HI, YA'LL......
We have a FRANKLIN FIREPLACE in our living room that has a nice, long mantel behind it.
The PROBLEM is that the stove is placed on an inside wall so therefore, the FLUE pipe
goes right up the middle of the fireplace.
This pipe sure does make it HARD to decorate that mantel back there.
REAL hard !
REAL hard !
Now, I love this wood burning stove with a passion.
It being CAST IRON, it heats the whole house, nearly.
Really puts out the heat and....
it's a pretty little stove.
I do love it....I have 2 more IMPORTANT REASONS for loving this stove...
for another post soon. ♥
It being CAST IRON, it heats the whole house, nearly.
Really puts out the heat and....
it's a pretty little stove.
I do love it....I have 2 more IMPORTANT REASONS for loving this stove...
for another post soon. ♥
The only problem we ever fight about, the stove and I, is that danged ole pipe.
I decided LONG ago that I would just have to decorate each side with either
NOTHING in the middle, behind that pipe....or something like.....well....a row of BOOKS.
(I'll show that look to ya in just a second....
While you're reading,
have another cup of coffee and the minimum of TWO cookies.....
Just a simple little bag of OATMEAL COOKIE MIX,
a cap full of Vanilla , a handful of chopped pecans, served warm, will bring
ANYbody to their knees....
You might already know this but......I simply LUV semi-homemade....:)
I have a few
DEMIJOHNS
that I like to decorate with every now and then.
I found this tiny one at the thrift store the other day....
not even sure it would be called a
demijohn but it looks cute hanging out with the
BIG BOYS.....
(I'll show that look to ya in just a second....
have another cup of coffee and the minimum of TWO cookies.....
Just a simple little bag of OATMEAL COOKIE MIX,
a cap full of Vanilla , a handful of chopped pecans, served warm, will bring
ANYbody to their knees....
You might already know this but......I simply LUV semi-homemade....:)
I have a few
DEMIJOHNS
that I like to decorate with every now and then.
I found this tiny one at the thrift store the other day....
not even sure it would be called a
demijohn but it looks cute hanging out with the
BIG BOYS.....
I put the three together, a few books, TURNED BACKWARDS because I see
that is what everyone else is doing and I sure wanna be in the LOOP, don'tchaknow !!
O, and a cute little frame from KIRKLANDS with a TEN YEAR OLD PHOTO in it
because it has been that long since our family had a NICE photo taken.
This is my larger demijohn that I added on the OTHER end of this silly mantel.
My mama's concave mirror...it will be buried with me...
and that wooden CALENDER....uh, it IS still JUNE 17, RIGHT ??
...sometimes, I just add a row of pretty bound books in the center behind the pipe and that works pretty good.
The books not only add COLOR....books just seem to GROUND things...
makes
things look more substantial.
Notice the stove pipe in the concave mirror....:)
Notice the stove pipe in the concave mirror....:)
I have used a set of VINTAGE SHUTTERS, one on either side of the brick back splash,
for several years. I don't know why but I just LUV shutters...
old or new....long or short....love 'em all.
I just bought about 6 of the shorter ones at the thrift shoppe a few months back.
I just KNEW that they would fit my bedroom windows...
no measuring......just eyeballing and.....it didn't work.....they are a tad too SHORT.
I just KNEW that they would fit my bedroom windows...
no measuring......just eyeballing and.....it didn't work.....they are a tad too SHORT.
...another project...*sigh
OK, for now, I am happy.
I change out this mantel many, MANY time thru the seasons.
I nearly ALWAYS go back to using the books in the center...
if you can think of a cute way to dress this high-maintenance mantel, would you kindly tell me...??
ahhhh, but THIS autumn mantel was one of my favorites...
all white IRONSTONE, a vintage wooden tape measure
and the one lone bit of color....
Yep, as soon as we bring out the pumpkins.....the WHITE pumpkins,
I think I'll do this same mantel DRESS again.
if you can think of a cute way to dress this high-maintenance mantel, would you kindly tell me...??
all white IRONSTONE, a vintage wooden tape measure
and the one lone bit of color....
Yep, as soon as we bring out the pumpkins.....the WHITE pumpkins,
I think I'll do this same mantel DRESS again.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND !!
Joining in and supporting:
foodie friday
tickled pink
feathered nest
home sweet home
inspiration friday
vintage inspiration
sweet tooth friday
potpourri friday
33 comments:
You have done a great job on a tough decorating dilemna with that mantel! Looking forward to the white pumpkins and ironstone too.
Frankly, I love the way you decorate without worrying about the stove pipe. You have a real knack for making things look awesome, always, BJ.
Have a great weekend!
GIVEAWAY ends 9/9
TTFN~
Hugs,
Marydon
Yes, life is grand - doesn't it get even more so the older you get? It does here at salmagundi. No need to worry about the stove pipe -- your solution is perfect. Sally
BJ ~ you make me laugh out loud. I'm going to go make some cookies now.
I like how you did the books ...putting them behind the pipe. I have a love/hate relationship with our fireplace. It sure makes lots of clean up for me. I adore your black/white checked dishes. Smiles, Susie
BJ...I ain't gonna stop with just two cookies,fahgettaboudit! I'm a four cookie gal...and when it comes to oatmeal semi-homemade I might just go for six.
Love your stove and mantel.
When building our home two years ago we opted out of a fireplace,sometimes I wonder if it was the right decision when I see all these gorgeous mantels.
This is just me, but I love the way you used the books and the tape measure because they carry the eye from one side to the other without hardly noticing the stove pipe. In other words, the stove pipe doesn't act as a big old STOP for the eye. There's nothing much nicer than a stove...does yours burn propane or wood? I miss the woodstoves from my former home, though I don't miss the ashes and the smoke.
Those stove pipes are so hard to work around, aren't they? I had the same thing in one house...and to add insult to injury...the top of the mantle had been laid with uneven stones of varying height. It was miserable so I usually did nothing with it. At least you have a nice flat mantle and I think you have done a great job with it. It looks perfect to me- homey and wonderful- xo Diana
You are very clever darling lady. I love how you decided on decorating your matel. The stove is my fav too, just love it, and the fact that the pipe didn't bother your creation, is simply amazing! Have a happy weekend.
FABBY
BJ, I think the books look great in the middle. The whole thing looks great and you are probably the only one who looks at the stove pipe. :) We tend to do that...worry about the things that bug us.
I LOVE IT BJ,
I say you are fighting something you should not!!! Go With the FLOW here...I think your problem "IS" the white wall NOT THE PIPE! Print out a picture of your stove AND the fireplace wall behind it...THEN COLOR the wall to camouflage in a dark COLOR.(You can CUT OUT the franklin stove and set it on different magazine colors or prints and even take it to a fabric store,hehe)BUT ONLY remove the WHITE on the wall above the fireplace...You could EVEN do Black and beige(OR a McKenzie coloring strip)... Your stove is beautiful and you should show it off...Even a covering of MAYBE a toile wallpaper with a HINT of BLACK in it???
What do you think??? Hope you don't mind my 2cent here!!!
By The way, "I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE that stove"!!!
Big Hugs,
Donna
Well, given the situation, I think that you did a great job decorating your mantel. I would have never done as well for sure. And, white pumpkins, I LOVE them! I can't wait to see that decor. Happy weekend!
I think you have done a fabulous job with the mantle.
On a related note - do you think we'll EVER need a fireplace again in Texas? It is supposed to be 106 tomorrow in McKinney.
I understand having a fireplace that's "challenging". I have one that's so high I have trouble decorating it. You did a great job and I like your demijohns. LOL I turn my books around, too.
Babs
I think the mantel looks fine, You have done a great job of decorating.
May I have my cookie now please. Oatmeal is my favorite.
I love your spirit. You've done a great job dealing with an obstacle when it comes to decorating! Your mantel definitely adds warmth for this coming season.
Mary Alice
Hi BJ
I can see why the pipe would be a challenge but holey smokes, you did a great job! I love your shutters and olden RD books. :)
Have a wonderful weekend!
~Liz
After looking back at your mantel BJ. I think it's PERFECT!!! I love your use of the blacks...RELAX, "It looks fantastic"!
I totally agree with Donna. Your mantel looks great. I like the books in the center. Guess I need to go turn my books around. I hadn't noticed the new trend. ;-)
~ Sarah
Looks wonderful, BJness!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I think your mantle looks great and you've worked around the pipe beautifully! Love wood stoves, mine actually sits inside my fireplace and the flue runs up my chimney. I still don't have a mantle though, it's all brick. Happy Weekend BJ:@)
I hope turning books backwards is not going to last long. I love to read the titles when I see a stack in pictures.
I did have to glance at my block calendar as soon as you mentioned it and shamefully...it's on July 27th.
I love the way you have decorated your mantel BJ...That mirror is fabulous!
I love it, how lots of people are getting the urge to decorate for Autumn now. :-)
Books are piled, backwards???? What? Where have I been? I haven't see that. ,-) Kinda' no fair. I love to read the titles of books bloggers have. -pout-
Oh well, I'm just not on the cutting edge of decorating. Never will be. :-))))
Gentle hugs,
"Auntie"
I like it! And I think the stovepipe adds a bit of charm itself. It's unique, too.
I would fight with the pipe too! But you (like always) have done an amazing job working around it! Happy Friday Dear friend! (Did I smell coffee on your blog? Hopefully I'll see you again by our coffee Friday) :) Hugs!
If you love it, I will love it. Because I love everything you do.♥
BJ,
I love your mantle decor behind the stovepipe!!! Dear friend, I think you stress over this mantle the way I do the shelf above the TV in the Entertaninment Center when I'm trying to hide those big 'ol speakers!!! I do have a couple of suggestions. As I viewed your photos, you put books behind...try something really tall...like those shutters??? or perhaps some tall trays??? It's worth a try. I did try turning the speakers on their backs as someone mentioned...but the sound quality was definitely lacking. Your home is lovely!!! BUT...I get the frustration, dear friend! Have a blessed weekend!!!
Fondly,
Pat
I have the same issue you have BJ. Stove pipe right up the middle of a mantel. I play around with it but I don't put too much there, mostly pictures. Your stove is beautiful.
BJ I love your stove and mantel. You did a great job of decorating. What if you paint that pipe the same color as your wall? It could be a solution. If it does not work for you, it can be painted black again. I say don't fight it, just go with what you have.
You always have great solutions for you mantel decor! Re: the books turned backwards. Out master has from to ceiling cabinet and bookcases on one wall, and all my books are turned backwards. I did it about a year ago and of course Hubby can't understand why.
Thank you for sharing your creativity at Potpourri Friday!
I love your pretty touches~ I need to get going on my Fall mantel too! Thank you for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday!
Looks lovely! I am doing your colors for my Halloween dining room BJ. I have been working on it and every time I look at it I think of you! (Black,white, and the apple green.) And, for Christmas I think I just add red! You have a great color scheme going in your house! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Post a Comment