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| my new Scandinavian-themed mantel |
I'm going to share something that recently came to my attention ~ I have never changed my mantel decor in the 17 years we've lived here.
And here's the creepy part, it never occurred to me that I could or should.
And then Layla @ The Lettered Cottage started hosting these seasonal mantel makeovers... and while I thought her mantels were beautiful and all, it never occurred to me to join the mantel mania craze.
You see, I don't think I ever made the connection that my woodstove mantel was on the same caliber as a fireplace mantel. Oh, I'd change my mantel for Christmas, but only as a place to hang stockings and stuff.
But I would quickly find out there's a whole genre of bloggers out there that change out their mantels like I change out my blog banner! Which, incidentally, is seasonally.
So this year as I took down my Christmas decor, I got my first ever hankering to makeover my mantel. And it came to me in an instant ~
a Scandinavian-themed mantel.
a Scandinavian-themed mantel.
I already owned several pieces from Norway and Sweden that I found over the years at yard sales, thrift stores and Ikea 'as is', but had never put out on display.
So once the Scandinavian theme was underway, I could hardly wait to dig out my Norwegian Nordstrikk sweater and put it on Mrs. McGillicutty! Check out the hardware! Found this sweater years ago for a couple dollars at a yard sale. And found the exact same one today on eBay HERE.
The red wooden candelabra ($10.00) and the two red candle holders ($1.00 each) were IKEA "as is" finds. The rosemaling wooden heart was made in Norway ~ paid 25 cents.
My sister Ginny gave me my favorite Carl Larsson print many years ago ~
"Brita with Candles and Apple".
Ginny encouraged me to spray paint the frame and layer it with the mirror. Love the look!
The pewter plate... omg, now wait just a minute...
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT I JUST FOUND OUT!
I grabbed the pewter plate off the mantel, turned it over, wrote down the name of the artist,
and googled it ~
OH MY GOSH! The Buy it now price on eBay is $350.00!!
Now mine doesn't have the original box but seriously WHO KNEW!!!
I paid a dollar for the plate several years ago.
Then I grabbed the pewter Viking Ship w/spoon salt cellar off the mantel and googled that and that's going for $30.00 on eBay. I think I paid a quarter.
I've had more fun doing my mantel makeover and the best part ~ it didn't cost me a dime. In fact, quite the opposite ~ I find out that my Scandinavian decor is worth a pretty penny!
I'm linking up to ~
6 comments:
It looks great, Linda! And while it did cost you a few dimes (over the years) it was much less than a few hundred dollars that it would have cost if you weren't such a great bargain shopper. I still think you need to consider the eBay gig, even if it's just part time. Look what you could have made on what you have there?
I had a similar revelation recently. Several items went missing when the last tenant moved out, and in an effort to place a value on them for the police, I discovered that a table I had in the garage (that I pd. $20 for at a garage sale) is worth at least $300! Hoping to get that back now!
Linda, it's really beautiful! I love that it's not only pleasing to the eye, but speaks to your heritage. Wonderful job, and the fact that putting all of that together cost very little makes it even better!
I love it Linda! It's so colorful and so scandinavian which of course fits you to a tee!
And how cool to find out that your thrifting is paying off!
You go girl!
Cindy
Love your mantel! I am so at home with Scandinavian anything since it is what I am (100%) and was surrounded with growing up. Great inspiration.
Awesome! I LOVE it! Worth the wait!
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