My Masterpiece

My Masterpiece is Complete

I have been working on this project for the longest time and it's finally complete.  I haven't had time to gather my before and after photos together being so busy with work and weekend gardening projects.  So here it is my Masterpiece!  haha!

Most of the Mantel wood is oak and I was thinking about staining the mantel rather than painting it white.  I decided white would look best, being that my walls are a warm taupe color.  I'm happy with my decision, it's really become the focal point of my great room now.  I also love the way my cobalt blue glass looks  on top of it too.

It really came together nicely I added all types of fluted trim and quarter round moldings.  I also found beautiful wood appliqués that really added some interesting detail. I'm a member of the Newport Preservation Society, so mansion tours are my thing.  When I get home from mansion tours I get big ideas, if you know what I mean!

This is one of my best projects to date and really changes the whole ambiance of my great room.  

Some close up shots before I painted it white and added appliqués .  The front facing of the fireplace is granite and brass.  I use it all the time. This is the main fireplace there are two others, one in the media room and one in the guest room.

These are the appliqués I added.

I added lots quarter round to give a finished look and I love the houndstooth top detail.

Added Chair Rail

I added chair rail in addition to this project.

I taped all the wall with frog tape but it tore off the paint for some reason?  I fixed it with touch up paint though.

Priming my project.

Before Photo

The before photo is pathetic.  I also added a cherry wood fan above too. The original oak mantel drove me crazy, it was so plain.  I wanted to tear it  down every time I looked at it.

My Masterpiece, and as always still a work in progress.  Thanks for visiting Renée's Repro! xo

Easter Weekend in Jamestown

Flagstone Flower Beds

This is just one of my recent landscaping projects, two new flower beds and a flagstone flower bed border.  I decided after the beds were done to add a border.  I think it really adds a nice finished look to the beds.  This was my first attempt with any type of hardscape, so I decided to start with a small project first.

This is a front view of the flower beds.  I wanted to keep the beds simple and mostly evergreen, trying  not to take away from the flower boxes which I will be cascading down during the spring and summer months.  I added Boxwood and some Kramer's Red ground covers which will spread and Lilacs which will bloom  soon and smell amazing.

This is my design plan before I started to dig out the beds.  I measured the area and set them in place first.  Also, keep in mind you need to be sure you choose the correct plants for your growing zone.  

After you lay out the shape, remove lawn and amend soil.  I used a spade to define the edge, then started digging where I wanted to place my shrubs.

Isn't it every Francophile's dream: a garden planted with boxwood, lavender, espaliered fruit trees and rows of grapevines as far as the eyes can see......or maybe just mine = )

I also created a small mailbox garden which I haven't posted yet.  Stay tuned.....