Monday, August 20, 2012

Summer Mantel (When You Don't Have a Mantel)

Today is Open House/Orientation for Natalie's new school (1st grade, holla!), which signals the impending arrival of Fall for me. I decided that today, I'd share the Summer Mantel in my family roomotherwise known as the top of my TV armoire because we don't have a fireplace, despite T's fondness for burning and exploding stuff. It's nothing to write home about, but since it's my blog and we're jumping into school stuff today, I figured I could write to the blog about it.

Decorating a Summer Mantel (when you don't have a mantel), Serenity Now blog

Because the top of the TV armoire is so deep, it can be hard to decorate. I keep a small antique trunk up there because it was a gift from my dad and I just don't have another place to put it. It can be nice to use to layer things. I use old books a lot too.

As always, Emma thinks it looks so fabulous she had to sit right in front of me while I shot some pics. But she's my dog, so she has to say it looks fabulous.
Summer Mantel Ideas, Serenity Now blog

I didn't spend a single penny on putting this together this year, and I mostly used items I had in my attic bin. We're starting up a little DIY project and just don't have a lot of extra cash to spend on decorative pieces. 

You might recognize my Picture Frame Chalkboard, this time with a different quote:
Picture Frame Chalkboard on Summer Mantel, Serenity Now blog

I love my white birdcages and birdhouse, and I found some shells and river rocks to toss in an apothecary.
Summer Vignette on a Dime Ideas, Serenity Now blog

And because I am a proud mama, I have to display one of my very favorite pictures I snapped of my girls at the beach last year. I had my friends at Easy Canvas Prints put it on canvas for me, and I get lots of sweet compliments when visitors drop by. 
Decorating a Summer Mantel (top of an armoire), Serenity Now blog

Summer Mantel, Serenity Now blog

So, that's my mantel in a nutshell. Nothing fancy, but I love that I didn't spend any money to put it together. Sadly, I'm ripping it all down this week to do a little Fall/Back to School vignette, but it will be fun!

Do you have a mantel?

If you liked this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google Plus!

Linking to Positively Splendid

12 comments:

  1. Love your summer "mantel", Amanda.

    Yes, I have a mantel (and a real wood burning fireplace), which seems kind of odd to me, as we live in Texas. We've been in our house three years, and have yet to start a fire in the fireplace.

    Here's a link to a picture of my mantel decorated for summer

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! This looks great! I love the photo. We do have a mantel that I keep three huge frames with each of our kids leaned on. The photos get switched out occasionally. Also, I will add some things for different holidays or seasons. Overall though, I don't do much, because the bookshelves in our living room get seen more, so I try and dress those up more often.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That picture of your girls is SO sweet. I adopted your use of the word "fantel" when I decorated our hutch for Christmas last year--no real fireplace mantel here, either, despite my husband's mutual love of blowing things up and playing with pyrotechnics.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The photo of the girls complete this "mantle". I love that its personal and simple. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I adore the picture of the girls from the beach. What a great shot and the canvas fram makes it look even better.

    It's kind of sad that it's time to take down the summer mantle, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  6. This looks great, Amanda! That canvas is precious. What a wonderful photo of the girls.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a pretty display!! I love how everything came together! And that photo of your girls is just precious!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love it, especially the canvas print of your daughters.

    ReplyDelete
  9. A great substitute for a mantel, Amanda!! I love how you made use of this space. And I love that canvas of your girls!

    ReplyDelete
  10. it's perfect in every way!

    i swear everytime we're at the beach, i think we need to start a collection & put them in a jar or vase, like you have. and i never do it. next year for sure.

    great pic of the girls!

    xo
    kellie

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't have a mantel either so I'm always trying to "make" a mantel! Love your summer mantel!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love that pic of your girls! Too cute!!!

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear your feedback! Please feel free to leave comments...just don't send me spam asking me to buy stuff off your website! I've got three kids and no money to purchase your magic weight-loss pill or bust enhancement, or whatever else you might be selling. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you! :)

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...