How to Style a Spring Mantel with Vintage Elements

Hi there! I share this post with a little trepidation since I’m not a super confident decorator. I’ve shared in previous posts that until I started blogging, whenever I had “finished” decorating any part of my house, that’s the way it stayed, for like 5 or 6, or maybe even 10, years(!).

I might add or switch out an item here or there, but that would be it. So when the Christmas decorations came down this year (it might have been February when that occurred, LOL), I decided to restyle the mantel with vintage elements, instead of putting back the same old stuff.

how to style a spring mantel with vintage elementsFor several weeks, I’ve been texting pictures of my progress to my sweet friend Nancy, and she’s been texting me back with suggestions (she’s a much better decorator than I am). And this is where we are.

spring mantel adirondackgirlatheart.comI started with the vintage French door in the back, which was challenging because it’s so long. I keep wondering if I should be hanging something over the door. Other times I wonder if my new welcome banner that I made for the mirror in the foyer would look nice slung across the top of it.  [The door was a garage sale find, BTW, for $5!!]

close up of starfishI love incorporating natural items like this starfish, into designs. I picked up this dreamy, black and white photograph of a bicycle at a garage sale for $2(!)

pink tulipsJust this past week-end, I found the mercury glass-style vase holding my tulips at Home Goods for $6.50–on sale I’m sure because it was missing it’s lid. It’s really an apothecary jar. Nancy was the one who thought it would look good on the mantel and suggested using it as a vase.

tulips on mantelNothing quite says spring like tulips.

spring mantel featuring tulipsI like how all the curviness of these three items comes together right here. The clock is from a car boot sale (the English version of a garage sale), and the wreath was a wedding gift from two of my aunts 18 years ago. It’s seen better days, but it’s hard to part with. The black and white of the clock balances nicely with the photograph.

spring mantel focusing on topiaryI stamped the number 1 on the hyacinth wrapper because it seemed a little plain. The stack of books are from my grandmother and the topiary is another garage sale find, costing me just $1.

spring mantel focusing on starfishI bought the mercury glass candlestick at the same time as the vase (above) at Home Goods. I enjoy the juxtaposition of the cool mercury glass against the warm wood. The starkness of the black and white photo brings balance to this side of the display [I think!].

spring mantel
I’m enjoying the new freshness of my mantel. Spring has now sprung for sure in my home. How about yours?

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9 Comments

  1. What a pretty mantle! I also appreciated your thought process while completing "the look". I rarely change my mantle (just add a few accent pieces for the particular holiday), but I think I'll start paying more attention to it. It really is a focal point to a house. Thanks for sharing. Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

    1. Yes, other than the foyer (which I "styled" last week, the mantle is the first thing people see in my house. Now that I've done all the work, I'm glad I did (I enjoy looking at it!). Thanks for chatting, Rosie 🙂

  2. This is really a beautiful spring mantel, Diana! Love the tulips, the textures and colors! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    1. Thanks so much Kathy, so kind of you to say, especially since your decorating is always so wonderful.

  3. I love that silver jar-turned-vase, and the starfish is so cute, I just think they are whimsical and charming. Great job on your arrangement! Thank you for sharing this at my History & Home link party – Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

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