Summer Mantle

I love switching out the themes on my mantle, but after Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter, I was looking for something I wouldn't have to change through the summer.  This is what I came up with.  I am digging it.  It's a little coastal, a lot summer, and nice and bright.

I made the big wooden "flag".  I had a few pieces of 1x3 board, and I had J cut them into 2 ft. pieces, I attached them together with the Kreg Jig on the back after staggering them randomly.  To paint it, I used some leftover blue and white paint.  The white is just an acrylic white paint by Apple Barrel, and the blue was from our dresser update, found here, it is a Valspar color called Vintage Blue.  The metal stars were from a little garland that I pulled off, and spray painted white, then roughed them up to let the metal show through a bit.  I hot glued them on with huge globs of glue.

And to finish, I had to rough up the edges a little, and sealed it with a satin sealer.  I accessorized with stuff I already had, milk glass, candle holders, grapevine balls, a fat birdie, candles, and flowers.

I definitely think it will carry me through summer.  Plus, it was perfect for Memorial Day, and for the 4th since it's sorta patriotic.  Almost all of my patriotic stuff is now in the office since it's kind of our military themed room.

My Summertime Table Box

The box that we made last fall needed an update.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for summer, so this is what I came up with.  I used the white candles I had, and stuck glass tube vases in between.  Add a few white and yellow daisies, and call it a day.

I like the brightness of the white and yellow against the dark wood.  It's great for the warm months.

This box is one of my favorite projects ever.  It has been so versatile, and it fits our table perfectly.

I like this centerpiece.  Even if I'm not a big fan of the hot summer months.  Oh, and please don't look at the dust on the rim of the box.  I told you that stupid drywall dust gets everywhere, and I'm not going to dust everything until all the sanding is done.  I dusted the table down at least, I just forgot the box.  Ooops.