Summer is my all time favorite season. When I think of summer I think of the beach, sailboats, flip flops, and long, lazy days. Of course as an adult I don’t get to enjoy those as much as I did as a kid. These days, my favorite way to experience summer is in my own home, with my decor. My summer mantel this year is beach inspired…
Beach Inspired Mantel
As usual, I shopped my house, rearranged a few things already on the mantel, and brought in a few inexpensive items to complete the look.
These little thrift store metal buckets are by far what I love the most! They were just .99 each! I filled them with sand (Home Depot-$2.46 for a 50 lb bag) and seashells the kids have brought home from the beach over the years. The previous homeowners left 3 nails (off centered-grr!) on the mantel ledge that have actually come in handy quite a bit. They’re holding the buckets and reinforced with a few strands of twine to stay put. I do NOT recommend this for high traffic areas, or homes with curious little hands nearby :)
I made this ‘sailboat” out of a hunk of driftwood from the beach. Come back next Thursday for the tutorial!
Accessorized with jars, votive candles and twine.
From what I hear, these Ball ‘Heritage’ blue jars are only at the stores for a limited time—run, don’t walk!
The wicker star in the center is hung with twine.
On the left side of the hearth, I used a lantern I already had (Home Goods), and an old rusty lantern left behind by the previous owners. I bet they think I threw out their ‘hand me downs’…they don’t know me. The art behind those is a piece I’ve had for years.
On the right side of the hearth I leaned the chevron flag I made out of shims. Along with another rusty lantern ”hand me down’, and that awesome long necked cobalt blue bottle. I got that at a thrift store a while back, just wrapped a little twine around it. The shell is from Miami Beach; I found it on the sand and stuck it in the kid’s luggage!
On the left side of the mantel, you may recognize the wicker basket I used here, and here. I love it so I keep reusing it-that’s how I operate! This time I stood it up and used it as a display box. The bottles and coral are from Home Goods.
For a little touch of whimsy (I like ‘whimsy’), I wrapped jute twine around 2 of the blue jar necks and then tied them together. They are draped on either side of the mantel, on small pertruding ledges. Hmmm, I need to get some more candles to put in those!
Using more of the things I already had—I wrapped some {more} twine around jars, pillar candles, and a Yankee candle holder–anything I came across got hit with a little jute and a little sand!
Taking into account that I repurposed my way to a new mantel look, using what I own, and my existing supplies, I didn’t spend much at all. I bought the jars {Michael’s–be sure to shop smart there) and the bag of sand–total about $12. NICE!
In the center of the mantel, I placed our family sign.
To me–it’s not so much about the house, but what you do with what you have that really can make it a ‘home’. This is our family’s home.
Check out my Summer Wreath tutorial for another fun ‘beachy’ project!
Are you using beach inspired decor in your home this summer?
Linking up here &
Crystal says
Super cute!! I love the beach theme. I’ve been thinking about doing a beach theme in my bedroom/master bath. I have beach sepia pictures in my bedroom already that I love!! Thanks for the great ideas!!
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks Crystal! Those sepia pics sound great!
Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate says
LOVE this! Nicely done ;) Thanks for sharing!
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thank you Brenda!
ingrid@nowathomemom says
it’s beautiful how you decorated it everything and love those blue jars :-)
Ingrid
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks Ingrid! You’re so sweet…I want to cover my whole house in blue jars!
Cheryl @ My Cup Runneth Over says
I love your mantel! The sailboat is completely amazing – love love love!
Chelsea @ Making Home Base says
Oh I LOVE that sailboat. So creative. Your mantel is gorgeous, as usual ;)
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thank you so much Chelsea!!
Natasha says
Wow Barbara love this, so pretty
I would love you to share these on my link party Serenity Saturday if you haven’t already
Natasha @ Serenity You