Meet My Mantle-O

For me, there is nothing more dramatic than an over-the-top mantle or fireplace in a dining room. It reminds me of the how things used to be in days gone by. It is so romantic to have an abundance of candlelight flickering while you eat dinner and enjoy a glass of wine or three with friends. When I rented out the old barn, I knew I needed a mantle in the dining space. This room called for a mantle. We also wanted to have a piece that we could bring home to The States when we are forced to leave this gorgeous land of Duetches. The best thing about a mantle is you can bring it everywhere you go and you have the "feel" of having an elaborate fireplace in any room we choose and in whatever home or homes we live in next. Being with the military we need things that are portable but also help make our rental feel like a home. 

I teased you all with this little snippet of our mantle below, and then left you hanging for two months while life stepped in and got in the way of things... Oh, silly life. 

Here is a reminder of what our space looked like prior to having our dream mantle. We have since moved our dresser to our striped hall and have done a fun, new arrangement with that!

Don't you think the wall on the left is crying in pain for a dramatic mantle??!!! WAAAAA!

I will show you a full room shot with the mantle in it once I change a few more details that I have in store for this space.

BEFORE:

Meet my Mantle...Mr Barry Mantle-o (let's see how many people get that reference). 

Because our bleached-out and scuffed up wooden mantle was a similar color to our cream wall, and I am too lazy to paint that massive wall for our last (less than a) year here, we painted the small wall behind it charcoal grey to make the woodwork pop! It reminds me of the bleached-out wood from Restoration Hardware. This FABULOUS mantle originally came from European Country Living (for those of you in The States, there is one in VA) and they originally scored this piece from England. I am pretty darn in love and have been wanting one like this for years.
Mantles can be filled with anything...candles (obviously), flowers, stacked books, lanterns, and the list goes on. I encourage everyone to get one for their home. It is perfect for seasonal decorating, too. I am looking forward to doing it up for the holidays.

Here is a phone shot of my dining room from a little breakfast I put on!

If you are on a budget, check out how we made the mantle in our living room (below) for absolutely free! Click here to check out the tutorial! By the way, do like our smiling luggage? 

Are you as gushy over mantles as I am??? Alright, folks, I am off to watch some stupid, mindless TV and zone out for a bit...