Sophisticated Styling: A Narrow Mantle

<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Today I'm sharing a seldom seen area of my living situation. I've mentioned before that I live in a student building where I have my own studio-style apartment, complete with living room/bedroom area,<a href="http://tiffanyleighinteriordesign.blogspot.ca/2014/05/my-walk-in-closet-makeover-reveal.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;"> large walk in closet</span></a>, and my own <a href="http://tiffanyleighinteriordesign.blogspot.ca/2014/07/update-basic-boring-beige-builders.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">bathroom</span></a>. My kitchen accommodations, however, are shared with the five other girls living in my building. Beside the kitchen, there is also a small community TV area. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I was inspired by the mantle (on the non-working fireplace) down there the other day and decided to give it a quick makeover using found items from my apartment. Before, it was covered in junk mail and strange odds and ends such as batteries and a spool of thread. </div><div style="text-align: left;">It's amazing what a ten minutes of styling can do!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DA54IWYV9Vzwsx373LVwsXeo-Yt4ICGI2snyB6hcq3chHjrhwLhf7t5ALHITKKHI5GwDSi9fQQlxIm7Mh1Lcyu-gh0_Kr1NessabUYBA-501lQiwnZSjGNIoUfV7ZhxkSY5OQhyKxvI/s1600/027+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DA54IWYV9Vzwsx373LVwsXeo-Yt4ICGI2snyB6hcq3chHjrhwLhf7t5ALHITKKHI5GwDSi9fQQlxIm7Mh1Lcyu-gh0_Kr1NessabUYBA-501lQiwnZSjGNIoUfV7ZhxkSY5OQhyKxvI/s1600/027+copy.png" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_02nd3-ld8B0HG75chF7x8gwtxlRasgiIKQNeeFWUVVMfz-mgkFVIFaFEczE6iXaPZNE8LSC1iIBkx9QKxwAmjVFGrfS6bWb6B0AsMBm_pNHLF4mhzj5fIBvygylyn3NiHDM3mb0lMv0/s1600/023+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_02nd3-ld8B0HG75chF7x8gwtxlRasgiIKQNeeFWUVVMfz-mgkFVIFaFEczE6iXaPZNE8LSC1iIBkx9QKxwAmjVFGrfS6bWb6B0AsMBm_pNHLF4mhzj5fIBvygylyn3NiHDM3mb0lMv0/s1600/023+copy.png" /></a> <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1EthCV91XVxgb92dxtoZ1zOBptEu0o864Kc2ov1G4yW5_q2LkISZ5hJ2p4qTn7I1G4mpCcrNXv0AXPRaoxp7tsh964H4FtIzkiuFsUlzfbej9OUYdSL-KXTiS0kAXMYX0PLjUlPzlHw/s1600/020+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1EthCV91XVxgb92dxtoZ1zOBptEu0o864Kc2ov1G4yW5_q2LkISZ5hJ2p4qTn7I1G4mpCcrNXv0AXPRaoxp7tsh964H4FtIzkiuFsUlzfbej9OUYdSL-KXTiS0kAXMYX0PLjUlPzlHw/s1600/020+copy.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The tricky part about styling a narrow mantle is that you only have a few inches of depth to make it count. This eliminates the possibility of any big, sculptural pieces. Instead, I've chosen to layer leaning art for easy switch-out in an asymmetrical layout to break up the formality of the more traditional fireplace. All of the art pieces used are my original paintings. I've added one small, interestingly shaped vase to the vignette to add some 3 dimensionality and a curvilinear form, and threw a couple decorative match boxes to complete the vignette with a 'lived-in' atmosphere.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Is there an area in your house that could use a little extra styling love? <br />xox</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh609/tiffanyleighinteriordesign/?action=view&current=Tiffany-27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh609/tiffanyleighinteriordesign/Tiffany-27.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div>

Sophisticated Styling: A Narrow Mantle

Today I'm sharing a seldom seen area of my living situation. I've mentioned before that I live in a student building where I have my...

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Ceramic Birdies.

<div style="text-align: center;">Recently, the hilarious Lindsay of <a href="http://sadieandstella.blogspot.ca/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Sadie + Stella</span></a> did a post on her love of <a href="http://sadieandstella.blogspot.ca/2013/01/monday-musings-staffordshire-dogs.html?showComment=1358776672953#c3626973931217926028"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Staffordshire Dogs</span></a>, you know, those chic little ceramic pooch figurines that have been popping up in interior design?<br /><br />While I love the ceramic dogs, I have a different figurine on my lust list:<br />A ceramic Parrot/Bird figurine!<br />Honestly they are too good:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsuRw8m929ShJzLa7O9hNDZOfm5aRgSpDTulU54a7BDygqNZIOellOBzfQfcvUgdoMcLypzkUZAIDfNTcOAaeVJlXiKAMq2pS6xNyD7mr0MmVjOKhxLeouji4ZRxxExku-l78KJMyMCPf/s1600/bird+figurine+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsuRw8m929ShJzLa7O9hNDZOfm5aRgSpDTulU54a7BDygqNZIOellOBzfQfcvUgdoMcLypzkUZAIDfNTcOAaeVJlXiKAMq2pS6xNyD7mr0MmVjOKhxLeouji4ZRxxExku-l78KJMyMCPf/s1600/bird+figurine+3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.styleathome.com/homes/interiors/interior-feminine-glam-home/a/46094/11">via Style at Home</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP4Z2nkprChyHzjvutZfNgU9dt_xy1duG0KjwDBbvZQZbQLXY078Ozby_HXhtVBsveK28_pGCwZPHQcNDAJQg7v1p-IMBRB8Prjx71et1xnAt0BwJ8MZ-iE3xpsEx12FSCgquf5TVM3aB/s1600/bird+figurine+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP4Z2nkprChyHzjvutZfNgU9dt_xy1duG0KjwDBbvZQZbQLXY078Ozby_HXhtVBsveK28_pGCwZPHQcNDAJQg7v1p-IMBRB8Prjx71et1xnAt0BwJ8MZ-iE3xpsEx12FSCgquf5TVM3aB/s1600/bird+figurine+6.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.styleathome.com/homes/interiors/interior-feminine-glam-home/a/46094/14">via Style at Home</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDztUQrWSaQ3UfGyyqEFwOp-z_vK-gaLoyczO2UngRySFGcJ73wW4UIBu760ULXxNzaG6Qf7EEQ_q17gq6qChBicfx_JlqL_tm57Z3RjGIxIBOhWLqvyW5bS0buPIEF86JdmES-n65uG-/s1600/bird+figurine+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDztUQrWSaQ3UfGyyqEFwOp-z_vK-gaLoyczO2UngRySFGcJ73wW4UIBu760ULXxNzaG6Qf7EEQ_q17gq6qChBicfx_JlqL_tm57Z3RjGIxIBOhWLqvyW5bS0buPIEF86JdmES-n65uG-/s1600/bird+figurine+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.styleathome.com/homes/interiors/interior-feminine-glam-home/a/46094/3">via Style at Home</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pu4mImrFI21vUweYnbEls1pBB4klo13XXoxDY3HdF7v_uZvxQqxpkGmEtWK7xwaOGa9EaA7H4eyjKP-r3HGsw6FKCazQ7DggQi-57Ek-lwvmf0vgwsQ7t9kE1hvOEiACoZZD64AkPdxA/s1600/bird+figurine+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pu4mImrFI21vUweYnbEls1pBB4klo13XXoxDY3HdF7v_uZvxQqxpkGmEtWK7xwaOGa9EaA7H4eyjKP-r3HGsw6FKCazQ7DggQi-57Ek-lwvmf0vgwsQ7t9kE1hvOEiACoZZD64AkPdxA/s640/bird+figurine+5.jpg" width="548" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via Style at Home Magazine, March 2013</td></tr></tbody></table> The first three images are from <a href="http://bijouandboheme.blogspot.ca/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Christine Dovey</span></a>'s home, which I continue to drool over on a daily basis. The final image from the apartment of Megan Close! <br />True story, when I was young I had a pet budgie bird named Mikey.<br />There is a picture of us together where he seems to be attempting to nibble my eye out. Heartwarming moment....it's at my parents house but I'll share it soon.<br /><br />What ceramic pet would YOU choose? <br /><a href="http://s1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh609/tiffanyleighinteriordesign/?action=view&current=Tiffany-27.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh609/tiffanyleighinteriordesign/Tiffany-27.jpg" /></a></div>

Ceramic Birdies.

Recently, the hilarious Lindsay of Sadie + Stella did a post on her love of Staffordshire Dogs , you know, those chic little ceramic pooch ...

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