my mantlepiece

I seem to remember that Nancy Mitford thought the word mantelpiece irredemably common - whereas I think I've come up in the world to have one at all!
The things on my mantelpiece vary from time to time but they generally have some significance. The beautiful bowl was a present from my sisters for a "special" birthday; the hurricane lamp was acquired from the Dartington seconds shop when I was a student at Exeter and used to go on complicated train outings with my now husband. The little clock was made by a family friend when my parents had a cherry tree taken down in the garden - it was massive, and I loved the blossom as a child.