Cabin Inspired Summer Mantel
It’s around this time every year I miss my grandparents. Maybe it’s that school is letting out or maybe it’s the freedom of long summer filled days. Either way, the older I get the more I miss being able to spend time with them. Growing up our summers were idyllic. They were spent climbing trees, swimming in the ice-cold springs and sleeping under tents made from old quilts and floral sheets. We picked blackberries by day and churned homemade ice cream at night. My parents would let us go to sleep away camp for a week every summer. It was awesome. A few years later we moved away and spent our summer days at the beach but I never forgot how much fun it was to be carefree at camp.
It was this carefree living that inspired my summer decorating this year and I couldn’t be happier about it. For the past few years, I’ve used a lot of shells and coastal summer décor but this year I’ve decided to get away from that and go in a totally different direction. I was outside on my swing thinking about my Grandma being the camp nurse. She was at a completely different camp than we were at but she used to tell us funny stories when she got home. These fun filled memories became the motivation for the cabin inspired summer mantel. Here are a few easy tips I follow so you can create a fun summer mantel too.
I never know if the ideas I have in my head are going to turn out in real life so I always make sure to start with a clean slate.
Then I add a focal point like this First Aid Cabin sign I made from a crate lid last week.
With the focal point in place, I started layering items related to my cabin inspiration. In this case I shopped the house to find items you would enjoy at camp like horseback riding, camping manual, basket weaving and crafts like jeweled fruit.
I found this Girl Scout Guide Manual at a local thrift store. It’s crazy how so much of the advice in the book still holds true today. I’ve had this old bowling trophy and camera for a while. This vintage tennis racket usually holds court in the home office. I’ve picked up all of the feathers on the property. The branch and moss ball are another nod to nature because you always go on nature walks at sleep away camp.
Of course, there’s all kind of competitive games you play at camp mostly for bragging rights but there was always a ribbon ceremony at the end of the week.
After a day filled with fun activities we would always have quiet time back at the cabin. We would write letters home, nap or read books. My friend Angie gave me the most perfect snow globe for Christmas and she put it in this cloth cabin pouch so I made it into a little pillow.
I covered the couch in old quilts and vintage pillowcases. It’s one of my favorite places to relax while watching a movie. Filbie feels the same way.
The coffee table is the perfect size for propping your feet up or winning a mad game of Uno.
Napping and Uno – I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get more carefree than that.
Neither does using a vintage Marineland pennant as pillow decoration.
Summer is really all about making memories anyway.
See you guys back here tomorrow. I’ll share easy summer table decorating ideas.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Dearest CoCo…we LOVE your Summer Mantel decor. You’ve brought back memories to us too! The Red Cross sign is super creative – the mantel is just a wonderful walk down memory lane…great job!
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Thanks so much ladies, I really appreciate it! Hugs, CoCo
Love all of this, especially the first aid cabin sign!! So creative girl! I’m so glad to see that the vintage travel pouch turned into the perfect pillow!! Love and hugs!!
Angie, I love the travel pouch! I’ve used it as a pillow and to protect my curling iron when I travel too. It has been the best gift. Thank you so much for your kind words. Hugs, CoCo
So many great memories and such a cute way to share them in your home CoCo. Oh and that croquet set ~ be still my heart! Maybe you should have a day camp for grown-ups in your back yard. We could play all sorts of games, have lemonade and cherry cobbler and enjoy your new swing! Just sayin’ 🙂 Bwg ~~~
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How much fun would that be Bobbi! I would love to have you guys over – we would have the best time! Hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
Coco, I love your sweet Summer Mantel and everything you incorporated definitely reminds me of things you’d find at camp!! Great job and LOVE IT> xo Lisa
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I really appreciate it, Lisa, thank you! We need to have a girls camping getaway. We would have so much fun! Coco
Oh my Coco! I loved everything about this post! Your summers sounded so amazing when you were young! I love the first aid sign you made! I totally want to sit and play uno with you! I love your croquet set too. 🙂 have an awesome summer Coco! pinning and sharing!
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Misty, we could have a mad game of Uno or croquet so feel free to visit any time your in town. Thanks so much for your kind words. Hugs, Coco
Love your mantle, Coco! And your memories of summers with your grandparents are soo sweet…. nothing like those precious memories! Thanks so much for sharing at our party…hope to see you back on Thursday 🙂
I really appreciate it, Kendra, they were amazing people. It was definitely a blessing to have them as long as we did. See you at the party on Thursday! Hugs, CoCo
Your cabin looks great! Love that Oreo cookie jar. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we love partying with you! Hope to see you next Friday. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
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Thanks so much, Lorelai, see you on Friday!
This is just beautiful! Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Please join us again this week.
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Thank you bunches, Sherry!