Decorating Ideas for Bookshelves & Mantles

Alot of people ask me what to display on shelves

and mantles.

There are no rules, the best things are usually things that you

have collected over time.

For instance,

I have an obsession with all things coastal.

I love coral, shells, and especially 

vintage ocean oil paintings.

I rearranged a few things on my bookcase

today, as well as the mantle. 

I like to bring a little

bit of the coast into every room that I decorate.

 My collection of French Leather bound, and parchment books

are just petite enough for these narrow shelves

 Scattering seashells along the shelves brings

the ocean in.

A collection of old faded blue jars & bottles

also bring that sea glass color in

the bookcase

 This Anna Fixler oil painting from the 50's 

has all the right rich midnight and faded blue

coloring.

 A little coral here, and a little there....

 These beautiful sea shells, urchins, are a beautiful

faded purple and green. They remind me of

hydrengeas in the spring.

 My mantle...

I can't tell you how long it took to find

the right mantle.

 

 I like to use old books with the tattered

bindings exposed, stacked high

with my coral collection.

Some vintage silver plated

trophy cups, finish off this side of the mantle.

 This is a beautiful piece of lacy cup coral

in the original brown color.

I love how they look like flower petals.

 The colors are so soothing, I can hear the ocean

crashing on the rocks.

I found this oil painting from

a collector, and it had the 

biggest chunky gold frame

and light above it.

I stripped the oil from the frame,

and hung it frameless

above the mantle.

 I love anything with original chippy paint.

I sealed the mantle with a couple

coats of polyurathane.

Not only to protect the finish, but also to protect us,

since this is an old mantle, it may be

lead paint.

 Last but not least, a grouping

of your favorite things under

a taxidermy dome

looks great too!

Be sure and stop by this week,

I will be showing some of my latest

shower curtain, curtain panels, and bedding designs.