Monday, February 11, 2013

A Skirt for the Mantle

Last year I proclaimed 2012 was the year of the ruffle for me...well this is continuing into 2013 because I still feel the need for the ruffle! I was looking at my last post and thinking my livingroom was a little too tailored looking for me. I want to get a old fireplace surround to add to my fireplace, but my Kool Aid budget always gets in the way. So I had to think of something that fits into my budget..in other words, free. :)


I had the idea to attach a ruffle to the mantle and I really like it! I thought I would get moans from my family about too many girly things going on in our house...but everyone likes it! Even my 14 year old daughter who thinks nothing I do is right, likes it.  My husband even said he likes it a lot better. What?! I was surprised. Janae said she loves it.. but I thought she might :)

Here is the before---


I never liked the separation between the tile and the mantel...now it feels more like one piece.

Here is the way before, before we moved in...


I like it now--not so much back then.


Much better! We have yet to have a fire in this fireplace because we need to have it inspected. Someday when we do though I will be putting the ruffle up..just in case fire decides to jump out of the fireplace.


I sewed some trim on the bottom of the ruffle that my Mom got at a garage sale. It looks like tatting to me. I love it! I kind of like to add that "Grandma Chic" look to things.


I have more ideas to soften the look of the livingroom--I just need to get busy! I need some white ruffly pillows for sure!

I hope that everyone has a really Happy Valentines Day...


Thanks for visiting!

45 comments:

Rebecca Nelson said...

Well I love it girlfriend. You are MORE THAN SMART! Sometimes I think my room is too tailored too. :( Then I make more pillows with ruffles! :)

xoRebecca

Tanya Rachelle said...

Really makes a nice softened touch to the room! Beautiful.
~Tanya

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Sandy,
WOW, that really did make a big change!! Like you said it filled in the gap and it made it look weightier, great job!! and well ruffles, I am in love with tem too:-)
Hugs,
Bella

Sweet Melanie said...

You had a very great idea on a koolaid budget! I think you nailed it perfectly making it look like one piece. I was taken aback when I saw the before and the seperation...I never realized it before. I love it Sandy...GREAT JOB once again!

Janae said...

I love the ruffle it looks so good! Its one of my very favorite things you have done which is tough because you do lots of awesome stuff. It's crazy how much younger Chantel looks in that picture that was from before you moved in.

pipigirl said...

THAT IS COOL!!!!! im so gonna copy you. tomorrow maybe ...yup. thanks for the idea. painted the stone on my place white. so that should look good i think. thanks for sharing:)

MONICA LIVAS said...

Great idea! Looks beautiful!

Sassy Southern Lady said...

I think it looks great. You pulled off! Keep up the good work.

rkbsnana said...

Awesome! Love your white slipcovers

Melanie said...

I love it!!! Also love the term Grandma Chic!! Lovely term! I like it very much!!

Unknown said...

Oh if only I could paint everything in my house white! Living with stained wood is traditional but I need a change..
I love the ruffled mantel and I bet the pillows will be gorgeous!
Happy Valentine's Day..

Grandma Carolee said...

Love how the ruffle looks!! It lights up and softens the fireplace mantel. You do such creative things with the laces I find at garage sale...I'll be looking for more when the sales start again.

Monica said...

The skirt is truly lovely, but oh those pictures wall is AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!
Thanks for always leaving me such kind and nice notes!

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

What a great idea! It is beautiful. I love that you have some dark woods mixed with all of the white. Beauty!

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Anne said...

So pretty Sandy!
xx
Anne

Anonymous said...

It did add a nice touch, Sandy!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Very pretty, Sandy, and it suits the room, too!

Ana said...

Oh Sandy,
I love how the ruffle looks on the mantel. Great idea. Love it! Happy Valentine's Day.

Hugs and Kisses,
❤Ana

Lady Pamela said...

What a fabulous idea. You really made a big difference with a bit of fabric and trim. I love all your white picture frames behind the sofa.
*Smiles*

Cindy said...

Oh my gosh! That is so clever and pretty! What a great idea!

Cindy

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Looks great on your mantle. I also like the lace that you sewed on.
Mary

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

What a pretty touch to the mantel. Love those wings, too.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I love it, it adds substance to the fireplace...Perfect!f

Carol

Junkchiccottage said...

Sandy,
That looks so great. I love it. It does make the whole mantel make a statment in the room. I am a white ruffle girl myself and you can never have enough ruffle!!!!! Great job.
Kris

farmhouse-story said...

it softens the fireplace beautifully, sandy:) that edging does look like tatting:) happy valentine day!

must love junk said...

The ruffle adds such a pretty touch! I would've never thought of that! :)
Susan

Debi said...

That is really cute! I think that is the first time I have ever seen a ruffle on the mantle like you have done....really does look so much better! Love your room and that coffee table is beautiful! Hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day!

Hugs!
Debi

Karen said...

That looks great Sandy, pretty impressive when your teenage daughter approves!

Janet said...

I really like the ruffle! What a great idea!

Diane Mars said...

That looks very pretty but I must say that would not fly with my hubby way to frilly for him, you go girl!

Kadee Willow said...

Now that is clever! I loved your telling us of your reaction to the family liking it. Cracks me up! And don't you love how they can surprise you by liking something you thought for sure would require a defense attorney to get approval? Good work1

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

It's a great idea and looks beautiful, Sandy!

WhiteWhispers2u said...

How Special is that! I also painted my Mom's brick white on her fireplace I primed it first then painted,it looks great.Just in case you don't like your brick.

I love all your photos in white frames as well.

~Blessings Kim

BECKY said...

So beautiful, Sandy! Just such a sweet and charming detail to add! What a lovely space! Thanks so much for sharing on BWW!!

Shipping your order today!
Hugs,
Becky

Jade said...

Oh, I looooooove it, that looks so romantic!!! HAPPY VALENTINE, my dear friend,

hugs Jade

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

What a clever and beautiful idea! I love the ruffle. The brick of the fireplace keeps it from being to "grily" as you say.

I'd love it if you would link this up to my new linky party, "What We Accomplished Wednesday." It is live right now. Have a great weekend!

Hugs,
Deborah

Heirloom treasures said...

Ruffles always look so nice anywhere. This is a real nice change Sandy. You know you have made me ruffle mad too. LOL x

Inspired by you said...

Really adds to your mantel! Hope your cold is nothing like mine. Stay healthy.

Laura said...

Love this- it's so pretty! Your livingroom is fantatic- adore the photo wall!

Angela said...

I love the idea, your mantle looks great! A home can never have too many ruffles..
Your children look so sweet on your photo wall.
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas.
Love,
Angela.

PattieJ said...

I love your fireplace!! That skirt is adorable!! What a difference from when you first moved in! I love it!!

Pattie

Zuzana Konecna said...

Beautiful pictures, it looks like a lovely place;)

June said...

I love your mantle ruffle-you clever girl Sandy! It really changes the look! I adore the photo wall above your sofa so much.
In your previous post you talked about Gage's nosebleeds. Landon has them too and so I laughed when you said that sometimes the place looks like a crime scene because my husband was a police officer for 25 yrs and our family used to joke that if anyone used luminol in our house they would think there had been a massacre :)----and yet, I still have white everywhere.
hugs from here...

Olivia said...

Oh sugar you did such a beautiful job!!! I love skirts for everything, lol!
hugs and sparkles,
Olivia

Pam Kessler said...

I have never seen a skirt on a mantel before and I love it. I think you're on to something there!