Bonjour my dear friends!
C’est le printemps a Paris!
Okay, I know you know its just my family room and not Paris, but a girl can dream can’t she? At least it is spring, I think.
At first, I was not even sure if I was going to do a “spring mantel” this year, I was happy with keeping things as they were for a bit…
But then one day I walked past my daughter’s room and saw this..
These are cherry blossoms that she made at a friend’s house.
Simply crumbled crepe paper in shades of pink glued to a branch. So simple and pretty.
I asked if she minded if I borrowed them, which she didn’t ‘cause she is sweet like that!
I placed them in with the pussy willows that were already there and there they sat for about a week.
At some point, my mind wandered to Paris.
One of my favorite places that I have had the amazing opportunity to go.
But even more than that, I wanted it to be light, bright, fun, maybe a little less serious – dare I say a little bit “kitchy”?
And as far as that goes, maybe the whole family room could be a little lighter and brighter.
So, I pulled out a mix of vintage pillows that were either in closets or other rooms.
Pulled in some of my favorite and bright books…
My original plan was to include my painting, but when I put it up there, it just didn’t work.
Actually, this mantel had many different versions that just didn’t work.
In the end, I wanted to do something different, light and brighter (and Pink?!), but still me.
This post card is vintage and my sweet hubby got it for me at a Paris flea market.
Do you remember a few years ago when the volcanoes blew and air traffic to and from Europe was halted?
Well, my hubby was there waiting for me, and after sitting in the airport for many hours, I did not make it to our long time planned weekend away.
So, he spent the weekend alone in Paris writing his business strategy plan – good times!
He knew how much I wanted to go to the flea markets, so he did sneak out to one and this is one of the things he picked up for me.
Yup, I’m keeping him!
(in case you are wondering, several months later, he was again in Europe, I was again able to find coverage for my kids, I again used up those frequent flyer miles he racks up so quickly and spent three days in Paris with my hubby and we went to several flea markets!)
The ceramic flower “thing” is something no one bid on at auction so I got it for a few dollars figuring someday it would be useful – today was that day.
I felt I needed to do pull in the Eiffel Tower, which is kind of not like me – I don’t usually like to be so literal.
But, like I said, I actually wanted a little bit of a “kitchy” feel.
I have been wanting to try some embroidery, so why wouldn’t I start with a big huge Eiffel Tower without a pattern or skills?
I will be sharing soon how I pulled this together.
If you are a “real embroider”, please do not read anything about it as you will be horrified and offended!
I originally was planning to use these vintage hankies tied together as a garland.
But, you guessed, that just didn’t work either.
So, I made them into “flowers” and pinned them to this wreath and hung it with some vintage ribbon on the mirror.
More details to come on this as well!
I wasn’t sure how my husband would feel about it being quite so “girly”, he usually lets me do my thing, but I try to be respectful to his tastes as well.
He sat on the couch tonight and said out loud, “We are so lucky to have such a great house”
Now, that could be because of my “Paris in the Springtime” inspired mantel, or…
it could be because I finally cleaned up after the chaos that is always my process!
Either way, I wish you all a happy spring!
I am skeptical of this weather, hard to believe it is going to last, but I am grateful for it while it does!
I will be linking up at Layla’s!
As always, thanks so much for reading!
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If I could speak French I would say something really elegant sounding and well – Frenchy. But I only speak “Southern” so I will say that is darn pretty.
I love the cherry blossoms your daughter made. Just precious. Please make sure you post this on my Spring Mantel Party over on my site. I would love to have you join. Blessings, Barb
Wow, I love the calmness of your mantle, but then I read about all of the different aspects and am blown away by the details. I loved that you made your Eiffle Tower and those little ceramic flowers never looked so good! Great job. Glad you got to Paris, hope you go again and again.
Your Spring decor is all so beautiful! I especially love the soft pink that you used–it’s so pretty!
Your mantle is so fan-tas-tique!! I love your Paris story..and the flowers?..be still my heart…your room is so very beautiful…your hubby is right..you are blessed to live in such a beautiful home! Your decorating is exquisite..I love the oh so airy feel of the room…Glad you made it to Paris!
At first glance, I thought it was so simple and so pretty. After reading the details, it turned into something more. Loved hearing about your “process” and how less can be so much more.
It is beautiful Laura. I love hearing your process too. It is so light and airy feeling in there. I am glad you finally made it to Paris and yes, you do have a beautiful home.
Laura it is just perfectly elegant but understated. I love it.
It is lovely, Laura! I adore the vintage hankies made into flowers, so feminine and refreshing. I am going into my sewing room with the hopes of at least coming out with an idea and project started. The Eiffel Tower turned out great, of course you have that skill. Blessings!
Fun…Fresh….Springy….Bright…..Beautiful!!!
Love that you did something a little different. That’s the fun part of decorating.Love the wreath. And your husbands right you are lucky to be living in such a beautiful space…but remember , you made or are making that space beautiful. Lot’s of people live in nice houses but they don’t always look that nice, I’ve seen many that are not.
Your mantle IS so springy and cheerful! I’m glad to hear that you have ideas that don’t always work out like you think they might…like ME. AND that you sometimes have clutter around from decorating attempts…like ME. I need to get busy and clean up the clutter…like YOU. I saw your post over at Layla’s “Spring Mantle Party”.
lovely as always my dear <3
Love, love, love!
Now wait a minute! You liked MY mantel? I LOVE YOURS! And I love the stories surrounding it! Thank you for stopping by my little ole blog. I’ve been admiring yours for quite some time! Thank you for sharing our mantel on your FB page. It is SO appreciated! Please stay in touch. XOXO Laura at bandbsnestinteriors.com
I think this is one of the prettiest spring mantels I have seen! I love the lovely pink touches! Your hubby sounds like a real sweetie!
OK, Cuz, I get a bit jealous because I did not get any creative genes from anyone in the family when it comes to crafty/artisitic stuff. And I don’t have many organizational genes either. So, can you do me a favor? Would it be too much to ask that someday you post pictures of your house of what it looks like during “the process” so I don’t feel so bad about how mine usually looks? And so I can know that yours doesn’t look like a gorgeous magazine all the time?!
Love and admire you so much!!
Love it!
this is beautiful! especially love the flowers on the wreath!
Wow! So pretty So Lovely!
Found you on TT & J and would love for you to come by join us on our linky party and link this up!
http://www.littleinspiration.com/2012/03/create-inspire-party-features_23.html
Thanks!!!
Angie from ALI
You have totally inspired me this morning! Thank you so much. I love everything about your mantel and cannot wait to learn how to make those hanky flowers-adorable!