Sneak Peek: $40 Mantel
A few weeks ago when I told you about my crazy love for the Habitat For Humanity ReStore, I showed you this chair…
Well, I caved and went back to get it…and it was still there! Yay! And I asked for a better price and scored it for 7.50! I’m going to give this chair a makeover and use it at my desk {which also needs a makeover!}. Stay tuned!
I’ve been itching to show you the awesome mantel that I snatched up for $40 at the ReStore, and today is the day! 🙂 Since I took the pictures below, I’ve primed the board and batten and we’ve moved in, so things look quite different now.
Don’t you just love the cranberry colored tiles? {rolls eyes} I beat those things out as fast as I could! Ha!
My brother and my father-in-law were so kind to hold up the mantel so I could imagine what it would look like and to take pictures, of course.
We are going to cut about an inch off the side pieces {where the arrows are pointing} so the mantel will sit directly under the ledge trim of the board and batten! Woot! The only part I’m worried about is what to do with the gaping hole where normal people have fireplaces? And also where I knocked the cranberry tiles out. Hmmm…
Should I look for something iron for the center? Or leave it just plain?
I was thinking about the possibility of modpodging scrapbook paper on foam board for the side insert pieces.
I’m just tickled pink to have found such a fun piece for such a steal! 🙂 I can’t wait to get it installed and decorated!
Very nice! As I read where you knocked out the cranberry tiles, the thought ran through my mind that pieces of ornamental iron would look very nice there, in the side pieces…if you can find something that fits. As for the center opening, you could do a simple mural…a decorative piece of wallpaper/modpodged foam board…or leave it plain, but painted in a darker, complementary color. Of course, if you don’t like it, you can always try another option! 🙂
Beautiful chair, and a lovely mantel!! If the inside is going to be white, maybe something decorative inside on the wall, but painted white?? It wouldn’t be too distracting, but would give the area a little bit more texture. I don’t really know what I’m talking about though. 😉
What about painting the interior with black chalkboard paint?
Back the interior with some really nice fabric and place a large candlelabra in front of it. That’s what I do, yup! Can’t wait to see what you come up with 🙂
What about doing some sort of mosaic or mural tile work in the center? You could probably do more of a mural in the center and then mosaic tile work on the side inlays? I would definitely put some sort of nice candle setting in the center with a fireplace grate. You can find broken/chip tiles for next to nothing or even use old plates and cups you find at a thrift store for the mosaic work. You could probably even get free tile samples 🙂 Or in the center you could do a mirror and just paint on the mirror this way when you light the candles it will reflect off the mirror 🙂 Just my 2 cents 🙂
Awesome finds!!!!!! Good luck and you must share the finished products with us 🙂
I love your ideas Frances! I’m loving a mirror idea!! 🙂
What great finds! I may venture out to my local Habitat store today after your inspiration:) I love the idea of the chalkboard – we have one painted on a wall in my children’s playroom and they love it- its always a hit when friends come over!
On another note, do you have any after Christmas/Winter/Valentine ideas for the fab hurricane vases you use? I am stuck for ideas but have used mine since the fall and now they are empty! Any quick/inexpensive ideas? Thanks so much!
Hey Jean! You could use candles, sticks, flowers, paper hearts for Valentines or even conversation hearts. 🙂 Candy hugs and kisses would work too. 🙂 I hope that gives you some ideas! 🙂
They have those decorative tea candle holders (at like bed bath and beyond, target, etc) that you could hang in the empty space to be your “fire”!
Love that idea Carol! Thank you!! 🙂
YAY!!!! I am so glad that YOU got that chair. way to go, girl. great score. that is worth 7.50 and then some!
– {darlene}
fieldstonehilldesign.com
Thank you Darlene! You are the best! 🙂 xo
I would paint the inside the same color as your wall. I would also create a vignette of a few floor plants — a tall one with large shoots, a medium bushy one and a small plant or maybe a pot on its side. Maybe a tall candlestick or two in there. I do not know if you have room in front of it on the floor, but I would make the room. You could also make a stoop on the floor and raise up the mantel to sit on the stoop and put your goodies on the stoop.
Fabulous ideas Jackie! 🙂 Thank you!!
What about painting the wall and inside a dark grey or black. It will make the opening go back alittle. Then fill a pot,or any type of large container with greenery. Living in the south, I use magnolia leaves. Glossy leaves on long branches from a shrub or tree would look nice. Also a fern would fit in nicely. After fixing the interior, you have a better idea of what to put in your inserts. Hope this helps. Sherrie