This post is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams ®
Remember this mantel?
We’ve been friends almost my entire life.
The mantel used to be on the wall of this bedroom. When we remodeled the space, we took it out to make room for the bed and brought it downstairs to the family room. It’s a little sad and pitiful right now.
The original tiles fell off the front.
The edges are scuffed.
There’s a giant hole in the top.
But I know that I know that I know that I know…
…it’s destined for greatness.
So I thought it might be fun to style the mantel with three different paint colors. Kind of like this post I did last year where I took a table and painted it three different colors. This post is just like that.
Except better.
This time I took this mantel and re-tiled it and painted it up with Extra White SW 7006.
And then?
I painted the wall three different colors and accessorized it with three COMPLETELY different looks.
Are you ready?
Buckle up buttercup.
Here’s how a little paint can change the world…
…one mantel at a time.
Number one
Hello blue.
Nice to meet you.
This brilliant color is called Indigo SW 6531.
The color has hints of purple with the prettiest blue undertones.
Here’s the mantel before.
And now?
Here’s the mantel with the help of a little Indigo SW 6531.
It’s a mixture of old and new.
The blue undertones made the mantel look so fresh.
I added a colorful plaid blanket stacked on a vintage stool.
I styled the mantel with a giant three-dimensional map of Paris with a stack of vintage cash boxes on one side paired with metal spheres. On the other side of the mantel, I placed an oversized piece with dozens of drawers next to a vintage artists caddy. Next, I filled a basket with fresh magnolia and tucked it next to the mantel.
Lastly, I stacked these vintage river gauges against the mantel to complete the look.
Number two
I started by painting the wall this brilliant yellow.
If I could be any yellow in the world—this would be my choice.
Hello beautiful.
It’s called Overjoy SW 6689.
(total decorating aside: it had me at the name).
Here’s the mantel before.
And now?
Here it is all prettied up with Overjoy SW 6689.
Doesn’t it live up to its name?
Over the moon with joy.
I added a little vintage and a little blue and white.
One one side of the mantel, I layered in red and white books with blue and white striped vases. On the other side, I found this wooden bird and brilliant gold sphere to reflect the yellow. Next, I pulled up a chair and stacked a few books on it with a brilliant blue and white vase.
Then I filled a basket with greenery and placed it on the wood floor next to the mantel.
Number Three
This beautiful dusty red is called Rojo Dust SW 9006.
It goes with almost anything. When I was styling this look—I went with turquoise and a lighter coral and then I tried it with a slate gray.
But in the end I went a little reclaimed.
Wood that is.
Here’s the mantel before.
And now?
Same mantel.
Same white paint color.
But now?
Thanks to Rojo Dust SW 9006?
It looks completely different.
This mantel styling started with the metal and wood world map.
On one end of the mantel, I added a trio of wood candlesticks, wood beads and a small potted plant in a basket. At the other end of the mantel, I filled a wood bowl with different textured spheres created from wood and twine and grass. Next, I brought in a little color with a blue and white and yellow bench.
Then I added a potted tree in a basket to one side of the mantel.
One mantel with three different looks.
Isn’t it amazing how you can change the entire look of a space with a little paint?
I have a favorite.
But I’m curious what you think.
Which one do you like best?
Here’s to mantel decorating and the power of paint.
disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with Sherwin-Williams.
All opinions are my own.
Please see my disclosure page for more information.
I love all blues, but my eye goes right to the dusty red. It’s a beautiful color. Can’t wait to see which one you chose. Have a wonderful weekend. Much love, Rose
I am going to have to go with the yellow, it's the warmest and brightest. Definitely my favorite. Nice work as always Karianne. :)
The power of paint....and your imagination, I might add. Well, I must say that each one is a winner. I love the yellow, so happy. The blue really does something to me. It's just so rich looking. Those would be my favorites, with the blue JUST edging out the yellow, because yellow is my favorite color, but blue has been sneaking up on me lately. Beautiful job.
I love the blue room with this beautifully restored mantle! So many great styling tips in all three photos.
I like the Rojo Dust one! Yes. That surprises me, too.
Oh goodness! I love all three! However, I’m going to say #1 goes the best with what you’ve been doing around the house!! Although and let me say, I don’t like yellow. But here? I love it! And the dusty red? So divine! Oh decisions! Great job! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Amazing how paint color can transform a room. The blue is my favorite. Have to ask: where did you find the map of Paris? Thanks.
Blue wins!
I'm thinking you're probably leaning towards the blue since that seems to be your jam as of late... Which is quite nice. But I have to say...I do love Overjoy, the yellow!
They are all pretty but I have to go with the 3 rd one !
They all look great but the dusty red just blows my socks off!!! It’s beyond beautiful!!! Can’t wait to hear your pic!
As much as I love Indigo Blue..........in this room I prefer the Dusty Rojo......something very warm and inviting about it.......
I have to say, I'm. Loving the dusty red. I even shocked myself because blue is my favorite color.
Ageeed! 😍 Very warm and I love the woods with it.
I'm always the odd man out but I don't think any of those make me think of you! But I'm certain whatever you go with will make you happy and that is what is important.
I love the indigo wall color, but the styling with the Rojo is my favorite. ♥️♥️♥️
First choice Indigo, 2nd would be Rojo. Just not a yellow fan. It's just to jarring. But that's just me. Great styling in all three!
Yellow is my favorite color, but surprisingly it is my #2. #1 Rojo‼️
Give me a sunny day or let it rain & I’ll have my own personal 🌞. Happy, happy yellow! The other colors are lovely...tough decision.
Indigo then yellow.
Love the contrast with the indigo.
The ROJO DUST! Girl that hits my eye like a moon-pie!!!! I know that blue has smacked you square in the face But the Rojo Dust Adds so much warmth to the mantle and wall plus what you have used decorate it!!!
First blush I want to say the blue color. For a couple of reasons. If this is your living room and if it gets a lot better f light it can take the blue. Also, if you will be used ng it as a sitting room and not tv watching this bold color will be like a warm hug . Absolutely no on the yellow as yellow gets dingy looking over time. As me how I know? Yep, I have painted a wall yellow before. Years ago. The dusty Rojo is nice; however, I don’t think it speaks to the house. My two cents. You always bring a room together and make it beautiful. So, I have no doubt what you pick that it will be lovely.
I had that color before and it was called brick. Pretty! But I choose the yellow. If the paint isn't right or the paint color isn't, yes, yellow can get washed out. Not always, though. I've had the same yellow for 30 years and continue to love it, get compliments and have others use it in their homes.
Love the coral! Would be a bit unexpected in your “blue themed” house! Terrific post!
I love the indigo and as long as the room is big enough to take it, it'll be brilliant, but I do love the Rojo too...yellow for me personally, not a favourite, but hey it takes all sorts doesn't it..enjoy your new look whatever you choose..x
Karianne, as usual, all three options are beautiful. But I must say, I would choose the yellow and consider it a blessing on the room - OVERJOY! As a very sentimental mother myself, and also a person of faith that considers names very important, I would have no question after I learned the name of the yellow paint. And, I look forward to reading your blog everyday! In a world where anger and negativity is often shouted from the rooftops, you spread cheer and joy!
Blue then Rojo. Great job!
Oh my!!!! You have messed me up...I have always been a BLUE person...But when I saw the Dusty Red...I was smitten...What a fresh new twist...It made me smile
What a wonderful post! Your three colors and your inventive Mantle vignettes were all so well done and interesting. I differ from some other readers, in that I did not get the impression that you were actually going to use any of these three in your home right now...I took it just as an exercise in seeing what a change of color can do. If that is the case, it would have been fun to have a one color that was not so very strong. Maybe a pale celery green? I can see decorating the mantle in that case with blue and white porcelain, green plants and wood. The choices are endless! thank you again for a wonderful post. It just shows how dramatically color can change things.
I like the contrast of the indigo and white mantel.
Room Dust, my fav!
Rojo Dust for sure. They all look beautiful but that is my absolute favorite!
I have to say I LOVE #3 especially if it is offset with a lot of blue and wood - love the contrast of warm and cool. Great job!!
Rojo dust speaks to me! Not as bold as the other two maybe, but I could see that color in my house. Looking forward to seeing your mantel's new life!
I love the indigo!
Rojo Dust is beautiful AND will compliment the blues in the rest of the house. It will pop!:) Great styling too.
Where did u get that awesome map? I’d love to get one for a gift. 😊 Thx for this fun post & all the neat things u share on your blog!
Rojo Dust is very cozy.
Really love & appreciate them all! However, Indigo wins for me. The vignette as a whole, and the color of the Paris art against the indigo color really speaks to me.
All three hold promise for great style. Blue is the best. Yellow would age quickly. Love your creative ideas!
Yellow!!
What to choose, what to choose....They are all winners, but to pick one I would go with the Rojo Dust (which blew my socks off and surprised me more than anything because blue and yellow are my favorite colors). An absolutely marvelous post!
Love the yellow. I have actually been thinking of doing my front door yellow and now I know that this will be the one.
Hmm 🤔. This ones totally up to you. Not a fan of any of them. If I had to choose for you I’d go with the yellow. It goes better with the blues you have. The other blue looks more toward purple and the other looks like the SW colors of awhile back. Your call
I'm back! And here to get my Thistlewood Farms Fix, finally!! Wow, Karianne, they're all so beautiful, its difficult to choose. The blue is so dramatic with understated elegance that makes me want to curl up with a book in a comfy chair with that colorful blanket across my lap. The terracotta is spicy, sort of earthy, and makes me want to whip up a batch of Tex-Mex nachos. But, if I had to pick, I'd choose the Overjoy yellow. I have a thing for birds and flowers and blue and white porcelain and, well, I just love the name 'Overjoy.' Plus, after an epic family reunion, I'm feeling overjoyed. That room makes me want to whistle and sing and dance. Yes, I pick the yellow!
Well, even though I'm all about blue when decorating, I really like the dusty red.
Love, love the yellow! How "joyful" to see that brightness! In fact, I am going to save that color if I repaint my already yellow walls in my home. Still miss those KY postings but am enjoying watching your new/old home evolve! Cindy Vojanec (formerly Cindy Brown)
Love all the textures and organic feel to the Rojo Dust mantle. You styled it perfectly. But it's my least favorite wall color to complement the tile, which doesn't look very boho chic to me. The yellow looks more "you", so I'm guessing that's your favorite? Fun post!
Love the coral, it is so pretty and so different. Perfect for that unexpected punch of color.
#1 pick Blue..... I love the freshness of the whole look.
I’m torn—I love the Indigo and Dusty Rojo equally. Using the blue in the bench to complement the coral wall is what did it. But I have to go out on a limb here and wonder what the picture of the world map would look like on the Indigo wall. I can’t wait to see what you decide. Thanks for always sharing such novel ideas!
I love the warmth and brightness of the yellow. I especially think it works so well with the blue and white you already have throughout the house. For me the blue is too dark and the dusty red too blah. The yellow reminds me of the way you write...happy and sunny!
I imagine you would go with a neutral (ish),color n use elements from each of the three stylings!!My eye doesn’t want to stop gazing at that metal n wood map!!!It’s glorious!Where did you find it?Or maybe you or a family member made it?Anyway it would be a super gift idea for me-please notify my family!!😁
Rojo Dust is my fav!
Beautiful beautiful! I'm so drawn to the Rojo though as others have it said its seems different then your usual palette. I love all of your accessories. Where do you house all your extra accessories when not in use? I have some space. 😆😆😆. Can't wait for the next post.have a great weekend.
Dojo Dust is my favorite! I would compliment any blue accessories or colors! You do amazing work KariAnne!
The only thing I'm wondering is: did you actually repaint that wall three times? :-o Or is it using some sort of "see how your room looks with this paint" app or feature? Either way, the Blue is my choice, if I have to choose a color - but the original grey/taupe is my ultimate fave. ;) <3 ((hugs))
Oh my! I love that you are embracing color! Maybe neutral can take a long needed hiatus! Love the blue, but the Rojo Dustis awesome, too!
The blue or the yellow. I love how you have the patience to paint three walls. lol
I love the yellow paint the best. Beautiful job decorating!!! Sending you a big hug from Tulsa!
LOVE the BLUE one 😊
Definitely the yellow - so fresh and pretty!
Oh that dusty red is beautiful !!!
Indigo the clear winner though I love the way you have styled the mantle in each colour.
Love the blue! Where did you find the 3d map of Paris? Thanks!
that blue is my life long favorite but the yellow really surprised me! and sometimes that is just what you need, a little surprise!
Tough decision! I love the Indigo and have it in my son’s bedroom. But, I’m afraid you’ll get burned out on blue if you use it too much in your home. Right now, your house is beautiful with all the blue accents, but I think another color needs to be brought in. Didn’t you mention loving blue in the past, but you got tired of it? Yellow and blue is such a happy, classic combination and I think it suits your personality!!
Love the yellow, I think it coordinates well with blue. I'm not feeling the rojo--it just feels like a weird shade to me. While I love blue, I'm kinda thinking you need to shake up your color scheme a little--your blue accents play into the other areas of your home but this is like a happy surprise. I'm also wondering if you painted that wall 3 times or if you have some sort of backdrop there .....
The Rojo Dust is my favorite! In fact I may have to use it in my log house update.
Yellow made me smile. It's such a pretty shade. But, then I saw the red and was completely won over.
Beautiful job on all three, Karianne! If I had to choose for your house, it would be #1 and that would go best in my home, too. But #2 is so fresh and lovely, and would be great in my beach condo or in a home with That color palate. As far as my favorite, #3 wins. It is unique and warm and a little surprising. Love the pop of blue!
All three are beautiful, but number 2 (the yellow) , is my favorite....fresh, happy and cheerful!
I’m loving the dusty red. I like the accessories in that picture.
Considering the rest of your house, I like the blue best. The styling you did with it is beautiful, but somehow not you (in my opinion!) I’d go with the blue, but style differently.
Marianne, we all know that you are a lover of all things blue! This Indigo is just that. BEAUTIFUL!! It shows off the crisp whiteness of the mantle. This would be my choice. Anxious to see yours.
So sorry, meant to type Karianne. Darned computer changes everything.👹
I love the yellow and the way you styled it. Definitely my favorite! The Rojo Dust would be my second choice, although I think the mantel is a little too bright white with it. Maybe a softer white. Whatever makes you the happiest is the one you should choose!
i love the yellow!
How fun! They all look amazing...my vote is the yellow!
I'm really down with that beautiful blue!
Yellow! Yellow! Yellow! So bright and cheerful. Love the styling also.
Thy all have such a different look. The blue is masculine, the yellow makes me want to have a cup of tea and the coral is just perfect. That is my favorite!
The blue, hands down!
I think the blue pops but they all are beautiful. You always do such amazing work!
I love all three but the yellow is my favorite. I love the blue pottery pieces and yellow goes so well with them!
While I’m generally a BLuE girl, I really like that dusty red Rojo color the most.
Gosh it’s hard to pick a favorite although the yellow makes me smile instantly!!
The yellow is my favorite , the color is cheerful , everything is beautiful .
Rojo Dust is beautiful! I love the wood accents with the white mantel! Gorgeous!
The yellow one was such a shocking surprise! I LOVE it!!!!! I hope it is your winner because I haven't seen much of it, and I didn't know I liked it. I want to see more.
KariAnne, Blue! My favorite color with white. Plus, I love the Paris Metro 3-D map. Judith
I am usually a yellow girl but I just loved the whole look of Rojo Dust. The wood pieces all look so great with that color. By the way your tile is so pretty with the mantle!
One thing I forgot to say- the flower pictured with the yellow wall might look beautiful with the Rojo Dust
Great idea!!! :)
The Blue!
hi the Blue is in your face,,,the Yellow , you would tire of easily,,,,but the Dusty Red is so calming and sophisticated looking and beautiful!!!! thanks
hello KariAnne! I would have to say the yellow version, followed by the coral, and the blue in last place. I love the artwork above the mantel in the yellow version, as well as the vivid blue and red accents--very striking and attractive!!! So which is your favorite?!
I like the dusty red wall color but I like the mantel decorations in the yellow room. Wood tones just aren't my thing.,,but all 3 colors are pretty.
Love the indigo, and the Overjoy yellow with the blue and white styling is pretty too. But I think the indigo is probably my favorite, I have always loved your Paris railroad map. BTW the map used in the Rojo styling is pretty great too. Pat
Rojo Dust!!!
Karianne, all three have been done amazingly by you. My favorite is the styling and paint, Indigo!!
Dusty Rose for sure. So warm.
I would have to say the Indigo, I'm sure that goes the best with your home anyway!
Rojo Dust! Love how it looks with all the wood and textures and would be a compliment to your blue accents!!!
KariAnne, you just like reading all the comments from your readers! Don’t you? You love the responses and obviously all of us want to share our two cents with you. You had me at the Indigo wall. Have fun with this paint challenge!
Blue- but love the other two also.....Have a super fabulous weekend!
Yellow is my favorite!!! I see it in a cottage or a beach house. It just makes me happy!!!
Blue, all the way!
The dusty red by far, new and warm and charming and wow...blue is so yesterday and yellow too bright. Fun post!
Blue!!!
Love the dusty red! more country, warm, sit down let's catch up.
Rojo Dust is my favorite for sure. Love the yellow for summer though! The blue is a little intense for me😜
Rojo .....Rojo.....Rojo Winner winner chicken dinner!!!
Isn't it funny how there are so many different opinions...... ?? :) For me #1 is the Indigo for sure because blue and white always makes me happy, but I do like the dusty red with the wood accents. The yellow is pretty enough, but I don't think I'd be able to live with it.
Yellow, beautiful energy giving yellow. All are amazing examples of creativity.
Honestly I like all of them but when push comes to shove I think I would pick Number #3 because of the earthy tones. The way you design everything makes it feel so comfy and relaxing and you just want to say AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
I have to go with the yellow. It makes the happiest. 🌞
They're all nice, but my favorite is Rojo Dust. Love that color! I'm all about warm colors. Love all your wood accessories too!
Indigo all day long & yellow last.
I cannot believe I am saying this but I love the yellow...and I usually hate yellow. It looks so lovely with the pink flowers and blue striped vases. My second is the blue, which is amazingly sophisticated. I would not have believed 3 such different looks could come about with the same main pieces. This is truly an amazing experiment; thank you for doing it.
I love the Indigo and the Rojo Dust the same, but not the yellow at all!
Rojo Dust is my favorite with yellow being my least favorite.
Oh, my gosh! As much as I love blue, yellow has always been a favorite as well. And with the mantel, oh, wow! It's wonderful! The other one is lovely but that yellow! It's as happy as you! :D ❤
Hehe, um, I liked the before grey color, haha. Sorry. I am not a color girl. BUT that is a terrific hue of purple/blue - so if I had to pick one of the three it would be that.
Definitely the yellow one!
I like all of them but the Dusty Rojo is my favorite.
Their all great but the yellow just grabbed me. What a happy color and so refreshing!
All 3 are beautiful, but I'm a blue and white gal through and through. 😁
I keep going back and looking as it's hard to choose but the blue is my winner. The mantel just jumps out on that color. I love the wood accessories on the rust and they look so good with that color but I don't think they would work as well with the blue.. Wish I had you here to work your magic!
The blue is way too dark, I used it before and it’s dark. The dusty red, nahhh, that’s not red, that’s something else. But the yellow, YES! It’s bright and cheery and the blue and white vase brings it in with your house. So Yellow is my vote, hands down.
I had that color before and it was called brick. Pretty! But I choose the yellow.
Love them all but I love Rojo best. 😀
Please don't be mad, this is just my opinion. Blue too dark, yellow to bright especially if have a lot of sun coming in the windows. The rojo dust is too drab for your house. I do think blue is the color to go with but just not that blue, I'm sure whatever decision you make and the magic that you do with decorating it will be a beautiful room !
I'm a lover of blue through and through but something spoke to me with Overjoy! It made me happy just to look at it. Odd on my part, I'm not a yellow lover.
I like the the dusty red. I wonder if I would like it for all seasons for a year.
Holy cow, Batman! Awesome!!!!
All three are beautiful, KariAnne, but I love the yellow best of all. I am eager to see which you choose.
The blue one! So dramatic. Although all are pretty and each would go in your home. If it was my house I’d pick the dusty red but the blue goes with the rest of your place. Can’t wait to see what you choose!!
Rojo dust for sure!
Yellow!!!!
Inspiring as always! I think the name "Karianne" means "Overjoy". :)
I love the Dusty Red! Hand down, but the Indigo is better suited for your home. I really like yellow but that one just doesn't do it for me...
My favorite color is blue but when I scrolled past it to the yellow, my heart figuratively gave a little leap of joy as I literally gasped out loud. Surprised myself with such a visceral reaction. The dusty red is really pretty but there is no going back from the yellow for me :-)
Surprise surprise Rojo Dust gets my vote but each are beautiful in their own way. Ok, your turn. Your choice is...........
I am surprised, but I like the red and my second choice would be blue.
I love the Rojo Dust, for me it is a calm, quiet color that I would never get tired of.
Love them a;; for different reasons. I LOVE red. The yellow is just SO happy & summery. The blue is all cozy. I don't know what I'd pick. Can't wait to see what you do. It'll be gorgeous.
What a change up! My favorite was a huge surprise to me, yellow! Bright, cheery, with the blues that made it sing a happy tune! How hard was it to keep repainting the wall? Did you print each time?
That should be prime each time?
I love the blue!
I love blues, BUT I had my front door painted SW Indigo and let me tell you about that purple undertone in the daylight! The purple really shines through! Door is being repainted SW Denim.
I hope you painted the Rojo Dust last because you need to leave it that way!!! Lol And I love yellow.
Rojo Dust gets my vote. It reminds me so much of my own living room/dining room when we moved into our house in 1984. Love it! What a lot of trouble you went to. I enjoyed this adventure in color and accessories! Thank you for including us in this effort with SW.
In keeping with your current trend.... I like the blue.
I think I just found my bedroom color of Blue with a moon painting , and to be able to see a little more plaid, where is your dresser drawer map? I wonder what the blue would look like with a flowers theme decorated like the yellow mantel Tiles are perfect makeover on the mantel
It's got to be the yellow! It just makes me smile. I hope it makes you smile, too, so you'll pick that one!
They are all beautiful, but I'm loving the blue!
The dusty red is definitely my fave!
Oooh, love the third one - warm and inviting.
I’m a sucker for blue and white. And I love indigo. So that’s my fave! They’re all pretty though! I am especially impressed with the dusty red - it will never be my favorite color, but the terra cotta look is really striking! Well done as always, KariAnne!
Dang girl. Did you paint the wall or was that a giant piece of cardboard or a paint app? Either way, you make it look easy. All beautifully styled but I LOVE THAT BLUE! So crisp and clean and sophisticated looking. Decisions are a nail biter!
Yellow! It's so happy looking:)