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rustic, coastal summer mantel with beach accents

July 18, 2012

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Almost 7 years later and after just publishing a new post on my spring mantel and some thoughts on decorating and I realize that my philosophy has been the same for many years. This post originally published in July 2012 and while reading through it I had to laugh. How I couldn’t stop messing around with everything. How I like to use plants, always. How I always lean toward the sentimental over the trendy. How it is just so me.

So I thought I would give this old reminder of that time we lived on our first Caribbean island a refresh and share it with you again. It’s a good reminder to just be you. You do you. Use decorating as an opportunity to make yourself smile. And for goodness sake, decorate a shelf in your kitchen if you just want to pretend you have a mantel for a minute.

——-

I don’t know about you, but I think one of the worst feelings in the entire world is to feel left out. Whether it’s intentional, accidental, preventable, whatever. It always just sucks to not be included and know about it. No?

rustic-nautical-summer-mantel-2012


And you know what one thing I have felt completely left out of since joining blogland?

Mantels.

Some people have some seriously beautiful mantels out there. And bloggers host mantel parties and update their mantels for each season.

And I, I have a driftwood shelf in my kitchen that I am going to pretend is a mantel, somewhat fantel-esque.

I did not make my summer mantel entirely out of paper, but I did try my hand at a couple of paper mantel accessories. Like a book page bowl and a paper mache letter B. And I decided to go with a summer theme, cause, well, it’s summer. πŸ™‚ Β And I’ll apologize now that all of the pics are relatively dark. This was a late afternoon project in an east facing kitchen. πŸ™


And then once I had my fantel all decorated for summer … I fiddled with it. Would it work better without the paper bowl that didn’t really turn out how I had hoped?

Does that make it too off-balance and should I take out the book page framed word art I made my dear husband for our 13 year anniversary of living together? See the 13 there on the frame? πŸ™‚

The grey lettering says “you’re pretty much my favorite of all time in the history of ever”. True statement.

And does the sprig of flower in the corally thing I found at a beach hide my little ‘hope’ sign made on driftwood with a little shell?

That sign is the pair to the other driftwood, shell and sea glass sign that says ‘joy’.

And, would I like the look better without the little pop of hot pink flower?

And, what if I added these other pretty white flowers I found instead of that little shell?

Oh, or, what if I put those flowers in a little blue mason jar and took away the tall blue bottle we found, along with the other bottles, while scouring for driftwood one day?

Ohhhh, I could put the little blue mason jar with the pretty white flowers on the end where the paper bowl was, then I could put the word art I made Joel back on the other side and all would be right with the world.

I didn’t actually realize how much I missed fiddling with decor like that until I lost a couple hours minutes doing just that. The reality is, I can’t keep it like that, because our glass containers filled with food stuffs need a home and storage space doesn’t seem to just be appearing at random in this little breadbox of a house. But, it sure was fun to be back in the game, even just for a hour minute.

You can find the tutorials for these projects in our archives:

  • pallet word art
  • pallet welcome trough
  • how to make book page covered frames
« my wish for you
decorating ideas for the fall mantel »

Comments

  1. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Whew – that is some serious fantel tweaking! Your arms must be exhausted from all the lifting, placing, moving …

    Love that you can just walk along the beach and come home with the perfect fantel accessories!
    Kelly

  2. Debbie says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Beachy keen, love it! You really know how to fiddle πŸ™‚

  3. Tiffany says

    June 18, 2012 at

    I am loving your summer mantel! So beachy and refreshing!

  4. Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Love the fantel. And you did some serious fiddling to get it just right:)

    Jessica
    stayathomeista.com

  5. Amy@BuffaloRoam says

    June 18, 2012 at

    You rocked it. πŸ™‚

  6. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    June 18, 2012 at

    In the end the fantel is just right. Perfect. Beachy. Personal. Love all the little touches … and loved seeing it so prominently displayed at Layla’s party! Congrats!

    And that OPC project is amazing …

    πŸ™‚

    Linda

  7. Maury @ Life on Mars says

    June 18, 2012 at

    I love your new mantel. So pretty and I love all the accessories.

  8. cassie says

    June 18, 2012 at

    i love the fantel and i saw it featured at the lettered cottage! πŸ™‚

  9. Dana @ Cooking at Cafe D says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Karah,
    Just saw your fantel on Lettered Cottage.
    How pretty πŸ™‚

    I’m excited to hear more about OPC as it goes.
    Very cool. Love Habitat for Humanity.

    All the best,
    D

  10. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Your fantel skills are killer! I’m super jealous! I always tweak and tweak and feel like my vignettes are never “just right.” Come help me out? I’ll supply the wine! πŸ˜‰

  11. Laurel Stephens says

    June 18, 2012 at

    I loved reading your thought process for styling your “mantel.” And I totally know what you mean about how you can just get lost for minutes doing it! : )

  12. Fairfield House says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Karah,
    Who needs a mantel when you have a ‘fantel’ like that? Perfection. I especially like your planked sign.
    Deborah

  13. Whitney @ Drab to Fab Design says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Your mantel is so beach and fun! I love it!

  14. Whitney @ Drab to Fab Design says

    June 18, 2012 at

    oops meant to say *beachy* πŸ™‚

  15. andrea says

    June 18, 2012 at

    oh my friend — this mantel is WONDERFULLY YOU!!!!!! it has your essence and that is just so awesome!!! guess no more feeling left out — you are in baby!!!! unfortunately your excellent taste does not spill over into your baseball preferences but none of us are perfect : ) hugs…

  16. Karen says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Wow, Karah, you’re definitely not one to be left out! And sharing the Habitat love is WAY cool!

  17. April @ illistyle says

    June 18, 2012 at

    I was telling my hubby last week how left out I feel without a mantel! Great minds. We decided to build a fake mantel too. I like your drift wood idea. We also live at the beach, so this is perfect. Thanks for bringing the inspiration for the fantels. xoxo

  18. Kelly @ View Along the Way says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Goooooorgeousness all over the place! And I saw you got featured on lettered cottage, you fancy lady! Yay!

  19. Susan @ Afford Your Passions says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Hi – I’m visiting from Layla’s summer mantel link party!

    I love your beachy themed mantel – it’s so pretty!

  20. Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Absolutely devine, Karah!

  21. Sharon Hines says

    June 18, 2012 at

    Your mantel is beautiful. I love the fresh combination of blues and greens. And the natural elements are so soothing. You did a great job.

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

  22. Stacey@ A Sort Of Fairytale says

    June 18, 2012 at

    i don’t have a mantel either…real or faux! your “fantel” display look beautiful!! i love your art above it and all the driftwood and turquoise!!

  23. Emily says

    June 19, 2012 at

    Holy wow! I was not expecting to read my name on your blog this morning!! I’m so flattered and totally glad you fanteled. I love a good fantal!! πŸ™‚

    I actually spotted this loveliness yesterday on a little blog called The Lettered Cottage (perhaps you’ve heard of it?). I adore it’s beachy beauty. Great job!!

    Thanks for the shout out. You are too kind!! πŸ™‚

  24. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    June 19, 2012 at

    I love your mantel and the beachy theme is so lovely. Your sign is amazing, such a fantastic piece. The paper bowl, B , shells and flowers are all very pretty. Love it. Just so you know, the party is for any surface anywhere that you create any kind of vignette. Kitchens, bathrooms, shelves, mantels, tables – just anywhere you display anything. Hope you join in again soon. Hugs, Marty

  25. JoAnn says

    June 19, 2012 at

    Well, I think you did a fantastic mantel layout – love the old bottles!
    JoAnn

  26. RHome410 @ Friday is Pizza, Monday is Soup says

    June 19, 2012 at

    I hope to have a mantle someday…

    I saw that fun Before & After series on The Better Half, and so wish I had something worthy enough to submit! What a fun thing, and I can’t wait to see the projects.

  27. ali thompson says

    June 19, 2012 at

    one day i’ll have a mantel & can do cute things as such. in the meantime, i’ll enjoy looking at the cute pics you posted. nice job!
    xoxo
    ali

  28. Angela @ Cottage Magpie says

    June 20, 2012 at

    Yay for fantels! I finally realized that I could decorate something even though I don’t have a mantel, so I decorated the top of my piano. Fun!

    I love your beachy vibe, and those old bottles are just perfect!

    ~Angela~

  29. K @ Claiming Our Space says

    June 22, 2012 at

    I love your “mantel” We are thinking about adding one to our family room fireplace since it doesn’t have one (who does that?) Thanks so much for sharing at Tout It Tuesday. Hope to see you next week.

  30. lladro figurines says

    June 22, 2012 at

    I enjoyed reading your post.

  31. Kelly @ JAX does design says

    June 24, 2012 at

    Mantel or fantel – either way, yours looks amazing! I love all the personal pieces you’ve included, like the little driftwood signs and the framed word art for your hubby πŸ™‚ Love the blue bottles & jar and the blue B too πŸ™‚

  32. Liz says

    June 26, 2012 at

    How in the world had that bottle not been found on the beach before, I wonder. Great find! Reading your tale of fiddling with your fantel made me remember why I don’t ever change my mantel. I can’t decide and I like what I have and I’d like the new way and then I’d always feel like I was missing out or there could be something better. You have some really cool things there. Loved your paper bowl!
    Liz

  33. Jeannine @ The Concrete Cottage says

    June 27, 2012 at

    I’m lovin’ it no matter how you changed it! Great job!!

  34. Heather@SimpleBeautifulHome says

    June 27, 2012 at

    The mantel turned out great. You are right, there are so many great mantelscapes out there in blogland, it’s hard to compare……but yours is just as fabulous! Great job!!

  35. Bethany says

    June 27, 2012 at

    Beautiful! I have a bad habit of tweaking my decor over and over again too, but it’s worth it in the end! πŸ™‚

  36. Amanda says

    June 27, 2012 at

    Your mantel turned out beautifully! I’ve only recently gotten into manteling, and so far I haven’t adored my mantels as much as I like other people’s. If you want, you can check out my beach mantel (http://ninthstreetnotions.com/2012/06/summer-beach-mantel.html). No pressure, though. πŸ™‚

  37. Pocketful of Dreams says

    June 27, 2012 at

    I think it looks great! I don’t have a mantel either. I am not big on fireplaces so we specifically did not have one put in this house when we built it, but I would love a mantel… I need to find me a fantel, too. πŸ™‚

  38. laurel@chippingwithcharm says

    June 28, 2012 at

    Love it…so very pretty πŸ™‚ Laurel

  39. Becca says

    June 28, 2012 at

    This is awesome. I didn’t have a mantel for the longest time and felt super left out myself…

    this looks great!

  40. Christine says

    June 28, 2012 at

    WOW!! It’s awesome! Every inch of your mantel is AMAZING!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality! Have a great day! πŸ™‚

  41. Claire says

    June 28, 2012 at

    Beautiful, Karah! The ‘fantel’ itself is a showstopper and then all of the different elements combine to give it such a relaxed vibe. I want to find a blue bottle when I go for a walk ; )

  42. Jenny says

    June 28, 2012 at

    I love your summer decor! It’s perfect and beachy without being overdone. Great job! Thanks for linking up!

  43. Becky says

    June 29, 2012 at

    What a great little display–so many interesting things to see. Thanks for linking up.

  44. cassidy says

    July 1, 2012 at

    Love LOVE all the beachy summer decor!! That paper bowl is so cool!

  45. Laura Putnam says

    July 5, 2012 at

    so super cute and honored to be featured with you over at Home Stories A to Z. Take care, Laura

Trackbacks

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