It seems like just yesterday I was decorating the mantel for spring last year. Three seasons, one new camera, and no more lost-Ava-pounds later, it was time to do it again.
It all started with my flea market finds with the mantel mania queen. It was fun bouncing ideas around and slowly spring on my mantel started coming together.
Many things I had on hand, but it was a lot of fun to hunt for some glass treasures at the flea market. From there, a palette of green, blue, white, and brown was chosen.
It all started with this $3 vintage jug. I love the beautiful blue-green color to it. I filled it with a little sand and it wouldn’t be meaningful without a message rolled up inside, right? I topped it off with a cork from my cousin’s shop that mimics hardware…of course, I love anything that resembles an oversized, chippy knob.
The little basket was $1, and I knew it would be perfect holding one of my Ikea plants. I could own a million…they really are amazing and only 4 bucks each. I also picked up the squatty, lidded white tureen thing-y at J & G’s Flea Market, too.
You can never have too many squatty, lidded white thing-y’s.
I have an apple green copy of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden….just the perfect pop of green to mirror one of these guys…
Oh, that jar. The gorgeous green. The fact that it actually says “juice” on one side and “water” on the other. I thought Layla was going to pass out when she saw that thing…I felt kinda guilty to buy it. But…it is so vivid and that rusty lid…well, that is right up my alley. Elegant junk.
It just may wind up at her place one day, though.
🙂
I had the other vintage jug on hand, and simply wrapped it with twine (secured with scotch tape) to mirror the texture in the basket.
I had the little white gravy boat on hand, and it winds up on the mantel more than I would’ve ever realized. Perfect little size.
You’ve seen the pretty tray I found at the flea market, and it just needed a fresh coat of paint to fit into our home. I painted it with one coat of Olympic’s Misty Surf and free-handed some branches on in Burnt Umber acrylic paint. Don’t be harsh on that part…I’m no artist, but from where I’m sitting on the couch, it feels organic and right, and that’s really all I was going for. 🙂
The sconces on either side of the art are from Pottery Barn, and they are magical. It was a bit of an investment, but I rarely buy anything full-price, and they were just right for this mantel and many more after. They magnify the light, and bring such visual interest simply by being there. I LOVE them. I also love how their oil-rubbed bronze finish ties in beautifully with the curtain rod.
The framed art is probably my favorite part. The frame was another find of the day, and I revamped it a bit to hold art of my own. I blew up one of my spring dogwood photos to a 16 x 20 at Walmart, bought a mat, and voila! You can come back tomorrow for a step by step on how to mat and create your own art with flea market frames.
I couldn’t resist this little apple bucket the other day, nor could I resist plopping a sweet bunch of English Daisies in there….I’m praying I don’t kill them within the week. I used more Misty Surf to coat the top and dry brushed a bit on the bottom to give the bucket a fresh look.
Many things are lightening up around here, like the coffee table I hope to reveal this week. I’m waiting on a very special lady to give me the go-ahead. She’s got something planned for you, too.
🙂
I’ll be back with that and more spring touches later this week.
This mantel has officially put a spring in my step, he he. Quite literally. What have you done to step into spring? Or put spring in your step?
Or…you know what I mean.
🙂
*linking to TipJunkie, Stories of A to Z, Thrifty Decor Chick
Looks great Shaunna!! I love the little sand and message in a bottle!!
Thanks Holly! I know…that’s a whimsical, sweet touch, I think.
🙂
shaunna
LOVELY LOVELY LOVELY!!!
I had so much fun shopping with you that day, Sha-oona Bear.
MUST do that again soon!
🙂
100% agree. May be bugging you this week. And I’m dying to hit Southern Accents!
🙂
shaunna
Shaunna ~
I love your mantel and I love how you showed us each thing and told about it
because you know that we we wondering where you got stuff ~ hehe!
I was just at Ikea a couple of days ago and I totally didn’t even see the plants ~
Darn it !!! My hubby was with me and we were on a mission to buy a couch and
he is mission oriented so we didn’t do a whole lot of “extra” looking ~
I think I need to make a girls trip back soon ~
Have a wonderful day !
xoxo
Lori
Thanks Lori! It was so fun to pull together. Yeah, you gotta do junking with the girls…it’s the only way to go. lol
🙂
shaunna
Looks great! I love J & G’s, I was just there last week. I have to tell you, the green jar brought back memories. My grandparents had one just like that they kept in the frig with water in it.
Joyfully,
Elizabeth Ann
Thanks, Elizabeth! That place is great! I’d only been one other time, but it was really busy and I didn’t see much. I found one thing after another the other day, though. Kinda dangerous.
🙂
shaunna
It looks so pretty. I like the way you used books to elevate items and layered pieces to get your final look. I really noticed each individual piece on the mantel because of the way it was presented.
Thank you, Karen! So sweet of you to say!
🙂
shaunna
very pretty. Love the bottles and everything is seen, not cluttered. Your eyes dont rest on one item. Love the way you put it together. Also, there is nothing wrong with your branches.
Thank you, Cherie! What a kind thing to say. 🙂
shaunna
Love it….I agree, those sconces were worth the investment!!! I need an IKEA run….plants like that look perfect!
Thanks, Lisa. It was sorta hard for me to do, but I’m so happy I did. 🙂
shaunna
Beautiful- I love those sconces, thought they were antiques. Very unique, worth the investment! 🙂
love how you used your own pic to blow up and frame … so much more meaningful (and affordable) … beautiful – all of it! 🙂
Those sconces really are magical! I love the white squatty lidded thingy… mine is frequently on display too. I also feel like last Spring seems like just yesterday… time just flies away (unfortunately, I too have discovered that the pounds after baby do not)!
cute, cute, cute. You are so creative!!
okay, that is so wierd, i just bought the twin of your green water/juice bottle today at a vintage store. only mine didn’t have a lid and i payed $8 for it (which was steep but i loved it so much!)
your mantel looks awesome, just like the rest of your house!
That looks beautiful! I love the fresh colors. 🙂
Yes, I agree: You can never have too many white lidded thingies 🙂 I love the authenticity of your blog; that’s what keeps me coming back. Great idea on the bottle wrapped in twine. Simple idea with huge impact. Blessings!
I love that basket!!!!! I love it all, really.
ps – I miss my mantel.
It’s lovely! I have that exact (well, almost) same water/juice glass bottle, only mine is clear glass. Love it. Also, ADORE those candle sconces, am *thisclose* to buying a pair myself. I think Ballard Designs has the same set or something similar; they are gorgeous and I love the idea of magnified candle light.
You did a very nice job with the tole tray. Tres beachy!
Best,
Kimberly
Love your Spring mantel – especially the vintage jug – what a find!
Your ‘Spring Mantel’ is just lovely! Love the vintage finds and the color combination’s. My favorite piece is the ‘message in a bottle’.
Your mantel looks great! Love the pops of green! The use of your photo is perfect.
Debbie
It looks great. Sometimes we just have to splurge on things we really love. I’ve drooled over those sconces myself. I would love to have them for over my sofa. Maybe for Mother’s Day.. 🙂 My favorite item though is that green copy of East of Eden. It’s one of my all time favorite books, and I LOVE the vintage copy. I wish I could find one like that….All your bottles are gorgeous… I love it all.
Love! It’s just the perfect touch of spring. LOVE the green bottle.
I love how you used the books under your plants! I may have to borrow that one, thanks for sharing..
Shaunna, Your mantel is so gorgeous! I love the vintage bottles and your PB sconces. I always enjoy seeing pictures of your beautiful home.
Hugs,
Sherry
Thank you, Sherry! It was fun to put together…you’re sweet to say such nice things!
🙂
shaunna