Mercury glass seems really hot right now, and not just for the holidays. I see magazine and catalog pictures of mercury glass things grouped together, often empty. You could change the candlesticks from holiday colors to white and leave them out. Vases can hold branches, either bare or forced with blossoms, or nice faux stuff. Pine cones, fruit (real or fake), balls of yarn, whatever you like would look good in the bowls. Mantels are tough: right now I still have Christmas-y stuff on mine, silver candle holders and icy garland, though I took down the stockings and added a potted orchid. Later I'll probably switch out for less wintery stuff. I've got a large Japanese platter I sometimes display, or a shiny brass ball-shaped vase with nice faux hydrangeas or red poppies. Sometimes I group all white ceramic things (which look good against my brick fireplace wall). I do find mantels hard, though theoretically they should be easy and fun. I know what I like but have a hard time getting it quite right on my own.

I keep mine out, year round. I bought several large pieces last year at Tuesday Morning and use them as my centerpiece on the dining room table, as you can see below. I mix things up with them, add candlesticks or flowers from time to time, but basically that's it.

{{gwi:1544062}}

I love the look of mercury glass, but then, I'm a sucker for all kinds of sparkly things. ;^)

I don't have a mantle, but I do add white and green around the main rooms, mostly using live plants like ferns, and bulbs in rough pottery bowls or twig baskets. My living and dining room both have large north facing windows, so there's a lovely light. If I had anything that wasn't an outright Christmas ornament (like a vase or candle holders or bowl), Mercury glass would fit right in. I think the contrast between rough natural materials, the soft flowers and fronds and the subdued sparkle of the glass would be terrific.

I love mercury glass....don't see why it's considered "Christmasey"?

Wodka--what's your lovely wall color??? Thanks!

Tracey

wodka ~~ you have combined so many interesting design elements into your decorating! ~~ absolutely marvelous ~~

tracey b, thank you....wall color is SW's "Blonde."

I agree with you, I think mercury glass looks great year round and is so versatile.

phyl345, thank you so much! I'm so glad you like it.

Wodka, your house is gorgeous! Can you give us a pictorial tour?

Really pretty home, so inviting and comfortable. You can be proud of it!

I've fallen in love with my new mercury glass pieces, too, and have no plans to pack them away. I don't know that I'll use them come Spring, but for the Winter season I think they're perfect, especially with my silver and crystal and with white candles.
Lynn

"What do you think would look good in the vases and bowls?"

Since you live in Zone 9 you probably can't use any decor that says "snowy winter" in your vases and bowls.

I would gather some dried tropical leaves for the vases and put things like black walnuts (they are really green with the rinds) or Florida pine cones in the bowls.

Take notice to what the stores and malls do to decorate in winter in your tropical/desert area for ideas on what says "winter in Florida/Texas".

Love mercury glass but put it away at Easter and take it back out at Labor Day.

Wodka, gorgeous home, great photography of a well-appointed home.

Thanks, everybody, for the nice compliments! We like it, too.

jockewing, I don't want to bore the others nor hijack this thread (mercury glass), but if you'll e-mail me, I'd be happy to send you more house pics, if you're really interested.

Wodka no photo now it says the image has been moved. drat I wanna see too! :)

I never thought of mercury glass as Christmasy... As an antique buyer old mercury glass was for those who could not afford silver (ie candlesticks in the nineteen century) and it was used throughout the year.
It is too pretty to put away.

I wanted to see it too but it says no image available

"Love mercury glass but put it away at Easter and take it back out at Labor Day."

LOL Patricia - that sounds like the old rule of when to wear white! (although in reverse . . . )

tina

Wodka, can you post again? I can't see the photos. TIA

I'm sorry you can't see the photos. Yesterday trying to make a slideshow on Photobucket, I got it all messed up, then frustrated, so cancelled my photobucket account.

If there is an easier, fool-proof way (for dummies like me) to post pictures, please let me know and I will try again.

Thanks!

Oh Wodka, I feel your pain. Everyone has tried to help me post pics, but I just can't get it. I even messed up my computer a couple of times just trying! :) Obviously, I'm no wizard. LOL

Our Christmas mantle this year had several pieces of mercury glass among the greenery. I took the Christmas decorations down but have decided to keep a very simple mantle with some of the mercury glass:

FWIW, I don't think a vase or bowl looks Christmasy; actually, I think the antique stuff has a timeless appeal, it's just that the only mercury glass I have is Christmas ornaments. :^(