Monday, November 29, 2010

come sit by my fire...

i have finished decorating my mantel for the holidays.
until i decide to change it AGAIN, that is!



hubby and i are very casual people and after decorating 3 very large, very traditional mantels for my client.....

you can view them HERE.


i wanted to decorate mine light and airy and slightly whimsical.


i was inspired by this cute gift tag i received on a gift last year.


i can just imagine a small child selling snow balls for 5 cents.

i love snow! i would buy them!

instead, i had to make mine.

i adorned this little tree with trims from my sewing box.


like drifts of snow hanging onto the delicate limbs of a tree.





my hubby's collection of antlers add a rustic element to the mix.

some of these were sheds, some are from his hunting expeditions.

he is the hunter. the only thing i ever shoot are photos.






my handmade stockings.
two with button cuffs. two with vintage ponsettia tablecloth cuffs. two hiding in the back, waiting for some sort of embellishment, when the inspiration hits......


we found the windows in an old barn that was about to be torn down.....back when we lived out in the country.

this is where we relax together.

nothing fragile here.

you can take your shoes off and put your feet up.
wrap yourself in a blanket.

and get
comfy and cozy........

thanks for stopping by!
you are welcome here.
anytime.


i am joining




come join us!

44 comments:

Georgianna said...

I love your mantel so much, Erin. Perfect styling with interesting and unusual items, lovely effect overall. You are SO good! Care to do one in Seattle? :) xo – g

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hi Erin,
Love your snowballs...such a cute idea and love your lace embellished tree...simple and sweet! Your mantle looks perfect to me! :)

Anonymous said...

Love it love it love it!! Gorgeous!

GwendolynKay said...

Your mantle is so charming! white shabby chic, love it! Your stockings are very lovely. I will take 2 snowballs please.ha! I hope we get our own snow here in MI. soon.
Blessings~
Gwenny

Victoria said...

Everything looks amazing! I absolutely love your basket with the snowballs for sale, what a great idea that is:)

Blessed Serendipity said...

Your mantle looks pretty. The garden gate as your firescreen is cute.

-Danielle

NoraAnne said...

This is just delightful, I really want to curl up there with a mug of hot cocoa and hang out! It looks so welcoming!

michelle said...

Your mantel and your home are just beautiful!! I am in love with the swans!

myflower said...

all in your blog is simply BEAUTIFUL and LOVELY!!

Ciao ciao frm Italy
Maurizia

Desert Dreaming said...

At first look, I was speechless...I've never seen a mantel so adorable, beautiful, simple, elegant, and cozy all in one! The snowballs was the cutest idea ever. What a great job!!!

cindy said...

Just perfection. Love all the natural elements and neutrals. I've enjoyed my visit to your blog!

Unknown said...

...so lovely! I adore the lace wire tree and find whimsy delight with your two swans!! ~ and the crystal candlelight is just utter romance!!
xo, Rosemary

It's me said...

Hi Erin...i really like your mantel.....you did a nice job !!....lovely !!.....happy day darling..love Ria....

Pamela Gordon said...

I love it all, especially the snowballs in the wire basket! It's gorgeous!
Pamela

Razmataz said...

Ok Erin, I'm coming for coffee or wine or whatever you are serving. It looks amazing.....I love the basket of snowballs, but my absolute favourite things are the antlers....the whole thing looks great,especially with those beams on your ceiling.

Gerry Snape said...

Just magic Erin...the most beautiful I've ever seen. Thankyou!

Rebecca said...

What a fun and creative mantel-so many great touches!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Don't know what it looked like before you redid it, but I really like the end result.
Kitty seems fascinated with the fire.
Enjoy your evening.

time worn interiors said...

I love your mantel! Just my style!
Theresa
aka:TOT

Anonymous said...

It seems everything you touch is magical! I absolutely adore your mantel, every detail is perfection! Hope you'll pop by and visit mine though I must admit I think I love yours more, he he.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! It looks perfect.

Dana and Daisy said...

Your home is so beautiful and cozy! Very welcoming!
I love the snowballs for sale in the basket! lol!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Oh my, everything looks so amazing! Very creative and beautiful mantel! I love the tree with the lace draped on it!

Brenda said...

An imaginative mix of elements! Well done. :)

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

Delightfully different!
Your mantel could be in Country Living magazine-yum!
Especially the illuminated snowballs and snippets tree!
:)

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

Delightfully different!
Your mantel could be in Country Living magazine-yum!
Especially the illuminated snowballs and snippets tree!
:)

Kathysue said...

Hi Erin I am new to your blog and i am so glad to have found you. Of all the mantels I have looked at today yours is the most original. I realllllly love it. Good design and so well thought out. Kudos to you!!! Kathysue

Scott Law said...

What a talent. Absolutely beautiful, but I'm worried that the snowballs might melt and leave a mess ;) Beautiful!!!

Heaven's Walk said...

Hi Erin! First of all, I am your newest follower and I'm head over heels about your blog! I just love it!

Second - I adore your mantel decor! The fence piece, the snowballs, the windows......!!! LOVE!!! What did you make your snowballs from?? I must steal this idea for my grandkiddos!

Third - Your photo work is just beautiful and I look forward to getting to know you and visiting here more in the future! :)

Happy WW to you!

xoxo laurie

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love love love what you have done with that tree!

Unknown said...

Your mantel is just wonderful Erin! I could come spend a little time at your beautiful home any time. Your have any flavored coffee?

Kristen said...

Oh my goodness! I just love your mantle!! I could never pull that off in my home, but it yours it looks like a picture from a magazine! Oh, and my boys would be the ones to try and sell snowballs, not sure how long they'd last before sneaking in a few to practice throws with though!

Jen said...

Love the windows with the lights!!!
Very beautiful!! And the antlers are a great touch!

AnthonyRose'sShabHome said...

your living room should be in a magazine

Cobalt Violet said...

Fantastic Erin! Love it! I am going to forward this to my sister! AND I love the snow falling ... it's so pretty here on your blog!

Passionate for White said...

I love your taste and am happy to be one of your newest followers!

KarenB said...

It's so fun and whimsical! I love it! I can't participate in the party this time. :-( I'm not at home to decorate my mantle. And, I can't do the vignette one because I forgot my cord to my camera, plus the vignettes are at the house, not the apartment. My poor blog. It's so boring these days. Did you notice that I fixed my header, thanks to you. All I needed was that 1000 pixel guideline. Thanks!

Sandy said...

Adore the snowballs! May I ask where you got the tree? A friend and I saw several of them in a local antique store but they were all display only, we would love to purchase some.

koralee said...

Oh my friend this is so magical! I love all white...and that little tree makes my heart melt!

You inspire me...I need to finish up my job over here...sigh...I need many many more hours in a day.

Happy December! xoxox

Denise C said...

Yours is one of my favs from the mantel party. It's so pretty!!!
I linked to your post on my blog - firstadream.blogspot.com/

Rebecca said...

Love all the elements you have put together... many different textures and I love that. It all looks wonderful
Blessings
Rebecca

Drawn to The Sea said...

I love your simple perfection.
Calm, gentle... amazing perfection.

Peace & hot tea,
Julia~

Anonymous said...

Your blog is like a sensual puzzle, and I just love this christmas post! Thanx for comment & for being there in my blog world !!! And don't forget this..... Never worry about the size of your Christian tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall!

Peace & Love

Agneta, a frozen swedish one ;)

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

DEAREST ERIN, HOW DID IS MISS THIS FABULOUS POST? YOU ARE MOST DEFINITELY on my blog roll, but I better check it; maybe something happened that it is no longer there???? YOUR PHOTOS ARE UP MY ALLEY DEAREST, and thank you for your enthusiasm about my post. I was feeling so dry and was having a hard time thinking of how to say what was in my heart. But the white horses helped me as a writing prompt....thank you again for your sweetness and kindess and I better go check my list because I don't want to miss you again! Anita