Simple Spring Cottage Mantel Decorating

It’s officially Springtime now, and the cottage & I are pretending it’s all sunshine and flowers here on the Oregon coast. I kept the mantel decorating simple, as I’ve been tending to do the last few years. I find it’s more enjoyable and relaxing to do whatever flows from my fingertips, instead of trying for some elaborate mantel that looks like a store display installation. I don’t live in a store, I live in a house. That mantra has given me back the joy of decorating that I’ve had since I was a little girl!

If you’ve visited the blog before, you’ll know our little house doesn’t have a dedicated entryway. Our front door opens up into the area in front of our fireplace. I tend to play with it a lot and kind of shift around how I use it by changing the furniture. Do any of you do that? Make a space fit your whims by furnishing it in a particular way? 

I added a chair and footstool, and a few things to create a little sitting area. To keep the furnishings from feeling floaty, I grounded them by placing them all on my round woven rug. 

You guys, I’ve got to tell you that this chair is deceptively comfortable!! It might look small, but it’s very body-huggy & cozy. The back is really supportive and the rolled arms are really comfy too. I added the foot stool, and if the chair stays here (haha-wink) I’ll look for a more comfortable padded & upholstered version. 

Like I tend to do, I’ve had this little wood & metal cart forever, but just recently assembled it and gave it a home. 

I fell for the wood top, and the chippy white paint. And you know me,  I am crazy for anything that I can move around and get a lot different uses out of. This for sure falls in my much-loved versatile category. 

I’ve found that no mater the season, I like the glow of my “faux fire” twinkle lights. It’s dreary here so often, and they chase away the grey very well indeed!

 Just like Bunnies & Flowers.

When I spied this chubby bunny at HomeGoods I knew he was coming home with me. He just made me instantly happy and a smile erupted across my face right there in the store!! I’ve got a thing for animal decor. I’m drawn to it. Art, figurines… they just genuinely bring JOY. 

There was a time I thought that maybe I shouldn’t buy those sort of things, because they didn’t make my house look sophisticated and grown up.

That didn’t last long, because for one, I’m not sophisticated. So why should my home try to pretend to be.

Secondly, I decided I wasn’t decorating to impress anyone. Even though I blog… and there are trends, etc… I’ve always tried to stay very, very true to who I am and what my home is. And that is simple, comfortable & un-fussy.

Our world, and how we see things, and gather information and inspiration is so different now. Remember when you simply saw something at a friends house? Or maybe got an idea flipping through a magazine?

We are given so many options, opinions & ideas now… in all the noise, don’t forget that your opinion and tastes mater too! 

Click Here For Our $150 Fireplace Makeover Details & Before Pictures!

Wherever you are, and whatever the weather, we can have Springtime in our hearts right? Yes we can! And our hearts make our home, so decorate away… even if you’ve got snow on the ground. 

Wishing you all a blessed & beautiful Easter. xo Shannon

SHOPPING SOURCES: 

Some courtesy shopping links may be affiliate. You’ll never pay more if you shop from our courtesy links, but we may make a small commission if you decide to make a purchase. 

• CHAIR [Click Here]

• RUG [Click Here]

• WOOD & METAL TABLE – Decor Steals

• HOMEGOODS – Bunny art, sequin pillow, throw, woven stool, wire basket.

• VINTAGE – Ironstone, scale, typewriter, printers tray.

• LIGHT FIXTURE [Click Here]

• BUFFALO CHECK CURTAINS/DRAPES [Click Here]

• DRAPERY HARDWARE [Click Here] & [Here]

PS: If you struggle decorating your mantel, try the triangle trick! It’s simple and makes decorating effortless. Just start with your tallest piece in the middle (in my case, the art), and then work your way down on each side, with your shorter decor… making, and filling in a triangle shape! This work on shelves and other flat surfaces too. It’s a decorating basic. 

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