else "gets" and 2. I just painted my kitchen island turquoise as well!! Love your style! Would be super delighted if you could join us & link up at Mop It Up Mondays: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/06/mop-it-up-mondays-21-with-give-away.html
    {HUGS},
    kristi

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  2. I have many things that I love which my husband calls "junk" he reminds me every time I go garage sailing... "What is a four letter word of antique? {junk}." Just so you know I like your mantle and the color.
    Rose @ http://www.arosiesweethome.com/

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  3. Just keep doing what you're doing - it looks great!

    Visiting from Meet Me Monday :)

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  4. I agree with you Pamela! I love your little turquoise mantle. You may not see who you've inherited your love of color and creativity from but it sure looks like you're passing it down to your daughter!

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  5. Oh yea, the ah ha moment! We had many getting ready for my daughter's wedding. Actually, your peacock feather facinator would have been perfect for our flower girls. We never did find anything we liked for the girls. Of course I would find it now. Still, love your post about your mantel. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  6. I am always in color wars with everybody else. Mostly because I love it so much and everyone else thinks,"But the kitchen is coral, let's dial it down for the other rooms." Never!

    Love the turquoise mantel, don't let anyone tell you it's anything other than gorgeous!

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  7. I really like the mantel. Good for you for sticking with it -- so much more interesting than a boring entertainment center. Our family room TV sits on an old chest of drawers, which is great for storing afghans and blankets.

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  8. I love your mantel! I love the color and think it is a unique and wonderful way to display your TV and while creating an interesting focal point in the room (besides the TV!) Great job!

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  9. New follower! your blog is so cute you have such great taste. I'm also a fan of the mantel. WOuld love if you followed me at www.iheartpears.blogspot.com

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  10. I absolutely love this! I am trying to get an idea out of my head to detatch our real mantle (no fireplace either) and make it deeper to support the TV better and to hide the dvd player etc... the idea is in there, it just won't come out yet :o) http://thirdhousefromthecorner.blogspot.com

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  11. You followed your heart and it's paying off. I love your mantel just the way it is...especially, the turquoise. Great Job!
    Blessings!
    Geneva

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  12. I understand your love and protection completely. The more time you spend on a piece making it just right, the more you love it. It's got such a great look and you have adorned it with such style! Keep protecting it. They'll get it one day!
    Liz

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  13. I LOVE your aqua mantel. Every room needs a mantel even if there's no fireplace! :-) When your daughter gets a little older, she'll understand why you do what you do. It'll all make sense to her and she'll love it too.
    Mary Alice

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  14. You are creatively fun and FUNNY. Loved the line about not getting your artistic flair from your mom. :D I think this is uniquely beautiful and yay you for standing your ground and creating something so original and so you. Thanks for sharing this week on BeColorful.
    p

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  15. Where is it wriiten that a tv cannot be in a mantel? Hahaha - that is where mine is...and when the tv is not in use I put a fireplace screen in front of it! Hate the look of modern electronics, love the mantel!!

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  16. This post is so cute! I love how you dug in your heels! The turquoise is very Boho and is an unexpected pop of color on an otherwise ordinary object. Your vision is grand! Your hairbows are cute, too! A new follower, Andrea

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  17. Love the color of this mantle. Mine is just plain white. Maybe I should think about a fun color. . . I am a fellow partier over at Miss Mustard Seed. I am your newest follower!

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  18. I think the mantle was a great idea. I love the color.

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  19. I love your mantle and the color....you did a beautiful job on it.

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  20. What a perfect idea! I like the turquoise! I love re purposing something old--great idea! I am your newest follower. I hope you can visit me sometime too :) I would also love for you to share this at my Linky party that is going on right now called Rustic Restorations Weekend.
    http://homespunhappenings-tammy.blogspot.com/2012/06/rustic-restorations-weekend-party-8.html

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  21. I think using the mantel as an entertainment system is brilliant! I also love the turquoise color. Sometimes it's hard to not listen to the non-artistic people in your life. The only time I've been unhappy with my decorating is when I didn't listen to my heart and gave into someone else. I always end up just redoing whatever it was I did my way (you think I would learn to do what I like in my own home). Glad you followed your heart, it really paid off :)

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  22. Your mantel is beyond fabulous. The turquoise is so perfect. Enjoy.

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  23. I think it's PERFECT, but of course I'm not related. he he :)

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  24. This is ADORABLE!! Would love it if you would link this up at my trendy tuesday party!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2012/06/trendy-tuesday-6.html

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  25. Beautiful mantel--I love the color. Thanks for linking up to Share the Love Wednesday!
    Mary

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  26. I love turquoise, and I think this mantel is beautiful! I love how you've accessorized it, especially the neat French books--very cool.

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  27. This is ADORABLE! Thanks for linking up to "Strut Your Stuff Saturday!" We hope to see you again! -The Sisters

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  28. I love everything about your mantel - and boy do I have a story of a mantel I bought once lol
    Your newest follower - would love to have you come by and follow back when you have the time
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  29. I love all mantles! You should see the one I made!!!!!
    http://homastyle.com/wp/2012/09/11/mantle-idea-for-autumn/

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