Showing posts with label mantel decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mantel decor. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Decorating Seasons: Memorial Day to 4th of July

I love this country and I love to decorate for summer with Americana and Red, White and Blue! I set up for Memorial Day in May and it continues to work for Flag Day in June and, of course, the 4th of July.

The Mantle

The picture is Plymouth, Mass, with the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock front and center.

 
Uncle Sam and a 48 star flag


Lady Liberty

A new banner

My Amish goose sits on a flag quilt on the coffee table

Betsy Ross welcomes guests on the entrance table

The burlap-covered dining table gets it summer look with a large fabric flag and red roses from the garden.


Saturday, March 31, 2012

Decorating Seasons: Spring

The seasons seem to be a little confused around here this year. We had beautiful weather until the first day of spring, then it has been one storm after another. It made it a little hard to get into spring decorating, until I realized just how close we were to Easter. Then I decided I better get moving!

This year's mantle

These cute little clay pots came from a Country Living Fair in Ohio a few years ago and the backdrop is a piece of ceiling tin from an old building.
I made the Rejoice banner this year
 I love these blue plates. They came from England and were a gift from my stepmother many years ago.
There are usually candles in these hurricanes but I like to put English primroses inside them for spring.


 Entry table
The grandkids call the little tray with the miniature rabbits and vegetables, "the neighbors".


Dining table
Eggs nestled in the napkins are the place cards.
Closeup of the centerpiece.
Love this bunny platter I got at a yardsale a few years ago.
 

Miscellaneous spring touches



Saturday, March 10, 2012

Decorating Snippets: Beloved Objects and Memories

I love creating little vignettes around the house. They are made up of things that make me happy, things that bring back wonderful memories, and things I find beautiful and love to look at.  Here are a few of them.


Brown-eyed Susan dishes that originally belonged to my great grandmother. When I was growing up, they were our Sunday brunch dishes. They sit in an open cupboard in my kitchen, so every day I am reminded of my family and a cherished tradition.


This is a corner of my grandson's room in my house. The boat shelf was in his father's room when he was small, as was the train and Paddington Bear that sit on it. The bear on the ottoman reminds him of Winnie the Pooh with his honey pot. (This one holds chalk instead of honey)


This is a spot in my family room, just random things I like. The horse was an anniversary gift one year, and the blue pot was given to me by my daughter last year. I love the color!


This table and painting belonged to my father who has Alzheimer's. I think of him every day when I look at them. I found the birdcage on vacation in Oregon and the blue boxes under the table came from Michael's (they store old notes and studies I want to remember).


I love white dishes and pick them up everywhere. A few pieces were my grandmother's, some were gifts, and some came from discount stores and thrift shops. They sit in an oak Welsh dresser made by my uncle in the '70's. Memories everywhere here.


I love this little mirror, but couldn't find a place for it for many years. It seems to fit nicely here in my bedroom. The sign underneath it says "hope" and I made it during a difficult time to remind myself that nothing is hopeless with God. I see it first thing every morning and last thing at night. The black and white toile boxes came from a grocery store several years ago and have served, not only as storage, but also as inspiration for a few different rooms.


This was my living room mantle last Fall. The picture is of Plymouth, MA, I got it on a trip I took with my daughter her junior year of high school when we studied American History. I bought the pear candlesticks in Gettysburg on that same trip. A very fun memory.


Do you have objects that you have collected over the years or were part of your growing up years? Get them out of boxes and closets and use them in your decorating. They will bring you pleasure every time you look at them, as well as add beauty to your home.