~Spring Mantel 2010~

   I began putting together a new vignette for the hearth room fireplace, Monday afternoon and completed it, this morning. 

I tried a couple of different ideas, before deciding on this one, inspired by the iron gates of Charleston, South Carolina.

During April 2005, we took a little road trip south and east.  Our journey began in Saint Louis and took us to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, for a few days of exploring. 

Our destination was Charleston, South Carolina.  As we all know, it isn’t always about the destination, but rather the journey.

After our stay in Williamsburg we drove down through North Carolina, via the Outer Banks.  Absolutely wonderful drive.

We spent several days in Charleston, where we walked all around the historic streets, took tours, had wonderful meals and visited the Market, where we purchased several prints of iron gates, seen around town.

The prints are from the work of artist Mayfield Williams.  Williams’ mother, an absolutely delightful southern lady, was selling the work from a booth at the Market. We enjoyed talking with her; spending quite a bit of time with her, that morning. 

I added two iron pieces, from the basement storage.  What I really want, above the mantel, is a gate, instead of the “scrollie”.  I think I know where I can find one.  I’ll be looking on our way to the lake tomorrow.

The piece on the hearth is made of three separate iron pieces, strapped together.  I bought the pieces at Welcome Home, a store that is now closed.

Bear with me on the faux ferns.  As soon as Lowe’s has living ferns, in stock, I’ll be buying one to replace the silk, which is fine for now.

Besides the Williams prints of gates and Rainbow Row (Charleston), I used white ironstone and chicken wire cloches.

I used felt adhesive dots to secure the frames. The mantel is fairly high from floor level, so the dots aren’t visible.

As I mentioned, above, we are driving down to the lake.  A short trip, this time, to pick up something we purchased, last week, for one corner of the hearth room.  When we have it in place, I’ll post photos.

Linking to The Inspired Room Inspired by Mantels.

~Art at the Condo, Old & New~

When we began working on a little update of the condo, I was interested in finding new prints or paintings. In the end, I decided to use some of my own photos.
I borrowed granddaughter Xanti's nifty little macro lens, a couple of weeks ago. I've put one of those on a wishlist, along with a telephoto lens.

I used the macro lens to take a few photos of seashells, I have here at the lake, ordered prints from Walgreen's at 19 cents each and framed them between glass, in a Target frame.

The photos are used in the hallway, beside the "laundry" doors. Behind those sliding doors are the washer and dryer. I'm mulling over an idea or two, to pretty up the laundry closet.

The second framed photo, hanging in the hallway, is a close up I took, of the rose, written about in the previous post. The photo is in black and white.

The framed print, above, is one we purchased while visitng Door County Wisconsin a few years ago. The artist is CL Peterson. Click this Link for more about Peterson's work. This particular painting, a composite of Ephraim, Wisconsin, was commissioned by local citizens, for a fund raiser. We fell in love with this print, while visiting a gallery, in Ephraim. If you look closely, you will see Wilson's Ice Cream, in the print. Some of you will know about Wilson's. We had lunch there one day while driving the peninsula of beautiful Door County.

Atop the wine cabinet is one of the driftwood pieces, J picked up along the lake shore. The blue birds add a little whimsy. I see it's time to stock up on wine!

We're leaving for home, after lunch, today. We have a couple of appointments, next week and a few other things to take care of. Hoping to return to the lake in a week or two.

Have a wonderful weekend!