Thursday, December 19, 2013

Fireplace Mantels and Chandeliers




Do you ever have moments when you think you should have been born during a different time in history?



When it comes to Victorian decor, that thought crosses my mind like an out of control wildfire.

I'm of the "Little Women" ilk and would love to hear the sound of sleigh bells coming up the front circular driveway!


How about warming one's hands and feet by a crackling fire, while sipping hot chocolate----wouldn't that be a fine way to spend an hour or so on a freezing winter's day?




I'm particularly drawn to fireplace mantels and chandeliers, the more ornate the better!


Recently, at a wedding reception inside the Commander's Mansion in Watertown, Massachusetts, the holiday decor set my heart on fire.

I walked from room to room, swooning with delight, trying to envision what it was like to live in such a home.

Every mantel I saw made me breathe deeply and the chandies?  Fabulous!

Hope you enjoy some of these  photos of another time, another place.

DO YOU LIKE CHANDELIERS AND FIREPLACE MANTELS AS PART OF A HOME'S  DECOR OR DO YOU PREFER A MORE SIMPLE STYLE?

13 comments:

The Old Parsonage said...

I always say that I should have been born in a different time. Victorian would have been nice with the styles, but I'd like the creature comforts too. What I'd really like I think is the 50's - a little more recent but women were stay at home wives and mothers more so. I miss that - I'm a homebody at heart.

The decor that you've shared is gorgeous!

Merry Merry!
Leann

Linda O'Connell said...

My daughter decorates everything in Victorian. I love that white marble fireplace.

I will be posting some historic photos soon form a house tour.

PERSEVERÂNÇA said...

Feliz quinta-feira!!!
Que elegancia...maravilhoso
Eu vi vc no espelho, linda
Desejo felicidades, beijinhos

Nicinha

Bookie said...

Lovely home, must be a grand way to live. I am drawn to early 1940s with padded shoulders, Swing music, and hats, hats, hats.

Ruth Ann said...

I could say "ditto" to everything Leann said above. We had an Advent Tea at our church a couple of weeks ago. Some of us had little parts to read, and I was delighted to see that some of the teenaged girls were given readings. I really hate to be critical, but almost all of them were in sweats! I long for simpler times, refinement without snobbishness, good manners. I try to live these things in my home and hope I've passed them on to my adult children.

Chatty Crone said...

I know you must have been so excited there!!!!!!!!!

I have a fireplace and chandelier. Of course it is my mom's crystal chandelier. It's gorgeous.

Now I love to see them in other homes and I enjoy the beauty very much.

Love, sandie

diane.stetson said...

Very pretty pictures. I prefer simpler things but to visit a place like this is just enchanting.

Unknown said...

Hello from Spain: I also like the era of 'Little Women'. I love the Victorian decor. My favorite part of the house is always the living room with a warm fireplace. Keep in touch

Nellie said...

A house has to be large enough for such grand fireplaces and chandeliers to be appropriate. Our houses have never qualified.:-)

marianne said...

Fabulous pictures of a bygone era in decorating. The Victorian era does evoke a very dramatic,luxuriant and romantic style and it is fun to imagine living in a place such as the Commanders Mansion. You must have been swooning as you walked from room to room! How fun!

I do enjoy a fireplace mantle and have 2 in my house that I love to decorate for all the holidays. I have no chandelier, but would like to have one in my hallway someday.

Linda said...

You're the sparkle!!!
Wishing you a beautiful 'Victorian Christmas' at heart,
Linda at Beautiful Ideas

Joyful said...

Stunning! I too love mansions, chandeliers and fireplaces though I don't think I would have done well in the society of by gone eras. Modern day suits me fine. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Susan,
Beautiful!!!

I am definitely right there with you on thinking that I should have been born in a different era. Victorian and early Edwardian are my favorite times....

Hugs,
Deb

Related Posts with Thumbnails