Our mantel in the family room is one of my favorite spots to decorate. After Christmas, I gave it a new look. I loved it so much that I haven't changed it since. That's really kind of unusual for me. I always change it up with the seasons.
So when my sweet blogging friend Cindy from County Road 407 sent out our Pinterest Challenge photo for the month…..I knew that it must have been for me! HA, HA! Well maybe not, but it was just the push I needed to get out of my mantel rut.
I had so much fun creating our simple neutral summer mantel!
This month's challenge is from one of my favorite bloggers, Kelley Nan. Be sure to check out her blog if you haven't already. I know you will be super inspired.
Here is our inspiration photo. Very neutral and calming……perfect for summer! This is a look that I really love.
If you are popping over from Bluesky at Home then welcome!
I stripped our mantel for a clean slate. I already had in mind what I wanted to do so once I had all the items on the floor…..it came together in 5 minutes!
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You may not notice the subtle change, but I just finished repainting the mantel in Simply White by Benjamin Moore and couldn't be happier. Now what I'm not happy about is the rest of the trim that I must finish!
The oil painting really calls for a neutral mantel.
Here is my look for the lantern. While my lantern (link to exact lantern) is different from the inspiration, I've added a white candle and reindeer moss.
Moss balls in varying sizes add a more natural look.
Shells from our beach cottage trips are a nod to our summers.
While the center area is asymmetrical, I've created the balance that I love with matching candlesticks.
I am so pleased with this mantel that I may just leave it for fall and change out the shells for small pumpkins.
This has been such a fun challenge! I encourage you to shop your home and look for similar items and create your own neutral summer mantel!
Please be sure to visit the other inspired decor from this month's Pinterest Challenge all listed below!
Up next on the tour is First Day of Home.
Heidi Colton says
Christy I just love your summer mantel. I have that exact lantern! Unfortunately my husband hung our 55 inch tv over our mantel and put his sound bar underneath. I can only put a little something on each side…but, I have a built up hearth so I can put something there. I have the lantern on it to one side.
Barbara Chapman says
I love what you’ve done with your mantel for summer, Christy! I am totally inspired now! The lantern is lovely. I hung up a big mirror over our fireplace but I had seen a wonderful English country print I’d like to hang there instead at a local thriftshop but they wanted way too much for it. I hope another like it will appear! Love the little moss-covered balls as candlestick toppers.
Happy summer and I like your idea of just adding pumpkins for fall,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Amber Ferguson says
Christy I love every single item on your mantel…I think if these same items were on my mantel and I shared it in a post no one would think any of it looked out of place, we love so many of the same things! Mixing coastal elements in with traditional and French style is my favorite way to decorate for summer.
I always enjoy seeing your little English dogs on the mantel but this is a gorgeous change for summer. Your pretty lantern is perfectly styled with your treasures. I also love the new paint color! I hope you will come over and share at Thursday Favorite Things this week too.
So happy to join you for another fun challenge. Happy summer!
Lora Bloomquist says
Christy, Your oil painting is just beautiful and this neutral vignette is the perfect compliment for it! What a serene summer look you’ve created; so pretty! Hope you’re enjoying your summer!
Crissy says
What a gorgeous mantel, Christy! I love how your topiaries and urn accents complement the oil painting and lantern. It all works together so well. Love the color you chose for the mantel, too. Glad to be hopping with you!
Julie Briones says
It looks so pretty, Christy! And I love that you took photos with the candle lit, like Kelley’s photo! (Missed opportunity!) Love that pretty sage plate you have standing in the middle! Just lovely! Pinned to my Interior Inspirations board!
Paula says
Beautiful, Christy! I love your new mantle color. I saw you painting it on IG and it’s good to see the end result. You find some great shells at Southport. My best shells are from my one trip to Kure Beach. I found very few good shells at our usual spot, Kill Devil Hills. I don’t blame you for leaving this for fall. It’s so pretty and switching out the shells for gourds or pumpkins is all you would have to do.
cindy says
Christy, your summer mantel looks fantastic! Bright and airy. Love the lantern and moss balls on the candlesticks. I need to finish my mantel too. You’ve given me some great ideas. Thanks for joining in and I’m glad you liked the challenge.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Laura!! Loving our monthly challenges!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cindy!! Too funny…..I’m sure I’ll end up changing it for fall. It’s so hard not to see what else we can come up with!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Carol! This tour really keeps me thinking creatively each month!
Christy says
Thanks bunches, Linda!! Happy summer!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Terri! It’s been so inspiring.
Terrie says
What a pretty mantel display. Love how you used your lantern for the Pinterest challenge. It is a beautiful area in your lovely home.
Linda Johnston says
Like the balance and use of soft colors. Very pretty!
Carol says
Christy, love how you combined so many elements into one cohesive vignette. That lantern is very pretty and adds the classic feel to your mantle’s style. Great to be hooping with you again.
Cindy says
Christy love this and the shells are pretty. Nice memories to have of family time. The urn and the candleholders are perfect additions.
Now will km you be able to fight the idea of change for fall? We’ll see because we like changing things up so much.
Enjoy your day
Cindy
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
Your lantern on the mantel is gorgeous. You truly captured the look and gave a great nod to summer.