Melody's Musings

Stuff that catches my fancy and random, sorted thoughts from the inner scrambles of my mind.

What you may expect to find here are what I consider good taste and some of the best in photography, philosophy, humor, art, architecture, food, music, poetry, literature and dance. I hope you like some of the things I enjoy.

I like anything to do with good design such as interior design, architecture, photography, and art. I enjoy philosophy and psychology. I love to figure out what makes individuals tick. Music of most all types but particularly classical, world, pop, acoustic guitar is a big part of my life and add some dance to the music and my day is great! I like to write and occasionally I will write poetry and I really love to read it out loud and I even record it sometimes.

I'm a Myers-Briggs type ENFJ which means I love people and have a great interest in them.

I guess you could say I'm a humanities kind of person. :)







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    Contrasting Color To turn an ordinary fireplace into a focal point, paint the mantel and the wall above it a color that contrasts the room¿s main wall color. Base the color on another element within the room for a cohesive look. Here, the mantel’s blue hue was matched to the stone on the fireplace surround.

    Contrasting Color

    To turn an ordinary fireplace into a focal point, paint the mantel and the wall above it a color that contrasts the room¿s main wall color. Base the color on another element within the room for a cohesive look. Here, the mantel’s blue hue was matched to the stone on the fireplace surround.

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    Vertical Contrast Emphasize a room’s height by displaying a tall frame, mirror, or art piece on your mantel. Choose an object that contrasts with the mantel for even more impact. Here, a salvaged architectural panel was outfitted with a mirror. The hewn finish of the piece stands out against the crisp white fireplace wall and relates to the natural textures found elsewhere in the room.

    Vertical Contrast

    Emphasize a room’s height by displaying a tall frame, mirror, or art piece on your mantel. Choose an object that contrasts with the mantel for even more impact. Here, a salvaged architectural panel was outfitted with a mirror. The hewn finish of the piece stands out against the crisp white fireplace wall and relates to the natural textures found elsewhere in the room.

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    Color Block Color is the great decorating reviver. One simple addition of color can completely change a room’s look. Try this trick on the wall above your fireplace. Choose a paint color based on an object that is already in your room: the background of an area rug or the print on a throw pillow. Apply the color to your fireplace wall for a quick and affordable update.

    Color Block

    Color is the great decorating reviver. One simple addition of color can completely change a room’s look. Try this trick on the wall above your fireplace. Choose a paint color based on an object that is already in your room: the background of an area rug or the print on a throw pillow. Apply the color to your fireplace wall for a quick and affordable update.

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    The Whole Picture Consider your entire fireplace wall when designing your mantel. If your fireplace is flanked by built-ins, consider how the look of the built-ins relates to the mantel. In this living room, the objects on display in the built-ins coordinate with the colors of the abstract painting above the fireplace.

    The Whole Picture

    Consider your entire fireplace wall when designing your mantel. If your fireplace is flanked by built-ins, consider how the look of the built-ins relates to the mantel. In this living room, the objects on display in the built-ins coordinate with the colors of the abstract painting above the fireplace.

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    Molding Magic Add character to your fireplace wall with molding. Paint molding pieces the same color as the wall and install in rectangular shapes that fill the space around your fireplace. In this living room, one large rectangle “frames” the space above the mantel, while a narrow rectangle on each side of the fireplace fills the space and draws the eye upward.

    Molding Magic

    Add character to your fireplace wall with molding. Paint molding pieces the same color as the wall and install in rectangular shapes that fill the space around your fireplace. In this living room, one large rectangle “frames” the space above the mantel, while a narrow rectangle on each side of the fireplace fills the space and draws the eye upward.

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    Carry the Color Scheme Use the space above a fireplace to continue your room’s color scheme. Here, a green-and-yellow watercolor painting matches the chair’s upholstery. Decorate the mantel with white or glass objects to reflect light around the room.

    Carry the Color Scheme

    Use the space above a fireplace to continue your room’s color scheme. Here, a green-and-yellow watercolor painting matches the chair’s upholstery. Decorate the mantel with white or glass objects to reflect light around the room.

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    Media Mantel Flat-panel TVs often find a place above a fireplace. But the look can disrupt the fireplace’s decorative facade. Reclaim your fireplace’s appearance by recessing the unit into the wall behind the fireplace and enclosing it with bifold doors. Here, the doors are clad in beaded-board to match the coffered ceiling

    Media Mantel

    Flat-panel TVs often find a place above a fireplace. But the look can disrupt the fireplace’s decorative facade. Reclaim your fireplace’s appearance by recessing the unit into the wall behind the fireplace and enclosing it with bifold doors. Here, the doors are clad in beaded-board to match the coffered ceiling

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    Double Reflection For a new take on the mirror-above-the-mantel look, try layering a small mirror over a larger one. Hang a large, plain mirror above your mantel and then place a smaller, decorative mirror in front.

    Double Reflection

    For a new take on the mirror-above-the-mantel look, try layering a small mirror over a larger one. Hang a large, plain mirror above your mantel and then place a smaller, decorative mirror in front.

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    Lean on Me Skip hanging artwork on a stone fireplace in favor of leaning frames. The arrangement is easy to change and doesn’t require screwing hardware into a brick or stone facade. Layer large and small frames for visual interest. Be sure to fill the vertical space between the mantel and ceiling with a taller frame.

    Lean on Me

    Skip hanging artwork on a stone fireplace in favor of leaning frames. The arrangement is easy to change and doesn’t require screwing hardware into a brick or stone facade. Layer large and small frames for visual interest. Be sure to fill the vertical space between the mantel and ceiling with a taller frame.

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    Traditional Tableau Symmetrical arrangements project a classic order. Dress up your fireplace wall with a pair of wall sconces, one mounted on each side of the fireplace, with a round mirror in the middle. Use similar shaped objects on the mantel to maintain the orderly look. Here, tapered footed vases mimic the shape of the candle sconces on the wall.

    Traditional Tableau

    Symmetrical arrangements project a classic order. Dress up your fireplace wall with a pair of wall sconces, one mounted on each side of the fireplace, with a round mirror in the middle. Use similar shaped objects on the mantel to maintain the orderly look. Here, tapered footed vases mimic the shape of the candle sconces on the wall.

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    Old mantel over bedMy bedroom  :-)

    Old mantel over bed

    My bedroom  :-)

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    Shabby Chic In place of a headboard, a salvaged mantel gives this bedroom architectural flair. The more distressed the better for a vintage look like this.

    Shabby Chic

    In place of a headboard, a salvaged mantel gives this bedroom architectural flair. The more distressed the better for a vintage look like this.

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    Pretty Dreamy Lined up along a mantel turned headboard, mason jars show off blushing roses — or whatever is blooming in your flower beds. Linen-like grain-sack pillows will be just fine when your guy throws them on the floor.

    Pretty Dreamy

    Lined up along a mantel turned headboard, mason jars show off blushing roses — or whatever is blooming in your flower beds. Linen-like grain-sack pillows will be just fine when your guy throws them on the floor.



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    Vintage Hearth Enjoy the cozy warmth of your fireplace and incorporate it seamlessly with other antique decor by adding a vintage mantel. Dress the salvaged piece with a few of your favorite accessories and pull up a comfy chair to create one terrific tableau.

    Vintage Hearth

    Enjoy the cozy warmth of your fireplace and incorporate it seamlessly with other antique decor by adding a vintage mantel. Dress the salvaged piece with a few of your favorite accessories and pull up a comfy chair to create one terrific tableau.

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    Creative Collections The use of found objects creates an eclectic look and conveys a story. Here, an ornate mirror frame becomes the focal point of this collected mantel. Blossoming coral echoes the seashell-like details of the mirror frame, while two framed butterfly prints mimic the look of the other swirling details. Pair favorite vacation mementos with flea market finds and inherited objects for a display that showcases your story.

    Creative Collections

    The use of found objects creates an eclectic look and conveys a story. Here, an ornate mirror frame becomes the focal point of this collected mantel. Blossoming coral echoes the seashell-like details of the mirror frame, while two framed butterfly prints mimic the look of the other swirling details. Pair favorite vacation mementos with flea market finds and inherited objects for a display that showcases your story.

    Reblog