A Fondness for Firplaces

In my little corner of the world

the weather is starting to cool off

& autumn is beginning.

So, you know what that means . . .

fireplaces!

Honestly, I've never had a home

without a fireplace & 

I've always enjoyed using them.

So here's to cuddling up with some

hot cocoa & a really good book.

Check out these pretty fireplaces . . .

And remember, I don't use photos from magazines,

so forgive my mediocre photography!

This fireplace in my client Barbara's home is huge!

I had fun purchasing a large painting to go over it. 

The clock & candlesticks are also very big so that

all the accessories fit the scale of the mantle.

We  hired an electrician & had the beautiful sconces installed -

they add a lot to the warmth & ambiance of the room.

I searched for the perfect plant or floral arrangement,

but nothing was right.

So I took matters into my own hands & 

created this arrangement for the project.

I love the rich, warm reds which are shared

by the painting & the floral piece.

(I'll do a tutorial on something like 

this in the future, but I didn't have

my blog when I made it!)

My friend, Karen, created the above vignette. I love the antique gate!

Feng Shui enthusiasts think it's bad karma to put a mirror

over a fireplace, but I say "phooey" to that!

My clients have been pretty happy--mirrors & all!
Tip: If you can't find the right size mirror, 

you can go to a framer & have one made 
as we did with this narrow space.

Here's a close-up of the mantle in the photo above.

Before the makeover, this mantle looked pretty "builder's grade"

with it's glossy white paint. So we brought in an artist &

it was faux painted to look like natural stone. Love it!

I didn't design the above vignette, but I wish I could say I had!

This is in a client's home & I just had to snap a photo to share with you.

Of course, it's even prettier in person.

And here's my own home sweet home.

I love changing my mantle for special occasions.

Warmly, Michelle