Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Not Yet Fall Mantel

I'm still not there with my Fall decorating, but I want to show you a fun look I did this morning on my mantel.


A few weeks ago, I found this handsome Staffordshire-style swashbuckler at a flea-tique shop.


I thought he'd be perfect as a bookend for my vintage books.


He's a bit too large for the shelf in the entertainment center, but I think he works nicely here.


Did you notice the paisley design on his pants and the feather in his hat?  So dashing! 



 Trying for a bit of Fall, I did add a few natural things in a silver bowl.


While I was photographing the mantel, Hubby said, "I have something that you can use." He ran out to his shed, and came back with a pirate pistol. 
 Of course! Doesn't every man have a pirate pistol in his shed? ( Don't answer that.)
 It isn't really a pistol. It's a letter opener. He found it somewhere many years ago.

Thanks Hubbs!
The perfect touch. ;)


Hope you enjoyed my not-yet-Fall mantel and check out all these great parties.

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Honey @ 2805 for Potpourri Friday
Sherry @ The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Laura @ Decor to Adore for Fall in Love with Your Home.

42 comments:

Unknown said...

Lol -- loving your mantel - Arrrr!! I am a lover of vintage books and Treasure Island AND SWF are both favorites.

Blessings!
Gail

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I think that is so sweet that your hubby entered into the decorating! What
a wonderful mantle.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

OMG!, the (fake) pirate pistol went perfect! I was looking at your pirate figurine and thinking that I liked it, so your mantel is beautiful now, so very fallish. I love it when hubbys also decorate, they have terrific ideas, mine always do, he's quite opinionated sometimes! Thanks for your lovely and sweet visit dear Babs, I love them so. Hugs, FABBY

A Few Pennies said...

I love your pirate theme! Looks autumn and rustic/romantic at the same time. Have a great week. Patty

Kelly said...

Well I think that was a great idea for your hubby to offer up his very own pistol like that! You never know when you may need it. Ha! Actually, it looks great. I would never have known it was a letter opener! Very clever. Love all your Fall touches.

Blondie's Journal said...

Your mantel looks very stylish! I love the pirate and the fake pistol...they go well with the books and I'm sure, make a great conversation piece together!!

XO,
Janie

Sonny G said...

I really like what you did.. You and your hubs make a great decorating pair.. love what ya'll did.

Marigene said...

Love your vignette, Babs...I thought of a buccaneer or one of the Three Musketeers when I first saw your swashbuckler...and a dueling pistol to boot!
I bought candle holders that look almost identical to yours at the thrift store today...

Anonymous said...

A beautiful mantel Babs! Love your "bookend".

Richard Cottrell said...

I think the pistol goes well with the little man, and I am impressed that Hubby helped. Thanks for sharing, Richard from My Old Historic House.

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

I love your dashing figurine...he looks right at home in your vignette. Such an innovative theme for a vignette... and the pirate pistol-letter opener is just the perfect focal point! Thanks for your loving thoughts,Babs. Always a pleasure to have you over. Have a lovely evening!Hugs~Poppy

http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Babs, The figurine is wonderful and I love that your added the perfect books. Hubby did good too!
Hugs,
Sherry

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

great choice of books with your little man! Looks wonderful!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I love it. The books are perfect and the pirate is such a great figurine. Such a wonderful vignette. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Sue said...

What a fantastic fancy schmancy pirate man on your mantel, Babs! Love the theme you have going, with the books and the 'pistol.' Such a fun idea for the vignette. :-) Sue

Elegant Economies said...

Babs, how wonderful to have a husband that notices and contributes to your decorating. My sweetheart does the same...so blessed! Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. Audrey

Debbie said...

I just love the combination of that pirate with those specific books. It all looks wonderful, but that's my favorite part.

Toni said...

Love your fancy pirate with the books. And hubby adding the pirate gun made it just perfect!

Decor To Adore said...

I am squealing this is SO adorable. You must link this gem up on my linky party today.

Alycia Nichols said...

The vignette looked great without the pirate pistol, but even better with it! See...hubby is slowly being pulled into our fold! :-) The husbands just don't know it (shhhhh...don't tip them off!), but they will soon become one of "us." Slow & steady wins the race...we'll just let them fold in naturally! My husband actually came up with the idea for the pink ribbon on my centerpiece this past week. He called it a "sash", but he at least put the idea in my head. I tell you...they will be ours!!!!!! :-)

LindyLouMac said...

I think it looks perfect as the books include Treasure Island the whole theme is brilliant, great inspiration from you and your husband :)

The Vintage Chateau said...

What a great mantle! The pirate is adorable and the books and "pistol" are just the right touches!

Kathe said...

Arg Matey! LOL! I love the swashbuckler and the books! Awesome that the hubs stepped in to help. Mr. B has that way about him too :) Thanks you for stopping by for a visit and leaving the sweet comment!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh My Gosh.. what a hubby you have. His pirate gun/ letter opener is the perfect touch. Your little guy is very dashing, I've never seen one like it, what a treasure... love your mantel.. hugs ~lynne~

Karena said...

Babs I love your mantle. The swashbuckler is a great find. Bravo!

I have just linked up with Laura's party!
xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

Decor To Adore said...

Thank you so very much for linking up to Fall In Love Wednesdays.

Have a blessed weekend.

Kathleen said...

Great! I could have used your pirate decor! I did a Pirate table for my little gsons bday.
Thanks for your kind words, you are always so sweet!

xinex said...

Love your mantel decor! What a handsome figurine!..Christine

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Love your mantel design. That looks like a pistol. Must be one big letter opener. Love your new swashbuckler.

The French Hutch said...

hi Babs, Your new guy on the mantle is gorgeous. Perfect to add a new look. He serves you well as a book end to your vintage books. How cool that your husband had the pirate pistol! The perfect finishing touch.
Babs, check out piece of cake, they are in Buckhead. You won't be sorry........

~Emily
The French Hutch

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Love the look of your matel and the contrast of your swashbuckler and books with the pretty silver tray and vase. Thanks so much for sharing:-)

Wendy@~Chez~La~De~da~ said...

Babs, What a great hubby huh? Got to love him!!
Love your mantel...love it more that you came to visit my blog THANKS!! Hope to see ya again!!

~~Wendy

Kim said...

Ha! Hilarious post Babs! I love it!!! I'm coveting Staffordshire right now and your little guy is just the cutest. I love how he fits right in with those amazing books! And those silver pieces are beautiful too. How sweet that hubby got in on the decorating process.
xoxo,
Kim

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Babs your mantel looks beautiful! I see we have the same blue and white ginger jar too! You have such a talent for accessorizing! Martina

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Babs, I'm so coveting your little statue!!! You asked about the trumpet vine. No darling I let it go, thank goodness when I planted it, it was in area I wouldn't have to cut it back. Mr. P told me I would be sorry if I planted it close to the house, it's very invasive.. lol. hugs ~lynne~

Honey at 2805 said...

Your mantel is so pretty and your statue so intriging. Looks like he could steal you heart! He fits right in with the vintage books which I adore!

Thank you for linking to Potpourri Friday. I appreciate your participation! Unfortunately your thumbnail picture didn't show up but the link is working and I can tell you have had quite a number of clicks from the Potpourri Party.

Marianne said...

Hi Babs,
I just love those Staffordshire statues, your man is very handsome! Your mantel looks simply gorgeous with the old books and hubbs pirate pistol...what a nice guy to let you use it!
Marianne :)

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

Oh, Babs, I LOVE him! What a find. The selection of books and that pirate pistol make this such a special arrangement.

Savannah Granny said...

Love that with the swagger! He could sit on my mantel anyday. Love the natural elements I need to wander around the yard a while. You mantel looks great. That will take you til Christmas. Great job. Hugs, Ginger

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh my, your mantel is looking wonderful! I'm still chuckling about your husband adding to your decor, that is just too cute! Love the swashbuckler!

The Charm of Home said...

Oh that is fantastic! I LOVE the paisley pants! How fun he is. you had the perfect books to accompany him! Very nice look for your mantel! Thank you for linking it up at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

On Crooked Creek said...

Babs,
Hey mate...this is stunning! Hubby's simple addition set your vignette over the top!
Fondly,
Pat