Patriotic Party Summer Mantel

I’m always so thankful that God saw fit to create a world in which the seasons change. It’s so symbolic of our lives. Just when things get to be too much in one season, things invariably shift, and we find ourselves in new territory. Being that I’m a teacher, I look forward to summer and couldn’t wait to update my mantel to reflect the patriotism and gatherings that mark the summer months.

I wanted to stick with a red/white/blue color scheme for all the moving parts. I loved pulling back out my George H.W. Bush presidency campaign sign. A few months back, I found a campaign mug to accompany the mug. I didn’t want to go patriotism overload, so I tried to balance the overtly patriotic with other summer staples in the same color scheme.

When I think of summer, I think of backyard parties, picnics, and trips to the beach. I tried to cram all of that onto the mantel. I grabbed a vintage picnic basket and a few of our flannel blankets to throw up there along with a vintage bocce ball set I snagged at my favorite junk store a few months back and a few vintage croquet sticks from a set out in the garage.

To pay homage to all things water-related (it is Florida after all), I displayed an old set of crab trap buoys and a fun water ski rental advertisement that I had planned on using in my son’s room.

I still love my chalkboard, so I kept that up there and drew up a simple saying and some fireworks. I struggled because the chalk I used for my spring chalkboard left behind a messy residue. I’m not sure if that means this chalkboard’s days are numbered. We’ll see.

My summer mantel may be my favorite mantel yet. I’m always feeling like I want to “downsize” and rid myself of some of my stuff. But it’s mantels like these that remind my junker’s heart that downsizing is silly. How else would I have enough stuff to create such a fun mantel?

Stay tuned throughout this week on my Instagram and Facebook stories as I attempt to paint my mantel. Those ugly bricks are getting a beautiful, bright, budget makeover, and I’m excited to take you along for the journey!