Sunday, May 23, 2010

From Messy to Marvelous

A little inspiration is a very good thing.  I'm always seeing things that inspire me. Some in magazine's, on HGTV, on blogs and a multitude of other places. 
The fireplace mantel in our living room is one of those area's that I have been in need of a little inspiration for.  When we first bought this house a couple of years ago, I had decorated it and was very pleased with the outcome, but since then things have been taken away and things added until it has turned into a jumble of mess.  The picture above is what it has looked like recently.  Blechhhh!
While blog hopping recently, I came across Aunt Ruthie's Sugar Pie Farmhouse and fell in love with the fireplace mantel from this post.  Her entire house is gorgeous and I have some pantry inspiration from her that  Riff and I may follow up on before the summer is over.

  Here is our new, fresher fireplace mantel, inspired by Aunt Ruthie, but with a bit of a coastal spin.  Just this small change makes the room feel fresher and more organized.  The best part is that I found the ceramic vases at JoAnne's for 50% off, so they were only $5 each.  Yeah!
Now I want new throw cushions on the couch, some lighter summer-y curtains at the window.  Bring forth the warm weather and the lighter, airer rooms.

Have you drawn decorating inspiration from somewhere recently? Where? And what have you done? Pictures please!

10 comments:

Adrienne said...

Oh I love it! it does look fresh and tidy - very nice.

I find a lot of inspiration from blogging and flickr. I don't have much time to read mags (I'm too busy reading blogs!).

Jeni said...

The mantel area really looks sharp, Paula! Wish I could get this old barn of a place to look half-decent but I think I'm fighting a losing battle here. Right now, the mantel is holding junk and the pictures and a few other things Mandy did have there are stacked on top of my organ. For how long they will remain like that, I have no clue but it's been that way for almost 2 weeks now. Just have to wait till Mandy gets the urge to neaten up the mantel again and re-arrange the pictures and such that she normally has on it.

Adrienne said...

I love the look of your mantel. It's perfect and the coastal touches are just right. Your header photo makes me 'homesick' for Bandon - we lived there for nearly four years and often spent time either at the lighthouse or just across from it. And the yellow Gorst blooming makes me ready to head back down there!
~Adrienne~

Unknown said...

Your mantel is nice. I like it. It seems like that always happens to me to. I start out with a nice decorating scheme & then things get all messed up. I'm still puttong away things from Wyoming. It seems as though our house is just a hodge podge of everything.

mtnchild said...

There really is something very refreshing about 'ocean' and 'beach' decor. Could it be the soothing feeling we get having fun at the seashore?

Looks good!
Yvette

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

The little sea shells are wonderful -- did you venture to a beach to get them? They add a touch of whimsy to the scene. You must smile everytime you look at it.

Sara said...

That looks really pretty! Well done--I bet you can't stop looking up there!

Love Bears All Things said...

Looks great!
Mama Bear

luci said...

lokks great! you must feel even more pleased that you got things at bargain prices too!

Twisted Fencepost said...

Oh yeah, I was dying for some hardwood flooring. Then I found the hardwood look but in a more resilient vinyl flooring. I LOVE IT!
It was on the blog awhile back.
Love the mantle!