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Spring Mantel {Dreaming of Adventure}

 Spring mantel decor

I love love love to putter around the house looking for what I can use to update my mantel for my mood or the season. My Valentine’s mantel was still cute other than the hearts and the X and O part (which was fun for the holiday but I was ready to move on!) so I just wanted to make a few adjustments. Since it is still cloudy and dark and cold here, I have a case of the “in betweens” on how to decorate. It really isn’t nice out, but I want to start gearing up for sunshine and warmer days.

I find it helps my mood if I anticipate the season ahead and start acting like spring and summer WILL come. Ya know what I mean?

Spring Mantel {Dreaming of Adventure}

Lots of times in the spring I use flowers or plants on the mantel. That’s always nice in the spring. And of course there is always the option of bunnies and Easter eggs when it is almost Easter. Sometimes I even change my mantel a couple of times in a season. I like to let my decor evolve as my moods do!

So what was I in the mood for this week? I’m dreaming of adventure, but still cozy in my house! Not ready for Easter eggs, but doing a little Spring dreaming!

All year long, I love looking at books. Right on through spring, I love sitting by my fireplace going through my favorite home decor books and sipping a hot drink. I day dream a little, plan a little, and just enjoy being inspired by pretty rooms. Stacks of books make me almost giddy. I just love them! I love that I can mix up the colors to suit the in betweenness of this season.

Spring Mantel {Dreaming of Adventure}

Not only are books colorful and fun to look at, but they are USEFUL. And you all know how I feel about meaningless decor. WHY put stuff out that is just tacky clutter and stuff? Unless you made it and it makes you happy even if it is useless! But for me, I think why not actually ENJOY being able to USE what is around you and find beauty in that? That is what brings me the most happiness in decor!

Spring Mantel {Dreaming of Adventure}

I have traveled quite a bit in my life. This time of year I get the urge to venture out of my cozy little nest and hop on a plane to the south of France or maybe Venice.  Or how about Australia? I’ve never been to Australia. Wanna join me? Or are you already there, you lucky person you! Do do you want a visitor? Heh heheh. Sigh. Yeah, well, since that probably isn’t happening this year, I can gaze at my globe and dream.

Spring Mantel {Dreaming of Adventure}

Globes and sailboats are symbols of adventures and a life well lived, not only within your four walls, but traveling outside, taking in the beauty of the world.

Spring Mantel {Dreaming of Adventure}

As a kid, my family had a sailboat. I have many happy memories of sailing through the Puget Sound area, sun on my face, wind in my hair and freeze breeze to inhale. I love the carefree peace and energy that comes from the adventure of life, piles and piles of books surrounding me, breathing in sea breezes and fresh air! That’s what inspired me in this “in between the seasons” kind of week. Guess I desperately need to get out of the house, but still feel like nesting inside with a good book. HAHAHA. That makes sense, right? #crazyme

I’m looking forward to Spring. I have more Spring ideas to share soon!

Are you starting to prepare for Spring? What’s inspiring you this week?

PS. Don’t forget the fun Going Stir Crazy Spring Twitter Party tonight at 8PM ET! I’ll be hosting with Annie Sielke of Dash & Albert, how fun will that be? Use the hashtag#StirCrazyASC

21 Comments

  1. Lisa

    You know, this would be a cute fall/back to school mantel, too. I love it.

    Reply
  2. Pam

    I love nautical touches in decor too…always makes me think of new england character in homes… Been working on some drawings of quaint homes lately and as I do some of the inside rooms too, I’m wanting to add those touches like you have here on the mantel. :) Your photos always inspire me

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thank you Pam! :-)

      Reply
  3. Grace

    Such good reminders of the coming seasons – books, a globe, and a sailboat. I love to travel too and find myself hatching travel plans all spring of trips we should take in the summer.

    On the weekend I decorated our mantel for Easter – it is such a nice change.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      It is nice to freshen things up, that helps get me get out of the winter doldrums! :-)

      Reply
  4. ASM

    I’m intrigued by the titles of the books you have up there–loved seeing what was stacked on the closeup photos so I can get more ideas for good books to read. If you feel like sharing, would be very interested in knowing what you have stacked up on the left side of the mantel as well, so I can get some more good reading ideas! :) thanks!

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Sure, the second picture I think shows what’s on the left side. Let me know if you can’t read the titles, I’m not always great at getting titles really clear :-)

      Reply
  5. Pam

    Wow! I don’t even think to do such things. It’s about time I start though!

    Reply
  6. JaneEllen

    Ah it seems many of us are so ready for a change of season. Never know what it will do where we live (about 18 miles west of Grand JUnction, CO). Some years it just goes right into summer without any real spring weather. spring is usually chilly for awhile then boom, we’re getting out the shorts and flip-flops. Just never know. I’m ready for open doors, windows, being able to work on projects out on the back deck and enjoy the breezes, watching my laundry blow in the wind.
    I’ve been anticipating spring by getting just a little springier in the house. Taking out anything wintery. We had a pretty cold winter for awhile and it’s still lingering. At least we don’t live in Denver where they had a foot of snow and more on the way. Oh yuk. Enuf already. lol so see things could be worse.
    This is kind of a hanging in outer space time of year. what kind of clothes to wear, how many blankets on the bed, Putting the winter curtains away, I’m really ready for that. Guess we can all commiserate on the doldrums. Let’s all go to florida. I’m ready to go to AZ to visit friends. I used to live there, no wonder i wanted to move back
    When I see an rv on the road I’m ready to go home and pack. I’m part gypsy anyway. Used to travel with trucker husband, sure miss that. Ok kids we’ve done what we could to get spring to hurry up. Let’s just chill for while longer, remember how you felt when it’s hotter than blue blazes. lol

    Reply
  7. Kim

    I’m in Australia – you can have some of our heat if you want.
    We’re at the other end of the season – looking forward to the cooler days when things are a lot more comfortable (& a lot less fires & floods)
    It’s always good to change things up and find new ways for your house to make you smile.

    Reply
  8. sara silver

    I love this mantel and THE PURPOSE IT SERVES TO INSPIRE RATHER THAN JUST DECORATE. BEAUTIFUL COLORS AND A WONDERFUL ALTERNATIVE TO THE BRIGHT FLOWERS AND CANDLES THAT WE NORMALLY SEE IN A sPRING DISPLAY. LOVELY.

    Reply
  9. Barb

    Pretty. Bright. Cheerful. and hopeful! What a great way to dream through the remaining dreariness of winter!

    Reply
  10. Lorrie

    I LOVED LOOKING AT THE BOOKS ON YOUR SHELVES. i HAVE SEVERAL OF THE SAME ONES. rEADING BOOKS AND MAGAZINES FOR INSPIRATION IS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A FEW HOURS. wE USED TO HAVE A SAILBOAT – SUCH FUN! dREAMING OF FAR OFF LANDS IS A GREAT ANTIDOTE TO WINTER BLUES.

    Reply
  11. Lorrie

    I don’t know why my comments are coming up in this font and in all caps. I’m not shouting, Really.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      There’s a glitch, haha! I let my blog person know :-) no worries, it’s not just you!

      Reply
  12. Wendy

    Hi Melissa. I am living in heaven…Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Australia!!!…and you are correct, we are SO lucky!! I enjoy the ideas and inspiration you bring into my house every day and have made some lifestyle changes as a result!! Come and visit one day… you will LOVE it!!

    Reply
  13. Carolyn

    I love books, but hadn’t thought of using them on a mantel! Fun to spy one of my favorites, Use What You Have Decorating, among them. Great idea!

    Reply
  14. DIY Playbook

    I am absolutely love, love, LOVING this mantel. The nautical theme with a sprinkle of east coast prep is the perfect combo. Thanks for the inspiration…. I can’t wait to incorporate this theme into my home for a little spring inspriation! =)

    Reply
  15. Karen

    We live in Western Australia and you would be more than welcome to visit us here Down Under! So come on down and I’ll put the kettle on. (You may want to wait for the cooler weather though!) Your blog has been a long time favourite of mine and I can’t tell you how many happy hours I have spent reading your posts and dreaming about all the loevely places you have shown us through your photographs. Thank you for sharing so generously. God bless x

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thank you Karen! :-) That made my day!!!

      Reply

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