*This post was sponsored by Minted.com.
My mantel needed an overhaul…majorly. I’m all for affordable art options, because I just don’t believe you have to spend hundreds of dollars to have stylish walls in your home.
Today I’ll share one of my DIY’s plus my FAVORITE new online art shop and enlist your help for the final call on my mantel artwork.
Meet the new “it girl” of my mantel. Forgive me, I am slightly obsessed with her. Like any attractive female, she lights up the room with her presence and demands your attention immediately.
Oh, and she only wears gold. As if there was any other option.
This is not actually a DIY post-if that’s what you were hoping to find, so sorry. This is better…
This gorgeous marbled paper art is simply a very affordable specialty wrapping paper cut down to frame size. Viola! Instant artwork.
I purchased my paper from Paper Mojo. When I visited their site for the first time, it was definitely an “Ohmigaaaaah” moment. They have dozens of equally gorgeous options in several colors; it was hard to choose. The paper only cost $6, but shipping bumped my total to $20. Still, this is an amazing price for a piece of artwork this size.
Help Me: Mantel Indecision
I’m trying to pick between two looks that I love equally for different reasons. I’m hoping some of you would help me decide the final art work…
Hook em’ horns…
OPTION 1: Sentimental Black & White
(Staredown & Flight of the Ocean)
Born and bred in Texas, the longhorn will always be a sacred animal. We lived less than an hour from the beach growing up (so what if was the muddy Gulf?). We spent countless Saturdays at the beach, and some of my best memories involved sand in my feet and seagulls overhead. They both have personal significance and in a tiny way help to “tell my story”.
(California Dreams & Organic Pebbles)
These pieces are fun and add a lot more color to the mantel. Each of the three pieces brings something unique to the mantel, but all seem to subtly imply movement. I feel like this combo brings a little playfulness to our formal living room.
What’s your pick? Option 1 or Option 2?
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I love them both, but I’d go with option 2 🙂
Debbie
Thanks, Debbie!
Hands down- #2! It’s livelier, more colorful, bolder and has much more of a fun personality about it. It also opens up a new palette of color (orange is very trendy now) for the little things that make a room home. By the way- LOVE that marbleized print! I’ve always loved the pink/grey/pearl combination, especially on a well dressed man.
Thanks for weighing in, Martha! I ended up using the orange dots and longhorn-a combo of the two looks. LOL to your “well-dressed man” combo. Yes, please.
Hi Heather! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I’ll be sure to follow you along now! That marble paper is so good, I love the frame you chose too! Personally I like the first option. It feels more contrasted and unexpected. I always prefer a bit of contrast in my designs! Can’t go wrong with either option though!
That’s a good point, Tiffany. Thanks for stopping by!
Tough decision, but I’m a sucker for orange and pink together so I’d go with option 2. And I love the Ferris wheel print.
It feels like a mid-century color combo, huh?
For sure. Especially with that lovely geometric print you have.
Can I switch it up and make your decision even harder?? I like Flight of the Ocean and Organic Pebbles! No matter what you have to have the Pebbles print!
Hah! I guess technically there are a few more possible ways to use the four pieces. Pebbles, check:)
they are both great but i prefer option one which allows the marble paper to stand out as the color…. and i just love the images in the b/w art. 🙂
Yeah, that’s definitely a plus.
they are both great but i prefer option one which allows the marble paper to stand out as the color…. and i just love the images in the b/w art. 🙂
they are both great but i prefer option one which allows the marble paper to stand out as the color…. and i just love the images in the b/w art. 🙂
they are both great but i prefer option one which allows the marble paper to stand out as the color…. and i just love the images in the b/w art. 🙂
they are both great but i prefer option one which allows the marble paper to stand out as the color…. and i just love the images in the b/w art. 🙂
they are both great but i prefer option one which allows the marble paper to stand out as the color…. and i just love the images in the b/w art. 🙂
Oh that is some gorgeous stuff. I like option 2…so much so that I may need to order those prints right now!
Do it, Jen! I’m pretty pleased with mine.
Love the marbled paper art. I also like option one – it let’s the marble paper stand out. In the second option my eye is drawn to the smaller pieces first which are really lovely too. Either option would be great though. 🙂
I think that’s a recurring theme in the opinions, Anu. Thanks for stopping by:)
Agree with option 1 votes above, this look allows all the pieces to be an individual, but still cohesive.
Yep, it seems we have a “winner”. Thanks for weighing in.
Huh. I’ll go against the flow: option 1 looks kind of random to me. Option 2 keeps the pieces related, without matching. I like the way the different rounded lines and the different ways of using similar colors play off of each other. (I don’t like the white frames with the gilt one, though.)
Yep, the round factor is something to consider. I thought about doing all white frames, but I wanted it to feel a little mismatched or “collected”.
They both look great, but I’m leaning towards option 2! (Seems that I’m part of the minority group here though… 😉 They really do both look great. Will you keep the undisplayed options in option 2, maybe find another place for them somewhere else in your house?
I think I can use at least one of the unused pics in my bookshelf…maybe leaned up behind some nic naks?
I love the horns photo so this was a tough decision but I have to go with option 2. I love how the orange & pinks in the two prints bring out the colors of the marble. Of course in my own house I have a tendency to swap artwork around weekly.
Thanks Megan!! Your paper is the start of the show!!
I also love to change out artwork…MIght have to just keep them in a closet handy to do that.
They both look awesome! (And I love the marbled paper too!) I think my favorite is staredown and flight of the ocean. Something about those horns I just love paired with the marble paper!
You are speaking my “Texan” language:)
Where did you get the frame? I love it!
I actually picked it up at a flea market a few years ago. I like it so much because it gilt, but very thin. MOst are much thicker (AKA gaudy).
I am obsessed with marbled paper too. I covered a box in a similar pattern as yours and I love it. I have thought about trying to make my own. Put it number 100 on my DIY to do list! I love both options, but I would go with number 1. I think it provides more contrast.
xo
jennifer@decoratingdelirium.com
Oooh, making a box would be fun. I need to check yours out. I wonder how hard it would be to make marbled paper? You try it and then I’ll copy!
Oh my goodness I love this so much. I am 100% getting some marbled paper now. Just gorgeous. It is a tough choice, but I think I like the colorful option better. If you have a second and wanted to link up at The Makers link party over on my blog, it would make me so happy. 🙂
You’ll 100% love it!! Thanks for your feedback:)
Such a beautiful collection of art! I like grouping #2. The colours work so well together.
Thanks Jen!
both so pretty, but i love option 2 for this time of year..so bright and happy!
Maybe I could leave the colors up for spring and switch them our for fall:/
this is gorgeous.
http://thewearwithal.typepad.com/
thanks so much:)
While both mantel designs are lovely, Option 2 pulls you in.
Good point, Shellee:)
so lovely, Heather! i framed this paper too. i love the colors.
Don’t you just LOVE it??
I came across your blog from another one — Censational Girl — and I love the marbled paper art. I have two thrifted gold frames that would work perfectly. They sell several versions at Blick Art, and I’m planning on swinging by to pick some up tonight! Thank you for sharing the great idea!
So, I don’t know if you saw this, but The Zoe Report (as in Rachel Zoe’s blog) just pinned your pic on Pinterest! I was scrolling through and recognized it from your blog and sure enough! Congrats on all of your success! I am so proud of you!
Oh my goodness, I just love this! Both mantels are beautfiful, but I really like Option One! So, so pretty!
Thanks so much, Becky! I appreciate you stopping by.
Option 2 definitely
Hi there!
I love this marble paper! Can you tell me which color combination you ordered from Paper Mojo? The Turquoise/Apricot/Raspberry or the Grey/Apricot/Raspberry?
Thanks!!
Ashley
Hi Ashley! Mine is the grey apricot raspberry. I will give you a heads up that it’s darker in person than it appears in my photos. Hope that helps. (you’re going to love it!!)
Thanks! I ordered a sample to make sure the colors look right in my space! You’re looks so pretty!
You are so creative! How did you frame the paper? What size did you order? I would love to replicate your awesome decor!
Thanks, Nicole! The paper only comes in one size from Paper Mojo. I trimmed it down to fit a vintage frame I found at a flea market. You can cut the paper to any size you like:)