Monday, January 19, 2009

What to do?


I want to change my mantel, any suggestions? I have a large shabby mirror thats white that I bought at a yardsale. My home is french country I have been looking in magazines but for some reason seem to be stuck on what to do. The brick goes all the way up to the vaulted ceiling and we have just repainted restrained gold, my main colors are red and golds with a splash of black here and there. Also you can see some of my collection of crosses which I adore and upper right we have a ledge with aladdin lamps (gifts from my in-laws). My entertainment center I love, it has an iron fleur de lis on the top panel.So feel free to offer any suggestions.......Barb

4 comments:

cherry said...

would you be opposed to painting the brick? We also have restrained gold in our family room...with reds and black. You could just try painting the mantle black and seeing how that looks...might make it pop. I have seen that done and it is gorgeous. cherry

Back in the Day said...

My thought was to paint the mantle. - Something to set it off against the brick. Love the fireplace - I wish our brick went to the ceiling! I am jealous!

nanatrish said...

I believe I would paint the brick a cream color. I think that would open up the space. Some people are against painting brick, but I love it. I especially like brick houses that are painted. It looks rich to me. Your crosses are so pretty. Let us know what you do with the fireplace. luv ya, Trish

cottage farm villa said...

Barb, if you are not opposed to painting the brick, I also would paint it a warm white. Once it is painted, you can upkeep the black soot from the fires in the fireplace. If you put enough coats on it, it can be wiped clean and always look new! Sometimes it may need a little soft scrub...and if it get's real bad, clean and add another coat of paint!. Also, the mantle would look great if it were bigger, to make a statement. If you are handy, you can make a bigger rectangle box to fit over it, and add different lovely trim moulding to the box (from the depot or lowes). Caulk the trim and paint..any color...or stain first, and then caulk with a stain colored caulk. That would be my suggestion. Good luck in whatever you decide on! ~Cheryl

ps. if you build a bigger mantle and paint it, you can use pine, if you stain it, you should use oak or some other hardwood. :)