Dapper Home: Adding Architectural Charm with a Vintage Mantel

It's time for a little change at Captain Dapper HQ. The 850 square foot apartment that I call home and office is constantly changing and evolving. One reason for the never ending evolution is that I'm forever challenged to make more stuff fit in this small space. That usually involves cleaning out closets or getting new multi-purpose furniture. But, really, the main reason my home is in a constant state of flux is that I have design ADD. By the time I've just about finished a room or a project, I'm already thinking And then what?

I've been looking for a way to bring some architectural character to my very plain Jane, builder grade living room for well over a year. Although my apartment is in a building that was built in the late 1920's, it had been gutted and rehabbed before I moved in. This means I have mod cons like washer/dryer, dishwasher and new electrical, but there's not much vintage charm left in this new/old space.



And then one sleepy Saturday morning, this charming old mantel came up in an auction at Architectural Artifacts. I placed a low bid, despite the fact that the mantel is almost twice as large as I had wanted. And then when I won with that low bid, I panicked about how I'd get it home. Thanks goodness for U-Haul hourly van rentals!



The mantel is in great condition so my first instinct was to use it as-is. Once I brought it home, however, and leaned it against the wall that would be its home, the darkness of the wood made it feel massive. Painting it a lighter color would help it visually recede a bit. But before anything could happen, I'd have to paint over the stencil currently on the wall.



I was so worried that it would take several coats of paint to cover the pattern on this wall. So worried, in fact, that I'd been procrastinating painting over it for months. I had used a gold foil paint to create the pattern so I was certain that it would be a nightmare to cover. And then surprise! It only took two coats. Easy peasy!



While the wall was drying, I started painting the mantel white. I took a shortcut here that I kind of regret. (Captain Dapper is not afraid to admit his mistakes!) I should have sanded the mantel a bit before I started painting it. Even just a light sanding would have made the process easier. I knew it even as I was brushing on the very first bit of paint. But it was cold outside and I didn't want to sand indoors so I decided to skip it. By not sanding, the mantel required FIVE COATS of paint to get a really smooth and even glossy white finish. But, hey, the wall was easier than I was expecting so I guess it all evens out in the end.



I haven't attached the mantel to the wall yet. I have plans to fill the fireplace in a clever way but that's another project for another post. Until then, I've filled Mason jars with rocks and tea lights and positioned them on the floor.



I love the vintage character that the mantel brings to the room. It will be fun to decorate at Christmastime (finally a place for the stockings!) and, once it's attached to the wall, I'll have fun picking a few shiny things to display on top year round.