We’ll soon be enjoying our fireplaces with fall here and chilly nights ahead. I think this is one of the highlights of the season I eagerly anticipate. It makes the transition from summer to fall so special.
When we renovated our old home, I knew we would replace the lackluster mantels with more interesting ones – nothing fancy, just more soulful. After all, the fireplace is the focal point of a room, and its mantel should say (but never scream) “look at me!”Whether
lavish and ornate or pure and simple, I love antique mantels –
especially early painted wooden ones. They add instant patina and
character to any home. They are generally easy to install. Also, they are frequently found throughout architectural salvage warehouses, antiques
shops, flea markets, eBay, etc.
With the measurements of our fireplace openings in hand and a bit of searching, I found two antique wooden mantels rather quickly. And they were the perfect sizes requiring no alterations or modifications.
In our bedroom is this French mid 1700s mantel with original boiserie top. If this boiserie top had a built-in mirror, it would be known as a trumeau. Most trumeaus were once parts of paneled rooms. The fancier ones would have a painting and a mirror. Ours most likely came out of a paneled room of a modest country house. I say modest because it lacks a mirror, carvings and embellishments.
I love its crusty layers of early white, gray, and green colors. Notice the side doors which still operate. Someday I’ll share what’s behind them 🙂 BTW, I’ve never shown this fireplace before so it’s making an official debut here!
For now a French Regence silver plated mirror adorns the boiserie top.
A gray-green limestone was chosen for the surround and hearth. The firebox still has the original clay tile liners. Antique English polished steel tools and fender are utilitarian and decorative. When fires are lit, the zinc architectural fan comes out and a mesh screen covers the opening.I’m looking for a tailored ottoman with legs on castors and streamlined floor lamps for reading. Any suggestions?
The antique American mantel in our living room dates from the mid 1800s. It’s flat profile and lack of shelf give it a clean look.
During the renovation, the firebox was rebuilt with beige fire bricks in a herringbone pattern, while Portuguese Gascogne Beige honed limestone was installed for the surround and hearth. We also converted this fireplace to gas.
The antique screen is French. The large covered urn is for coal as is the small pail, and both are English from the 1800s. Also from England are the polished steel and brass tools.
This old photo shows an English Georgian carved pine mantel in our former shop. I sold this monumental masterpiece to a client in Easton, Maryland.
You might recognize the above photo from House Beautiful. The room was decorated by
Katrin Cargill, and I adore it all – from the Swedish tea table to the Rococo armchair to the French Directoire mantel and boiserie top. Just divine!
Above is another room from the same house decorated by Cargill. Notice the antique mantel here as well.
Welcome to the very famous barn room belonging to
Bunny Williams and
John Rosselli! Each time I see this room, I want to move to an old barn. So warm and beautiful. So collected and layered. Look at that stately antique mantel!!
This carved architectural beauty (above) belongs to designer Nancy Braithwaite. It has a similar design to Rosselli and Williams’ mantel, but the proportions are a bit quirkier. Perhaps it was cut down? Many thanks to my friend Billie for scanning the photo which is from the February 1985 (!) issue of Early American Life. Billie is the author of the blog
“Kitchens I have Loved,” and she regularly features the early works of many iconic designers: Bill Blass, Dan Carithers, Hugh Newell Jacobsen, John Saladino, etc.
In
Eric Cohler’s Charleston bedroom is a handsome antique mantel, among many other fabulous items. Though traditional, this room is very chic and stylishly appointed.
Since we are in Charleston, let’s visit an awesome home with really soulful mantels. This home belongs to the uber cool Helen Rice and Josh Nissenboim. Together they own the design firm Fuzzco. All photos from Dwell magazine.
Looks like these mantels were stripped – such wonderful raw textures and simple designs!
These next photos are from the portfolio of
Nancy Fishelson. They were published in Country Living magazine. Fishelson is one of my favorite designers, and her interiors are always lovely, edited and neutral. She frequently incorporates antique mantels into her projects. The overall look is high-country charm!
Antique wooden mantels, whether original or repurposed, bring such charm and character to their surroundings. A few suggestions:- Measure both the opening and the existing surround on all sides.
– Have your dimensions handy when shopping.
– Taller mantels can be shortened. If there are plinths, they can be removed and put back after the legs are cut down.
– Check your local firecode regulations regarding distances to combustible surfaces.
I hope you have enjoyed this post!
Cheers,
Loi
Loi this is a wonderful Post! I have learned so much about mantles that I never knew! Your never before seen mantle is divine! I can't wait to see what's behind those doors!
All the rooms and mantles are gorgeous!
Thank you so much….I have thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it!!!
xo
Patty
Gorgeous mantles Loi, from the ornate to the very simply styled. It is a piece of sculpture in any room!
xoxo
Karena
Velvet Pumpkins Giveaway!
Hello Loi
I love your fireplace and the patina and colour is wonderful. A fireplace is such a joy.
Enjoy your weekend
Helen xx
I particularly love your French mantel. Perfection! On a side note, we have what looks to be an identical armoire to yours. (The one in the photo of your bedroom). I've never seen another one just like ours before. We stumbled upon ours in an antique store when we first moved here to Virginia. We couldn't get to the counter fast enough to let the owner know we wanted to purchase it. On one of the outside back panels we discovered some old wallpaper with quite a bit of French writing on it, so we assumed the piece may be French. Do you have any history on your piece?
So neat, Julie! We purchased our French Louis Philippe walnut armoire from an antiques shop in Baltimore almost 20 years ago. Sadly that shop closed about 5 years ago. Our armoire is totally collapsible. There is a concealed bottom drawer. And it dates to Ca. 1840s. Would love to see your piece!
Thank you for the information Loi. It's exciting to now know a bit more about our piece. Our armoire is collapsible as well with drawers on the bottom, but not concealed. We have it as the focal piece in our family room. I haven't shared that particular room on my blog yet, but hope to take some pictures soon.
You converted to gas! That was a huge…debate for us here in our new house. We had always had wood burning fireplaces and oh how I love the smell and the sound. But gas was already installed here and yes, it seemed so much easier. But it also felt like a cop-out. Well, three years later we couldn't be happier! Yes, so much easier. And it gives off lots of heat.
I love those "secret" doors in your bedroom mantle; can't wait to see what is behind them! So many beautiful and detailed images here and lots to go back and discover!
oh so lovely! i love that first one- can you believe it's going to be high 80's this weekend here?!?! come on fall….. where are ya? 😉 happy weekend!
Gorgeous rooms! I love the mix of old and new. So elegant and timeless! So glad I stopped by. 🙂
Jennelise
Thanks so much, and welcome, Jennelise! I hope you'll visit again. Cheers!
Exquisite chimneypiece in your drawing room. We had a pine Adam style in our dining room and a very ornate Sienna and Jasper and Carera marble (c.1760) chimneypiece in the drawing room. Each of the four bedrooms had their own chimneypieces, of varying degrees of interest, (one lacking completely), and I bought a pine Regency style chimneypiece from a salvage yard. Obviously none required here!
Oh Loi… I just don't know where to begin… but its not just the mantels which are works of art unto themselves, but the details… that magnificent fender, the tools, the zinc fan, the perfect trim on the pillow. But this was really two posts in one… the designers you featured are all people who's work I've long admired and learned from. I especially love Kartrin Cargill's work and her rooms that look both old and freshly scrubbed at the same time.
Katrin. sorry. and one day, maybe I'll actually figure out how to have a face there instead of a blank head. haha! let me see if my wp account is better. (I doubt it) 🙂 nope. let's try google
k that worked… except its the wrong account. don't ask. just don't. we're working on it. it'll get sorted out— one day!
Hi Loi,
A gorgeous array of warm, wooden, antique mantels and so many interesting details, both in their composition, colour and style, but also in your description of their history! Case in point: your own bedroom mantel, with its many layers of patina, interwoven into the grain, and the secret structural element, too!! I am also enchanted by Nancy Fishelson's decorative whimsy, white on white warmth and light!
Thank you for sharing all your own favourites and will be looking out for your post on the bedroom mantel secret door reveal!
xo
Poppy
Loi, your home is so beautiful. It truly is. Your mantels are gorgeous. I am envious that you have a fireplace in your bedroom. We have one in our living room and just fired it up for the first time today, my favorite part of fall. That's where I spent most of my evenings with the kitties 🙂
Khammany, it really is a treat to have a fireplace in the bedroom. We love it!! Thanks!
Beautiful!!! I love this!
Hello Loi, What wonderful old mantels these all are. I too love mantels and fireplace equipment, and would love to collect it if I had the space. I once bought a magnificent marbleized slate fireplace surround, the best I have ever seen, but had to give it away when I moved to Taiwan.
I tried to go back and pick a favorite of the ones you show here, but realized that each is perfect for the room in which it is installed.
–Jim
Wonderful suggestions Loi. I plan to install a fireplace in the living room and I thought something like this French mentel in the first picture. So lovely!
xoxoxo
Vesna
You are right; antique mantels give a room soul. I especially love your American mantel, especially the corners. And, your use of antique English polished steel tools and fender–is pure genius. Ditto to the zinc architectural fan for the summer. Thank you for giving us a new peek into your home and for introducing me to Nancy Fishelson and Nancy Fishelson's and Eric Cohler's work. I am hoping to make it to your shop this week, when I am in DC.
I hope you can make it, M! Look forward to catching up and hearing all about Scandinavia in person.
Loi, how amazing that you were able to find mantles that did not need any alterations. I want to know what is behind that door…you tease. What a beautiful and inspiring array of mantles you laid out for us. Thank you. I loved this post.
Antique wooden mantles are gorgeous! So nice of you to feature yours and others. I would love to have our old coal-burning fireplace converted to gas. One day!
Claudia
Hi Loi,
Thanks again for such a wonderful post, filled with such gorgeous images. Your mantle in the bedroom is a particular beauty! Can you tell me where you like to go to source your limestones? I loved the choices you made for the surrounds.
Thank you!
Michael
Thank you, Michael! We found the limestones at U.S. Marble. They are located in Beltsville, MD. They do wonderful work.
Such fun to see a few more areas of your home. The mantle in the bedroom with the faded white, green and blue paint seems to have been made just for you, Loi! Such fine examples of different styles of mantles. I'd always been curious about the mantle in your living room, so it's interesting to learn more about its origins. It looks perfect in its new home.
Happy Weekend,
Deborah
OK, you know me Loi……you know what's coming. But first, I am so late since my new job is really challenging my time management these days! I missed your post yesterday, but here I am, ready.
I literally have to take an extra breath when I visit you! I knew it when I saw on my sidebar that you had posted. I came here bracing myself, and of course, I nearly fell off my chair.
The simple joys of the change of season from summer to fall are what we anticipate after a hard day's work. I come home just longing to sit in front of my little hearth, to sit with Ruben in our great room, and to just enjoy my shabby and distressed garden.
Now, I'm here to see that outrageously perfect mantlepiece in your bedroom. It is sheer perfection in the gray/patina tones, so French, and TDF. Thank you for your "poetry" of surprise and beauty that you craft in arranging just the right peaceful pieces to make a home.
Much love dear Loi and Tom! Anita
Good Morning Loi!
Hope you enjoyed your recent trip to Maine. I just love the coast this time of year. Last week I had the pleasure of strolling Portsmouth NH and eating a relaxed dinner on the water while visiting my son who is away at college. It was the best few hours I have had in a while! But that's really because I adore my children!!
Now that you have seen my house you know we have old mantels as well (not sure if they qualify as antique but they sure do show the grandeur of the victorian asthetic in the US from 1902). It really hasn't been cool enough to fire them up but once we do, they will be roaring all winter! I love the ambiance of a fire crackling away. I am especially anxious to use the one in our master, how romantic and cozy.
Both your fireplaces are absolutely beautiful. A love the simplicity of the fender you use in your master bedroom and have been on the hunt for it's twin for quite some time. I trust we will stumble upon one in due time.
Thanks for a wonderfully warming post!!
Fondly-Lisa
Your home is incredible, Lisa. I hope you dedicate more posts on it!!
Absolutely wonderful mantel Loi! Every angle of your home brings new treasures.
You have me reminiscing about our last home in Barnes this morning. In the lounge we had a similar mantel, the matching panelled wall to the right of the fireplace had a hidden weighted mechanism allowing us to raise it into the 1st floor of the house thus opening up the space. Back to fireplace though, I cannot wait for the onset of the colder months, have a real fire on a cold evening, snuggling with a nice hot cup of cocoa is gorgeous!
Paul:)
I really enjoy seeing such a variety of mantels Loi! I love the rustic beauty of a vintage mantel….but even more, I dream of those that once sat cozy by the fire…cooking….mending….reading….our mantel (1800's) is from a very simple time period. Not exactly sure….not carved at all, Just a simple design. It's fun to see the different ways that we all decorate this focal point.
The mantels are both gorgeous. I agree that subtlety is the name of the game when it comes to mantels. I love the patina on the painted mantle.
Your mantels are my favourite on this post. I like that you painted the fireplace black and the outer in that antique colour. So clever and elegant. Your house is just so elegant. There's no wrinkles on it! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you for your last comment on my Blog. It inspired me to post about it on my Blog this weekend.
Hi Loi, All beautiful examples, though my favorite is the one in your bedroom. Absolutely stunning. Can I ask about the origin of the chairs on either side of the fireplace? I am looking around for one in that style for Sophie's new room.
xo,
Phyllis
Thanks! The upholstered chairs are French Napoleon III…..from the 1880s. They are also known as slipper or club chairs. Looking forward to seeing Sophie's bedroom!!
Hi Loi! I love your educational posts! These are amazing examples! I have been installing a project with all antique surrounds. So fun and SOULFUL!! Even in contemporary houses I always call out the simple beige firebricks in a herringbone pattern. It looks gorgeous. xoxo, K
Wonderful examples!! I luv antique mantels…found one (in the trash!) re-painted and it's my daughter's headboard…in the cabin a friend gave me an old one..using it for a shelf and cut off the plinths and they are now repurposed as sconces…waste not… franki
Wow! Great ideas and very clever, Franki. I love the idea of mantel as headboard!!
Lovely Post~Interesting and beautiful pictures. I too love Nancy Fishelson. Your home is gorgeous!
Sarah
Dear Loi, just a beautiful post…love your bedroom mantel….all of it…and that mirror! Never fail to inspire me, Loi….thank you….enjoy these beautiful fall days….N.xo
Loi I want your house! Oh my word it is so lovely! I feel like a dowdy little country mouse in a shack beside your delightful abode! I love mantels too – someday I want one like the one in your bedroom!
Send me a photo of the type of ottoman you want – I just might make you one!!
sorry Jill… but I have dibs on it! lol I checked out your blog and its no slouch! verrry lovely! I'm going back to look at more of it! xo, Laurel
Loi, somehow you always manage to feature things that have been on my mind…like fireplaces and beautiful mantels. Not only is your timing always perfect, but the inspiration you provide is unsurpassed! I love your mantels and each of the ones you featured! We are hoping to eventually put on a sunroom with a fireplace, and I will be filing away this post to add to my "must haves" list!
Enjoy your weekend!
xo Kat
Fabulous…fabulous…fabulous…Your's is my favorite.
Loi,
That bedroom fireplace is exquisite! I love the crusty painted patina…and am wondering what you have behind it! 🙂 TV perhaps. Every inch of your home feels so perfect but not in a stuffy way. Thank you for sharing your personal space and suggestions on how to best incorporate the look in our homes. I'm ready for our temps to dip a little, as the wood is ready, but it isn't cool enough for an indoor fire…yet!
Enjoy your weekend!!!!
xoxo Elizabeth
A fireplace in my lifetime was always something functional – for using and certainly not to admire other than the blaze itself. I grew up with "coal" fires/ fireplaces and it was my job to clean out, prepare and light the fire on returning from school. I started with scrunched up newspaper, then braided newspaper, added some kindling and then small pieces of coal to get it started. Sometimes it really was a chore and other times it lit easily. By the evening when it was a roaring fire and glowing while we sat around it and read you would start to notice the actual fireplace, which was then over 50 years old in dark wood with it's high shelf and what I thought to be archiac tile surround. I loved the "tools" and I did admire them in each house I visited. I believed there was some status attached to a good fireplace set and how the tools were cared for. I especially appreciated a good "poker". When we got married we moved into our first flat two up in a red sandstone building I had the fireplace ripped out and a "nice" modern electric model installed – how I regret that today as the fireplace was over a hundred years old and monumental in the space. How things change I would give my eye teeth to have it today. Fireplaces are something I seek out in my travels and visits to historic houses, castles etc., and the ones with the mirrors always take my eye. Now I know wht they are called ( another learning experience).The fireplaces in your blog and the architectual details are fabulous. As always, thanks for an another inspiring blog Loi.
Thank you, Maggie. I really enjoyed reading about your experiences. We had an old coal burning fireplace in our former home, and had to convert it to gas as it was always dirty to use. And we had a hard time finding coal.
I love you and your blog Loi ! Your mantles make me want to attack my newly rebuilt mantles with a chain and beat them up and faux finish them ! Maybe I will 😉 !!
xo
Betsy
It looks very charming!
But what I like most is your American mantle!
Best wishes for cozy evening and happy moments in front of the fire 🙂
xk
Loi
This is one of my most favorite posts of yours, so much to love. That mantel of Nancy Braithwaite's is spectacular, and one can never get enough of Nancy Fishelson. Wonderful post!
Good Morning Loi! Such a beautiful array of mantels here! The one in your bedroom is gorgeous. A warm throw, glass of wine/coffee/tea.. a goodbook, it doesn't get much better. I've pinned a few of these! Enjoy your weekend~ xxL
Beautiful post, Loi. Lovely way to start a Saturday with your post and a latte. Patty/BC
Loi,
Your two antique mantles are wonderful. I enjoyed seeing the antique mantles from other homes—you always share the best images. The English coal urn and bucket are spectacular.
It's in the high eighties here, ugh! I know fall will win the battle soon and I can hardly wait to light that first fire. Great post.
xo,
Karen
Beautiful post Loi! You never dissapoint :). Love your bedroom mantle and especially enjoyed the Rice and Nissenboim photos. That place is fabulous! We are enjoying a weekend off at the PB home- 82 degrees and spending time at the beach=heaven!! Hope you are enjoying your weekend too-
XO Sarah
your living room mantel is my all all all time fav. so incredibly beautiful. and the limestone surround! oh i love it too. what an incredible treasury here of reclaimed mantels!
have a lovely weekend, my friend.
michele
i have thoroughly enjoyed this post loi, as always thank you for such loveliness. was thinking about you today and what a pleasure it is getting to know you and your style. your home is exquisite and your teachings invaluable. love the reveal of your fireplace, outstanding!
had the distinct pleasure of being in bunny and john's barn/entertainment facility. having gazed upon that image and other angles of the room in photographs i was in awe, to be standing there and capturing the depth of interest was other-worldly
all my best
debra
Very lovely, it has a a graceful look with patina yet soo pretty!
Best,Karolyn
Jeepers Loi, I miss you for a day and you get a million comments….hellllloooooooo? Are you still there beneath the accolades;) Much love, and great admiration tinged with bitterness. xob:):):)
Hi Loi, This is a super informative post–love it! Thank you for featuring wood mantels; we usually see antique French marble mantels–these wood guys have so much character and warmth. Mia and Grace are home!!
xoxoxoxo Mary
Wow, Loi! I love your mantels and even better is the way you have dressed up the whole vignette with thoughtful touches. I love the bedroom mantle most – so pretty with the mirror. Your home is gorgeous. I wish I had a classic home to dress up – so many of these elements feel too contrived in a contemporary suburban house, but in yours they are gracious and charming. 🙂
Hugs, Terri
The antique mantles are gorgeous. That view of your living room is utterly AMAZING! What a great collection. The mantles in the photographs you show really do add to the overall beauty of the room designs. Great post!
Susan xxooxx
Loi, i love your mantles. They are stunning. I have often wondered how your upholstery looks so immaculate while having dogs. I have four dogs and have slipcovered all of my chairs and sofas. This time of year is especially challenging with the leaves falling. Their little paws are like Velcro!!
Thank you, Jennifer! I use a lot of indoor / outdoor upholstery fabrics – they are so easy to clean and wipe down. Also, I keep the doggies off of certain pieces. Sometimes it works…..sometimes not 🙂 Especially in the spare bedrooms as guests may have allergies, etc.
Hi Loi, Your home is just beautiful and the mantles gorgeous! My favorite thing to to in the cold weather is to sit in front of a fire either with some needlework or a glass of wine. There is nothing else as like it, what else could one need!
Just gorgeous, Loi! You have a perfect eye for beautiful and patina!! I also love the herringbone brick!
Happy Sunday.
Teresa
xoxo
I've said it before and I will say it again: every post you share is a feast for the eyes and the mind. I'm always learning when I read Tone on Tone and this post is no exception. I'm so in love with the detail of your living room mantel–character like that just can't be duplicated in a new mantel.
The mantels are simply beautiful and as you said, add instant soul to any room. I like that yours are beautiful & understated and don't scream!
Wonderful post! What carpet did you choose for your bedroom? Monica
Monica, thanks! The wool carpet is from Ralph Lauren. I forget the name though.
great post Loi! I love your living room best of all, seriously! Im not biased- at all! I am often asked about mantels so thanks for the tips and education! Have a great week ahead my friend!
xo Nancy
Such a gorgeous post! I felt like I was flipping through the best design book ever! We have three fireplaces in our home and that is one of my most favorite things about our house. I love it when we can actually use them in colder weather! My favorite mantel is one I picked out at the Architectural Heritage here in Birmingham. It is intricately carved limestone and I truly adore it! I don't think I can leave it if we ever sell this house! Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos of your own home as well! Take care!
Good evening dearest Loi! Thank you for coming by today! I hope you are having a cozy Sunday; we are finally getting some misty rain, making everything lush. Cabbage and white bean soup will be simmering in a copper pot tonight, cornbread in the oven and a nice pot of tea later in the night. And thank you for asking about my students! I am loving my new post as a high school and middle school French teacher, and my students are super. Now it's a matter of finding out on Oct. 15 if my husband gets laid off from his teaching position at the university, but we have faith that something will come up for him in the future.
I am enjoying my white pumpkins by my hearth, at my dining table and in our great room, and they remind me of YOU! teeheee
Much love to you and Tom…enjoy the evening! Anita
Hi Loi…I admire your creativity and good taste….Your living room fireplace looks beautiful…
Loi…your bedroom also looks gorgeous!
I love the art above your mantel…unexpected as mirrors are common. You are so talented.
Both of your mantels and the rooms that they are in are absolutely gorgeous! Great post!
It is just stunning. Thanks for sharing. We really enjoyed your post. thanks again.. Antique Mantel Clocks
Out of all of the beautiful mantels you've shown us, I think I like your two mantels the best. These are all wonderful inspiration too. Once my kitchen is done and table is added, I'm considering turning my dining room into a keeping room. An old mantel, although just decorative, would be the perfect focal point to the room.
Loi, you are inspiring me. When we moved into our house, we were going to replace our own lackluster mantle with something vintage. But we ended up skipping that part of the project – it would have meant having to redo the pattern on our hardwood floor around the fireplace and we decided it was just too much at that time (renovation fatigue). Now I regret it, and seeing all these gorgeous mantles with so much personality I'd love to rethink our decision. Yours is so beautifully. Hope you get to enjoy lots of crackling fires this season!!
yes -antique mantels and light fixtures are always my go to to completely change a room. Like you say -both are so easy too!
love fireplace's, no I adore them. a great post! xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Both the mantels in your home are so different but amazing, and seem to fit so well in their respective locations.
I was very tempted to fire the family room fireplace this morning as it was 42 F 🙂
Best wishes
Dear Loi,
While I was reading this post I was trying to decide which mantel I would like most of all. Having only been used to stone or marble mantels I had never considered wood as an option. Does it get hot when the fire is lit or on in the case of a gas fire?
I think that for me, the mantel has to include a shelf so that one of mantel clocks could sit on it. Plus a couple of candlesticks.
I do like your bedroom fireplace. It looks nice and warm, and with the two armchairs, most cosy!
Kirk
Dear Loi – This is a great posting! While I don't have a fireplace in my house, I know that if I did, I'd choose a trumeau to surround it. Thanks for introducing me to that term — I keep learning from you!
They are all so beautiful, Loi! I have never seen one like your living room mantle, the accessories suit it perfectly and your bedroom mantle is just perfect with its painted surface! You have such an eye for creating beautiful interiors!
I am so inspired Loi that I do not know where to begin. I am looking forward to following all the fab links you have provided. You have put a whole new spin on hearths for me. I also now have a better appreciation for the original ones in the section of our New Hampshire house built in 1790. You have a wonderful collection here, I am having a pinning fest on Pinterest. Thank you! Hope you house hunt in Maine is going well. Love seeing the pics on IG. Jeanne xx
I can't get over your mantels (and the way you've styled both spaces so thoughtfully). Love your "modest" boiserie top. And as for the other details, I love that French fire screen. My mantel and surround is in desperate need of an overhaul. Orange brick and an ugly wood grain mantle piece. Saving your photos for inspiration!
I read this post days ago, but didn't get a chance to comment. I absolutely love the roundup of mantels you shared. I adore how each is decorated simply making the architecture/design of each mantel the focus. Loved the peek of yours since seeing it on Instagram. The one in your bedroom is fab too! Really beautiful post with lots of eye candy.
Dear Loi,
Such a lovely and inspiring post!
All of these mantels indeed have soul and lend so much to the warm atmosphere of a home.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I love how you use the word 'soulful' to these gorgeous pieces Loi. All the more importance to something people may overlook sometimes since most of the time, we're all focused on the decoration around or on the fireplace mantle. I have a fireplace in our master bedroom, truly just a plain cookie-cutter surround, and reading about them makes me want to change it all together into one of these soulful pieces! Now, you've made me a 'hunter' for this piece for my home! I'll be sure to be in the look-out for one and definitely be taking note of your advice dear. I truly love your home and this area is no exception, must be great to live in a home where that needs no fixing right?! Enjoy your fireplace, I'm surely gonna be on a look out for a footstool for your home! Have a great weekend!
Oh Loi, is there anything better than a good blazing fireplace. So primal, so pagan. There is something very ritualistic about lighting a fire. I love the Katrin Cargill room. There is not one here that I don't like. I'm also glad you mentioned ebay in your source. I have bought many a treasure for myself and to sell on. A lot of people don't actually know what they have and so bargains can be found with perseverance.
Great post as usual, I really enjoyed this one.
Happy Autumn dearest!
Much Love
Di
xoxo
Im speechless! So beautiful as if they were made just for u. Its always such a treat to see your beautiful home. xoxo
Jennifer@vreelandroad
My dear friend Loi,
I just love to see your visits chez moi! ARE YOU and Tom enjoying the fabulous season? It is really starting to happen here with the golden leaves falling and our little Korean Pear tree turning a fire-RED. The next block over looks like a scene out of New England with the orange maples and I am sitting here by my little fireplace hearing the wind rustles the trees. Perfection.
Cozy up and enjoy your weekend my friend! Anita
Dayum…you have the most perfect house ever…I could not love those FP mantels more and I am 100% jealous of that first one. Sick! You also showed some images that have been in my file forever….Nancy Fishelson's especially!
Beautiful and cozy!
You know how we love your home – every piece and every detail is perfection. Adore your mantle!!
I have enjoyed your post, as always Loi. And thanks for referencing "Kitchens I Have Loved" – very thoughtful of you. Your own mantels are beautiful. As usual after seeing images of your home, I feel the need to completely "spare-ify" every room in my house. Thanks for the inspiration – I think 🙂
xo,
b
Loi, I hope that you have been keeping yourself toasty in front of the fireplace with all of the rain and crazy weather on this side of the country,
I hope that you have a fabulous week! Thank you for coming to visit.
Beautiful! I hit the "Pin It" button several times.
Dearest Loi, not only do I love your blog for inspirational beauty, but the perpetual student in me gets giddy learning all of these wonderful things…thank you!
I love antique mantels….the ones in you home are so beautiful…sigh… 🙂
I hope you are having a splendid and cozy October…
Love from MN,
– Irina
Loi- I love all of the mantel inspiration it makes we want to curl up by the fire and wait for the cold weather!!
Your mantel is gorgeous, Loi. I love your taste and your uncluttered style. Hope you are enjoying a warm night by the fire.
WOWW I LOVE these amazing old fireplaces:) I hope you had a great weekend Loi and I really hope you will do a fab antique Guest post on my blog sometime:)
Check out this post Ive made with stylish Modern Swedish fireplaces:)
Have a great Sunday
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis – inredning it's, Swedish for decor 🙂
What a fabulous mantel post Loi – catching up as I've been traveling!
I love our fireplace and soon will be hauling in the logs and lighting up for the cold evenings/holiday season ahead.
Happy day – Mary
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR WONDERFUL PICTURES, I DID ENJOY ALL OF THEM. YOU HAVE VERY NICE TASTE FOR ALL. .HAVE A NICE DAY
BARBARA FROM SOUTH AMERICA
Top Ten Classified Website List, Pakistani Classified Sites, USA Classifieds, Indian Classifieds, Entertainment Articles, Entertainment News, Entertainment Pictures, Bollywood, Hollywood and Lollywood Pictures and Videos, Entertainment Latest updates, Hot Entertainment News and Pictures Funny Entertainment Pictures, lol Pictures, Funny Pictures and every thing you want…
http://www.hotcurrentaffairs.com
Thanks Loi, for sharing wonderful pictures of your bedroom and kitchen. You have very nice choice and style for all. I have enjoyed your post. Keep Posting…
I love the blog. Great post. It is very true, people must learn how to learn before they can learn. lol i know it sounds funny but its very true. . .
Wood mantels in LI
I want to show appreciation to the writer for bailing me out of this scenario. Because of surfing throughout the search engines and seeing opinions which are not beneficial, I was thinking my entire life was done. Being alive without the approaches to the problems you have solved by means of your good guide is a critical case, as well as those which might have negatively affected my career if I hadn't encountered the website. Your know-how and kindness in maneuvering all the stuff was precious. I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn't encountered such a point like this. I can also now look ahead to my future. Thanks a lot very much for the skilled and effective guide. I won't be reluctant to propose the blog to anyone who wants and needs guide on this situation. Cast Stone Mantles
My husband and i felt absolutely peaceful that Emmanuel managed to conclude his studies with the ideas he obtained while using the site. It is now and again perplexing to just possibly be offering key points which usually the rest could have been selling. We really keep in mind we need the post owner to give thanks to for this. All of the explanations you have made, the easy post menu, the friendships you can give support to promote – it's everything extraordinary, and it is assisting our son and the family reckon that that issue is enjoyable, which is especially vital. Many thanks for all the pieces! Cast Stone Fireplace Mantels
Well, I were surfing the internet and i found a blog .Its really nice .Great Work .. Keep sharing.
Stone Fireplace Mantel