Simple Summer Fireplace Mantel

I am so excited to share my simple summer fireplace mantle.

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I am participating in the 2021 Spring into Summer Blog Tour created and organized by Kristi from French Creek Farmhouse. Kristi has done a wonderful job organizing this blog tour and I am thankful to be included in such a talented group of bloggers. Be sure and visit everyone’s beautiful homes decorated for summertime.

Let me say that I love to change the decor on my fireplace mantel very often. Not only is it different every season, but it may also be more often than that. The way that I can afford to do this is to use items from around my home, thrift store shop, and make my own decor.  I feel like if I pay a lot of money for my home decor, I am stuck with it for a while. For this reason, I DIY much of my decor.

My Inspiration

The way I decide on how to decorate areas in my home is to find inspiration photos.

Here is my method:

1. Scroll through Instagram and Pinterest for homes and decor that I like.
2. When I see something that makes me stop and take a better look, I save the photo.
3.  Next, I go through my saved photos of homes and home decor.
4. I try to figure out what exactly is it that I am drawn to in the picture. Is it the art, the furniture, the rugs? Is it the colors in the home? Or is it the style of the home?
5. Afterward, I make notes or take a screenshot of the items that I like and I try to find these items in the store or online.
6. Before I shop, I try to see if I already have something similar that I could use. Then I check the thrift store. Very often I can repaint something from the thrift store and make it look like something from my inspiration photos.

The Simple Summer Fireplace Mantel

The fireplace and mantel is usually the focal point in your living space. For this reason, I feel like the art above the mantel should be beautiful. It is what your eye will usually go to when you walk into the room.

When I think of decorating for spring, I think of spring flowers, blossoms, and pastel colors and when I think of decorating for summer, I think of beautiful green colors. The grass outside is a lush green color. Using live and faux plants, stems, and greenery will bring a natural feel to the room.

The Art

The art is usually in the center of the mantel and the focal point so I try to start with the art.

This mirror was found at a local thrift store for under $10.

Painting the mirror gold with Rub & Buff gave the mirror new life.

I can not resist buying old art and especially when it is super inexpensive. This thrifted picture just looks like summertime. The sky is so blue and it is full of green plants and trees. I know that it will be perfect for my simple summer fireplace mantel.

Next, I move to decorating both ends of the mantel. I usually am a nut about symmetry but both sides do not have to be exactly the same. They don’t have to be the same but they need to look balanced with each other.

Greenery

Greenery is a great way to fill space on a fireplace mantel. Long stems are usually what I purchase. These stems come highly recommended and for a great price. What I love about these is that you can bend the stems in the direction of the space that you need to fill. Remember that you want the stems to look natural.

Vase

Have you seen the vases with the knobs that a lot of designers are using? I made one with a thrifted vase for under $5!

The lime green knob vase is a thrift store find for $3. I spray painted the vase a creamy white color and I think it is beautiful.

While we are talking about greenery and faux stems, I want to show you my DIY faux olive tree that is to the side of the fireplace.

The tree is made with a real tree branch and faux olive branch stems.

I need to give credit where credit is due. I used prvbsthirtyonegirl’s tutorial on Instagram to make this tree. If you would like to see a tutorial for the tree, go to her Instagram page. I do have a tutorial for a small tabletop faux olive tree.

Tall candlesticks that I already owned are added to the side of the mantel.

I made this agate knob box from a thrifted box a few weeks ago. Here is a tutorial for the box if you would like to make one.

I hope you enjoy the 2021 Spring into Summer Blog Tour. My simple summer fireplace mantel was fun to share with you. We hope that you find some inspiration for decorating your home from spring to summer. Be sure and visit all of the talented blogger’s homes that participated in the tour.

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