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    Home » Blog » Easy DIY » Holiday & Seasonal Ideas

    March 6, 2016 | By Jami

    5 Simple Steps To Update A Mantel For Spring {+ Easy DIY Topiaries}

    How to update a mantel for spring in just a few easy steps using what you have to highlight the fresh flowers of spring, plus a quick DIY topiary idea to add height to your mantel.

    Daffodils in white pitchers on mantel

    Our mantel had been sporting it's winter pared-down-after-Christmas look for a full two months, so it really needed a simple update for spring. And by simple, I really mean it.

    I'm craving a clean, airy look lately, which included removing all the items that have lived on top of the bookcases flanking the fireplace for the first time ever (which you can see in the past mantel decor at our seasonal decor gallery).

    That freed up the white pitchers that usually lined the bookshelves to be used in a basic, neutral spring mantel that would allow seasonal flowers to be the focal point. For a little more dimension and interest, I added a pair of topiaries, which work to bring in some spring green, too.

    It was a fairly quick update that used some basic steps that work with any items, so I thought I'd share them with you guys to show that updating a mantel doesn't have to be complicated (unless you want to flex your creative muscles and take more time!).

    How to Update a Mantel for Spring in 5 Steps

    White Pitcher Spring Mantel-decorating steps 1-3

    1. Set the background. Usually a large item works nice as a background: a mirror like the vintage window-turned-mirror I'm using, a painting, chalkboard, or other larger unique item (like this burlap coffee sack attached to a piece of plywood). Sometimes a 2-3 medium-sized pieces overlapping works, too.
    2. Add 3-5 repeating elements of roughly the same size. The white pitchers shown are classic, but you can also use mason jars, small vases, interesting jars, or candles. If using items that won't hold flowers, make sure your center item is a vase or jar that can hold them.
    3. Add taller elements. Vases, topiaries, feathers in jars, candle sticks or other decorative items add height and interest. They can be symmetrical like the topiary forms above (see the simple DIY for these below), or not, but mixing in at least one taller item adds dimension.
    4. Bring in a fun surprise. Like the DIY upholstery webbing spring garland I'm using or a printable banner with words for spring or Easter, or a even a wreath hung from the mirror.

    Simple White Pitcher Spring mantel-daffodils

    5. Plan for fresh flowers. That's one of the beauties of spring, right? So make sure to have something - a favorite vase, large pitcher, mason jar or other container that can hold the daffodils, flowering branches, tulips, and peonies that will be blooming over the next few months.

    Make a quick DIY topiary in just a few minutes with a couple easy steps using a basic topiary form and $2 terra cotta pot.

    Simple DIY topiary how-to:

    1. Find some basic, cheap terra cotta pots (these were about $2 each) and white-wash them with any white paint you have (both house or craft paints will work) that's been watered-down to a cream-like consistency. I simply rubbed the white-wash on with a t-shirt rag so I could wipe any extra off as I applied it, but a foam brush would work with a dry rag to wipe.
    2. Line the painted pot with plastic (for leakage protection), fill with potting soil and plant with ivy. You can root ivy fairly easily in water a week or so before planting or buy potted ivy with longer trailing stems.
    3. Add topiary form and wind the longer ivy pieces around the form.
    4. Finish by watering well and covering the plastic and soil with moss.

    Simple White Pitcher Spring mantel with bookcases

    You can see from this wide shot how it looks with the cleared off side bookcases. I'm loving the breathing room and focus it creates on the mantel.

    I'm kind of surprised I never thought to leave them empty before - I've always spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to do with them!

    Simple White Pitcher Spring mantel and decorating tips

    So, a few items + a little bit of time = a fresh spring mantel that's flexible enough to last through the season. What's not to love?

    Have you updated your space for spring yet?

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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    1. Amber Ferguson says

      February 19, 2019 at 2:50 pm

      This is so pretty! I love daffodils and ironstone! I featured one of you photos in my latest blog post.
      Happy almost spring!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        February 19, 2019 at 5:19 pm

        Thank you Amber!

        Reply
    2. Mindy says

      March 15, 2016 at 8:05 am

      I'm diggin the open tops of your shelves, too. I had a space like that in a rental once and I still remember struggling to get it to look good without being cluttered. I wonder how some larger pieces of art or photos leaning, sorta layered on each other, would look?

      Reply
      • Jami says

        March 16, 2016 at 10:05 am

        I've actually never tried that, Mindy - good idea!

        Reply
    3. Christina says

      March 09, 2016 at 5:38 am

      Love it! So fresh and Springy and So many great ideas
      Visiting from the blog hop
      Cheers!

      Reply
    4. Karen @ The Decorated Nest says

      March 08, 2016 at 3:32 pm

      Loving the yellow daffs in the white pitcher and your fireplace is lovely!

      Reply
    5. Mila says

      March 08, 2016 at 1:13 pm

      We are still in the "paired down from Winter" state of mind although I have been itching to start refreshing our decor for spring. I really like the symmetry of your mantel, it is calming and elegant. I will keep your tips in mind when I finally tackle my mantel.

      Reply
    6. Handan @ The Navage Patch says

      March 08, 2016 at 9:54 am

      I always loved white and yellow combination. Your mantle look so great! 🙂

      Reply
    7. Michele says

      March 07, 2016 at 5:05 pm

      So pretty!!! I had to visit your piece of spring since I'm in Oregon too. Your mantel turned out beautiful. What a great idea for topiaries. I have to make some since I use them for everything!! 😉

      Reply
    8. Holly says

      March 07, 2016 at 3:56 am

      Hi Jamie - We have a mantle and I'm always stuck as to how to change out the decor for the seasons. Love these ideas! Visiting as a fellow contributor to #DIYMySpring. Hope your week is full of sunshine! Hugs, Holly

      Reply
    9. RandiG at FrugElegance says

      March 06, 2016 at 9:34 pm

      Great tips. Your mantel came out beautiful!

      Reply
    10. Lucy @ Patina Paradise says

      March 06, 2016 at 8:14 pm

      Oh I love your collection of pitchers! Your mantel is so pretty decorated for Spring!

      Reply
    11. Melissa Woods says

      March 06, 2016 at 8:07 pm

      Simple and cute 🙂

      Melissa

      Reply
    12. Lauren @ Mom Home Guide says

      March 06, 2016 at 7:53 pm

      I love your spring mantel and topiaries! Visiting from the #DIYMySpring blog hop!

      Reply
    13. Lindsay Eidahl says

      March 06, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      Perfect spring mantel!

      Reply
    14. Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction says

      March 06, 2016 at 5:51 pm

      Love the daffodils and the topiaries! Visiting from the Spring Blog Hop!

      Reply
    15. Valerie Ott says

      March 06, 2016 at 5:46 pm

      This is so beautiful! I love the yellow in front of the black mirror. Pinning!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My desire is to help you live a simple homemade life through delicious whole food recipes, easy organic gardening and preserving your harvest.

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