How To Compose A Quirky Spring Mantel You’ll Love? Well, my method may not be completely orthodox but the end product is what counts right?
As I looked at the Valentine Day mantel and realized it had to go, my mind wandered to visions of an early spring look to replace it. St. Patrick’s Day is not far off and I began to think of how that could be translated into a decorative mantel without saying, “Holy leprechaun!” A vision of decorative objects primarily in green came to mind and that seemed quite pleasing to me.
The vision was of everyday objects in green colors giving the feeling of an Irish or early spring mantel while staying away from the tacky green felt hats, leprechauns, cheap green beads, etc., etc.
My first thought was a beautiful green wreath. The wreath would be covered with greenery and nothing else, no bows, no flowers, just a simple no-frills green wreath. Then, considering what else needed to be added to the mantel to create this look, I did a quick mental check of other decorative objects we already have.
The Plan
When you think of Irish decor, don’t you think of dark brown colors along with green? Well, the thought of adding this brown metal lantern to the composition seemed appropriate. Yes, and to echo a touch of the brown, a little tin usually kept in the kitchen, and a set of ceramic birds with little hints of brown on them would be perfect.
This mantel is deliberately not going to be perfectly symmetrical. I challenged myself to create a composition with mostly single items and not pairs.
With a pretty good idea of what the mantel would look like, I went shopping. Ugh… Have you ever gone out with a clear vision of what you want and drat, there is nothing like it out there? All those green things in my mind could not be found.
Wreath Shopping And Creation
At the fabric and craft store, there was a green wreath and it had little touches of white on the greenery but the wreath looked kind of skimpy. It was also 50 bucks, on sale for $24.99. My vision was a lush full green wreath. I remembered I had a 12″ grapevine wreath
form at home. My eye caught some green bushes in the floral section. These were pretty full, green with touches of white, on sale for 50% off, and that would make them 6 bucks each. I bought two. (We are an Amazon affiliate and may receive a small percentage of any sales through this link at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting this website!)
Back home, the grapevine wreath was retrieved from the basement storage room. You can see these bushes were pretty full. Each bush had five nice-sized branches which are cut from the main stem at the base.
After cutting the branches off, I kind of ‘stuck’ a couple on the wreath and hung it above the mantel, positioning it where I thought it should be. Ahhh! Imagine how great it will look once the entire wreath is covered!
Then, I place the lantern on the mantel. The clock, which usually sits on top of the piano, placed on the opposite side of the wreath, helps to balance it. The two birds are placed, one on each end. No green, but more dark brown color, is added with this old box which is made to look like four books. I picked this up many years ago at an antique shop. The tin from the kitchen is placed on a book. Coincidentally, the book is “Green Darkness”, by Anya Seton.
Michaels, the arts and crafts store, has a new spring collection, Desert Road Décor, and there was a ‘pointing figure’ sculpture that had caught my attention when I was looking for the ‘green’ decorations. At this point, although I hadn’t bought it, I imagined it on the mantel. I also imagined a small orchid for just a little more height on the right side.
Remember in earlier posts how to use triangular compositions to create a pleasing composition? ►Summer Mantel Ideas ► Spring Mantel Ideas
The simplest of all polygons, the triangle base down, gives a visual impression of stability. By using the triangle and multiple triangles within a larger triangular composition, you assure yourself of a pleasing composition.
Make Your Own Greenery Wreath
Using florist wire, attach the stems to the grapevine wreath, weaving the wire around a piece of the grapevine and the branch of the greenery. Cut a piece of the florist wire from the paddle. I cut the pieces about 24″ long. They just need to be manageable to weave through the branches. When you come to the end of the wire, secure the end by wrapping it several times around the branch. Then, cut another length of wire and repeat.
You can see that I started on the outer edges of the wreath. I wanted to add width to it and that seemed to be the logical place to begin.
Remember this one is a 12″ grapevine wreath. If you are using a larger one, you will need more of the greenery.
After the outer row is attached, a second row is added right alongside the first, in the same way. A third row added covers the grapevine wreath satisfactorily.
Depending on the size wreath form you have, you may or may not need more rows of greenery.
Fashion a hanger from some of the florist wire and attach it to the wreath so that when it hangs, it won’t show. Attach a wall hanger to the wall and hang up the wreath. How easy is that?
Stepping back, it seems a couple of spots could use a little more of the greenery. Using the snips and cutting off a few of the stems, I then, place them in those spots. Perfect! I love it!
The Last Details
So, I had to run out again. This time, Michaels was the first stop and one of the pointing finger sculptures was added to the cart. A bag of green mosses and wood chips also made the way into the cart. The mosses and wood chips would add textural interest to the lantern.
Every spring mantel needs a little bunny, right? This adorable little bunny was picked up at the Tuesday Morning store. Yep, and it was less than five dollars.
Last Details And Tweaking Positions
I also purchase a little orchid. It seems the perfect size and color for this project. After adding the new items to the mantel, things need to be switched around a little. The pointing finger placed on the book adds extra weight and height. Then, I move the little tin a little to the left. Now, the finger seems to be calling attention to the bunny by pointing right at it.
This arrangement ends up having a completely different feel from the original vision. It is a little quirky and I love it! Doesn’t that usually happen when you use some of the items you love and already have?
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Beautiful! I wish I lived closer to my cousin Debra, we would and could be making so many DIY projects.
Thanks, Marge! I wish you were closer, too!