Is is best to start with a clean slate
when changing your mantel decoration?
Well, I did, but I sure struggled with this one. 
After Christmas decorations come down, I enjoy putting up this vintage picture of "Making Apple Cider" ... but our mantel needs lighting for anything to show up.
Mr. Z. drilled three holes in a 2x4 where we inserted small night lights and three larger holes where we sat three vintage glass lamp shades.
This added enough light to shine on the painting.
With the basket in front of the electric plug made it very difficult to reach the plug to turn the lights on and off.
This remote control that I bought at Lowe's for Christmas lighting was just what we needed. I bought a second one for the floor lamp and lights behind the stained glass windows. One remote will control both plugs.
(oops ... looks like the mantel is not so clean)
The Hearth ...
... checker boards were left over from Christmas, so just left them sitting there. The gray round is a beautiful wooden lid from a large food storage or shipping barrel.
Area right of the fireplace ... you can see the other remote that works the lights in that corner.
Favorite crocks ... and stone-look bird. Love how this old crackled yellow crock brings out the yellow in the picture.
Three burlap birds nestled in an antler horn ...
Birds of a feather, flock together.
Purchased from a friend at her Christmas show.
Hope you enjoyed seeing our Winter mantel.
Thanks for visiting ... hope you will let me know your were here.
Thanks for your comment. I you have trouble completing your comment, please let me know so I can try to fix it.
Blessings,
Just had to show you a close-up picture of this bird.
He has a clip on the bottom that I attached to this large
birdcage.
Linking to:
