Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Black Forest Magic

The thing with decorating with antlers is you either love them or hate them.
I love them!
I love how they bring a natural, rustic element to a space like the bathroom above, featured in Elle Decor.

Antlers can break up a series of paintings or plates, creating visual interest and symmetry. 

I love this collection of Black Forest mounts over the bed, but is this too much?
Well, either you love it or hate it!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you already know my love affair with antlers.
This one, covered in tartan is one of my favorites!

I especially love Black Forest mounts because of their intricate carvings.  
I've collected the little roe deer antlers over the years--they look great grouped together.

 I really wanted a large mount over the outdoor fireplace in Asti, but was concerned how it would weather the elements.
I found one made of resin, and it has held up well over the years.
Which brings me to my present situation!

After struggling with what to hang over the living room mantel, I came up with the idea of hanging a large Black Forest mount.
A mirror won't work because the wall tilts back and a painting won't work either because the mantel angles in, so antlers it is!

I found this magnificent mount on Ebay.  Notice the acorn carvings on the plaque.  The dealer is from Austria and has many more like this.
They were so reasonably priced, I bought two!  

 The second one will hang in the family room.
The wall over the sectional is large and in order to fill it up, I decided to create a gallery wall. So I gathered all my cow paintings and a couple of landscapes and laid out this arrangement on the floor.
Now to get it on the wall! 
Stay tuned for the family room and gallery wall reveal.

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15 comments:

Dianne said...

I love love love antlers!!!! I have a huge silver punch bowl full of them on my dining room table. I enjoy your style so much and look forward to the reveal of your entire house!!!

gme said...

It's going to be beautiful! Love the antlers!

Kathysue said...

What a perfect choice!! It looks so perfect in your home, it is so YOU!! I have a friend that loves the little Roe dear antlers, do you have the link to your seller on ebay?

Rebecca said...

I can't wait to see that gallery wall!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I love them but don't have a one. I love your gallery wall. I do the same thing. I lay everything out on the floor. Love, love love all your cow paintings.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

You know I love antlers and most of mine are from an ebay seller in Austria. May be the same one.

Sarah said...

You are beginning to work your magic to make this your home. I admit, I'm not an antler person. I think it stems from my childhood and all the taxidormy hanging in the rooms in my grandmother's home on a ranch. But even though I couldn't live with them doesn't mean I don't see the beauty you've created using them. I admire the beautiful carved Black Forest mounts and the organic feel of the natural horn. I love textures and natural things in a home.
Your gallery wall is going to be exquisite. Can't wait to see more of your rooms. Have fun with the process.

Judy said...

I love antlers too....I have one hanging over a large picture in my den and when my little grandson is here he immediately runs over to where it hangs and points up and looks back at me and "talks" to it!

I think your gallery wall is going to be fabulous....looking forward to a final reveal!

Karen said...

I share you love of antlers. I've always admired the pieces you've shared. The wall gallery will be spectacular.
karen

The Little Yellow Corner Store said...

Oh...thank you, thank you for posting your article about antlers. You are right...you either love them or hate them. For me, it is a mixture of both. My husband has several antler mounts and wild boar tusks mounted and hanging on our wall. Since we have a log home, they do add a rustic element, but they are so hard to dust and some times I find the skull rather creepy. I am so glad you posted the picture which adds a tartan plaid to the base or the wood mount. It makes it much more pleasing to the eye and not as scary and I will suggest it to my husband.

Theresa Potter said...

Gorgeous and absolutely the perfect solution for over that mantel! You must finally be starting to feel "at home!

nancy2 said...

I find antlers creepy, something about a dead animal.... that's just me. I like what you have done with your wall groupings and mantle, it's all coming together.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I think this was a great choice for your wall. That is a difficult spot to decorate. I don't mind antlers- I'm not fond of a taxidermy head with antlers though but in a lodge they seem very attractive. Love the way they are mounted.

Maria C said...

Delores, I have been following the transformation of your new home and admire the courage of your decorating style. I don't know how, but you manage to make it work and look fabulous! I am a conservative coward when it comes to decorating. I hem and haw and procrastinate until something (like a graduation party) finally prods me into action. Antlers are not my thing, and even if they were, my oldest son, who is into feng shui, would seriously object to my hanging one in the house. He says because it's part of a dead animal, it's bringing dead energy (chi) into the house. He also hates potpourri (dead leaves and flowers) for the same reason (but infusers and scented candles are okay, apparently). However, I think your antlers are a perfect solution for the area above the fireplace! I look forward to more decorating posts! They make my day!

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Delores,

I love anything Black Forest and I love antlers too! I think I've bought from the same people on Ebay you got yours from, and I agree that they are reasonably priced. Your cow paintings look absolutely gorgeous with the mount in the center...can't wait to see it on the wall.

Nancy

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