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Spring Mantel

March 22, 2010 by Chris

Remember when I took this picture?

Valentine's Day mantel

I wouldn’t expect you to. I took it yesterday.  Yes, the Valentine’s decorations were still on it.  Don’t hate.  It needed a drastic makeover that began with a $29.00 print I bought at Wal-Mart.  I wasn’t planning on showing any “transition” photos, but I found this one that my daughter must have taken while it was in the works.  That girl is sneaky.

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Birdhouses mean spring to me, and I had found this one at Goodwill for $4.00 a couple of weeks ago. I liked the color, but I just couldn’t leave well enough alone.

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  I tweaked and tweaked until I came up with a final product.

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I wanted to use the print sooo badly, but it was simply not to scale for the fireplace.  I went to Home Depot and looked for the thinnest and cheapest piece of wood I could find.  I think this is some kind of under floor liner or something.  It was $5.00.  I had them cut it a few inches bigger than my print all the way around.

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I painted the wood with some leftover paint, stuck the print on there with some velcro strips, and leaned it against the wall.  I thought about buying some trim to go around it, but why?  My mantel vignettes don’t stay the same long enough for the pain it would take to miter, glue, etc.  It’s done…and none of my guests will notice the missing trim anyway.  Don’t tell them!

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I painted the birdhouse a softer color to match the print.  I just mixed up some craft paint.  I didn’t even finish it, really.  It blends enough.

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I’m not a big fan of faux foliage, but I was inspired by Layla and Kimba’s recent posts.  I cut some stems from a Russian Sage in the yard and put some pics from Hobby Lobby as filler.  They were 1/2 off!

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I bought the print with a giftcard, and technically speaking I already had the birdhouse.  Grand total for a fresh mantel?  $9.00.  Not bad, Chris.  Not bad at all.

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Chris

Chris

Well, hello. Ahem. Allow myself to introduce..my..self. My name is Chris! And I’m a blogger! I got into blogging after spending months reading all the inspiration that is found in blogland. I thought to myself, “Self, I can do this. I might have something to offer too!” And so it began...
Chris

@https://twitter.com/justagirlblog1

Chris
Chris

Chris

Chris

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Filed Under: Decorating, Home, Projects, Shopping

About Chris

Well, hello. Ahem. Allow myself to introduce..my..self. My name is Chris! And I’m a blogger! I got into blogging after spending months reading all the inspiration that is found in blogland. I thought to myself, “Self, I can do this. I might have something to offer too!” And so it began...

Comments

  1. Nikki says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:10 am

    Your spring mantel is beautiful. You did a great job adding texture. My mantel always looks the same, there is a big TV on it. I need to spruce it up for spring.

  2. Morgan says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:11 am

    I love it! So pretty! Now, I just need to do something with my mantel!

  3. amy says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:22 am

    That birdhouse is a great find. Great work on the mantle!

  4. Twigs @ Twiggles and Trunks says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:30 am

    ohhhhhhhh. i like that a lot.

  5. Amy Kinser says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:34 am

    Very pretty, indeed.

  6. Tales From My Empty Nest says

    March 22, 2010 at 4:41 am

    Everything looks beautiful!! Great job. Love & blessings from NC!

  7. Stephenie from Decorating Addiction says

    March 22, 2010 at 5:39 am

    Love the new look on the mantel! Great job.

  8. Lady Rink says

    March 22, 2010 at 5:49 am

    It looks fabulous! I think I need that print from Wally-World…

  9. Salmeen says

    March 22, 2010 at 6:11 am

    i need to put a mantel!! thanks for the reminder by showing me such a pretty spring mantel. also, love the birdcage!!

  10. Linda at Lime in the Coconut! says

    March 22, 2010 at 10:06 am

    Not bad indeed! Brilliant putting the print on the piece of wood! Who'd a thunk it??

  11. Kitty says

    March 22, 2010 at 10:29 am

    I like this mantle because it looks fresh and not at all fussy, which it could have done with another item or three.

    I look forward to seeing the next one! Happy Spring!

  12. Dianne says

    March 22, 2010 at 11:22 am

    Looks awesome!

  13. sissie says

    March 22, 2010 at 11:37 am

    Your mantel looks wonderful. I like that birdcage and your artwork looks devine.

    hugs
    Sissie

  14. Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says

    March 22, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    It looks beautiful – I'm loving it!

  15. ~*~ Stephanie ~*~ says

    March 22, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    Ooooh I LOVE both mantels… but I'm really lovin that bird cage for spring!

    Oh and that's okay that you still have Valentine's day stuff out… I have *gasp* a few Christmas things still sitting in a glass door cabinet in the kitchen LOL I ran out of bubble wrap to get them packed up when I was putting christmas away this year and well I never got back to it… LOL!

  16. the thrifty ba says

    March 22, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    please come over and do mine!

  17. thefinaltouchideas says

    March 22, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    Great Job! Love the bird cage.

  18. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    March 22, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    Very Spring, Chris! Love the flowers and the bird cage is great ~ I love the color!

  19. Richella says

    March 22, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    Not bad? I'd say it's wonderful!

    I love the way you made the art work. That was a brilliant stroke!

  20. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    March 22, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    So pretty I love it! DOn't feel bad I still have my valentine heart wreath up on my pantry door 🙂

  21. miss corner cape says

    March 22, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    this looks so fresh and airy, perfect for spring. that was a stroke of brilliance with the artwork! wish i had a mantel to decorate!

  22. mary'smom says

    March 22, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    Oh so pretty! I love the changes.

  23. Brittney says

    March 22, 2010 at 3:42 pm

    It's looking Springy to me! Love the white vases with the print!! Great find with birdhouse!

  24. Sherri @ Design2Shine says

    March 22, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    Love it! Ok I want a basket for my mantel now. I've been searching hi and low for some empty frames of various sizes to use. No such luck. I want a mantel makeover! Yesterday. LOL
    And I lurrrrve your birdhouse!

  25. Cindy says

    March 22, 2010 at 5:11 pm

    Score on the bird house. I love it.

  26. Tammy says

    March 22, 2010 at 5:46 pm

    Looks gorgeous! Love the way you enhanced the print,so creative!

  27. Kristan says

    March 22, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    So jealous of the birdhouse find! Love the mantle! Very clean and spring-like.

  28. jen says

    March 22, 2010 at 5:55 pm

    Love the look. Very spring. And who would guess the print was from Wal-Mart? That's my favorite . . . awesome and for cheap!

  29. Robyn says

    March 22, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    IT's FABULOUS!!!! GREAT bargain too! LOVE love love that print!

  30. WestSacHoney says

    March 22, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    Nice I'm in the process of changing up my mantel too! And I totally passed on a birdhouse the other day at GW I just didn't know what to do with it and now I do.. it's probably gone now.. 🙁

  31. Corners of My Life says

    March 22, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    Very classy indeed.

  32. Jen says

    March 23, 2010 at 1:13 am

    I LOVE what you did on your mantel! And all for only 9 bucks?? Can't beat that! I am going to use what you did as inspiration for my mantel. It has been begging me to redecorate it.

  33. Jenny @ Anything Pretty says

    March 23, 2010 at 1:48 am

    Love how you change things up with the season….I have always wanted to do that, but the time i have it figured out, it is already the next season.

  34. Entertain Exchange says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:26 am

    Clever idea mounting the painting to make it larger in scale. I think the white boarder helps tie it in with the white painted mantle. Looks fresh for spring!
    Susan

  35. Little Big Nest says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:09 am

    I passed on a blogger award to you today! Just wanted to let you know!

    http://littlebignest.blogspot.com/2010/03/blogger-awards.html

  36. jenjen says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:15 am

    Very pretty! I love the birdcage!

    XOXO
    Jen

  37. Ashley @ Domestic Fashionista says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:24 am

    that birdcage is such a fantastic find! And the wood behind your picture is perfect! Looks great Chris!

  38. Barb says

    March 23, 2010 at 4:46 am

    Wow, turned out really lovely! The print needed to be bigger and you solved it. The texture from the basket really brings out the warmth of the print. Hope you don't mind, but I'm thinking of putting some sort of birch print in my downstairs hallway. Bought white frames 1/2 off @ Hobby Lobby just tonight. The print I want is "Birch Landing" by Patrick St. Germain. Let me know what you think? Lovely Chris!!!!
    Mom

  39. sara says

    March 23, 2010 at 6:03 am

    wow, look at that, very creative and inspiring, I wish I could design something like that

  40. Melanie says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    I have seen that print and really love it. It doesn't fit my style but it always catches my eye. The birdcage is to die for. Looks great.

  41. kadywood says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    So fresh, so spring! BTW, did you know your Jan/Feb mantel was featured on Holly Mathis Interiors as mantel inspirations? Congratulations and claim your credit.

  42. Karen says

    March 23, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    Love the print. Would look great in my husband's office. One question, which way does the print go? You have it one way in the first pic and the upside down (or right side up) in the others.

  43. Irene says

    March 23, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    I love the look. It is so different from its previous appearance. And since it cost nearly nothing. I think you got a great deal.

  44. Carmie, the Single Nester says

    March 23, 2010 at 8:48 pm

    I so want that birdcage! I do not find anything remotely as nice as this at my local Goodwill.

  45. Lisa B. says

    March 23, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    That is really lovely. I've been working on my spring mantel for a week now. I wanted to use my bird house, but it has disappeared. Maybe I gave it away, can't remember. lol I'll be glad when it pleases me. I think I'm close though. 🙂

  46. Chris says

    March 23, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    Karen,

    It's right side up now. My daughter took the first picture, and I had just stuck the print there to look at the size–not even caring if it was right side up. If you notice, it also has the plastic guards on the corners in the first pic, too! 🙂

  47. Lisa says

    March 23, 2010 at 11:38 pm

    So pretty and springy! Loving the white vases in different sizes to add some variation. Beautiful!

  48. Gina says

    March 24, 2010 at 12:10 am

    Absolutely freaking fabulous. I'm inspired!!!

  49. cait says

    March 24, 2010 at 12:29 am

    very pretty! love your creativity with the background for your print…I would have never thought of that! thanks for the inspiration!

  50. Kitty says

    March 24, 2010 at 8:46 am

    I think the Birch print belongs the 'way up' it is shown in the last images, the autumnal-tinged grasses are growing from the base of the trees, so belong at the bottom. Just my two cents.

    (Plus, score, you can use the print again come Autumn)

  51. Dream Mom says

    March 24, 2010 at 9:33 am

    Great job! I love the way the picture pops on the white wood. Everything looks just great. I am not sure why the birdhouse works on the mantel but it looks great. Love it!

  52. Alluring Interiors says

    March 30, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    This looks fabulous…way to go, girl!

  53. Little Lovables says

    April 1, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    it turned out gorgeous! I can't belive that birdhouse was 4 dollars. you really made that art print beautiful!

  54. fairfieldhouse says

    April 5, 2010 at 12:48 am

    This is my first visit to your blog via Kimba's Soft Place to Land. Your mantle is stunning – clean crisp lines. Very sophisticated without being stark or cold.

    Deborah
    http://fairfieldhousenj.com/2010/04/03/flowerplace/

  55. alwayslearning says

    April 8, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    love it. the white board behind your new picture was a clever way to make it pop and add layer. funny how ONE new idem can spark a whole new makeover!

  56. Michelle @ Sweet Something says

    April 8, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    Beautiful mantlescape! I love the canvas beefed up!

  57. Jenni at talking hairdryer says

    April 8, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    I love the birdhouse. I also struggle with fake foliage…can't live with it…can't live without it. Thanks for sharing!

  58. Jenny @ DIY Newlyweds says

    April 8, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    Your mantle looks so lovely! I especially love the wicker plate you used.

  59. Rene'@BargainHoot says

    April 8, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    LOVE IT one of my favorites!! The flowers added that perfect touch….they are so airy!! Can you come and do mine… so I don't have to think about it??? 🙂

  60. Summer says

    April 8, 2010 at 8:39 pm

    Beautiful composition! I especially LOVE your birdhouse! What a find! Don't you just love thrifting?!

  61. kim says

    April 8, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    Your mantel arrangement is great. I love how you took that print and adhered it to the piece of wood. Such a great idea.

  62. Stacy says

    April 8, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    really nice. love the color of the birdhouse!

  63. Kolein says

    April 9, 2010 at 6:23 pm

    Gorgeous stuff. You have Mantel Expertise!

  64. aneyefordetail says

    April 10, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    Hi: My first time visiting…
    I like the colors in the print with your wall color: nice combination. Mantel looks very fresh!

  65. pk @ Room Remix says

    April 27, 2010 at 1:12 pm

    I'm going to include this in my post today and link back. Let me know if it's not okay. Hope you're having a great day!

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