Winter Mantel

1.10.2012

Today I thought I would stop painting for a few minutes and clean the dust off the mantel so I can share some pictures of what I came up with on the mantel after all the Christmas decorations were removed. Now, don't think this look came easy to me because it didn't. It stayed blank for about a day and then an idea came to me and then it got tweaked and tweaked some more till I finally liked it. If you see dust in the pictures just ignore it. The whole house is coated in white.

I used things I had on hand except the vintage wooden box was purchased a few weeks ago at an antique mall. 

I would love more vintage boxes if I can find some not priced so high. This one did not come with the key, but one I had on hand actually works.

My brown quails that were in the dining room for Christmas now reside on the mantel.







I love the patina of this box. The tag with it said it is walnut.

I am loving the new look for winter. 
No long shot since we still have the sink and light fixture on the floor below.
Such is life.

OK, I must get back to painting. It is taking a while because it is all being done with a brush in order to
get into all the crevices of the beadboard. Second coat on the third wall tomorrow and then onto the last wall which is the stucco wall and is not fun to paint.
Bye bye green!

Many asked what the new paint color is in the sunroom. It is Benjamin Moore white sand. I tried about three different samples before choosing it.

Joining the following:
Don't miss this giveaway.

See you tonight for Wow Us Wednesdays!
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62 comments:

  1. Olive Cooper1/9/12, 7:04 PM

    Love the urns and the box. Boxes are out there at estate sales.

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  2. Paula1/9/12, 7:09 PM

    I love old boxes. Your new one is quite pretty. Winter mantles are so difficult. Yours looks terrific. Good luck with the rest of your painting.

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  3. Gloria Fox @ Potentially Beautiful1/9/12, 7:15 PM

    Beautiful, Kim. I love old boxes too. I have one of my great-grandmothers that I just love.

    Would love for you to come join my Winter Mantle link party on Wednesday.

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  4. Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Flea Market Makeovers1/9/12, 7:41 PM

    It looks beautiful Kim. I love your old box and your urns are fabulous!

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  5. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions1/9/12, 7:43 PM

    Thanks for sharing the paint color, Kim. Your winter mantel looks great ~ I love the symmetry. Those urns are really pretty, too. I'll bet you're feeling muscles you didn't know you had! I know it will be worth it though. The picture of the one wall painted looked great!

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  6. Jo's This and That1/9/12, 7:44 PM

    It looks Beautiful! Love the boxes. Thanks for sharing,your post are always great,JoAnn

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  7. Revi1/9/12, 7:46 PM

    Love it! And that box is extraordinary - especially with the key. :)
    -Revi

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  8. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing1/9/12, 7:55 PM

    looks great Kim...Loving the winter mantels I am seeing lately.

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  9. Babs1/9/12, 7:57 PM

    Great wooden box! I love wooden boxes, too and Victorian work boxes, but they are WAY expensive. Your quail are really pretty and the urns Nice mantle.
    My mantle's still bare. :)

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  10. Barbara F.1/9/12, 8:00 PM

    I like the box very much, and the fact that you had a key to fit that lock, now that's special. xo

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  11. ♥ Sonny ♥1/9/12, 8:08 PM

    lookin good. love those birds.

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  12. The Inspired Nest1/9/12, 8:15 PM

    I love the urns, it looks great! Can't wait to see the new paint in the sunroom! I loved the green but I have been going towards more neutrals lately, so I totally get it!
    Lacy

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  13. Pat1/9/12, 8:15 PM

    Very nice! The colors and mix of interesting objects is just great!

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  14. Daffodil Hill1/9/12, 8:21 PM

    So pretty and elegant. Those little quails are perfect. Love how they fly all over your house:-)

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  15. Barb @ GritsandGlamour1/9/12, 8:25 PM

    Kim - this is so funny. I just got through writing a blog post on how much trouble I always have with a Winter Mantle. I am working on one too. Love your quails. I have a passion for ceramic birds. I have a pair of pheasants I just adore. Such a pretty, pretty mantle.

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  16. Jeannie1/9/12, 8:28 PM

    God, I would love to shop with you. You have great style!

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  17. Pam - diy Design Fanatic1/9/12, 8:32 PM

    So pretty! I love the vintage box!

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  18. Kelly1/9/12, 8:36 PM

    Your mantel turned out very pretty. I love your new box! Uh oh, I have a feeling that this is just the first of many more boxes in your future. Another collection has begun! Ha! I look forward to seeing your sunroom all complete. At least it's giving you something to do while staying inside from all the rain we've been getting.

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  19. Gina1/9/12, 9:07 PM

    A fantastic winter mantel! I love the colors and your urns & box are wonderful too. Did you get this done in between coats of paint? :D

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  20. Linda (Nina's Nest)1/9/12, 9:11 PM

    Pretty mantel, Kim. Love the box and the books. Linda

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  21. NanaDiana1/9/12, 9:14 PM

    Looking good, Kim, and not a speck of dust in sight-Your mantle looks GREAT! Now...get that brush moving! xo Diana

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  22. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting1/9/12, 9:40 PM

    Very pretty Kim! I remember those urns from our RMS days and always loved them on your mantel.

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  23. Sarah1/9/12, 9:48 PM

    Looks very nice, Kim. I'm still waiting for some inspiration to do something new on our mantel. I put it back as it was, but I'm ready for a change. ~ Sarah

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  24. Coastal Cottage Dreams1/9/12, 9:51 PM

    Mantel looks great....I am having a giveaway...feel free to stop by!

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  25. Leslie1/9/12, 10:06 PM

    Beautiful, Kim! Hmmm...you got me thinkin' outside the box for my mantel which is nekked wince I took down the Christmas stuff. I gotta see what I have in other spaces to design with.
    I may have an old box or two, too...
    Blessings on your new year!
    HUGS,
    me

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  26. Designs By Pinky1/9/12, 10:24 PM

    The mantle looks great! The box is terrific. I have a few boxes here and there. If you come see my post you wioll see a FEW of my new antlers. My hubby said last night that everywhere he looks he now sees antlers:):) XO, Pinky

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  27. Andrea1/9/12, 10:31 PM

    love your mantels new look! I am so ready for a change to my mantel, but I have mantel-block! I am hoping to find something on my shopping trip tomorrow =)

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  28. Grace @ Sense and Simplicity1/9/12, 10:33 PM

    What a nice simple, homey arrangement you did. I'm big on symmetry so love how you have both sides almost the same (but always good to mix things up a bit). Happy painting.

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  29. Jemsmom1/9/12, 10:38 PM

    That mantle is lovely! I love how it is very homey feeling!

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  30. Shelia1/9/12, 10:48 PM

    Hi Kimmie! Love your winter mantel! You always make everything looks great! Don't let me keep you and I can't wait to see your finished project.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  31. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door1/9/12, 11:04 PM

    Love the wood box! Very pretty mantle, Kim!

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  32. A Hint of Home1/9/12, 11:23 PM

    It looks great, Kim! I love adding books, boxes, etc. to a grouping or pretty vignette.
    Happy painting to you. I know it's a big job!

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  33. Nancy's Notes1/10/12, 6:46 AM

    What a great new look, Kim! I collect boxes, the older the better! That one is just beautiful! You are making headway with the painting, way to go!

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  34. Janette - The2Seasons1/10/12, 7:29 AM

    Mantles are tough for me - especially when there's an oversized wall-mounted television hanging over it. ):
    Yours is beautiful. Actually, I think it's my favorite of all the "mantlescapes" I've seen you decorate.

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  35. Shirley@Housepitality Designs1/10/12, 7:42 AM

    OK..I am using "my fav word", spectaculous!! Love everything about your mantle, including the mantle surround!..Love the wooden box. I think I need to drag out my mini Lane cedar chest. It was a promotional gift from the local furniture store for all the high school girl graduates a zillion years ago. I remember being one of the first in line for that mini cedar chest!

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  36. Amy @MaisonDecor1/10/12, 7:50 AM

    I like the tole urns or cache pots on the mantel too~they add a lot with the books and the box and the bronzes. Looks really pretty~my mirror fell off my mantel an hour ago and crashed into smithereens....yikes! I need to do my mantel now too.

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  37. marty (A Stroll Thru Life)1/10/12, 8:34 AM

    Kim, a beautiful new box. I love the new vignette, your two urns are fabulous and of course I love the look of books in any vignette. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  38. laxsupermom1/10/12, 8:52 AM

    Love the warm colors of your mantel. That box was a great find. I never find them with the key. Thanks for sharing.

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  39. Calypso In The Country1/10/12, 9:13 AM

    The urns are so pretty! You did a great job with the mantel. I really need to add something to mine after the holiday decor...it is so hard to come up with something this time of year!
    -Shelley

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  40. Marsha1/10/12, 9:29 AM

    Your mantle is very pretty. I don't have much on mine right now. I'm inspired and might have to try something new--thanks to you.

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  41. Christine @ Stonehouse Living1/10/12, 9:30 AM

    Hi Kim,
    The mantel looks so warm & cozy!
    That mirror is so beautiful and such a nice focal above the fireplace! I look forward to seeing the sun room. The change in paint colour WOW!!!
    All the Best,
    Christine

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  42. Kathy1/10/12, 9:59 AM

    Hi Kim, kids have been here with new baby Miles for a week so I have been MIA...catching up today, and loving all the changes...beadboard I am guessing is coming...hey word of caution we put that up 12 years ago in our farmhouse and make sure you research the painting of it as the pine knots are bleeding through the paint and they say it's cause it wasn't primed properly. Happy New Year Kim

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  43. Savvy Seasons1/10/12, 10:00 AM

    Clean, simple, and elegant. Great job, Kim, very pretty! Best of luck with the rest of the painting. xo ~Liz

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  44. Linda @ A La Carte1/10/12, 10:24 AM

    Love the winter mantel. It is so warm with the box (gorgeous wood) and the quails and books. Beautiful as always. Hugs, Linda

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  45. The French Tangerine1/10/12, 10:53 AM

    Wow! A beautiful mantel! I love the tole and every single thing you've got up there! Aren't antique books the best? I swear they make everything look better!
    Also, LOVE your new header!! Love love love! That circle is just so smart... just like you!
    XO
    jan

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  46. Tammy@Beatrice Banks1/10/12, 10:56 AM

    Very pretty. Love the box and the key!

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  47. Kim1/10/12, 11:25 AM

    Kim I think this is one of my favorite looks for your mantle. Those urns are beautiful!
    xoxo,
    Kim
    p.s. I'm finally getting to join your party tomorrow!~

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  48. Budget Design Girl1/10/12, 11:27 AM

    Wow! It looks great! I like the symmetry of the urns, and I want those quail!
    Can't wait to see how all that painting turns out. I'm sure it will be beautiful!

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  49. Pattie1/10/12, 1:19 PM

    Love the old box Kim, Your winter mantle looks warn and inviting, And OH love your new profile picture, you look like your 18 years old.. For real...have a great day

    Pattie

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  50. Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow1/10/12, 2:01 PM

    Lovin' the White Sand and your mantel looks fabulous just like it does EVERY time you do it, Kim!! blessings ~ Tanna

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  51. Low Tide High Style1/10/12, 3:16 PM

    The mantel looks beautiful, and that box is definitely a keeper! I just love old wooden boxes, they have such a mellow patina to them!

    Kat :)

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  52. Thoughtfully Blended Hearts1/10/12, 5:01 PM

    Everything is beautiful Kim...I absolutely love that box...it is definitely a keeper!! Have a beautiful week!!!

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  53. Norma1/10/12, 6:40 PM

    It looks great and I love the old box! I have one my Dad gave me with a calendar on the inside of the lid dating back to the '30's. It appears to have been some kind of a filing box.

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  54. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR1/10/12, 6:56 PM

    Kim, your mantel looks great! I love the urns and the box! You did a great job! Can't wait to see your completed project! I'm sure it's fabulous!

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  55. bj1/10/12, 10:30 PM

    Loving your winter mantel. I need to redo mine, too, but....got too many irons in the fire right now.
    (I still can't get used to using antlers for decorations and daughter just put antlers and skull on her wall and I about died. She just laughed and said she had another to put up. :)))

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  56. Acanthus and Acorn1/11/12, 8:17 AM

    Kim,
    Love the tole urns on your mantle and the new header!
    xo,
    ~R

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  57. Rosemary@villabarnes1/11/12, 8:00 PM

    I'm really loving the rich colors in this vignette, Kim. I have a passion for old boxes, so I love it.

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  58. Faye ~ Wild Rose Vintage1/11/12, 8:04 PM

    Love that box! I have a weakness for pretty wood boxes like that. Your whole mantle looks lovely.

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  59. Pamela1/11/12, 8:38 PM

    Just lovely Kim! I need to go shopping with ya for accessories! I am so bad at that. Thanx for coming to party.

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  60. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal1/11/12, 9:18 PM

    I am catching up on all of your posts. You have been a busy bee my friend! You start project on top of project just like I do. I know all the bead board is a time consuming thing to paint. I wish I could lend you a hand.

    Can't wait to see the new bathroom all finished. I'm glad that we added the bead board to our half bath.The ledge gives me a spot to add decorative stuff to. It's a tiny space as well so we had to go with a pedestal. But I love our square sink.

    My mantel is still bare, well pretty much so, I am hoping inspiration hits me soon. Yours looks fabulous! Sorry I've been away so long!

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  61. Lisa - A Room with A View1/12/12, 9:02 AM

    The mantle looks wonderful - warm and welcoming with all the interesting accessories. I do love the color of the mantle, too. Great to see new ways to change the mantle after Christmas.

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  62. SavannahGranny1/13/12, 1:13 PM

    The mantel looks great. I believe walnut is the right call on the lovely box. Great that you had a key to fit.
    Blessings, Ginger

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