Minimal Spring Mantel
Remember that time we added a mantel and I never shared the DIY, but I did share some various stylings? Yeah, me neither. Let’s pretend I’ve already shown you how we added this rustic slab mantel to our fireplace, K? Now that we’re in agreement on that, we can talk about how I’ve decorated it for spring in a minimal modern boho style. Perhaps you’re a minimalist and you’re thinking, “Oh, heck no! There’s way too much stuff there to be minimal!” Well, this is my blog and this is my minimal. I am a recovering maximalist so I’m thinking this looks pretty sparse and we’re rolling with it. Today I am joining a group of talented bloggers to share with you our spring mantels. Oh, and if you were here yesterday for the first part of my spring tour, you’ll know that I am not really much of an eggs and bunnies kinda girl. I’m more of a books and plants person. Or eggs and cheese with a side of avocado toast. But if you are a bunnies and eggs person, I am sure you’ll find loads of inspiration at the bottom of this post where all of the other links are. 😉 (This blog uses affiliate links and I am an Amazon Associate. I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases made through my links. I thank you for your support!)
To start this mantel, I removed the gold mirror I had used for the holidays and put the bison back in his place. He had been in the storage room, and it’s rather hard to store a bison. If you’ve ever tried, you know. He’s proudly back in his place of prominence and I love how he sets the tone for our space. Bison are strong and steady, but also a little awkward. Seems rather fitting for our family. Steadfast and awkward, our family motto.
With the bison on center stage (nobody puts bison in the corner), I got to work styling either side of him. On the left side of the mantel, I added a few design books that one of my very best friends has gifted me over the years. Travel Home is a nice reminder of what it means to go places and let them influence your home choices. Currently, we are going no places, so I am under the influence of my own four walls plus my family, but one day we’ll travel again. Perhaps our home city of Greensboro influenced my color choices here. Who knows. The other two books are gorgeous as well and all of them have a really earthy style that I just love.
As you can see, I added a new snake plant from Tiny Plant Market in a “planter” that’s actually a recycled candle holder that I cleaned out. Snake plants are my favorite because you can pretty much ignore them and they thrive. I’ve tried that with my own kids and it doesn’t work as well, but with these guys, they’re like, “I’m good, Ma!”
Lastly, I added these wooden log candle holders I made almost seven years ago but they are still going strong. I love them almost as much as the day I made them. Again, sorta like my kids, but in reverse . . . I love my kids more since the day I made them. Unless they’re slamming doors when the little one is napping.
On the opposite side of the mantel, just to the right of the bison’s rear, I wanted to create balance so again I added books and a plant. However, on this side, I used vintage copper bookends to support the books in a standing position. You gotta be ready to run if you’re gonna stand downwind from the bison. Also, I really don’t like things to be symmetrical. Balanced, yes. Mirrored, no. For the reasons of balance, there’s another plant over here. Also for the reason that I love plants. They go everywhere.
The copper bookends I used here aren’t super sturdy, but what they lack in function, they make up for in style. I found them years ago when I owned a vintage store and they never sold. Probably because shoppers wanted something more useful. If you’re gonna call yourself a book end, you better do your job. Oh well! Worked out for me because I kinda dig them. Even if I have to use them on books I don’t plan to touch any time soon. If you think they’re rad and want some of your own to hold up just three books you never touch, these are similar. Oh, and don’t look too closely below or you’ll see where my Himalayan salt lamp attacked Remodelista. I’d tell you about it, but it’s sort of a sad story where the lamp had a major meltdown..
And there you have my simple as-minimal-as-I-get modern boho spring mantel. Maybe next spring there will be bunnies and eggs, but not if the bison has anything to say about it. Which he usually does. By the way, I feel like he needs a name. Our relationship is at the level where I can’t just keep calling him the bison. Maybe Frank? Taking suggestions below in the comments. The person who chooses the winning name will earn my love and affection forever. You can ask Chris, it’s a real prize.
Here’s one last look at maybe-Frank-the-bison and his mantel. Next week I will be sharing the rest of the room with you. I don’t want to give anything away, but there might be plants and there might not be bunnies, but you’ll just have to come back and see for yourself. And ignore that corner where the rug flipped up when I was vacuuming and just be grateful I cleaned for you.
If you’re looking for anything from today’s post, I’ve compiled a little shoppable slider here for you:
Now head on over to see everyone else’s spring mantels. I love how unique each one is and I know you will find something special about them as well!
This week I’m joining some of my talented blogging friends for the Spring Seasonal Simplicity Series! We’re all sharing some inspiring mantel decorating ideas with you! You can see each mantel in more detail by clicking on the links below each image.
