Distressing the Mantel

Hello everyone!

Well, you know I can't leave anything alone.  After I painted my fireplace mantel, I kept feeling like it didn't look right.  The grey paint looked darker on the mantel since it was next to the stone.  So, it looked slightly off from all the other greys in the room.  I don't mind different greys, but this had a different undertone or something that just didn't look right.  So, I decided to water down some white paint and rub it on to give it more of a distressed look and lighten the grey just a bit. I also did the same thing with the mirror frame.

Here is a close-up of the new finish.

After I did it, I instantly loved it and felt that it solved the problem with the paint.  Now, it has dimension. 

Of course, with a new look for the mantel, I decided to tweak a few things around it too.

I moved the chair from the foyer in here and placed my topiaries in some white tureens.  I needed that white contrast to keep it from looking blah.

I added a french ticking striped pillow in the chair and some soft greenery in a white pot on the hearth.

Now I feel that everything is more cohesive and  has that "country Swedish" look that I love.

Here is a before and after, side by side, for you to see.

I think the new look is better.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~