I recently tweaked my fireplace mantle with some really easy DIY projects and re-using items that I already had. I think it’s a cute mantel just in time for back to school!
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Must say I’m really happy with it!
I re-used all those colorful books that I used in July’s fireplace mantle makeover. Books make great lifts for objects and of course are perfect for a back-to-school vignette! I used yellow, red and blue books since those are the colors I’m using in this mantelscape. Another school item, a vintage globe sits on top of the books.
I already showed you how I made my Faux Barnwood Letters here. You could take craft letters and spell whatever you want. I just thought “Home” would be something I’d be able to use all year long.
I also took an old glass jar and spray painted the outside with some Rust-Oleum aqua spray paint in a satin finish. This would be a cute teacher gift filled with some fresh flowers or school supplies.
I know some people paint the inside of the jar and it does give it a different look but I just think it must be hard to get an even coat since you have to spray inside the jar mouth? Anyway, I opted to spray the outside and it was really easy – a few light coats of spray and you’re done! I filled it with some fake flowers (that you’ve seen a million times 🙂 but they’re my favorite colors).
I made my own hoop art. I spray painted a wooden embroidery hoop (just the top hoop) and used a piece I cut from an old embroidered table runner. So easy and it looks like I hand embroidered it.
My awesome husband was driving by a house in the neighborhood a few months ago, that was being renovated and spotted some windows at the curb. So he brought home a bunch! He didn’t even come home and ask if I wanted them he just knew that I would! I painted this one with some yellow craft paint and taped a map to the back of it.
FYI the paint looks a little odd because I wanted it to have a crackle finish. I read that you could use regular Elmer’s glue to get a crackle finish – all I can say is – it didn’t work for me!
A couple of easy projects and using what I had on hand and I have a whole new look for my fireplace mantle with a nod to back to school!
Hope this has given you a few ideas for easy things that you can do in your own home!
I love it! the hoop art is fantastic! and by spraying the outside of the jar, you can still use it for real flowers. brilliant. And as for the old windows – so many neat things to do, right? I had an old one here, and I painted it a creamy yellow, then replaced the panes with cork and made it a bulletin board. I made flower push pins for it and I love it.
What a wonderful idea Stephanie! I’ve been thinking of what to do with the other windows I have and you just gave me a great idea!
Love those colors! Everything looks vintagey and sweet.
Thanks for sharing lots of great ideas and shopping around the house is the best as no money is spent. I really like the map behind the window.
I love how you used an embroidery hoop and a piece of an old tablecloth to make your own art. The map behind the window is a great idea, too.
Oh, you’re just the most clever one! Love your mantel and how you’ve put it together! The books with the olden globe is just perfect for back to school time! Love the hoop you made too! 🙂
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Love how colorful it looks, Manuela! I also love the map behind the window and it looks perfect with your vintage globe off to the side.
Beautiful and creative:). Love the window with the map behind! Have a blessed evening. Hugs
OH’ I am in love with your precious space… and all its bright happy color. TOTALLY love it all. winks, jen
That mantel looks so much like September and going back to school. I love it! Were you a teacher? The primary colors are terrific and your husband found some real treasures. Everything just pulled together so well and I especially love the embroidery hoop. What I love about what you do is that you are one of a kind. No one else is doing quite what you accomplish. I applaud the look…cheery and bright.
Thank you Vee!
Yes, I had a class of one 🙂 I did homeschool my daughter through 6th grade.
Oh Manuela, you always give me the most wonderful ideas! Love the painted jar. (Think if I do this it will have to be on the outside too.) LOVE the hoop art and the old window too. Your place is so colorful and cheery.
Brenda
I love everything about it! I have a few windows that I inherited from my church. I would LOVE to paint one of them a bold color like that. I also love the way you put the map in the window and themed it out with the globe. This is a wonderfully “Manuella” mantel. The flowers in the painted mason jar are the perfect finishing touch.
Oh, how beautiful! I love it!
Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper
Manuela, it’s all so lovely & colorful … I love it! I definitely see a painted mason jar in my future! Thanks for sharing my friend! 🙂
your colors all look so happy 🙂
I want some new curtains in the guest/baby room and I sure do like your white with red polka dot ones- hmmmm, I just might copy you.
Your barn letters are so nice and your husband is just amazing too. I always enjoy your pretty posts.
how are you doing with that problem knee of yours?
So bright and cheerful! I love every detail! I was wondering about the elmer’s glue thing….might try it on a sample board. Your ’embroidery’ hoop is 2 adorable♥
I love your new mantle vignette – so bright and cheery! Love how you put the map behind the window frame. I have a very old window but it still has the glass in it. I’d love to use it in my home on a wall, but it is SO heavy that I don’t want to hang it. Perhaps I should peruse Pinterest a bit more to try and get some ideas. 😉
I love your map themed mantel 🙂 You are so right about painting the inside of a jar. I did it on one bottle, and it took forever to get even and also took a long time to dry. Your idea is so much better 🙂
Blessings,
Marcia
I LOVE those colors! Do you know it makes me smile when I see “YOU” on my rss feed?
I picked my daughter-in-law up at a house recently that had such lovely landscaping. I took pics with my phone (and I hardly ever do that!).
One of the items was an old window painted a French blue that the homeowner had attached little candle holders to in a few places.
I think they held votive candles.
It was propped up next to the house just at the side of their front porch. I could just imagine walking in at night with the candlelight adding just a little glow. I told my daughter-in-law I’d have to copy that someday!
You know what? I love the color scheme for you AUTUMN mantle.
Not the usual rust,orange, brown…FALL COMES IN ALL COLORS!
This mantle looks so cheerful!
I love it.
Pat
This mantel is so much fun…full of color and personality and wonderful ideas! Thanks so much for stopping by, Manuela!
SO pretty! I love every detail. And, the colors are so happy and fun!
Love it! I love the hoop art…
Oooh, it all looks so cheery and cozy, I love it! AND… Manuela! I’d recognize that living room anywhere. I wondered where you had gotten to. For some reason I thought you had a different blog there for awhile? The Pleasures of Homemaking? (Before the Feathered Nest of course). I’m glad to have found you again!
LOVE your mantel. 🙂
~Angela~
Love your cheerful mantel! It’s just perfect for August.