Holiday

[ECBG]

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@crazycockermom wrote:

My mantel is not one for many. It does not have the recommended groups of three items at each end, etc. It is a decorator's nightmare. But I don't care. It contains items that are meaningful to DH and I. Before we got together, his decor consisted of lanterns. Lots of lanterns. He said "as a single guy, it seemed like something he could decorate with without seeming too girly."

So when we got married and he moved into my place, we incorporated his lanterns onto the mantel as well as one of mine from B&BW, our jar of sand from our wedding ceremony and my bouquet in an antique bowl from his parents. I recently got the chocolate hurricanes from Valerie that I placed amongst them. Love them. And I recently got the fireplace screen after a long search for one that would fit our fireplace. After all was said and done I got it from QVC. I had a few leftover MG pumpkins so put them on my hearth.

Here is the result:

I also decorated my dining room table.  I like simple, not a lot going on, but it seems like it's missing something.  I do have some MG pedestals in gold (the chocolate ones are on my hearth) that I could put two of the pumpkins or the pinecones on, but the pedestals seem a bit big for them.  I tried a gold leaf garland but it was too much.  I'm open to suggestions.  Notice the chocolate goblets on my wine rack in the background. 

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@crazycockermomYou've done a beautiful job here.  

I taught Interior Design and you mentioned you'd like to do more with the table.  You might like to create a centerpiece with your larger silver pumpkin and group the chocolate goblets two on one side, one on the other.  Then bring the others closer to the center in a grouping with the smaller on the outside.  The berry addition would give you some smaller items to work with between all the items and lead out on the ends extending the line.

[Peaches McPhee]

I like that you are marching to your own drummer, style-wise. Down with sheeple!

[SHOPR]

@crazycockermom, I love your entire fireplace area.  All that brick!!! Wow, so large and inviting.  It makes mine look so small in comparison.  I like your items that you chose to use together, both on the mantel and hearth and also in the dining room. 

If you decide to look for a darker colored runner, you may want to look at Pottery Barn.  I found one a few years ago called Florentine Paisley, which I've been very happy with, and use every fall. It has some darker tones in the pattern. 

My only tip is one that I need to remind myself about constantly.  Don't be afraid to play around with placing things closer together, farther apart, or in groupings that I wouldn't automatically think would work.  Then step back and have a good look, or take a picture and study it.  I'm not feeling very creative right now, so that's all I can suggest, but others have given what seems like good and even expert advice, which I appreciate as well.   

[crazycockermom]

Hi everyone! I've read your comments while at work throughout the day so am now taking the time to respond, but via my iPhone which is a pain in the butt. So rather than reply to individual posts I just want to say thank you to all that responded. I really appreciate your kind words and suggestions. I got my chandelier at a local lighting store. It is neater in person, imo.

@Mominohio, the print above my mantel is a picture taken in 1926 of my late DH's grandfather's high school football team. My new DH is cool with it being there. Just like my late DH's flag is proudly displayed in our family room. He is very understanding. My home is filled with mementos so I decorate to please us. We don't have a lot of company so I don't care what others think. Our home pleases us. But it doesn't hurt to have a little input sometimes.

However, I do think my dining room table needs a little fixing. I think a more colorful runner will make a big difference. And trying to group things together in different ways may help. Hey, I'm an engineer with an artsy side but I need help stepping out of the box every now and then.

My mantel looks neat at night with micro lights in the hurricanes. So glad I was able to get them as is. And I'm loving the new fireplace screen. Such a difference to what was there before. Slowly but surely I'm getting there...

[Hoovermom]

@crazycockermom:  I would frame the picture above the fireplace in a bigger frame.  You have a lovely collection of mantle items but they all seem to blend in with the fireplace. Pick an accent color (candles or flowers) to break up the same color family. Groupings can be done even on a narrow "ledge".  As far as the dining room table, a garland of fall leaves, picks, etc., would look great woven around your pumpkins, etc.  Something like this (not the bright orange). 

This would also look great on your mantle with the lanterns nestled in the garland.  Happy decorating!!