Decorating with Vintage Paintings & Feature @ P & P

So, I sort of broke my own shopping rule over the weekend. This year I am trying to be more conscious about my spending; only buying items that I really, really love for specific projects that I am currently working on. (You know, none of that frivolous spending just because something is on sale or it might work some day.)

 

I've also been trying to shop my own home before spending money on décor.

And, then I found this painting at an indoor flea market. It wasn't anything I needed and it wasn't for a specific project, but can you say love? You totally know how you can't dwell on items in places like that because they move so fast. I did, however, think about it long and hard (while clutching it) before I bought it.

Simply Fall {October Mantel}

Good evening everyone! I have certainly gotten myself on a bizarre (for me) blogging schedule. I think it's a combo of being swamped with painting work, my husband's work schedule (lots of vacation days lately) and taking care of one super sick almost twelve year old (mystery solved today with a pneumonia diagnosis).

 

 

Easy Moss Garland & Simple Spring Mantel

Since the weather took a dramatic turn from in the 40s on Tuesday to the 70s on Wednesday (yeah!) I thought I would spring-ify my mantel a bit.

 

 

 

Painted Thrift Store Shelf & Mantel Display

Oh my gosh, this weekend went by fast! Can you all believe it's Monday already? 

 

Saturday my Mom and I took the boys to Mystic, Connecticut, for the day and froze!  I wonder when exactly spring will arrive up here in the northeast? 

 

On the way home I took some back roads and stumbled upon a seriously cute consignment store in Colchester. I could have spent forever in there, but for some reason, 9 and 11 years old boys don't want to go antiquing with there mother and grandmother, so there was some pretty substantial complaining going on. And this is despite the fact that my oldest got an owl for his collection and my youngest found a vintage Mickey Mouse bank for his room.

Early Spring Mantel

My March mantel has a few touches of spring. Seriously, as much spring as I can muster in New England after yet another blustery storm.  I'm sort of getting a little bit jealous of all of you in other parts of the country where spring is far more evident.

 

Cupid's Arrow Valentine Mantel

One of my goals for this weekend was to change up my mantel for Valentine's Day. 

I love how the paneling and bricks of our mantel are painted bright white since it gives such a great, neutral backdrop for whatever I want to showcase. Plus, the bricks looked awful before I painted them (about a year ago). Seriously, I have never seen such a weird color (red) and texture (they were almost totally smooth).  Plus, someone had painted the mortar black. Yuck.

Anyway, I decided to not use red in my Valentine décor this year. Instead, I played with the typical white and black that is the cornerstone to most of my decorating and added in pops of bright fuchsia and orange; I just love that color combo!

Favorite Things {January Mantel}

Every year, once all the Christmas decorations come down, I tend to scale back on my décor.  I think it's the overabundance of Christmas that just makes me want to streamline for the new year.

Woodland Christmas Mantel & a Fun Announcement

As with my other seasonal decorations I like to keep it simple and just add in little touches throughout my home.

 

This year, my Christmas mantel is casually decorated in shades of white, green and gray/silver.

 

 

November Mantel & Giveaway Reminder!

Once Halloween was over, I decided to change up my mantel just a bit. (You can see my October mantel here.)

Subtle & Thrifty October Mantel

I've been slowly working my way around the main living areas in our home adding in fall touches.  I'm much more of an autumn decorator than a Halloween one.  I love dried corn, twigs, pumpkins and all those little things that you associate with the season.  However, I did want to add a subtle touch of Halloween to my mantel this year.