I have been decorating the mantel for summer this week. One painting I’m still using in this spot because it just seems to fit so well on my mantel.
I’ve changed out some of the paintings and added a little decor for the summer months.
The Janet Hill Painting That Fell Down Off The Mantel:
A couple of weeks ago I began to decorate the mantel for summer and I put one painting up there. It’s one of my favorite paintings, but unfortunately, it had glass in the frame.
I turned around for a few seconds and it fell to the floor. Glass splintered everywhere. And I think it may have scratched the painting a little bit.
I quickly got it to a store to be reframed and I’m still looking for a place for it in my apartment. It is one of the four Janet Hill paintings I used to have in the bathroom at the old apartment.
The Painting I’m Referring To:
It is the one you see above and has always had a place in my heart. I’ve always loved the stacked books and the pretty pitcher with flowers.
Don’t you think it has the perfect “cottage-style” look to it.
I felt kind of sick when it fell and broke. But I’ve now learned not to put anything breakable on the mantel.
There was a faux plant up there in what I thought was a wooden container and it broke as well.
I added the little wood houses because hopefully, they aren’t breakable. And the faux plant I put into this black container.
I found the little wood bowls at World Market.
I have come to really like the way paintings look when leaned against the wall. Or when used leaned against any other difficult surface like walls, windows, or shelves.
The Pros & Cons Of Leaning Artwork:
Pros Of Leaning Artwork:
- Leaning artwork is more flexible
- No nails or holes in the wall to repair
- A more casual and layered look
- Can use paintings, etc., to hide vents or outlets
Cons Of Leaning Artwork:
- Paintings can fall down and break
- Has an impermanent look
- May leave some wall space bare
- Pieces can be awkward to keep in place
This is the first time in years that I’ve had a fireplace mantel to decorate and I really enjoy it. Plus, it’s the focal point of the room.
I know many people place their TV on the mantel, but I just couldn’t see myself doing that. Then I’d lose all that valuable decorative space!
The Largest Floral Painting:
The largest of the paintings on the mantel is one I never used all that much at the other apartment. It is one I bought at Tuesday Morning.
Actually, it is the only artwork I’ve purchased there. I think it was around $30. But that’s a fairly good price for the size of this canvas painting.
Stores Where Furniture Is Already Assembled:
For one thing, when you choose furniture from that store it’s ready to go and there’s no having to put it together yourself.
There’s always someone to take it to your vehicle for you. And then I find someone once I’m home to help carry it to my apartment.
Don’t you just hate that most of the furniture you can get nowadays has to be put together once you get it home?
I don’t like having to buy furniture that comes in a box. It’s better to be able to see it as a whole before purchasing.
And many times when you buy it from a furniture store, they will charge you to deliver it and put it together.
I still remember when you could walk into a furniture store and choose what you wanted to purchase. And then it would be delivered and put in place in a timely fashion.
The Wood Antique Sign:
Once that antique sign was added to the fireplace, I’ve never switched it out because it just seems to fit there.
So, for those of you with mantels, have you changed your decor for the summer months?
The mantel looks lovely, and ready for summer! I use Blue Stik putty to help keep things in place. It comes off without sticking to the wall. It’s great to keep hanging photos straight, and would keep your propped up pictures in place.
I’m with you on furniture that has to be put together – ugh! And, there are so few furniture stores left near me. You have to order based on pictures seen online, which is nerve-wracking when it’s a big purchase. And now, deliveries take forever!
I thought of you when I heard about that shooting in Tulsa. So glad you are safe and sound. This has got to stop!
OMG! I hadn’t heard of the hospital shooting! The news tends to be so depressing, that I stopped watching it! I heard about the Texas school shooting from a friend, because, again, I don’t watch the news. What is going on?! Brenda, I’m so glad you are ok, and that your daughter is too! As for the mantle, I used to have one in my old house, but not my current one. I definately miss decorating it. Yours looks lovely. I’m sorry your painting fell and broke the glass. Hopefully you got all the glass shards up. The last thing you and Ivy need is to step on them!
Very pretty, colorful and cheerful! I do play around my with mantel decor often. Right now I’m looking for a summery garland to hang from the shelf. No luck at Hobby Lobby today.
Your mantle looks lovely. Thanks for sharing the link. Had a quick look and fell in love w several prints, unfortunately the majority are 8×10 and I need something larger for my mantle.
You are so lucky to have a mantle to decorate. I have wanted one for years, but my living room just won’t accommodate one. I don’t even want the fireplace that goes with one–just the mantle to decorate! There is one place i could put one but right now I have my desk and “office” on that wall since my daughter moved in and sleeps in my old office. Anyway, your mantle looks grand; I love all your floral paintings. So cheerful.
I can’t believe it! I just wrote a comment again and it erased b4 I could hit send! It’s so frustrating!
I’m glad u and your family are safe and sound!
If you accidentally delete content, if you press Control and Z right afterward it will bring your content back.
I didn’t know that!
I wrote a long one today, clicked submit, saw it flash briefly on the page, and then disappear. I wonder if it went to spam?
What a great idea somebody mentioned using rolled up painters tape to hold pictures in place! Mine get crooked so easily and I bought some putty to hold them in place but I like this idea much more.
I use poster putty to keep my paintings hanging on the wall straight. But the tape would probably be cheaper.
I use a type of “silly putty”, probably similar to the poster putty, at the bottom edge of paintings, etc. that I’m leaning against the wall. It doesn’t damage anything and I’ve never had anything slip and fall. If the painting is heavy or large and I need a bit extra and it might show I add a piece of decor in front of that spot and it’s all ok.
Oh Brenda you were on my mind last night thinking of who were the latest innocent victims now. I am so thankful your upcoming surgery wasn’t yesterday. How can a security guard be on all floors of a medical facility when something like this breaks out. And like me at my age would have enough mobility to figure out to maneuver to fire a pistol to save myself from someone bent on killing people.
Yes, I change my mantle every season, holiday and whenever I feel like it. I prop a lot of things too and have lost many items through the years. I keep three staggered old family heirloom glass Hurricane lamps filled with oil on one side for just in case times. Decorating my mantle is one of my favorite things to do to my home. If I didn’t have it, I would use an old gateleg narrow table I have saved all these years.
I will probably change it up again before summer is over. That is what I tend to do, redecorate and redecorate again.
I have a large wood framed mirror that I bought from a thrift store on my mantel. It used to belong to an old fashioned vanity like the ones that our grandmothers used to have. I layered a smaller vintage mirror in front of that one. I have brass candlesticks on each end and in the middle of the mantel I have an urn with faux ivory colored roses.
It sounds beautiful! Mantels and other similar pieces of furniture to decorate are so much fun. I’d love one of those mirrors, but I tend to break things.
Lots of good ideas here…from you and some commenters too…sure helpful as I am still trying to set up things here (I am very slow about figuring out how to place things…but eventually will get er done). Glad you and yours are safe!! (I have been accosted twice by men at grocery stores, once a couple yrs ago in WA state, and here in NC a couple weeks ago…neither did I know or had ever seen before…there are lots of loony tunes out there…should be locked up for everyone’s safety, including their own).
I can’t maneuver grocery stores anymore, so I shop at an ice cream store less than a mile from me that carries lots of other food. Pretty much everything I want is there. Occasionally I order through Amazon for the local Whole Foods store that delivers. Not that that was the topic of your comment!
Well, you are on topic in my opinion…you were giving me a possible solution to where to shop for groceries!! THANKS!!
I cut and roll up painter’s tape sticky-side out and put it on the bottom of a frame and then put the frame on one of my bookshelves or the mantel with the top against the wall. Like museum putty, it keeps the base of the painting from sliding and it doesn’t hurt the surface it’s put on.
I have used poster putty. But I hadn’t had a chance to get it before the painting fell. Shouldn’t have put it up there at all until I had the putty in my hands.
Your mantel looks so lovely. The paintings are beautiful, and the touches of the little wooden houses and small wooden bowls adds a delightful touch of whimsey. I don’t have many surfaces to put decor on but I’m working on it. That brings me to having to assemble furniture. It makes me grit my teeth because I’m not good at it. grrrrr!
I was glad that you were not in the vicinity of the hospital shooting.
Stay safe and enjoy your day!
In terms of surfaces, I am “trying” not to clutter every surface these days. I have a really hard time with assembling furniture. Usually I do it backwards.
I don’t have a mantle but we decorate for the seasons on different pieces of furniture! Your mantle is lovely and I can tell how much you are enjoying it. Our country seems to be so filled with anger and then you have people that react in such a horrific way. I am just thankful you weren’t out at that hospital yesterday.
That is not my hospital in my network. But it is the closest one to me.
Oh Brenda – I heard about the Tulsa on the radio and immediately started to worry about you and your girls. I am thankful that you’re all ok.
And just a thought about keeping things safe on that pretty mantel – I sometimes use just a dab of museum putty on the bottom of an object to hold it in place. Doesn’t mar the surface at all and is very good at keeping things steady. I have even used it to steady wall hung frames – to straighten them as sometimes the frames seem to lean or wobble a bit out of line which can drive you nutty. Lol! I do love your mantel and like to change my around too.
My Max cat says hi to Ivy –
Mary from PA
Ivy says hi to Max. I use that stuff to keep things I hang on the wall level.
Museum putty or gel might work for the leaning paintings. If you put a little on both ends of the painting on the mantel, and a little on the ends that lean against the wall, it should hold it pretty well. Not sure it’s protected against an Ivy, though 🙂
https://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-88111-Museum-Putty-Neutral/dp/B0002VA9NA
I’m not taking another chance with things that are breakable. Ivy has occasionally gotten up there.
It looks great.
Thanks, Kris!
Brenda, it looks beautiful! I have had a few mishaps by leaning paintings too. Thankfully there was no damage to the art.
I would have been really upset if it was damaged. I think it did nick some tiny places on the painting.
All I could think of as I read was how lucky you are that Miss Ivy doesn’t entertain herself like my cats do. Several of them hop up via a nearby chair and stroll leisurely along, systemically knocking items over. I’ve taken to hot gluing seasonal items down! Like your home, our mantel is a focal point and a great place for fall and Christmas decor. Two large, leaning framed prints are secured with a row of small nails at the bottom edge. One day I watched in horror as one kitty snuck into the triangular space behind one and poked her sassy head out, mocking me. Those are the cons. The only pro is never having to dust the mantel! And yes, the inmates do run the asylum here, to those wondering!
Love it! Yes switched to summer yesterday, mine isn’t a mantel but rather the top of my large entertainment center. Yes I still have it. Love your painting that glass broke . You might recreate it with books under your black pot. You have given me an idea to switch out on my top. Enjoy your day. The patio also looks fabulous!!
I don’t follow much news, but I just figured out the Tulsa shooting was across the street from where Kasi works, and less than a mile from me. I live on 54th and this was at about 61st Street.
I thought of you when the news came out last night. I knew you’d be nowhere that building, but how sad that we all need to be on high alert now for our loved ones.
That’s a good idea!