TO STAY CONNECTED BETWEEN POSTS FOLLOW ME ON
Instagram @ fortheloveofahouse

Monday, September 7, 2015

hello September and farewell to a wonderful summer...

Were did the summer go?!  It went by so fast and we didn't make a dent in our to-do list   Oh well, it's been a fun summer full of puppy love, so that's all that matters in the end.  Thank you all for your wonderful, sweet welcome to Magnolia and Louise!  All the sisters are doing wonderful and life with three dogs is busy, full of love and lots of laughs.

While I am definitely ready for some cooler temperatures (it has been a hot and humid summer and the a.c. has been running full time) I'm not ready to let summer go just yet.  I've loved the summer mantel in the living room and thought I would share it with you before fall really gets here and I change it for the new season.  I also wanted to post it so that I can remember it :) 
Hope you have had a wonderful holiday weekend! 


I had one, and found several more old coral fans early in the season and I love how airy and light they look on the mantel, not to mention their beautiful colors.  The antique French mirror is a constant and shares the mantel top with an orchid in an antique marble urn, a copper tray, antique leather books, vintage and antique Chinese import ginger jars (these were used to import ginger), an antique bronze (of a crane holding a snake in its mouth and standing on a turtle) and a pair of 17th century Italian candlesticks that we found at the Paris flea market.


The hand painted fireplace screen was one of the first antiques I bought some 28 years ago for our first apartment.  Leopard pillow made from a vintage muff.  Love the finish on the large seashell that sits on the 18th century vellum books.  Pair of chairs and table also found in France.




A larger view showing the antique herbariums that flank the mantel.




And, if you were curious as to what the other side of the room looked like when I was taking photographs, it looked like this!!  My photography assistants- Ella, Louise and Magnolia :)



48 comments:

  1. Your style is so beautiful and so original, and always inspires me. I also love the dogs all enjoying each other's company. It's pretty amazing how well they get along!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Joan, Your home will never be the same....isn't that wonderful?! Sara, Ohio

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a sweet audience you have. I am so happy for all of you. Those doggies now have a wonderful home. Maddie

    ReplyDelete
  4. haha ! adorable ! Where do you sit ? ! By the way, your home is lovely, and I have always admired it - it's even more beautiful with those 3 loving girls in it !

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your summer mantel is just lovely. I can see why you are hesitant about changing it for the new season. Your dogs look so comfortable and at home. You can't help but smile seeing them!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love ❤️🐶🐶🐶 and your beautiful home! Mary, Ontario, Canada

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your home is lovely & your helpers....just too cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Joan, Happy Labor Day from your birth town! Your mantel was perfect for summer and I look forward to the autumnal look later. We will have cooler temperatures later this week after a summer of only 12 days hitting 100... not too bad this year. After a wet winter and spring we have been dry since the end of June. Does this stir memories? Your girls look so "family." Congratulations on the merger! ;-) Carol

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your dogs are beautiful on the sofas. Just wondering, do they get a bath at the same time? How do you manage that with the ice and snow?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your mantle and home are beautiful but I do love your assistants the best!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your mantle is lovely...but the other side...that's downright precious! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your home looks so beautiful - love the mantle decor and the pictures hanging on either side look amazing!! And the assistants you have…precious!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh!!! Your last picture made me laugh! What wonderful assistants! Love your summer decor. YOu ahve so many beautiful things. Our summer was kind of a bust as well cause Joe had hip replacement surgery in July. He was in constant PAIN before but is now just about totally better!!! SO happy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love your updates on your beautiful home and family! We are anxiously awaiting autumn here in Jackson. AND still awaiting a call on the job in Concord. Sigh. We want it so bad. Still keeping our hopes up. You have definitely made us yearn for New Hampshire!

    Larkin

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home and family Joan! We are anxiously awaiting the return of autumn here in Jackson. Your posts and insight definitely have us yearning for the beauty of New Hampshire! Still waiting to hear on my job. Sigh.

    Larkin

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love that you let the dogs on the sofa - even without any covering on it. Only the very best humans let dogs in their lives like you do!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Joan,

    It's Mary & Ruth wishing you a happy start to your autumn! Yes, we are still alive and doing well in CT. I love the mantel, your two new additions to your family and your ability to be so relaxed with three dogs on your sofa....now if they get up on your beautiful mantel....then you have a real problem!

    Mary in Fairfield, CT.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You are very talented and inspiring. Love the dogs....

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your house is absolutely beautiful. But that sofa? Now that's what makes a house a home! Wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lovely arrangement on the mantel, Joan. I just looked at your 2011 and 2012 summer mantel posts, and I have to say this year's is the prettiest. You have such an eye for composition! And look at those three black dogs on the sofa. Don't they look happy. I'm glad you enjoyed your dog-filled summer. Won't it be fun to see those southern dogs this winter in the snow! It could very well be their first encounter with it. You'll have to share some photos -- and videos -- with us.
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love your style and the mantle.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the mantle, and it's still Summer for a few more weeks. I love the picture of the dogs on the sofa, smart girl to keep your glass of wine out of their reach. I love fall, but this year, especially after last year, I'm not looking forward to winter. Too many projects still not done, but we sure had fun! And that is what counts, right?!

    ReplyDelete
  23. much older sister susanSeptember 8, 2015 at 7:31 AM

    My 'dieces' look so contented. They are precious. I love the colors on your mantel. Love you and Dan and the girls.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Of course you would want to document that beautiful mantle......stunning! And my sofa looks like that also but I only have one dog now.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your summer mantel looks stunning but that last photo is priceless!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. For the love of a house indeed. What I love? Even though your home is a stunning showpiece the dogs are allowed on the couch! Mine are as well. They're family.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think you should do a post on how to tame the dog hair!! Beau makes himself at home on the sofa as well! Gorgeous mantle!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your "house" is beautiful but your "home" is even more beautiful!! I love that you "live" in your home and the dogs are a part of it!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Your summer mantle is beautiful as is your whole living room. Love that you shared a pic of your assistants lounging on the sofa too. They are so adorable all lined up :o)
    ~Des

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your three girls have a lovely home to enjoy and it looks like they are enjoying!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your mantel is beautiful. So warm and elegant. I love the "girls" lined up on the couch watching you work. Too cute.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your mantle is beautiful! I have two mantles in my house and I the only time I decorate them is for Christmas! Love the pics of the doggies. SO cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Priceless!

    Do the girls give you input on what might be best where?

    Ella: Mom, the mantel needs a nylabone, just to the right of the crane.
    Louise: Good Mom, now just a titch to the right.
    Magnolia: Now adjust the angle just a little bit.
    Ella: Perfect! Now, walk away.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love seeing your photography assistants. They are beautiful. My two ("little") assistants are lying on our bed as we speak watching me type. We finally went up to a queen size beds so the dogs will have more room - not ME or not my HUSBAND but the dogs and we wouldn't have it any other way. Please keep telling us about them. Also your mantle is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh those faces ... especially the white showing on one .. so so sweet. It is beautiful .. as always :)
    I will be leaving here soon, I will miss the autumn so much but the winter ? not much.

    ReplyDelete
  36. So pretty and I love your assistants especially the "wonky" ear!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love everything about your house, it screams HOME since the first time I laid eyes on it. It makes me want to be your friend so I can visit you and your beautiful doggies and you can visit me!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Joan, always love seeing photos of your truly lovely home. The photo I enjoyed the most, though, was of your beautiful girls! We had 4 dogs for a while & it was heaven (now we have just one). Your girls have so much to look forward to, as do you, with the upcoming beautiful seasons of Fall & Winter. Enjoy every minute!

    ReplyDelete
  39. What a lovely room, I love your style. The sweet "sisters" are the perfect accessory.
    xo,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh my goodness, I love the other side of the room as much as the mantel! What beautiful sisters. Looking forward to seeing what you do for fall.
    Take care,
    Dawn R.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your home is lovely and your understated style is so inspiring to me. I love that you let your doggies on the furniture. I love even more that you have rescued dogs not "designer" dogs!
    Thanks,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  42. Your room is so richly cozy, and the mantel I am sure will take on a fall look and an equal design touch as to your summer mantel.
    Layers of old canvas painting with rich tones of the French country side would be wonderful. Or a couple of more mirrors leaning apon each other waiting for the holiday glitz to shine and reflect its holiday beauty. I am sure it's going to compliment this room amazingly.

    Xx
    Dore

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love everything in this house and picture! Bravo!

    It all is warm and belongs!

    Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Nice mantel - but I think I enjoyed the shot of the pups more :-)
    Have a nice day
    Jeannette

    ReplyDelete
  45. Gotta admit...love, love, love your beautiful home...but love, love, love your caring heart for your three "assistants" even more! Keep up the beautiful work team!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh, I so wanna hug your assistants - they are marvellous and made me laugh out loud! what a warm and cosy post this is!
    I don't know, it never arrived in my box, although I tend to get your posts regularly. Never mind; I can still enjoy it with some delay.
    love this.... :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. So glad your pooches enjoy your beautiful surroundings as well.

    ReplyDelete

Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan