The Mantles of Linderhof

It's plural because there are three. Very unusual for a house built in 1920 for new homes were heated by furnaces not by fireplaces as they were before the turn of the century. Linderhof was built with a furnace -- a big coal furnace who lived in most of the basement. The coal window is still there as are the indentations in the floor which defined the coal bin.

Having a fireplace in the living room of a 1920's house is not unusual. It's more ambient than practical. And it's a large fireplace with a nice long mantle.

Perfect for decoratives!

We love the mirror over the mantle for it reflects the living room chandelier. The clock was a Valentine's present from husband Jim, the candleholders were estate sale finds and of course, my beloved blue and white has to have a place on the mantle as well. The ginger jar holds seasonal twigs and branches. A favorite piece of soapstone has found it's way there. One of my first pieces brought home by husband Jim on a trip to Japan.

We're fortunate enough to have another fireplace in our dining room. A "would be nice to have" is a reality for when the house was built a brick fireplace fills one wall. Most of my soapstone collection is on that mantle as well as some great old lamps. The mirror is unusual and, like the living room mirror reflects the dining room chandelier, and the perfect place to display a Mexican piece as well as two favorite blue and white vases.
But the best treasure of all is the fireplace in our bedroom. An "always wanted" but something I thought I would never have. I would have signed the contract to buy the house when we walked in the bedroom and I was staring at this fireplace. The mantle clock is a wedding gift to my parents and a Christmas gift to me from my mother. Blue and white pieces, of course. Is any mantle complete without blue and white? Another mirror. This one reflecting the bedroom chandelier.


We're very pleased with Linderhof's three fireplaces and three mantles. It's great to have a place to display collectibles and a fireplace makes a room seem more warm.