MINIMALIST MANTEL

I haven't posted much about my daughter's house renovation, but I assure you we're working hard and making progress.  The biggest changes have been painting inside and outside and removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room.   I think the most dramatic improvement though was when she added new windows.  We haven't decided if we're leaving the windows as they are or adding bamboo shades or plantation shutters.  

I'll be sharing before and afters later, but for now it's just a peek into the living room.  The mantel is original to the house.  It's a classic style with dental moulding details.   The modern brass mirror was one of the first things we added to her home.   We tried many configurations on the mantel but in the end we let the mirror take center stage and only added topiaries on either side.  We broke up the symmetry with the plaster lion figure.  More about the lion later.

LIVING ROOM MANTEL

The vintage chair came with her from her apartment.  We had it recovered in Dwell Studio fabric.  Next to the chair is a brass garden seat that works as a side table or extra seating.  It also ties in with the other brass in the room.

VINTAGE CHAIR UPDATED WITH DWELL STUDIO FABRIC

 MANTEL AND LOVELY DENTAL MOULDING

The plaster lion is a vintage find.  

Its significance is that she's a Leo and the lion is a perfect nod to her sign.

I'll be sharing more later, but for now the kitchen and one of the bathrooms are still a work in progress. 

MY FAVORITE FASHION STATEMENT: LAYERED JEWELRY

I always say that home decor and fashion are forever linked.  I'm all about layering my home accessories, so I naturally translated that into layering my jewelry as well.   

I have always loved jewelry.  I remember playing dress up with my sisters and my cousins.  Our favorite activity was to raid our Moms' jewelry boxes.  We would totally cover our arms and necks with sparkle.

I guess I never grew up because I still am dripping with jewels.

Leopard is my favorite. 
 It all started with the large vintage leopard cuff that my Mom gave me.

Loving Leopard Jewelry

I always have loved pearls.  The bigger the better.

Pearls and Bling

Combining an oversized mens' watch with the bling always works for me.

My Watch and My Bling

I guess I'm not alone in my love for layering jewelry.

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So missing Kate.

CLASSROOM EDUCATIONAL CHART AS ART

I'm convinced that art doesn't have to be in a frame.  One of my favorite pieces of "art" is a roll-down classroom educational chart.   It fits perfectly between a pair of windows in my sun room.  You'll also see that the chart was the inspiration for the earth tones I used in the room.

CLASSROOM EDUCATIONAL CHART IN MY SUN ROOM

Notice the zebra cushion on the Chinese Chippendale chair.  It's a pillow that fit perfectly onto the seat of the chair.  The geometric patterned pillows on the wing chair and sofa are the same fabric that I used on the draperies on the side windows.  (The side banks of windows aren't pictured, but you can see the draperies reflected in the mirrored frames on the window.)  I chose no draperies on the windows that face the back yard because there's only a field behind me and privacy isn't an issue.  Instead of draperies, I layered coral prints in mirrored frames directly onto the window grid.   

ANOTHER ANGLE OF THE ROOM

 Notice the pops of coral that complement the earth tones.

I think what I like most about the chart is the way it reflects into the mirror on my mantel on the opposite wall.  The chinoiserie chandelier is a vintage find.   

CHART REFLECTED IN MY GREEK KEY MIRROR ON MY MANTEL

I went for symmetry on the mantel.  I placed freeze-dried boxwoods into pairs of houndstooth votives.  I needed a bit of height for them so my go to riser is always books.  I chose ones with black and white dust jackets.

What do you use as art?

If you'd like to see the draperies and another part of this room, click on here
and you'll be directed to that post.