Let me begin by saying how honored I am to be here among the creative women of each of the sites linked below.

SPRING is right up there with autumn for me.  I love both seasons equally.  Nature provides us with so many visual inspirations this time of year.  So when it came to creating a Spring Mantle (two ways), I knew I’d have fun working on the assignment.

Full disclosure, this lovely bouquet was a gift for my late January birthday from my sweet daughter-in-law.  It positively is the picture of spring with tulips and anemones, so I had to start early on my spring mantle ideas.

My first spring mantel is fairly simple.  I’ve been attempting to declutter all around the house and this mantle reflects my version of restraint. 🙂

The Hare graphic came from The Graphics Fairy.  I printed it on vellum and cut it to fit a frame I had in my stash.  I framed it over a page from an old book.  The Graphics Fairy has a library of free graphics.  I can usually find something fun for any occasion.

I collect nests and when I find an abandoned nest on one of my walks, I always bring it home with me.  The metal rabbit stand is something I’ve had for years.  It’s meant to hold a pillar candle, but I’ve used it for candy and now nest-holding at Easter.

For spring and summer I turn to my glass candle holders, the candles are the best buy around, from Trader Joe’s.  They are dripless and unscented and value priced for $3.99 for a box of 8.  At my TJ’s they come in ivory and white.

My second spring mantle is a little different—more of a nod to the delights of Easter through a child’s eyes. Being a grandma does this to a person! 🙂

The pink tulips from the grocery store.  They opened overnight! Tulips are one of my favorite spring flowers.  The blue vase is one of two that normally stand on either side of the mantle.  I bought them shortly after Tina of The Enchanted Home opened her online store.  The nest is the same one I used for the other mantle, but this time it’s sitting in a silver candy dish atop a few Beatrix Potter books.  I have a collection of Halcyon Day boxes and the hot air balloon egg was from Easter of 1985.  It commemorates my first trip to England, a wonderful memory. 🙂

On the other side I have a favorite ceramic rabbit—he’s carrying real carrots and some sprigs of parsley, health food, right?  The Hare graphic is the same but the little metal birds are eating some bird seed.

One last photograph.  I kept thinking both stylings were sparse.  My sweet daughter-in-law suggested I try the clock that normally lives on the mantle, in addition to the rest. Here it is…too crowded?  I think I like it better without, maybe I am learning to appreciate the less is more trend!  🙂

I hope you enjoyed my two mantle vignettes.  Be sure to visit each of the talented bloggers below.  You can never have too many ideas for the prettiest season of the year…SPRING! You can also visit the Pinterest board for more ideas.

The talented designers, Cindy Hattersley [Rough Luxe Lifestyle] and Mary Ann [Classic Casual Home] host this series and I have loved every Project Design post they, and the participants, have shared.

{If you’ve missed these special posts, filled with inspiration and creative ideas you can check them out here—“Gallery Walls”, “How to Style your Coffee Table”, “Refresh your Living Room with these Inexpensive Tips” and “How to Create a Beautiful Bed”}

Amber B. Design Studio

ciao! newport beach

classic ⋅ casual ⋅ home

Dimples & Tangles

Katiedid

Lisa Mende Design

Lucy Williams Interiors

Rough Luxe Lifestyle

The Pink Pagoda