Guest Blog Exchange with Home Sweet Homemade

A big welcome to Diane from Home Sweet Homemade. Diane's blog header inspired my button flower bouquet - and she's my guest blogger today! Take it away, Diane.

Thank you Michael!  I'm so happy to be here at the Blue Velvet Chair!  I first spied Michael's blog at a linky-party where she had posted one of her delightful mosaic projects.  And I became an instant fan.  Her creativity and friendliness virtually sparkles through her blog and the fact that she's living in Sweden is so intriguing to me.  (Scandinavia is, after all, the home of Hamlet.)  I'm completely thrilled to be Michael's guest today and even more thrilled to host her over at my blog, home sweet homemade.

* *** *

Every once in a while, I see an image that just captures my imagination and I'll find myself hunting around dozens of blogs for more.  That's how the "things I love" posts are born.

things I love - the faux fireplace edition

Years ago, travel was part of my work life.  On a 6-month project in Chicago, I was fortunate to rent a room from a local homeowner just north of the loop, rather than stay in a hotel.  The guest room in her charming home had a non-working wood-burning stove against one wall.  The homeowner had cleverly arranged some bricks on the floor to resemble a hearth and a shelf above for a mantel.  The look was totally faux, but the room's warmth completely genuine.

My design lesson from that experience was that it is indeed possible to enjoy the psychological benefits of a fireplace without actually having one in a room.  Let's look at a few examples, shall we?

This cozy room with the gorgeous antique fireplace mantel is from the home of Gloria Oviatt, esteemed dealer of American antiques.  Image via Cote de Texas.

Suzanne, the inspired blogger behind Meridian Road, was fortunate enough to find a reproduction of an antique fireplace surround, virtually indistinguishable from the original.  She and her husband snapped it up in a flash and placed it in their home as a charming focal point.

Emma Cassi, jewelry designer and interior stylist, drenched her bedroom in old-world romance with this beautiful fireplace mantel.  Image from design*sponge.

Also from design*sponge, a diy-artist converted a sadly used mantel into a whimsically scrumptious faux fireplace.

Regardless of the season, everyone loves a fireplace -- chimney not necessarily required.

Thank you for reading :)

-diane