Summer Mantel

By the Sea

I'm a little late getting my summer mantel up....I know.

But I have a confession to make....I have not changed out my mantel in the living room

since last summer. I just did not have it in me.

So this is a good sign that I'm moving forward because I actually felt like changing it out.

My mantel is inspired by this large print of the painting called "The Giant" painted by 

N.C. Wyeth long ago.

It is a very favorite of mine. It usually hangs in my den/office but it's perfect for a summer

beach theme.

I kept the mantel simple since there is so much going on in the painting.

A closeup of the children on the beach.

And the giant strolling through the clouds...I imagine he's searching for Jack.

I filled a small cloche with shells and added silk hydrangeas to a mercury glass vase.

Needing more sea inspired accessories and having long admired beach glass bottles

adorned with seashell toppers.

I set out to make some of my own.

The two bottles to the right are new but I added a cloudy color wash to the inside.

The other I found at the flea market last week for only $2.

It already had the perfect patina.

These were so easy to make. 

I could have done a better job on the toppers but did not want to go out and buy supplies.

I used what I had on hand. Styrafoam for the corks...and hot glue to attach, then I painted with silver

paint over the hot glue. 

The seashell candleholder I've had quite awhile...a gift from my Mother.

***********UPDATE***********

Because several have asked - I'll do a tutorial on how to make the seashell bottles.

They are super easy.

sharing here too...