Mini Patriotic Makeovers on the Mantel

Hey there friends. I know we all like a good project and DIY, but today I'm going to share with you what happens when things don't turn out quite like we might plan. I'm going to share a behind the scenes pair of mini makeovers that I decided on for the patriotic mantel here in the hearth room. Many of us don't like to share those blah frustrating moments when you have a plan that gets off track. (me included). Personally, I think sharing setbacks and makeovers #1,#2, and #3 help all of us and save some time. Even if we have to cringe a bit and admit it was my best shot. 

Spring Themed Prints in the Hearth Room

I gave my hearth room a mini refresh for spring this last week with a couple of spring themed prints, and moved a few pieces around on the mantel. I usually keep one of my lamb canvas prints on the mantel but thought I'd try out this framed bird poster as something a bit different.

Vintage Cottage Weekend: Spring and Easter Mantels

Hi Friends, today I'm sharing a few photos of my Easter Mantles through the years. To be honest, decorating a mantel has always been a challenge for me, no matter what the season. One reason is that at two of my previous houses the fireplace and mantels have been ginormous... and since I'm a vertically challenged gal, that always meant dragging out a step ladder and climbing up precariously to make adjustments. The mantel at this current house has been so much easier to work with. No ladders here and slightly more compact in size so it doesn't have to be a monumental task. These first photos are from last year and I'm using my favorite Spring canvas sheep print, who has shown up on the mantel each Spring these last few years.

Keeping it Cozy in My Winter Hearth Room

This is the perfect time of year to look for the "Cozy" elements for our homes and personal life. Whether we're crazy about winter or not, we all want to make our homes warm and comfortable for our family. It's been cold and windy here this month so I'm sharing a few ways I keep it a place where we can snuggle up and enjoy our surroundings. 

A Mantle in Transition and A Rustic Centerpiece

Are you ready for Thanksgiving, friends?

We're on our own, the two of us, so I've been using this last week to do the transition from Fall / Thanksgiving to Christmas decor. I won't say it's been a quick process, but I did have one area that was relatively easy because I had a few of the elements already in place... The mantel in the Hearth Room.

Late Fall Mantel with Woodland Friends

I did a little tweaking in the Hearth Room for late Fall by bringing out my two Fall Friends to hang out on the mantel. My chippy concrete owl and the old squirrel bank took their spot of honor. Our weather has finally changed to the cooler temps that should come with the last week of October, so some darker and heavier textiles will be feeling at home in here.

Fall Leaf Wreath on the Mantel

We finally made it to Fall and I'm so excited! I've been looking forward to this season for a while now. I love each season, but decorating for Fall is just my favorite time of year!

Sunflowers in the Late Summer Hearth Room

August is all about Sunflowers around here...

 Late Summer into Fall is their time to show their happy faces,

mingle with some hydrangeas, and wait for some fall leaves to show up.

Sunflower Botanical on the Mantel

When August rolls around I'm starting to think about Fall decor, and sunflowers always signal that it's about time to make that transition. The flowers are changing color and growth, a few dry leaves are starting to fall off the trees, and the light is showing that soon the days will start to get shorter.

The After-Easter French Country Mantel

Hi Friends, I hope you had a wonderful Easter. 

Were you able to be with family and friends?

We were on our own still, 

but we did have a lovely day.

Not Quite Spring in the Hearth Room

Most times, I go from Valentine's Day directly into Early Spring decorating. But this year we've all had a strong blast of winter that just sidelined me (you guys too) With temps below 0 for about a week in a row and several good rounds of snow I just wasn't up to getting out the spring-y stuff. As I said, I'm sure next week when it hits 50 I'll be more in the mood, but for now it's still "February" and the tail end of winter.

Not Quite Spring Mantel and Hearth Room

I want to be transitioning to "all things Spring", but I'm finding it difficult when the temp outside is 5 degrees and there's 8 inches of snow. It's too cold to go into the garage and search thru the spring flower tubs, so I'm making do and sharing what I'm living with this last couple of weeks in February. 

Woodsy Christmas Mantel in the Hearth Room

I love a cozy, vintage, "woodsy" look in decor, and Christmas seems as good a time as any to make that happen. I'm a person who loves to snuggle up by the fire with a hot cup of something and relax. Lots of blankets and pillows, cushy furniture; basically a place where you feel comfortable putting your feet up and watching a movie or reading a book... not to mention finding a cat crawl up in your lap to enjoy it all with you.

Thanksgiving to Christmas in the Hearth Room

Seems like the last 10 years or so, I've been putting up the Christmas trees a few weeks before Thanksgiving to get a little jump on decorating for Christmas; at least since I've been blogging. Once they're up then it's much easier for me to get some inspiration on how I want to decorate, whether that's colors, or theme, or to try something new. By blogging standards, I'm late to the game, but behind the scenes I've secretly been thinking "Christmas!". 

Using Vintage Frames for a Thanksgiving Mantel

Hello everyone! Hallelujah, it's November and so close to Thanksgiving! And we're all looking forward to celebrating, then moving in to the long awaited Christmas Season. Today I'm joining in with a great group of vintage-loving friends who are sharing some ideas and inspiration on how we use Vintage Frames in our home and seasonal decor.  Since it's mid-November I'm going to share my Thanksgiving mantel and show how I've used vintage frames for a fun seasonal mantel.

Oh the little junky vintage frame... 

how many ways to use and love you?

Cozy Early Fall Hearth Room

Last week I shared my Late Summer mantel here in the Hearth Room.

So now that the calendar says September,

 I'm ready to bring out the cozy factor for Fall!

Transitional Late Summer Mantel

Time to bring out the wreath for this small sliver of time known as Late Summer. Nature doesn't just wake up one morning and say, "OK everyone, it's Fall!" Trees, weather, the light, and all the growing things are reaching that extended moment where they begin to wane. Summer is winding down. All you have to do is look at my yard, scattered with green walnuts and yellow leaves to know it's that time of year. (I was going to take a pic, but it's so dry and looks too sad)

Easy July 4th Decorating

Spring Thing in the Hearth Room

Hello everyone, hope you're well and keeping your sanity. (I'll get back to you all on that one...)

I took a lot of pics several weeks ago when I was decorating for Spring and Easter. The Hearth Room didn't get Easter decor; no bunnies or things, but more of a Spring theme. Actually it hasn't changed too much since early March. Lambs and sheep are a favorite of mine, so the little bench in front of the sofa has one of my sheep and a twiggy basket of Paperwhites.

Early March Mantel

I have a confession... 

I struggle with mantels. 

Do I use more, or less?