Our new photo wall... I mean, mantel
The temps are gradually warming here in Wisconsin, but the evenings are still a bit cool, if you can believe that one... (No lie... How 'bout it??... Come on people, it's June!!). So the thought of turning on our fireplace will (soon? I hope?) be put to rest for a few short months... Nevertheless, she still affords a wonderful nook for building creative vignettes! As you know, I love mixing very classic, traditional elements with a few twists of the unexpected... a bold, ornate mirror for height and drama... a petite chandelier for added whimsy... a cowhide zebra print ottoman for exotic flair... We recently took down a lot of our family photos to make room for another project we were working on... so I had these great black and whites just leaning up against the floor next to our fireplace. I was vacuuming one morning and literally just happened to throw them up on the mantel to get them out of the way... and when I stepped back for a moment... voila! I loved the look! Now my beloved family photos are again at eye level... I don't even mind that some of them are overlapping here... I can always pull a couple of them forward if I want to make them the center of attention for awhile. You could easily do the same with framed art or hand-painted canvases instead... and a large shelf, buffet, or side console works great if you don't have a mantel. Plus, if you ever get tired of your display, just move the pictures to a different ledge in your home (or lean them up against the floor) and you'll have a fresh altar in a snap!
posted by Tracy Porter Blog
43 Comments:
After putting together the latest Spiderman gadget for my kids and their friends, cleaning up Spiderman's web(silly string) in the driveway (all before 11:00am), I came in with my cold mug of coffee to check out my latest emails....it was like Christmas morning!! My new favorite "friend", Tracy Porter had emailed!!! I LOVE this new picture mantel...what a cool thing to do to change up the look of a room..make it a little more casual..I can't wait to go change mine!! My Bohemian spirit is coming alive!! Many thanks to Tracy and company...Keep them coming!! Stephanie
Tracy, THANK YOU FOR THE NEW VIDEOS!!! You and your team are truly THE BEST!!!!
I liked your idea of displaying our photos on the mantel of the fireplace. I must confess that I am coveting your zebra print stool. DIVINE!!!
Hugs!
CC
First off, let me just say that I envy the thought of having a fireplace. Here in Florida, you can't find to many homes with them. But it's on our list of required items in our Dream Home!!!
And your idea of having all the photos out to enjoy instead of stuck in boxes is wonderful. I'll have to play with finding an alternative to the mantel, but it will be a fun adventure. Thanks for the idea!
I have many family photos as well, which I love. Unfortnately I have 5 fireplaces with only trim, no major mantel. So I use all different frames on the wall instead, similar to your concept of the "london wall". It looks lovely, it's a constant reminder to take time to slow down, as I look at the photos and then at my children in real time. My son @ 12 is already almost my height, ugh! I feel the need to start wearing heels in my own home. It's so amazing how time warps once they enter 1st grade! So everyone dig out your family photos and cherish them!
Tracy-hope you warm up soon, wish I could send this heat your way. Here is PA we are in an excess heat wave for the next 3 days. It was 97 with 75% humidity, a little too warm for me!
xxoamy in pa
Hi Tracy,
I just found your blog. How did I not know you had one? Well, I'm terrible with computers, so I just jump for joy when I discover something new. :o)
I've always loved your products, and have many of them in my own. So happy to read your blog. :o)
I have a question. Maybe someone can tell me. I was looking thru the older posts on here, namely the ones that show your home, Tracy, and none of the photos show. They show on other posts, but not on the ones of your home. :o( Can anyone tell me if there is something I need to click on to see the posting photo? I'm dying to see inside the house with the new decor. Please help! :o)
Love the video with the entry drapery. SOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Also loving the photos idea on the mantle. We have a bedroom fireplace but no mantle on it yet. I know what I'm asking for from dh for my b-day now. :o) Lovely idea!!
On a serious note.....
Tracy and gang and blogettes....are all of you and your families okay with the terrible flooding going on in Wisconsin??? I pray that you will all stay out of harms way! Blessings~
Tracy, I too thought of all of you as I watched the news last night. I hope the flooding hasn't been a part of your life or your staff. We are thinking about you.
xoxo
I'm too far north with all the flooding (thank goodness),.. though coming home from my mom's this weekend I did see people canoeing in their ditches... looked like fun to be quite honest ;) Thanks for the concern though ;)
Yes, I was wondering if you all were affected by the flooding. All the footage on the news looks horrible.
Jeanna, glad to know that you and your family are A-Okay. :)
Love your photos on the mantle! I truly love all of your decorating ideas. You provide great inspiration. I would love some advice/ideas on purchasing a couch for our main living area. I have the opportunity to go to Dallas market in a week. My home is also full of boys ages 15,13,&10. What do you recommend? Your website/blog is my favorite. Keep up the good work!
Angie, If I may be so bold as to reply...Your best bet is leather. It only looks better with wear and age. You can simply wipe it off. I raised 2 kids and a dog and cat with leather furniture that still looks great!!!!
You are the best....we are safe, a bit too much water but mostly basement flooded. Nearby town were definitely hit pretty hard. Thanks so much for your thoughts and kind words.
Angie, yes. Leather all the way!!WE did it wrong the first time and had to start over with leather, easy to clean and you'll have it forever!! Only will get better with time!!
xo
Thanks for the advice! I seem to be famous for getting it wrong the first time, but that has yet to stop me from trying! Leather it is! Hope the flooding gets under control and some of the water makes it to Texas. We are in a bad drought around here.
Angie, where are you in Texas? Is every blogger in Texas? LOL
There's Virginia and CC and Texas Franco and now you!!
Artist,
I don't know about everyone else yet would love to know where they are from too. I am new to this blogging thing and see how it could be a new passion! I live in Midland which is West Texas. Decorating is my absolute passion but there isn't alot of places to go looking for goodies around here so I am finding myself stalking Tracy's website often!!!:)
Angie - welcome to Tracy's Blogland. CC & I hail from the Houston area. I think Franco is from Dallas. There are a lot of us! You'll find great suggestions here and a bunch like no other. It's loads of fun. Ta-ta for now...
Hi, Angie! I'm "CC" in blog world. ;) I live in Houston. Happy to make your acquaintance!!!! So glad you have joined us all at "Tracyville"....It's a great place to hang out. All of these ladies are just great!!!
Hi Angie,
Yes I'm from Dallas....you can join us when we make our pilgramage(sp?) to Tracyville one day..it's on my bucket list. I'm coming your way some day because I want to see a city block we inherited from a rich uncle who had no kids. so a jillion cousins and I own this block. LOL. we'll have a cup of tea. TEXAS FRANCOPHILE
Oh my goodness... What is the connection between Tracy and Texas?!?!?!!?
Welcome Angie, you will have so much fun here. Be sure to come back here regularly or you'll miss out on some good chit chat!
Welcome Angie! Yes I agree with Melissa,.. what's up with Texas and Tracy? ;) I'm born and bred in Wisconsin ;) I literally live 40 mins. from the store,..yes I am VERY thankful ;) Tracy I would LOVE a video on your "cowboys" rooms! I'm always looking for new ways to organize and stash all the toys you accumulate with a child! Hope you all had a great Father's Day weekend ;)
Oh yes Tracy...video the kid's rooms please!
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. You all seem to be just great. I am looking forward to the sharing of ideas and info. Any opinions on painting a bathroom red? It seems that I need a punch since all my other rooms are a warm gold or khaki. It is a boy bath but also the guest bath. I seem to be uncertain for some reason, but can't seem to find another color that will work.
Franco,
Do you know what city block you and your jillion cousins own?
Alright Angie, you asked for our thoughts on the red. here goes...Red is hard to paint over and also hard to paint(it takes several layers to get it right). Then it can be dark if your lighting isn't very good. However, it's a wonderful accent color. if you want to stick with your khaki and use the red with it. One of my fav bathrooms from a girlfriends house is khaki with black trim. So chic!
RED!!! Ok, you won't see it for a bit but we just painted our boys bathroom this intense Chinese red. Yes it does take a few coats, but it is spectacular!!! I am all for intense gorgeous wall color that make a home feel like it is all yours!
xoxo
RED!! I'm with Tracy,...besides that it's my favorite color,..you only live once ;) Paint the bathroom red!! Yes,..it will totally be worth the hardwork ;)
Tracy,
What is the magnificent lip color you have on in the catalogue - pages 18 and 19?
thanks1
Can't wait to see the boys bathroom!
Trace you paint more than I do, and I do it as a profession:)
I'm laughing at your comment Melissa. Tracy does paint more than you! Creative minds!!!!!
xoxo
Scott,
Wish I could tell you exactly, I'm sort of a mix it up as I go kind of a girl for lip color...a little of this , with a dab of that! I tend to pump up the color a bit more on photo shoots as the lighting blows it all out. Day to day I'm more into neutrals.
Hi Blogettes! It's Kate, and I'm still painting doors. I have a question for our painting expert Melissa (or anyone else who might know). I have a boring tan colored door that I would like to paint to look like a dark wood door. How do I achieve this look? I'm guessing that I need to paint it a dark brown with some sort of glaze over it? What would you suggest Melissa? (or anyone else who might know) Thanks!!!
Hey Angie,
i look that up and let you know. all i know is Ector County.
ok heres about RED...my living room is red. yes it was hard to paint and it is double hard to touch up. but oh man its my favorite room in the house. walls are red trim is creamy white, hardwood floors, antique persian rug on floor with every color imaginable. the furniture is various shades of neutral....tone on tone, etc. totally soothing even tho its red.
TEXAS FRANCOPHILE
Wow!!!!!!!!!!! Franco, we'll be right over.
Texas Franco, that combination of red walls, wood floors and persian rugs sounds SO GORGEOUS!!! I painted my kitchen red years ago and ended up hating it (and painting over it), but I could return to red again with that combination! It's my understanding that if you start with a good primer, perhaps a tinted primer you won't have to apply as many coats of red paint. I didn't start with a primer when I painted my kitchen and it took 5 coats! Good Luck Angie!
Franco, sounds so divine!!! My kitchen and dining room were red for a while. I recently painted over with a dark brown, but that's just because I am constantly changing decor. I LOVE RED!!!!!!
Kate, Jaime and I actually do faux wood all the time. I would keep your door a little golden beige then apply a heavy glaze on top of that!
Thanks Melissa!! I'm excited to give it a try. One more question...do you typically need more than one coat of the heavy glaze to achieve a dark wood look? Don't you love faux wood? I would love to learn how to do all of that kind of stuff. My mom recently had her kitchen table faux finished to look like a different kind of wood--and it is a work of art! Thanks again Melissa, love your work!
Okay ladies,..I need your advice. I bought a very large unstained toy chest for my daughter. I'm painting then ageing it a bit with a soft white.. my question is I want to paint whimical, girly, fairies and such on top... any advice on inspiration.. a website, book,... I'd love a neat saying,.. I think I'm going to incorporate her letter "E" as well..
Tracy, new videos today?
Incredible beauty!!!!!!!~
Enjoy your day!
New videos please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Everyone~
So much chatter going on...I have been out of touch for awhile. Angie...I have 3 boys 15, 13, & 11, and I painted their bathroom red!! I love it!!! Go for it!
Kate are you going to use a wood grainer? They make a tool that you rock through the glaze and it puts wood grain in. If you use that, one heavy coat of glaze will be enough. If not graining with that tool you can use a dragging brush and do as many coats as you like. Be sure they are DRY in between or you will pull up the previous coat of glaze and have a mess. Hope this helps.
Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions about the red bathroom. What a great group of blogettes. Well...I did it! I jumped in and painted the bathroom red! It was a brave plunge for me but I do love it! Just need to finish it off with some great accessories. Tracy, must see your video of the boys bathroom soon!
Hello Dawn or rather fellow boy mom! I bet we could share some stories! Just when I thought I was getting the hang of things they became teenagers. Whole new world for me!
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