Styling the Mantel

Justina would have me style a console--but I wanted to play with my mantel instead.

It has one function only--to be a dramatic focal point for the living room.

The painting is a thrift store score. I found it while shopping with my Mom--a rare thing. It fit this old frame I had perfectly.

It fills the space nicely.

Tall + dramatic draw the eye. These pussy willows have been on the mantle since the Spring--and though they really do say "Spring" more than summer, I love them. The books not only heighten the drama--they help balance the long horizontal space. They also bring the colour of the vase over to the other side of the mantel and add some lovely texture.

On the right side, I started with this bird I bought last fall at Target. (Dear departed Target. I'm still upset you left me.) The wood matches the buds exactly.

Then, for bling--and colour--I put this vase I bought just last night at Home Sense. You may remember my frustration trying to style the coffee table. I live a fairly accessory-free life and I just don't have that many options-- so off I went in hunt of pretty things. This is one of the things I found.

The rocks were just lying around, so I just piled them by the vase. There's one on the book on the opposite side, too

I love it. There are groupings. There's tons of texture. The colour palette is tight. (Repeating the colour scheme of the vase with the books--but in reverse kinds sorta thrills me to pieces.)

I give myself an A.

This post is part of a series based on a course I am taking at skillshare by Justina Blakeney called Style Your Space Like a Pro.

Assignment 1: (Identifying) The Styling Principles Of Justina Blakeney
Assignment 2: Styling the Coffee Table
Assignment 3: Styling the Sofa, sort of.