living room

What’s On My Spring Mantel

February 21, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 240 Comments

Okay, it’s no secret. I’m the queen of the cluttered mantel. I’ve TRIED less is more. I really have. And it’s almost Lent, so less is more made sense in my head. Just not on my mantel. AND? I’m pretty passionate about Lent and especially how we often need to add things to our lives (prayer, generosity, kindness, study, etc) just as much as we need to subtract them.

So. For my early Spring, Lenten mantel, I give you the following very full mantel. Here’s what I love about it.

1. The crucifix—It will be the perfect Lenten reminder of His scandalous love toward us. And I know how some Christians will say that they don’t like the crucifix, because He’s not there anymore, He’s risen! Yes, he is, but first we must journey through Lent, through his pain and suffering and hell. Then Easter will be all the more sweet.

2. Hold Your Horses sign by Stephanie Creekmur. It’s the perfect Lenten reminder. Wait. It’s not Easter yet. Walk slow through Lent and then we’ll run with fury together to the empty tomb.

3. Lemons and Aloe. Things alive add so much life and movement to your mantel and welcome Spring, without screaming Spring.

4. The gold planter was from Anthropologie and gives the perfect amount of shine!

5. The little white birdie planter is so cute. A Christmas gift from West Elm.

6. The antlers give hints of a crown of thorns.

7. The feather print is from Anna Marie Horner’s print collection. Framed at Hobby Lobby from a recycled antique store frame.

8. The bust was Hobby Lobby a year or two ago, spray painted and bejeweled with my pearls. I’m always having to hunt down my jewelry and hats, because they’re always scattered around my house being used as decoration.

9. The original poetry from my friend, Kim, after our fire. It says—

Sun splashes, dapples dark

mountain lingo lightens my world

God reflects in laughter

Sun splashes, dapples dark

red lips, pink cheeks brighter

her face

God shines in a smile

Sun splashes, dapples dark

warm hands spark creativity

God radiates his love

Sun splashes

It is one of my most priced possessions. I tear up every time I read it. I’m not sure Kim knew how much her art would touch me, change me, mold me.

So, yes, a cluttered, storied mantel that hints of sacrifice and promises redemption. The best spaces tell a story.

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If you’ve never been taught much about Lent, I’m doing a Lenten study that will begin on Ash Wednesday. Not sure if it’ll be through email, a facebook group, or just on the blog. But, be watching so we can journey together.

Also, meet me on Instagram today and show me your freshened up mantels, perhaps using some of my mantel advice from earlier this week! Use the hashtag #loveyourmantel. See you on IG or Facebook, if you don’t have an IG account!

Eclectic Fall Mantel

September 18, 2013 by Edie Wadsworth 290 Comments

fallmantle

I’ve been trying over the past few years to decorate for the seasons from stuff I already own or can clip from my yard. I just collect things I love over time and try to find ways to use them in a unique way. After our house fire, I didn’t go out and replace all of our “fall” stuff and I’ve been very slow to replace Christmas decorations. I wanted to start using things that could have multiple purposes and go through multiple seasons. Seasonal decorating is fun, but I find that the more I LOVE my rooms year round, the less I need to haul in a bunch of stuff that I’ll only use a few weeks.

So my mantle may not scream fall. But, perhaps it faintly whispers fall. At least to me. I know, I know. There are no pumpkins (yet!) and there are no overtly fall colors. But, let me tell you how I justify my fall mantel and what elements you might incorporate into your own fall decor.

1. Natural elements

This isn’t just true for fall, but nothing says fall like natural elements. I used dried hydrangeas, but I also have feather, dried twigs, and driftwood in various places this fall. I just walk around in my yard and look for something natural to use indoors. My big, beautiful hydrangeas bushes were still gorgeous, even though they’re drying up right on the vine, so I brought those in and added them to the mantel.

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2. Uniquely fall elements and/or colors

I didn’t use overtly fall colors, except I did move my rust colored chairs up from the basement to flank the fireplace. And as a side note, don’t be afraid to move your furniture around. Just because you a chair is in the living room doesn’t mean it’s married to that room. Same goes for your chotch-keys (i.e. knickknacks or tchotchkes).

This is also where pumpkins come in handy, but I haven’t found any awesome ones yet, because I haven’t been to the Apple/Pumpkin farm. However, it is deer hunting season, right? And antlers, I have aplenty. Some years, I cut maple branches or nandina branches that are changing colors. Driftwood wood be awesome, too, but my driftwood pieces are too big for the mantle.

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3. Go for the Gold

This is the year for gold and brass, no doubt. But, metallics add such great color and texture and should always be used, even if in small hints or touches. I found my bust of David at TJ Maxx and spray painted him gold and bought the gold Hold Your Horses print at Stephanie Creekmor’s online shop. I spray painted the tips of the antlers, too, because apparently I’m determined to run this gold thing into the ground.

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4. Art

I’m a huge fan of original art, but my budget doesn’t allow for big purchases. So, for now, I scour antique and thrift stores for art that appeals to me. ( I also stalk art and artists on Pinterest.) This abstract painting was $7 at a local thrift store and I’m so happy I found it. There’s nothing like original art work to finish a space.

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As soon as I find some awesome eclectic pumpkins, I’ll add one or two and call it done.

Well, actually, I’ll make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, apple cake, the best ever beef stew, and start a few knitting projects. Then, fall can burst through the doors with her lovely colors and weather!

Have you started your fall nesting? What projects are you working on? What good stuff are you cooking?

Find more fall inspiration at Melissa’s Fall Nesting Party and Sarah’s Fall Mantel Party!

BHG digital {my house}

April 16, 2013 by Edie Wadsworth 525 Comments

Darlene informed me this weekend that there was digital version of my BHG’s story that can be downloaded onto mobile devices. I was so happy because a) there was a photo of all the kids that was not shown in the magazine and b) several of you asked me if I had extra copies, which sadly, I don’t and c) I’m easily amused. Also, if you already have a subscription to BHG, you can get the digital copy for free. Just download their app to your device and then search for the January issue or whatever issue you want to see digitally. As far as I know, you cannot see the digital version on your computer, only mobile devices. I wrote about the experience here and here. The photos, in no particular order…..

Living Room details and sources.

The Sultry Master Bedroom details and sources.

The Girl’s bedroom details and sources.

The Kitchen details and sources.

I’m also planning a little mini series of updates on our house. After our house fire and rebuild and then living here for 18 months, I have a few regrets, but only a few. I’ll try to answer any questions I haven’t answered yet like how we like living with marble countertops, and how we are adjusting to no dining room and what rooms I have yet to show you. If you have any specific questions that you’d like me to address, leave them in the comments and I’ll add them to my agenda!!

xoxo,

edie

Living Room Design Board

May 30, 2011 by Edie Wadsworth 250 Comments

Darlene and I have been at it again and I couldn’t wait to show you the design board for the living room. It’s been such a fun collaborative effort, although she does all the hard work of placing and measuring and editing and I do all the fun work and sending a million links of things I love. And she finds the BEST stuff. She always comes up with the that perfect thing to tie the room together. I have so enjoyed this project with her. I’m kind of sad it’s over but…..

I’m so happy with how it turned out!

The honeycomb mirror ensemble goes above the mantle and there will be built in book shelves on either side. The walls will be white with a custom paneled treatment and the inside of the shelves will be painted navy. I’d like to add some magenta in the mix just for fun so I’m trying to decide where/how. I decided on the sofa, the benches and the chandelier several weeks ago so I’ve already ordered those. I learned the hard way in the girls’ room design project that some of the items takes 4-5 months to ship, so I need to order soon for the things that I want to have here by the time we move in. I’m not ordering every last thing on these design boards because they are intended to be a guide for the room. I sent Darlene about 7 or 8 inspiration photos along with the floor plan and links to items that I knew I wanted in the room and after 2-3 weeks and a bajillion emails later, she sent me this beautiful design board.

I’m undecided as to whether I like the blue “Eddie” renamed “Edie” chair (the turquoise leather) or the yellow zebra chair the best so Darlene did two design options so I could visualize the difference. Do you have a preference?

She then includes this key that correlates with the product spec sheet so that if I didn’t pick out the item, I know where to buy it and what size/color.

My talented friend Darlene is meticulous about placement and measurement of the furniture and she included two different floor plans for possible furniture placement choices. I fell in love with this Horchow sofa first so we spent several days making sure we liked how it fit in the room. It’s a large sofa and this is a relatively cozy living room. I like the contrast of large furniture in a small space.

At one point in the process, I hit a wall. I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted the room to go in. We had most of the large items chosen but I think we were both unsure which design path to take. She encouraged me to go back and look at my inspiration photos and to come up with five words that would clarify my vision for the room.

My five words were: elegant, layered, rich, storied, fresh, artsy.

Articulating those words and revisiting my inspiration photos really helped us finish the room. She’s so smart like that!

She also includes a very comprehensive spec sheet that references every item on the design board. She often gives less expensive alternatives to the chosen items and works within the budget you’ve given her. Since I was in need of almost every item in the room, my budget was generous. The only item I started with was the honeycomb mirror.

The chinoiserie mirror that sits over the chest was featured on One King’s Lane one day and Darlene sent me a time-sensitive email about it. I loved it and snatched it up immediately because if you’ve shopped OKL, you know that you must act fast or the item will be gone. If you haven’t begun your One King’s Lane addiction, follow this link! You won’t be sorry—but your husband might 🙂

This design has been so much fun for me and ALOT of work for her. I’m so thankful to her for all the hard work and love she puts into her projects. I can tell she LOVES what she does and I’m very aware that she is worth far more than her debut pricing would suggest. Her design queue filled up quick in the last 2 weeks so there’s quite a wait now but she’s so totally worth it if you you’re not in a hurry.

Overall, I think this design fits with my Texas, eclectic cottage self—with a little glam added in!

If you have any specific questions about the design, email me and I’ll do my best to answer your questions.

Hope you have a blessed Memorial Day! We’ll be enjoying the lake today—wishing our house was done already!!
xo,
edie