It all started with a Monogram Wreath
After Christmas, I wanted a simple, beautiful wreath for our mantel. I’ve seen burlap wreaths and thought I could use fabric instead. I had some lovely black and tan toile fabric to which I cut into strips and wove into an iron wreath form.
Winter Mantel
After the Christmas decor was taken down, I wanted something more serene for the rest of the winter. After I made the wreath I attached a red bow, added the candlesticks, books, iron planter-bleached pinecones, and the lady bust.
Spring Mantel
As the spring blooms began to come up and the new green leaves began to appear, I wanted the Spring Mantel to reflect the beauty of the new season. I still, however wanted to keep some of the elements of the Winter Mantel. I truly loved the look.
Before and After
The elements that remainder were the candlesticks, the Monogram wreath and the lady bust. The change over included more greenery, a sweet little nest replacing the red bow and green bound books replacing the black books as well as a few accessory changes.
It became a challenge
To keep the same basic elements and to embellish them for a different seasonal look. For summer the basic ingredients are blue and white, shells and white birds. I replaced the bird’s nest on the wreath with a faux blue Hydrangea.
Surrounding the lady bust I placed two stacked glass containers (the shape reminds me of a lighthouse) and filled them with shells I’d collected from trips to the beach. I raised the height of the glass containers with blue bound books to balance the height of the candlesticks.
Centerpiece
I love this English Ironstone dish covered in sweet blue flowers. It is filled with more shells and coral found at the beach. Initially I had these white birds grouped on the lefts side by the candlesticks, but I decided I needed more blue to balance the look.
Blue Dishes
I grouped these three on the end to add blue to the left side of the mantel – I like how the little iron urn compliments the candlesticks.
Keeping my favorite elements
The wreath.
The lady bust.
The candlesticks.
A light summery blend.
Now that my summer redecorating has begun with my new summer mantel decor, this mantel’s color scheme and theme will help me carry through the light summery feel I hope to evoke in every room of our home.
Have you started changing over to summer decor? Now, the challenge will be to dream up another look for fall!
