Sunday, July 17, 2011

summer mantel









I wanted to keep the mantel light, clean and crisp for summer.





It just wouldn't say "summer" without coral and shells!






My favorite pair of antique mercury glass candlesticks with an antique English sterling and crystal matchstrike,  a small Chinese earthenware ginger jar, and a fossil shell.  The white Texas-clay pot holds an orchid just starting to re-bloom.










I love that the orchid's first bloom is looking at itself in the mirror!





Fan coral with pair of antique Chinese double-happiness vases and another small Chinese earthenware ginger jar.  Since moving into the farmhouse I've been having a renewed love affair with all my antique blue and white porcelains  (I had them stashed away for several years in Dallas.)  I think blue and white is such a classic design element.
   Antique American herbariums flank the fireplace.




And though not on the mantel;) I love the sunlight hitting the forestwod in the antique iron urn that sits beside the fireplace.


Hope you're having a wonderful summer!




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60 comments:

  1. ~Grace Happens~July 17, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    hi joan! your summer mantel is gorgeous. it feels so bright and cheerful. hope your summer is just the same!

    xo,

    grace

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  2. My life in the hillsJuly 17, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    If you ever have your photos and story of the renovation published in a book -I would be the first to buy it... Your photos give me so much inspiration... The colour and texture combinations you use are glorious! Tania

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  3. An Urban CottageJuly 17, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Very nice. I've had really good luck with my orchids to rebloom at my office. Do you have a place you put them when they're not in bloom? I kind of recall you had some plants in your pantry.

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  4. Blue MuseJuly 17, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Joan, you have such a wonderful eye and amazing treasures. The mantle sings summer with it's crisp blue and white, the bounty of the sea and the driftwood grey of the moss and pot - the orchid (I can't ever keep on alive!) is a nice surprise and that mirror is crazy beautiful.
    What is forestwood? It looks like driftwood! It's gorgeous and amazing in the urn, not to mention gilded in sunlight. Dreamy.
    xo isa

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  5. Red Door HomeJuly 17, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    So pretty - and definitely summer! I just returned from the beach and loved seeing how you incorporated the drfitwood and coral into your dieplays.

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  6. for the love of a houseJuly 17, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Grace- Thank you; summer is going well- especially at this very moment as I am sipping a gin and tonic- my favorite "summer" cocktail;)

    Tania- Thank you so much!! I am most honored.

    Steve- Yes, they go in the pantry (has a window;)!

    Isa- Thank you! "Forestwood" is literally that!! Wood we picked in the forest on our many trips to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming!! Looking at the urn makes me happy thinking of our many road-trips!

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  7. Rashon CarrawayJuly 17, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    So fresh and open. Very nice.


    Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting

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  8. TamraJuly 17, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    I'm sorry was there something on the mantle? I couldn't get my eyes off that gorgeous old mirror with the stunning crackled patina!!!

    Love it!

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  9. Pinky at Designs by PinkyJuly 17, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    HI Joni, I love your summer mantle! I just did the exact same thing but in my dining room, foyer and living room. I took out some pieces and used shells etc. for a summer look! I also collect blue and white porcelains and LOVE them with the shells, coral etc. I will be posting my "summerizing" tomorrow if you's like to stop by.....I hope you will! XO, Pinky

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  10. KathysueJuly 17, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Love the coral and the sea fan!! It all looks so pretty with the blue and white porcelain!!! So lovely,Kathysue

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  11. Sécia MischkeJuly 17, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Great choices! LOVE LOVE LOVE.

    ♥ sécia
    www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com

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  12. Connie @ Connie Nikiforoff DesignsJuly 17, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    All very, very pretty!

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  13. Jessica SingletaryJuly 17, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous! I love your style!

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  14. LeeJuly 17, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Just gorgeous!
    I just raided my Mom's attic and found some coral from her Aunt. Looking forward to changing out my mantle with summer things.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  15. karen - Simply InspiredJuly 17, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    summer sweetness. thank you, joan. love the orchid looking at itself in the mirror...
    -xok.

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  16. LizabethJuly 17, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    I love the combination! You have such a talent for mixing natural earthy elements with elegant refined ones! I love that about you! Always a pleasure to see what you've been up to!

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  17. Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home}July 17, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Glad you unpacked the "blue and white"! I love the look as well, but my collection has none of the pedegree your collection enjoys! I'd love to see what other treasures you have "packed up"!
    Enjoy that g&t!
    Barbara@TheTreasuredHome.com

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  18. DesJuly 17, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Absolutely stunning!!! Love the urn filled with forestwood....so pretty!
    ~Des

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  19. Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouseJuly 17, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    Oh, Joan! It is simply wonderful! I love the orchid and I am especially in love with your blue and white Chinese vases...being a blue and white gal myself. Tootles, Kathryn

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  20. SusanJuly 17, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Would you post about your orchids and how you Take cake of them to last so long?I look forward to this post.

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  21. Yvonne @ StoneGableJuly 17, 2011 at 11:48 PM

    Breathtaking, crisp, clean and such an upscale summer look! This is my kind of mantle! Very very sophicated.
    I am bookmaking this one!
    Thanks for the inspiration.
    Yvonne

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  22. Barbara@HausDesignJuly 18, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    LOVE the wood in the urn - I am a huge fan of them but hadn't thought of putting wood in them like that for summer (or winter for that matter!)...beautiful! Love the sea accents too - beautiful job!

    http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/

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  23. Susan TJuly 18, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    So very beautiful. An eclectic and stunning mix. I wish I has half your talent.

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  24. Essay WritingJuly 18, 2011 at 3:10 AM

    Thank you for this excellent & thoughtful post, so full of ideas that I have printed it out so I can read again..

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  25. Robynne's NestJuly 18, 2011 at 4:21 AM

    Just lovely! Robx

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  26. Kelly in HollandJuly 18, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    I absolutely love your home, photos and every blog post! You wonderfully capture what I miss most about classic American architecture - stately and crisp, yet cozy and inviting.

    All my best from afar, xo

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  27. Miss CharJuly 18, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    Love this summer look, great inspiration for my sad looking mantel. I need to get off the computer and try and pull something together to make mine look a little more summery. Thanks for the great inspiration.

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  28. JulieJuly 18, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Lovely summer mantle! I too hope you publish your renovations in a book one day. :)

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  29. Boxwood TerraceJuly 18, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Beautiful, Joan! So light and fresh. I hope you're having a great summer too.

    Deborah

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  30. A Sense of DesignJuly 18, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Joan, I love the mercury glass and I have a thing for blue and white pottery not to mention orchids but everytime I read your blog I feel like throwing everything out and starting again... you have such a wonderful innate style! Your style looks effortless whilst mine just looks contrived! Thanks for sharing. Gina

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  31. ℳartina @ Northern NestingJuly 18, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Joan I love the crisp clean look of your summer mantel! Love those candlesticks! Martina

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  32. LaurenJuly 18, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    So gorgeous!

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  33. CindyJuly 18, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Joan, Dan, and Ella: Again, I learn from your posts...the antique mercury glass candlesticks along with wood that you have picked up on trips; I love how you put such objects together and it all looks beautiful. This is how you make a house a home! Cindy

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  34. UnknownJuly 18, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    Joan,
    I'm so happy you stopped by PPT. I have been all over your blog and am smitten!

    Born and raised in Dallas, I am now in Westchester Cty and funny enough heading to NH this weekend to drop off one son at camp.

    Your home is magnificent, warm and reminds me of your design idol, Bunny Williams.

    i'll be a regular reader now!!
    xo Elizabeth

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  35. designchicJuly 18, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Your mantel looks gorgeous...love the references to the sea!! Happy Monday ~

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  36. Leo July 18, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Just beautiful. Simple and elegant at the same time. Love the style.

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  37. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereJuly 18, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Hi Joan! Your summer mantel is fabulous. I love the coastal touches.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  38. KarenBJuly 18, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    I absolutely love the wood gathered in the urn! It's all beautiful, though.

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  39. kayce hughesJuly 18, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    I also love you english match holder. My mother used to have loads of them in an antique store she owned.

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  40. quintessenceJuly 18, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    LOVE your light and eclectic mantel still life. What a wonderful assemblage of seemingly disparate elements that together create a unified vision of summer!!

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  41. AnonymousJuly 19, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    You really need a facebook page so we can follow your posts!

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  42. Acanthus and AcornJuly 19, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    Joan,
    It's looks so airy! I just got back from vacation with lots of shells to add to the collection, now I need to get busy! Thanks so much for the inspiration. Oh, and I love your finials on the hearth, I have a huge collection and it's so fun to see yours.

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  43. AnonymousJuly 19, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I can't wait to see more of your blue & white!

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  44. AT HOME BLOGJuly 19, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Lovely summer mantel :-) did you received my e-mail?
    A big kiss
    ETTa (Italy)

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  45. Steph. :)July 19, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    That is beautiful! I feel like a stalker because I finally read your ENTIRE blog from start to finish over the last few days. I love your taste and amazing attention to detail. Come by and say hi sometime!! Oh and I love Ella (I am a total dog lover)! Have a great day, Steph in SoCal.

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  46. for the love of a houseJuly 19, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    hi Etta! I did not receive your email. Please try again... fortheloveofahouse@comcast.net

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  47. Virginia Country HouseJuly 19, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    What a gorgeous mantle. Summery and fresh and elegant! So nice to visit on this hot day.

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  48. KathyJuly 19, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Lovely...the sea fan coral works so well....k

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  49. The Devoted ClassicistJuly 19, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    I like to transform the firebox, too, for the summer. For permanent grates/coals/logs, I often cover the opening with a fireboard, a practice continued from my grandmother's day.

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  50. vicki archerJuly 20, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Love your mantle Joan....it is so pretty and gentle, just the right feel....xv

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  51. micheleJuly 20, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    all the organic goodness, and your composition combine to create BRILLIANCE. thanks so much for sharing this gorgeous corner of your home.

    michele

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  52. DesireeJuly 20, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Your mantel is so beautiful. I just adore your blog so much. Super inspiring!

    Desiree

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  53. Antique StyleJuly 21, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    With all the chaos going on with the remodeling, I don't see how you find the time to create such beautiful vignettes. Congratulations on keeping your sanity --AND being able to share with all of us in blogland. I love your posts!

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  54. Dear LillieJuly 22, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    Your summer mantel is just beautiful, Joan!

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  55. Mary Ann PickettJuly 22, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Really lovely mix of texures...so nice how you keep things fresh.

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  56. TriciaJuly 22, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Of course a woman with a keen eye for interior design like you is also capable of getting an orchid to bloom again~ ha! It's magazine worthy my friend, thanks for sharing.
    Happy weekend to you.
    xo~
    Tricia

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  57. AnonymousJuly 23, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    hi Joan, love your mantle! I hope you are enjoying your summer! - Karen

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  58. the gardener's cottageJuly 24, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    how did i miss this? i LOVE your mantle and whole house for that matter. but i love seeing you change it up for the seasons. beautiful joan, just beautiful.

    xo
    janet

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  59. rachel @ Just a Touch of GrayJuly 26, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Beautiful! I love it!

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  60. Nancy's Daily DishJuly 31, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous! I love the antique urn full of driftwood...I think you said forest lumber...anyway...love it!

    Nancy

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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