Today is the day of my Grazia shoot. The last few days have been spent gathering baubles, foliage, t-lights and a whole host of other bits and bobs and Christmas fying the house so to speak.
The most exciting thing I brought (and apologises to those of you who think this is beyond dull but I get excited about odd things) were two plaster mantle pieces to flank the fireplaces on the ground floor of my house. For years I have left them as just an open hole which was sweet but a little too boho. I fancied a change (now I have taken to wearing rock chic high high boots I wanted a rock chic style pad – sophisticated, sexy a bit Rolling Stonish if you like. I need the smoky eye make up to go with this look – Claudia Winkleman how do you do it – I am obsessed with your eye make up?? ). Anyway back on the case in point adding mantle pieces adds another layer to your walls – suddenly I have two yes two platforms to put t-lights, paintings, flowers oh and crows – beautiful black crows that I found at Caravan in East London. The walls have come to life – so excited was I by these two new vignettes on Saturday evening with a glass of wine in hand, a flickering fire in the hearth and some moody jazz I sat and studied my new latest finds (sad yes ok maybe I need help)!
Two fireplaces below tantalise the senses – both are from apartments in Paris – one grand and opulent the other interesting and a little crazy – its funny once you start layering picture over picture –or in my case crow next to t-light etc you just want to go on and on and on. Layers I cannot stress enough add intrigue and excitment, plain unadorned walls are boring and just don’t cut the mustard in my book I hate to say!
Look how beautiful the layers are – nothing matches yet everything makes beautiful sense telling a story about the person who lives in this apartment.
Super grand and whilst many of us don’t have apartments looking like this this image inspired me to paint my plaster fireplaces out the same colour as my walls. I have of course opted for sludgy, inky downpipe and I love how they blend into the wall yet at the same time add a grandeur ornate tone!
OMG!!!!! IN LOVE !!! It does work for me. Can’t wait to see your new mantlepieces with displays… How FAB. I even came across an old photo of all my chinoiserie vases, ginger jars, and orchids today, and now I’m DOUBLY convinced to get them out in full flight again…. Love those different shades of pink together….. STUN-NING!!!!!! and there’s nothing like sitting back with that glass of vin admiring your glory! + I can teach you how to do that smokey eye! shame I live so far away! xo
Thank you – those apartments are cool hey. As soon as the Grazia shoot comes out (2 weeks I think) I will scan in the images and post and loving the sound of your bits and bobs- oh and thanks for the smokey eye help – indeed its a shame you are miles away – today for the shoot have given up on that look – hey ho!
i love the idea of your painting the mantle pieces the same color as the wall. there was an old editorial in vogue where a room was painted the same color and the textiles (curtains, carpets) were varying shades of it as well. it really highlighted the different textures.
great post!
Saw your lovely home in the latest issue of LEtc
How exciting – haven’t seen the latest issue – will go and buy immediately!
I have been wanted to do just that for ages but the only plaster mantel piece I could find is made in Belgium with no stockist in the UK! Could I ask where you got yours?
Check out the plasterwarehouse.co.uk I went for the ornate louis and love it