Positively Splendid {Crafts, Sewing, Recipes and Home Decor}

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Vibrant Spring Mantel

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The March issue of Southern Living arrived on my doorstep late last week, and I was immediately smitten with the gorgeous springtime scene pictured on its cover. 

Stunning, no? Something about that turquoise door juxtaposed against those bright pink and green hues lit a fire under me, and I knew immediately I wanted to use that as the springboard for my spring mantel. 

Oh, how I love spring.

The promise of sunshine kissing my face. 
Of days growing longer, little by little.
Of donning sundresses and sandals after a winter’s worth of cumbersome coats and boots.
Of becoming reacquainted with the outdoors to play in the yard and plant flowers.

Really, with the exception of spring storms (boo!), there just isn’t really much I can think of that I don’t adore about this season!

By taking elements from that Southern Living cover photo – namely the color palette and the overall composition – I was able to create a spring mantel that I think truly reflects all of the bright, happy feelings I have when spring arrives each year. And, since it looks like a scene from my back yard, I’ll be able to look at this when I’m stuck indoors during the inevitable last gasps of winter we’re sure to experience during the next few weeks. Allow me to give you a little “tour”!

I am loving all of the fun pallet artwork I’ve been seeing throughout the blogging world lately, and I have been wanting to create my own version for quite some time. I opted to put my own little spin on things, though, creating a vibrant turquoise pallet that looks like a funky little picket fence using pickets I scored for just over $1 apiece at Lowe’s. This gave me the fence-liked silhouette I was going for without having to use a jigsaw for shaping the pieces. 

I have to admit that I am nursing quite the custom-colored chalk paint obsession ever since I finished the board for my hallway command center project. At the center of the pallet, I painted a section of chalk paint so that I can change out my sentiment whenever I want. For now, I am going with a springtime sentiment, but when Easter gets closer, I’ll change it to reflect that. I love this! 

Be sure to check out the play-by-play for how I created my Picket Fence Chalkboard Pallet.

Inspired by Jen’s Valentine Vignette over at Tatertots and Jello, I decided to kick things up a bit with some fun medallion accents. Because I wanted to use up as much of the supplies I had on hand as possible for this display, I came up with a fun technique that allowed me to use fabric I already had in my stash instead of paper to make them.
Check out my post for how to make these fabric medallions – no sewing required!

I rounded out the display with a carpet of artificial grass I purchased at Hobby Lobby last year on clearance after Easter, some of the crosses from my collection, and a white vase I found a few weeks ago at Joann for just $3…

…a bowl filled with fresh lemons and ceramic birds that I found on 90% clearance at Hobby Lobby last year…

…and – of course – a healthy dose of bright flowers! I know a lot of people shy away from artificial flowers, but used sparingly, I think they can add a really fun touch to displays like this one. 

I absolutely love these paper flowers I found at Hobby Lobby last week. Aside from the supplies for the pallet, they were the only purchase I made for this display. Not too shabby!

And that’s a wrap!

I encourage you to seek inspiration for your home decor in unlikely places, as I did here. If you love the design of an ad, a magazine cover or anything else that strikes your fancy visually, use that to flavor your next decorating endeavor. It will breathe new life into your efforts!
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Thanks so much for stopping in! And don’t forget to stop by throughout the rest of the week for the tutorials for how I put these projects together.

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Linking this to…
Serenity Now
Tatertots and Jello
Oopsey Daisy
Creations by Kara
Every Creative Endeavor
Lolly Jane
Lil Luna
Skip to My Lou
Home Stories A to Z

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Comments

  2. The Cottage Mama says

    Amy, you are amazing!! I dont’ know how you do it ~ this is so darn cute. What a fabulous idea. I got the same issue in the mail and was so excited for spring. Unfortunately, we’ve got quite some time before we see any spring flowers here in Chicago.

  4. Kara says

    Love it Amy! I’m hoping to get some time soon to decorate my mantel for spring. It’s still got my Valentine banner hanging on it. Yikes!

  6. UKMUMINUSA says

    Your mantel is lovely, I am excited for spring too, but it is a long way off yet, we have forecast 8″-12″ of snow tonight!!! The picket fence is so cute.

  8. Nat and Holly says

    Amy, this is so cheery and bright! I love it 🙂 I am looking forward to your tutorial on the flowers… it looks like you covered some buttons. I have yet to try that, but I have a few kits laying around! Your mantel is beautiful, thanks for sharing it with us!

  12. Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says

    I absolutely LOVE this!! The colors are so fantastic…so cheery and happy and springy. 😀 Your mantel seriously made me smile ear to ear. And I know this may sound strange, but I think you’ve just inspired some party decorations that I’ve been struggling with! My grandmother is turning 100 in April, and her party is going to be in a very drab, dull civic center. I was just trying to come up with some ideas, and thinking how much we need COLOR! Then…BAM…I saw this link on Facebook. Yay!!! Thank you so much for the fantastic inspiration!!

  14. Leslie says

    Your vignette is so much better than the magazine inspiration! Love, love love it! Now you’ve really got me excited for spring!

  26. Renee Living Laughing Loving says

    Oh wow!! I keep seeing your mantles pop up every now and then on features and/or pinterest! They are amazing! Love this one with that BIG giant pop of turquoise!
    Amazing! Late to the party, but I’m your newest follower!