Mantel Makeover: End of Winter Decorating

I thought that I might leave my Valentine’s Day mantel up until Spring. After all, love is something that should be celebrated and shown everyday, not just one day a year. But, it seemed like the subject of  mantels starting popping up. My PA (Pinterest Anonymous) friends were talking about mantels. I came across Emily Henderson’s video How To Style Your Mantel. I found a link to this post called One Mantle, 24 Looks. Then, the last little push I needed was from Edie from Life In Grace. She posted earlier this week about ways to make over your mantel and then she encouraged readers to go forth and make over their own mantels. Mantel mania struck.

I took everything off the mantel so that I could start from scratch. I turned the old window around. My Dad found that window and bunch just like it. I was more than happy to take one off his hands. It’s all black on one side and white and green chippy paint on the other. It came that way. I love being able to reverse it.

Earlier that day I had popped into an antique store that’s in the same shopping center as the YMCA where I teach. I went in there with the idea of looking for a huge piece of art with an interesting frame. There wasn’t a single piece in there that I liked enough, but I did happen to come across two gorgeous and affordable cake plates. I swoon over cake plates. Let’s face it, I swoon over a lot of things these days. Cake plates happen to be at the top of the list.

So, I found this guy. It’s made out of stainless, like it might have been used in food service. I thought it was pretty cool. As I considered my mantel, I thought it might look neat with other silver pieces I have.

I pulled my silver tray from the dining room and the silver tea pitcher from a cabinet.

The books and those green birds were on my Valentine mantel. I use the birds a lot during the Spring. I bought those at TJ Maxx years ago. The hand-carved fox and hounds were tucked away in our closet. They belonged to Grandfather. I love them so much!

I had some branches in a vase in the kitchen and decided they would add some height to the right side. I put them in a large jar and tucked them behind the silver tray.

I added the clock and an old silver hand warmer, another beauty I gained from my grandfather. He used them when he went fishing. Lastly, I added those grapevine wreaths on the top of the cake stand. From the side they look like a big nest. I’m really pleased with my design. I think it will probably stay up there for quite awhile. Unless the mood strikes and I change it again. You just never know.

Want to check out other mantels for inspiration? Head on over to Instagram and search #loveyourmantel. Also, check out my fledgling Pinterest Board on mantel styling.