Summer Mantel and Fireplace Makeover! (WTKW)

My Summer Mantel 

(and it's with the kids Wednesday)!

Yes, I know WTKW is never on a Wednesday. I'm not really sure why that is. It just never works out that way...I just like how the name sounds. 

Well let's start out by showing the before.....

My sister in law and I actually painted the fireplace black about 3 years ago, but I never gave it a second coat. 

Are you wondering why my Summer Mantel is being posted in August!

This project has been on hold due to massive house renovation and cleaning projects!

I'm not sure if you remember my Spring Mantel?  I loved that mantel!  It was totally me! Symmetrical, a little over the top, lots of black and white, whimsical birds.....

This mantel however, was thrown together while I was getting the house ready to put on the market. I actually didn't want to even decorate it, I was so up-to-my-ears in other projects, but I knew I'd regret not giving it a little attention. 

I'd been eyeing everyone's painted, wax-dripped wine bottles and wanted to make some for cheap and easy decor somewhere.....so why not on the mantel? 

I picked up all the faux coral at Craft Warehouse on super-clearance this past fall. A great summer decor item!

The shells we brought back from our trip to South Caroline this past spring. I had many plans for them.....but it's been busy around here! I'm glad they found their way somewhere.

This yellow shell display was made by taking a scrap of a yellow board that I used for my Shelf to TV Console. I framed it with electrical tape and stood the shells against it. I needed some color and this was about all I had left for color in my back room.  I don't buy much before I sell a house....the pickin's are getting slim around here!

The numbers were supposed to be a nautical touch....why would distressed number be nautical? I don't know, but they feel that way to me, and they pop against the dark grey and black bottles. 

The moss-covered branches and the fabric scrap swag are from my Spring Mantel.  I just took off the doilies. 

I found these display boxes at a friend's yard sale for $4 each!

I love the coral in them. 

....and I know this is picture overkill, but I really wanted to show it with a bit of my stenciled rug. 

Does anyone else feel like they put in WAY too many pictures? 

That pretty much sums it up!  

My girl Chloe did help me search for branches that we never used and help me paint the coral a little whiter....and that's what makes this With the Kids Wednesday!

If your mantel was to tell of your summer.....what would you have on it?

--Katie

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