Tuesday, January 8, 2013

{Stacked Books} Winter Mantle Design

It's drab and dreary here today...
 been raining nonstop!
Makes me want to crawl in bed with a good book and read all day!


Hmmm...I think I have an idea!
I was staring at my totally blank mantle, and began gathering old books from around the house.
  (yes, I have them scattered all around the house in different places.)

My inspiration was this totally cool Christmas tree made of stacked books with colored lights strung throughout.
 I flipped the book bindings to the back, so the pages would show instead.
The antiquing of the pages vary due to the age of each book, 
which adds to the interest I think.

Now just to find some items to place on top.
The black cross is unique, and to add to the "word" or "book" theme, the Jesus Loves Me plaque works great!

I placed the cute angel alongside.

It's a little like treasure hunting in your own house...
I take something from this room, or that,
and let it live in a different place for awhile.
On the right side of the mantle, I topped the book stacks 
with these rustic crowns.

This old schoolbook has some interesting pictures and pages, 
so I propped it open so you could get a little peek!

Old books are such treasures! 

The "book" theme for this mantle will last me through February.  
I added the heart/bookpage banner for some fun
 as we look ahead to Valentine's day!
(The cute banner is from Nan @ You Could Make That. I won it in a giveaway. Check out her blog by clicking here.)

I guess I could wait til February to hang it, but I kinda like it...
what do you think?

Happy winter reading!

21 comments:

  1. Janis, thank you for sharing this picture. I have been looking at my mantle and it is looking pretty sad but I have had no inspiration to change it..this will give me a starting point. Later in the week I will give it a new face lift. Dianntha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay!! So glad I could inspire you! Can't wait to see what you do...and thank you for your sweet comments.

      Delete
  2. Janis, what a cute mantel! The stacked books are such a creative idea; and I love the items that you used to top them off! Very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Shenita!!! I really was not wanting to take down Christmas, but I'm liking this mantle more every day! Appreciate your kind words. xoxo

      Delete
  3. LOVE your winter mantel of stacked books! Great idea to carry through the winter months.
    Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Janis, I'm also from Texas, living in Tennessee now. Enjoyed your blog and hope you'll visit mine...I'm to your right on BNOTP link. Happy New Year, Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the visit Helen, and it's always nice to find another Texas sister! Love your blog too!!

      Delete
  5. This looks so wonderful, Janis, and I LOVE how you turned the books page side out! Thanks for stopping by and following...I am a happy new follower, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Linda! I was wanting a more neutral color scheme, so turning the bindings around seemed to work well for that. I just did that to the bookshelves too...lol!

      Delete
  6. Janis this looks great! I saw that tree sometime last month - it's wonderful, and I really like your interpretation. You have a LOT of old books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, thanks so much! Old books are so much fun to decorate with!!! Appreciate your kind words.

      Delete
  7. I LOVE all the books on your mantel! I almost always include them on my mantel, too. Stopping by from Southern Savvy Style.

    Angela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Angela!! Old books add such character. Glad you like and thanks so much for stopping by!

      Delete
  8. Janis! Your mantel is gorgeous! Love it!! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the visit, sweet comment and of course the follow at The Dedicated House. I'm glad you found me. I love what I'm seeing here on your blog. Happily following along. Would love it if you would share this lovely post at my Make it Pretty Monday party which is still live. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/01/make-it-pretty-monday-week-31.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my Kathryn! Thank you for the invite...I'm going to check it out now! I so appreciate your sweet comments!

      Delete
  9. i looooove this. like you, i have books scattered throughout my house, doing double duty as decor. this whole spot just encourages you to grab a book and take a seat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used probably half of my Grandmother's old encyclopedia set...but I think they do great double duty decor! Thanks for your sweet comments and for stopping by!

      Delete
  10. Wow!! Love your clock!! That is what caught my eye...
    Did you make it??
    Love your style!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm loving your mantel! I am an avid antique lover as well :) If you have time, stop on by and see the newest pics from our Antique Booth! Thank you for posting this inspiration! I need to get my mantel in order myself. I guess with keeping up with the booth, my own house gets neglected. Have a great day!
    Kristen
    www.wonderfulathome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just found you! I love your mantle and your blog. I will be back. :)
    Hugs~

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are treasured here...

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.