The mantle is bare again and it is a rather sad and lonely thing.
It was so festive over Advent and Christmas. Exuberant even, and I love the pure excess of it, although in retrospect I might tone it down just a little bit next year.
But now I am back to ordinary time and my still bare mantle.
It hasn't always been completely bare. Various items have taken up temporary residence, but none have lasted long. The painting stays. One would have to be very convincing to get me to move it. But the rest of it seems to be beyond me.
I have no experience with mantles. There were two fireplaces in the house in Hyde Park, but neither was traditional, and one, a large stone fireplace between the kitchen and family room, had nothing that could even remotely be considered a mantle. The second fireplace was modern, and free standing, and had a shelf on four sides that was perfect for displaying art and small objects, but it was nothing like a mantle.
I can collect pictures of mantles that inspire me, but translating the ideas to my own house, seems to be beyond my ken. I've tried going out looking for specific types of objects, shopping with a specific idea in mind, but that hasn't really worked for me either. My insistence that everything has to be loved or have some particular meaning in and of itself before it is purchased has foiled me. I am sure perfect things exist, but they elude me. I am stymied.
I am hoping now that the room is more settled, now that I have furniture arranged in a way I like, the mantle project will become easier, my attentions more focused. Perhaps not. Nonetheless, let the mantle project begin.
