How to Decorate a Spring Mantel for Easter
It’s a funny thing about spring decor. I’ve been decorating for autumn my entire life, and holiday decor is of course ubiquitous, but when it comes to spring, I’ve always focused my efforts on planting outdoors. This year I decided it’s time to change that and celebrate this most optimistic of seasons around my home. What better place to direct my attention than a spring mantel in the family room?
First let's look at my nearly bare mantel. I generally keep it quite sparse with just two chinoiserie vases and a gilded mantel clock in the center. While I enjoy the clean look, I also love seasonal decorating and this is the perfect stage for it!
I’ve in fact been peppering our home with springy decor for several weeks now, with gentle touches throughout the house. It’s actually curious that I’ve ignored this season in the past when the soft light colors and ever-present flowers are exactly what I love most in decorating a home.
In styling this vignette, I wanted to underscore the renewal that spring represents, so I started with cheery toned eggs tucked into one of my vintage boxes.
Our mantel itself is a lovely new piece we added to our home a few months back. I enjoy its classic lines and traditional detailing and it seems to work with many different looks. The gorgeous French antique mirror that sits above it is a favorite new acquisition of mine since we moved into this house.
Flanking the mantel on opposite ends, are these wonderful blue and white chinoiserie vases with ormolu detailing and for this setting the perfect addition was rich blue hydrangeas peeking over the sinewy edges.
I was utterly stuck on the notion of nests this year, and what I particularly love about this little sample is how the rustic bit of nature contrasts with the gilded clock it rests against. I’m a huge fan of such incongruities because they emphasize the unique essence of the varied objects. (Put a grouping of similar objects next to each other and you tend to perceive the group as a whole rather than as individual items.)With eggs and a nest present, sweet little birds can’t be far behind. These chippy wooden pieces are exactly what was called for and the mossy orb behind them is another nod toward reawakening nature.
Next to the fireplace we keep a pretty French chair and here it’s dressed with a blue and white toile needlepoint pillow.
You can see the detail of the delicately carved mirror, which when viewed in this seasonal context, one really notices the viney florals laced around the frame.
Among my absolute favorite flowers are hyacinths, which I buy the second they’re available for their intoxicating scent. I find myself lingering in any room they’re in, because I simply can’t get enough of them.
Draped over an edge of the gilded clock is a nest and egg candle ring which ties all the imagery together.In addition to our family room, you can visit a few more of our rooms decorated for spring, including the breakfast room which you can see in Noontime at My French Kitchen Table.I also did a full spring table setting that you can visit at An Elegant St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape.
Finally, you can also peek at spring in our master bedroom in Waking Up to Croissants and Coffee, which you can visit by clicking on the link below. Happy spring to you all!!
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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2 comments
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So stunning!!
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LOVE it !
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