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Elegant or Ew?

I feel like I’m finally getting somewhere in a few rooms in my house.  My bedroom, living room, dining room and guest room are all starting to come together.  I’m especially excited about my dining room at the moment.  Every time I peek through my home office from my kitchen, I get this view…
I have found myself wandering into the room, just to look around.  Now, just imagine my blue and white Waverly curtains hanging on either side of the window.  Sigh…I am just loving it.
I’m not 100% sure about the arrangement on the sideboard, but that will probably be in a constant accessory rotation and will change with the seasons.
My aunt brought me the large ginger jars along with a pair of corner cupboards that I am still waiting to show you.  The drop leaf table (minus the leaves, which are in my basement) was given to me by my in-laws.  I was using it as a desk in my office, but it was perfect for this spot. 
Now, I know there was a little bit of controversy about the antlers I purchased at Lucketts.  I did decide to hang a pair on the wall and put the others in an ironstone plate on my silver chest.  Yesterday, one of the teenagers we work with came over to my house for some help with a sewing project and she said they looked terrible and were gross. 
I must say, I was a little grossed out while I was hot gluing some wire inside the little skull to hang them on my wall, but I stand by my decorating decision….and I’m in good company.
Photo Source: Country Living
I think antlers can look so elegant and earthy. 
Photo Source: Elle Decor
Nothing says “classy” quite like antlers on a truck…
…or toilet? 
Oh, come on, now.  Really? 
Now, I’m not going to go this far, but I do think my little pair looks cool and is an unexpected addition to this arrangement. 
So, what do you think?
I found some cool things while out at yard sales this morning.  I’ll share them soon!

Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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71 Responses

  1. I love the antlers myself. In fact, I've been wanting to find a few pairs that are mounted. I've had some weird comments about doing this because I think many people thing antlers go in a lodge or cabin…I don't agree. Some very well appointed homes have antlers. I like them. I admit I get grossed out when I hold them though…so you'd be in good company regarding the glue-ing statement!

    I want to see those ginger jars under the table…those look gorgeous!

    I love your dining room!

  2. I don't think there is anything wrong with using antlers in design as long as the animals weren't poached for the sole purpose of being a decoration or taken as part of a trophy hunt. To me, it would be less respectful to the animal's life to discard the antlers. That said, I am creeped out by rooms full of taxidermy. Is your young friend a vegetarian, or just far removed from the realities of the food chain?

    I only recently found your blog and must say it is beautiful. Thank you so much for your tutorials. Miss Mustard is a must read for me now.

  3. I totally agree with Roberta. I think it brings an earthy and masculine balance to the room. I would have some myself, but I just haven't found any.
    Perhaps when she (teenager) is a bit older, she can appreciate every aspect of nature a little more! 😉

  4. I like your antlers, but I have to be careful who reads this since my husband hunts…I certainly don't want any trophies in our house!

  5. personally i like the look of antlers, i do agree it can be very elegant.

    but, i almost prefer them to be fake or not visibly attached to the skull of the animal. that sort of freaks me out.

    so yes, i like the idea of the look, but i'm not the biggest fan of the exposed skull.

  6. Your dining room is really shaping up. I love your slipcovers on your chairs! And I don't mind the antlers. What I don't like is a room filled with deer heads. I had some good luck yard saling today too. Love & blessings from NC!

  7. Hi, I'm an avid reader of yours and appreciate all the tips/tricks/tutes you've shared. I really like the antlers placed over the plates, and don't consider them gross at all. After all, it's honoring what animals have given us. Perhaps if you were to find a small oval of wood with a routed edge, maybe an inch of wood showing & finish it like you did the chalkboard frame, or paint it white with a small flourish line design in blue- then antique it. Attach the antlers, and I'm thinking that would tie it all in with what's going on below. Just a thought…
    Dianne in UT, who's working on an antler & silver chandelier with the antlers supplied by DH over the years.

  8. I think that if you love them you should keep them. I grew up with hunters and while I don't have any antlers in our home now they don't gross me out. Definitely a nod to the man of the house.

    Becky K.

  10. Okay, I am going to be the sole naysayer, I am afraid. I am not an antler fan. Not that I am against hunting or anything like that. Before I knew what the post was about I saw the antlers and thought, "what an interesting choice!" So, its not that I think your design is flawed necessarily. I am just not an antler fan. (While we are at it, I hate goofy paintings of Native Americans and wolves, too. Is that wrong?)

  11. OMGosh! I have the exact same elements in my dining room but YOURS is absolutely stunning! I even have a set of antlers, creme colored french dining set slightly distressed with natural wood top, chandie, small framed chalkboard and just yesterday I found an ironstone soup tureen! Love the antlers, definitely! And I love love love your style. ~Lili

  12. I agree with DK Spins. I would put something behind them to make them stand out more. If you didn't want to mount them to anything you could faux paint a background for them even. You are so good at painting anyway. Just my opinion. 🙂

  13. I love how you arranged the antlers above the plates. It is a little bit unexpected. Which I am all about the little bit unexpected.

  14. Well, I love your room, but I do not love the antlers. In a more primitive room, they might be perfect, but I don't like them with your plates. The ones on the sideboard don't bother me, but the ones on the wall are just a little too cabin-y to me.

    I do like the inspiration picture with them all arranged on a wall, though.

    And I admit, I have some antlers at my house, too, in hubby's office. I just don't LOVE them in your dining room. 🙂

  15. LOL! Too funny!

    I'm afraid I'm leaning towards what Katie said. Sorry. 🙂 I look at the lovely plates and go ACK when I see the bones and skull. 🙂 But they did make me look twice, if not 3x!

    Your diningroom is looking so heavenly!! Those skirty flirty chair covers are so adorable! Your curved doorway arches are pretty awesome too!

    Thanks for the additional peek around!

    Donna

  16. I can't imagine anything you'd do would be less than elegant. You have fabulous taste and I think it looks great. If it was a full head mount or something…then maybe not-so-much.

    I had not heard of truck antlers…I'm surprised my cousin doesn't have them. Ugh.

  17. I don't care for the antlers, either. I think there are other ways to use natural materials to get an "earthy" feel in your room that would be more appealing. But…it's your house, not mine!

  20. Love your dining room. The chair cushions are stunning and I love the side table and the vignette above. I see antlers in all the magazines. I think I like them mounted on a piece of wood, however nothing wrong with yours. Beautiful room. Love it. Hugs, Marty

  21. I noticed the antlers right away and to be honest…I think they detract from the beauty of your room. Everything is so FABULOUS and (to me) the antlers are a little too unexpected. But you sure are a whiz at putting vignettes together!

  22. Antlers in decorating seems to be a very hot topic! I think whether you agree with using them or not, what it does for your space is say, "we don't take ourselves so seriously." It adds a bit of whimsy and keeps the arrangement from looking too formal. And if you like them, by all means, leave 'em up!

  23. I don't care for antlers at all, even in a lodge type decor. But hey, this is your house! 🙂 I think you've done a fabulous job and everything looks so gorgeous and elegant…and the antlers do not.

    Just sayin' ~

  25. I am going to have to side with Katie and FJ Donna. I am a huge fan of transferware and yours is gorg, but it kind of creeped me out that that beautiful blue platter is wearing antlers. But alas, that is just my opinion and you are WAY more experienced in the decorating realm than I am. Who knows, perhaps my red transferware will be wearing antlers soon too!

  26. I like antlers in decorating. I'm not a fan of these there, I think the scale is a little small for the arrangement. Your room is turning out so beautifully. I can't wait till you get your draperies done.

  28. I love your table and chairs and
    I like the antlers on the plate, but I think the ones on the wall should be larger.

  29. Sorry! I am not liking the antlers. They are just too small and not really like an antler at all. Everything else about the room I love! I can see those draperies just fine.
    Loving that
    Just not the antlers
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  31. I enjoy your style but not the antlers. Of course as a vegeterian I am not confortable with them! (and yes I am married to a huge meat eater!)
    I have been to many castles, there are always antlers displayed through the great rooms, so definitively old school! and from your pictures very fashionable too!

  34. I LOVE the antlers!! I have seen them forever everywhere in all kinds of rooms. I had some beautiful sunbleached ones I found in Montana, but my hubby hates them, so they are outside:-( I love them and I want them back! Gorgeous room you have!!

  38. This from a girl who freaked out sleeping in the room with her Opa's mounted deer head. You've come a long way baby! Opa would be proud. MMS's Mom

  39. Ah, the room looks wonderful. As for the antlers, I really think they feel, old European-ish and add a little pop of unusual. I found some "bull horns" the other day at the G.W. They are white and mounted with green felt and would so cool somewhere in my house or J.R. style on my Jeep… LOL. I sure got a lot of strange looks though as I was trolling the isles. Antlers-horns, sure make for some conversation. Have a great day.

  40. antlers don't happen to be my cup of tea. but i do think that if you love them you should keep them. it's your house. make no apologies!

  42. I like the antlers. They are a little unexpected and I like the juxtaposition of the rustic against the elegant in the room.

  43. I LOVE the blue and white! How wonderful to have old family pieces that you can use to furnish your home! As for the antlers…I grew up in the South where hunting is part of the culture and we actually eat the meat, so I am not offended. I don't think I could have them at my house, though. I am the person who stops the car to help turtles across the road! lol Happy weekend…Debbie

  44. I love the antlers and I have a pair hanging in my home. You will have to show us a better picture of the jars on the floor. They look like something I could fall in love with. I just did a post on my cog. Check it out.
    xo, Sherry

  45. While I do adore the juxtaposition of the plates with the antlers… I think it's that particular pair I don't care for… the other pics show multi horned antlers which look a bit more polished… The single ones are a bit off to me.
    I am actually looking for a great pair to hang in my home now but I thik i definately would want them multi horned.

  46. The antlers don't bother me a bit. I would love to see the large ginger jars in a more prominant place in the room! Beautiful.

    Karena
    Art by Karena

  47. Love the antlers! I'm a big fan of their use in decorating. I bring mine out with the change of summer into autumn.
    We love to find them while taking walks in the woods or in the hay fields after the deer have shed them on their own so usually on at a time. Perfect little treasures…

  48. I have to agree a little with Stripeycat. Firstly, I love your room…it's gorgeous! Whilst I would never hang real antlers in my home (but that's just me) I must admit I do like the depth, earthiness and eclectic interest they can add to a space. However I feel that perhaps in this case the antlers are too small for their position in that wall display. If you love them perhaps consider some re-jigging (or mount them) to make then work to the max.
    Again, your room looks lovely though.
    Kristine
    xx

  49. I'm chiming in on the antler question… not a big fan of the ones on the wall, although the ones on the table are ok. But this comes from a woman with a dead fish on a wall in one room and dead-duck on a wall in another! HA!
    AND! I've had antlers on my wall too, in my boys' room when they were growing up. Wonder where those are now?

  50. i am on the fence…. i like the look of them and the natural element, but when i get to thinking about it, i just couldn't do it in my house. we have a friend who hunts and he gave us venison so i cooked it and we ate it and i admit that i was nauseated the entire time. i forced myself to eat it so the deer wouldn't have died in vain, but i just couldn't do it again. but since then i have stopped eating red meat, so that says a lot! but i am torn because i like the look a lot!

  51. Considering that I live with a big game hunter, I like the antlers. I think you need a bit of leather or suede around the skull though. I think it also needs some kind of plaque behind it. It seems very wimpy in perspective. It's like an afterthought. The plates are gorgeous and I feel your eye is drawn to them and then to the antlers.

  54. Loving your dining room! Can't wait to see the curtains.
    Mine is next on my list and I can't wait to get started. I need my hubby to move the chandelier over a bit so I can paint but he is trying to get me to finish a small boring project and he won't do it until its done! MEN!

  56. For aesthetic purposes, I like the look. It's quirky and an interesting natural element. But for me, I just see the little baby deer that used to hold the antlers and it makes me kinda sad. But I'm a total sap and have been tossing around the idea of not eating red meat anymore so, that's the kind of person you are talking to! It's your home, and if it makes you happy, keep it!

  57. The antlers are perfect! Takes me back to the photos of old European estates and studies whose old leather chairs I would love to sink into with an old interesting book. I grew up hunting (and still do), and while there may be gross elements to it from the perspective of a queasy stomach, the value of a deer is great to those of us who need to hunt to provide for our family nutritionally and to manage the farm land for balance. While antlers can easily be bragging rights for the male set, I feel the female can embrace them in a better, more reverent way, honoring the deer for the provision it gave. If it were not for hunting, my family would very well have gone hungry through many winters. They were our food and were hunted in as honorable a way possible. Antlers, for me, are a reminder of this and a sign of something to give thanks for. On the lighter side, as a decor element, I feel they bring timelessness to a room, a feeling of history. Lovely.

  59. I Like them… I think they do add a sense of earthiness to the room, and they are so sweet and small, the huge ones can be a little gross sometimes! It looks great in your room and I like it with the plates.
    🙂 Flick

  62. I mulled over some antlers recently and passed on them, only to wish I had picked them up. I personally think if they were shed naturally they are OK. Trophy heads are too much for me because I am squeamish, plus I think it is disrespectful to the animal that has provided food to display it's head. Yours however looks not like taxidermy, but more like a naturally found weathered piece. I agree with someone else who commented they they would look good mounted.

  63. i like the antlers. Funny thing is I didn't even notice them as 'out of sorts' until you mentioned it. I was thinking you were trying to decide on teh gold on the frame! I have to admit I don't LOVE stuffed animal heads… but anlters are fine. Not to mention since I am a meat eater I would be hard pressed to say it's wrong to have anything like that. And for the most part we are typing wearing our leather shoes!
    I think it is a nice juxtaposition! You rock!

  64. heheh forget the antlers…I LOVE the blue and white platter…it is gorgeous…I collect blue and white stuff..and it caught me eye.

  65. I think what's not-quite-right about your antlers is that if you look at the other examples, one is a collection of game antlers with some fishing baskets, creating an outdoor theme, and the other is in a less "feminine" setting than your room, and also appear to be "game" animals. Your antlers look like something off a cow or steer, no offense. I think this is what makes them look a bit off, combined with your more cottagey overall look. They really don't relate to anything else in the room, even with the ones in the bowl below. But if you like them, that's what counts.

  66. i think if they were a little bit more substantial they would look better…the other examples are all mounted on boards..if yours were mounted i think it might give it that little extra 'something'..i don't know if that helps or not 😉

  67. First-LOVE the faux birds in the dining room. But I have to ask… what's the difference between having skins/hooves/horns etc hanging on the wall from deer, elk , antelope, etc…or a dog? Cat?

    Buddhism puts all living things on an equal plane. IMHO, I think hanging animal skeletons/skins is very disrespectful of mother nature's creatures. people seem to love them, so I know it's a trend that will continue, but still…it's just not for me.

  68. I don't mind the antlers, but they seem to be a little out of place there. Maybe they should be on a wall that is more full. They look really small up against that open space. Although, I do think you have changed this room up a bit since this post. Did you leave them in the room or move them??

    Andrea @ dwellrepurposed.blogspot.com

  69. As my husband always says, if you were certain you would not have asked for an opinion. My opinion is 1) Too casual/lodge for this room even in an eclectic scenario 2) Too creepy in a dinning room – ditto the plate of bones below. Forgive me, but they look like you were clearing the table and the phone rang and you forgot to throw them out. 3) Scale is wrong – too small. In place of them, I would rather see you repeat another narrower gilt frame(s) with, black elements inside (silhouettes – maybe your children – or an "empty" frame with a scroly wrought iron thing, or a script saying inside – my Aunt did "…give us this day our daily bread" as a wall art "border"). Then, on the table, replace the plate-o-bones with an antique cut crystal bowl filled with dried lavender and delphinium petals (or blue and white porcelain balls $1ea @ Christmas Tree Shop) to pick up the blue of your china and mirror the sparkle of your chandelier. I'd also like to see some antique silver things there as well. But, it's your house…

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  71. I think your antlers are great! Interesting topic for debate though, so it’s nice to see other people’s opinions. I have about 6 pairs of old mounted antlers in our snug/TV room, on the shelves, along with glass jars of shells, interesting beach combing finds, swan feathers and old Swiss equestrian plaques. Vintage antlers are just that! Vintage, and although I am an animal lover, I see no wrong in purchasing something which had belonged to an animal which died before my parents were born. I would never buy new taxidermy type pieces but with antiques there will and should always be interest and popularity. Marion, don’t change the antlers!

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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