Mantel turned Dining Room Shelf

A few summer’s ago I scooped up a discarded fireplace mantle at a garage sale. I don’t have a fireplace but why would I let logic stop me?

I knew in my gut the fireplace mantel would eventually find a place in my home. Plus, I couldn’t bet the cost. The purchase price? One dollar. Yes, a single buck.

Here she is, with new life, as a dining room shelf.

The Details

I love looking at the framed photo of Pete and I from the year before we were married. We look like kids! We were (and still are) very in love. We had no idea that 8 short years later we’d have a mortgage, a minivan and 4 kids under the age of 5.

I turned my crepe paper centerpiece from Living with Lindsay’s $5 Challenge into a wreath.

My son Ryan contributed his artwork, an astronaut flying in space with a view of Earth, for the mantel. I just love that my white frame has a clip inside. I can quickly change out its contents to meet my decorating whims!

Baby Girl Nursery Decor

Here is a link to my post about decorating the wall above Claire and Leah’s diaper table. Man, I love having baby girls in the house again!

Here is a list of things to think about (in The Nester’s words) when putting together a mantel, wall shelf or table scape.

1. Scale–you want big stuff, you want small stuff, you want medium stuff

2. Layering–don’t be afraid to put stuff in front of other stuff

3. Height Variations–make sure you have tall stuff and short stuff

4. Texture–shiny, smooth, rough, glass, wood, soft, sharp? I can’t think of any more textures but you get the idea

5. Color–consider repeating the same color a few times

6. Natural–try to add in one thing from nature

7. Meaningful–kid made pottery, a grandma’s silver rattle, quirky photo, framed letter

If you are visiting from The Nester’s Mantel Party, thanks for popping by Just a Blink!

Love,

Jess

I was given this beautiful, handmade pine cone wreath a number of years ago. (Thanks Aunt Mary J0!)

For Christmas, it needed a bit of festivity splashed on her.

1. Start with a plain pine cone wreath. The wreath could stand alone too, it’s so wintery and natural. But, that wouldn’t be as much fun, now would it?

2. Gather a pile of festive items. Thank you Target and The Dollar Store for low, low prices!

3. Add some items to the wreath. Here are the details. I alternated white snowflakes with red ornaments. I used three of each item for a nice decorator balance. (Like I know what I’m talking about!?) I placed a big letter M in the center of the wreath for a personalized touch. The M is made from papier-mache (from a local craft store) and covered in polka-dotted scrapbook paper.

4. Ta-Dah!

I love adding a festive flair to my home. It reminds me about the reason for the season, Jesus is Born!

Love,
Jess

Linked up with Blue Cricket Designs Show and Tell Day