It’s a funny thing about spring decor. I’ve been decorating for autumn my entire life, and holiday decor is of course ubiquitous, but when it comes to spring, I’ve always focused my efforts on planting outdoors. This year I decided it’s time to change that and celebrate this most optimistic of seasons around my home. What better place to direct my attention than a spring mantel in the family room?
I’ve in fact been peppering our home with springy decor for several weeks now, with gentle touches throughout the house. It’s actually curious that I’ve ignored this season in the past when the soft light colors and ever-present flowers are exactly what I love most in decorating a home. In styling this vignette, I wanted to underscore the renewal that spring represents, so I started with cheery toned eggs tucked into one of my vintage boxes.
Our mantel itself is a lovely new piece we added to our home a few months back. I enjoy its classic lines and traditional detailing and it seems to work with many different looks. The gorgeous French antique mirror that sits above it is a favorite new acquisition of mine since we moved into this house.
Flanking the mantel on opposite ends, I keep these wonderful blue and white chinoiserie vases with ormolu detailing and for this setting the perfect addition was rich blue hydrangeas peeking over the sinewy edges.
I was utterly stuck on the notion of nests this year, and what I particularly love about this little sample is how the rustic bit of nature contrasts with the gilded clock it rests against. I’m a huge fan of such incongruities because they emphasize the unique essence of the varied objects. (Put a grouping of similar objects next to each other and you tend to perceive the group as a whole rather than as individual items.)
With eggs and a nest present, sweet little birds can’t be far behind. These chippy wooden pieces are exactly what was called for and the mossy orb behind them is another nod toward reawakening nature.
Next to the fireplace we keep a pretty French chair and here it’s dressed with a blue and white toile needlepoint pillow.
The full view of the mantel is delightfully upbeat, the reason I love spring so much in the first place.
You can see the detail of the delicately carved mirror, which when viewed in this seasonal context, one really notices the viney florals laced around the frame.
Among my absolute favorite flowers are hyacinths, which I buy the second they’re available for their intoxicating scent. I find myself lingering in any room they’re in, because I simply can’t get enough of them.
Across from the mantel on our coffee table, the spring color palette is continued with a French country milk bottle and linen napkins. The wonderful crowns are from my blogger friend Dore’s Etsy shop, called Burlap Luxe.
I forgot to mention this is my first photo shoot with my brand new camera, so I’ve been enjoying the light this camera captures.
Draped over an edge of the gilded clock is a nest and egg candle ring which ties all the imagery together.
In addition to our family room, you can visit a few more of our rooms decorated for spring. Below is the breakfast room which you can see more of in Noontime at My French Kitchen Table.
I also did a full spring table setting that you can visit at An Elegant St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape.
You can also peek at spring in our master bedroom in Waking Up to Croissants and Coffee.
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Lori, I am in love with how your Spring mantel came out~its beautiful, I love the mix of rustic and luxe and the French details.
Thanks so much, Amy! So glad you mentioned the rustic because I’ve been making an effort to get more patina and rusticity in my home. I love antiques and I’m trying to avoid a ‘too buttoned-up’ look, but I tend to lean towards polish. Trying to relax it up a little more. It’s a work in progress… 😉
It all looks so beautiful, Lori! So fresh and feminine and elegant. I love your style.
love and blessings for a wonderful Easter!
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Thank you so much, Lynda! I so appreciate your frequent visits and that you take the time to comment… 🙂 Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!
It’s gorgeous, as usual!! Those two blue and white vases are just STUNNING!!!! xo
Thanks so much, Amanda! They from Tina at the Enchanted Home. I love her shop… 🙂
Lory…as always, a most beautiful and elegant mantel! The clock is exquisite and loving those gorgeous blue and white urns/planters….Have a most wonderful weekend!!!….
Thanks so much, Shirley! So happy to be sharing this party with you!! Funny thing about that clock… I tend to walk around my home with gold paint, gilding everything in sight. When I bought it, it was a dull shade of gold and I wanted to add some lights and darks, so gilded it became… 🙂 Have a Happy Easter!!
Your home is beautiful, Lory! I especially love the blue and white touches! I am enjoying seeing all the French Country elements in our home tour! Hugs…Debbie
Thanks so much, Debbie! I, too, am enjoying seeing the homes of bloggers with the same taste and aesthetic I have. It’s actually a delight at a time when so many are going mid century modern. No surprise you like the blue and white… I love yours too!! Delighted to be sharing this tour with you. Enjoy your Easter weekend!!
If I had only one word allowed, it would have to be “elegant”! I’m especially fond of that mirror Lory, and love how you see the spring flowers in it:-)
Janet
Thanks, Janet! While I absolutely love mirrors, it’s sometimes difficult to photograph them with the curious things that wind up being reflected. Not a problem when working with flowers… 🙂 Thanks for the lovely words! It’s a delight to be partying this spring with you. Enjoy your Easter weekend!!
Seriously stunning, Lory! Your mantel just exudes spring and I LOVE that mirror!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Easter!
Thanks so much, Kim!! It’s a pleasure to be sharing this tour with so many talented bloggers and to see others who share the same aesthetic… 🙂 Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!
What a beautiful mantel! I love the blue and white. It all looks so elegant and refined. Lovely.
Thanks so much, Nancy! It’s funny to see how many of us are fans of blue and white. Enjoy a wonderful Easter weekend!!
Lory, your Spring mantel is absolutely gorgeous!! I am in love with every detail!
Thank you so much, Cindy! While it’s always nice to receive kind comments, receiving them from bloggers whose work you admire is all the better… 🙂 Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!
Lori!! Your tour is a feast for the eyes! I enjoyed every single detail. You have such a gift of teaching your readers how to simply sprinkle Spring throughout their homes. What a pleasure to be included on such a beautiful tour with all of these gorgeous blogs! So much fun!! xox
Thank you so much, Emily! I agree it’s a pleasure to be included with this talented group… 🙂 I look forward to many more French Country link parties!!
Most beautiful of spring mantels! Reminds me of a line from a Robert Louis Stevenson poem, “of speckled eggs the birdies sing and nest among the trees……..”.
Thank you Connie! What a wonderfully poetic observation… 🙂 I can’t think of a lovelier comment!! Thanks for visiting!
Sigh….that amazing mirror!…those gorgeous clocks!…that beautiful new mantel! All my style and just perfectly arranged! Love your design style! Have a happy Easter!
Thank you so much, Jana! And right back to you!!
Your Spring mantel is beautiful, fresh flowers are my favorite part of Spring!
Thanks, Angelina! I completely agree… 🙂
I love all of your gorgeous photography and that mirror.. swoon!!
Thanks so much, Anita! I’m definitely trying to work on the photography. Loving the new camera… 🙂
Every aspect of your spring mantel is perfectly beautiful Lory. It must fill you with such joy every time you pass it. Thank you for sharing it at Shabbilicious Friday. I’m delighted to be featuring it at tomorrow’s party.
Oh wow, thank you so much, Kerryanne!! I enjoy your party so much and will be delighted to be among your wonderful features! Thanks for stopping by to let me know and for hosting each week… 🙂
Love love the blue and white on your mantle! It is such a classic crisp look!
Thanks, Lisa! Blue and white seems to really resonate with people… 🙂 It’s a happy combination!! Thanks for visiting!
This was such a beautiful tour of your exquisite mantle.
I am still swooning over the mirror and your photography!
Jemma
Thank you so much, Jemma! The mirror is relatively new – picked it up at an antique shop earlier this year when we first moved in. The photography is also new… well, al least the camera is… 😉 It makes a pretty big difference! As I learn more about it I hope to continue improving…
Thanks for stopping by!
Love your post you shared at Dream Create and Inspire! It was prefect for our party! I will share this on Dream Create and inspire Pinterest board, please stop by my way and say hello, would love it.
Maria
Thanks so much, Maria!! Heading over there now… 🙂
Lory, I always love your mantel but it’s especially beautiful dressed for spring. I’ll be sharing this on Facebook tomorrow.
Such a beautiful mantel! I’ve picked this project as one of the features for this week’s #MondayFundayParty. http://www.100directions.com/pretty-decor-food-ideas/ Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks so much, Jen!! Thank for hosting… 🙂
Hi Lory, I have fallen in love with you mantle! I will be featuring it at SYC! Thank you for sharing.
xx Jo
Thank you SO much, Joanne!! Thanks for hosting the party… 🙂
Oh my goodness, I am in love with your mantel Spring décor! I love all the elements used here, specially the blue and white.
Your mirror is to die for!
I have a wood mantel, so sometimes it doesn’t show as much as a white like yours do.
Thanks for sharing. I just subscribed to your book.
FABBY
Thanks so much, Fabby, for the kind words and for subscribing too!! Sometimes wood mantels are really lovely too, though, for the rich patina… 🙂
Lory, all your Spring flowers are so refreshing. I love how your ornate mirror is complemented by the fabulous click! How old is the clock? It looked sky as though it was in a castle in the 16th century. Everything is lovely. Happy Palm Sunday! XOXO