Thursday, June 19, 2008

Antique mantel

Ask Kari and Kijsa are posting links to mantels today. Here is a quick peek at mine. When we bought this house the mantle was a white shelf and the brick behind it was red. We painted the brick to match the wall, and bought this antique mantle at a local shop. It was painted white too. After lots of thinking, we decided to strip it and restore it to the oak finish. It goes with other furnishings in the room since we have lots of oak. Now, I need help decorating it! I'm looking forward to browsing the other links and looking at mantels! And, feel free to post suggestions on decorating mine!

Before Picture
After Picture

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Diane, your oak mantle is gorgeous. My husband would be drooling over it. He loves oak. And, I see you have a mantle clock, too.

kari and kijsa said...

Your oak mantel is amazing!!! Beautiful, so glad you showed it!!. Love the idea of the painted brick-kijsa had one just like that in an older home, and loved the painted brick as well!


blessings,
kari & kijsa

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

You've got to be kidding me! I can't believe that's the same fireplace! I think you win the prize for most amazing fireplace makeover. -Julia :-)

Marie said...

Wow! What a tranformation! I have no ideas for your mantel...I'm having a mantel crisis of my own. :o)

Anonymous said...

OOOOO, the oak mantel is awesome, Diane! Just beautiful and I love how you have it decorated!
bj

Mo..."Mo's Cottage" said...

Wow!!!...What a change Fabulous!!! Love it.
Hugs,
Mo :-)

vintage girl at heart said...

That is what I call a makeover!!!! I loved the rustic brick too but that redo is amazing!! Beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Spectacular!!! Christy:-)<><

Kimba said...

Oh my word! What a transformation! I can't believe that is the same fireplace. It looks fantastic!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

WOW! What a transformation! The oak is beautiful!

Hugs, Rhonda

Trixi said...

We have been contemplating painting the brick. You did a great job.
Blessings,
Trixi

My Arts Desire said...

What an amazing find...absolutely scrumptious!!! I saw on HGTV once where they painted the brick and then went back and sanded off a bit here and there to give it a little bit of a time-worn look. Great post! Thanks for sharing!
xo
Sue

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

WOW! Your mantle is gorgeous! I like the way it is decorated now.

I don't have a fireplace so I couldn't join in. :-( Santa always had to come in through the front door...lol

Hugs, Pat

Lorrie said...

Wow, what a difference. That oak mantel is beautiful - so warm looking.

Lorrie

mommyholly said...

Wow, that mantel is amazing!! I love the before and after photos!! :) xo!

Rue said...

Hi Diane :)

Your mantel is stunning! I think it's perfect even if you didn't have anything on it... wow! :)

rue

Chris said...

Oh my gosh! Wow...just WOW!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Diane, that is one gorgeous mantel! You did good with that one, love it.

Rhoda

Abbreviated said...

No way .... AMAZING !

Southern Lady said...

Diane, I love your beautiful mantel, and I don't know how you could improve on how it's decorated -- it's just perfect!

I enjoyed doing the "five favorite things" post. Thank you for including me. Oh, and by the way ... I love your oak sideboard. It's so unique and elegant, and I can see why it's one of your favorite things.

I may post a picture of my mantel if I have time. I'm keeping my little 3-year old granddaughter for a few days, so I may not get a chance.

You take care now ...

Janie

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is gorgeous! Great job.

pammiejo said...

That oak is beautiful! I love it!

Sugarplum Cottage said...

Diane you have a beautiful mantle, I love oak too. Yours has to be the most improved. By the way you buy glycerin at wal-mart or drug stores. Have your Hydrangea started drying? In a few days I'm gonna have to cut more.
Hugs, RoseMarie

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Diane, what a wonderful transformation. The oak is gorgeous. You did a beautiful job.
Just can't believe it is the same.
Just awesome. thank you for sharing.
Celestina,
la rea rose

Marina Capano said...

Hi! Nice to meet you! well, I love its, are so cute! warm regards

Kelli said...

What an amazing makeover! Your oak mantle is just beautiful!
~Kelli

Kim said...

Wow!! Your mantel rocks!!

Amy Jo said...

Wow.. what a before and after! That looks great, and I think it is decorated just right!

The Dragonfly said...

That is a seriously amazing transformation. I'm so ready to paint my red brick white. After seeing your mantle, I think I will do it soon!