With Memorial Day just around the corner, I am thinking about summer decorating already! Total transparency—some years I switch up my decor for summer and some years I leave my spring things out until—ahem—fall. But this year I had a fun reason to put together a summer mantel! My good friend Amy from My Life from Home has organized a Decorate Your Mantel Series and today a bunch of us bloggers are sharing ideas for summer mantel decor!
As I was brainstorming ideas, I kept coming back to this oversized wood plank map art I made a few years ago. I’m not one to do a lot of red, white and blue decor, and that’s when it struck me that I could do a summer vacation spin. So, inspired by nostalgia of packing up the car and heading out on a cross-country adventure, I roamed around our house gathering up souvenirs and mementos that the hubs and I have collected on our vacations through the years. I arranged them on our mantel around my oversized map art to create a fun travel-inspired summer mantel.
I draped this simple patriotic fabric garland across the map to give it some extra summery flair.
On the other side of the mantel, I displayed a few different souvenirs from trips we’ve taken, like a postcard from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, hand-painted art we bought from a vendor on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, a souvenir bat from the Louisville Slugger Factory and an “Aloha” sign we picked up on our honeymoon in Maui.
This is definitely one of the more casual mantels I’ve done over the years (you can find my most recent spring mantel here, last fall’s mantel here, and last summer’s mantel here), but I think it’s a fun change!
How are you decorating your mantel this summer?
Love this? Don’t forget to pin it!
Decorate Your Mantel Series
Looking for more summer mantel decorating ideas? We’ve got you covered! Click the thumbnails below to see even more mantels, ideas and inspiration!
Emily – your mantel decor is so cute and creative! We love the travel across America idea and your personal touches are perfection! The wood plank map art looks great – thanks for sharing!
Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod recently posted…Summer Vintage Nautical Mantel Decor
Thank you so much ladies!
I love this travel theme for summer! so cute!
Thanks Morgan!
What a fun theme for your fireplace mantel! I love that Aloha sign and all those souvenir items you picked up during your travels. Man, I’d love to return to Maui one day soon. Thanks for sharing this adorable mantel!
Thanks Tee!
Absolutely love that wood map art you made. What a great project! Love how you used your travels as inspiration for your mantel. What a fun idea!!
Tara @ Lehman lane recently posted…Summer Mantel Decor for our Farmhouse
Thanks Tara!
This was a brilliant idea! I am so going to do this in the future! I love all your little memories combined into one beautiful display. Thanks for joining in this hop!
amy @ mylifefromhome recently posted…Moonlight & Mason Jars Link Party #200
Thank you Amy! And thanks so much for organizing this hop 🙂
This is such a creative idea! I love using your souvenirs as decor. What a great way to remember all of the fun trips you’ve been on!
Thanks Bre! It’s fun to have all our mementos in one spot 🙂
Emily, I love this idea! How fun it must be passing by this mantel and all of the memories displayed on it. I love the red, white and blue garland on your map art. Perfect for summer!
Kim recently posted…Saturday Showcase {May}
Thank you Kim! It was fun to collect all of these pieces & remember our trips, and it’s so nice to have them grouped together to enjoy everyday!
What a terrific idea for a summer mantel! I love the travel memorabilia that you’ve assembled for your mantel vignette. I’m a big believer in the concept that home decor should ideally have meaning for the homeowner — something from your own experience, something that reminds you of people and places in your life.
Carol (“Mimi”) recently posted…38 Ways to Love Outdoor Living
Thank you Carol! I completely agree with you – I gravitate towards decor that holds meaning for me and my family.
This is too cute! I love the travel theme! Sharing on Twitter #mm
Kim
Kim~madeinaday recently posted…Summer Backyard Party Grilling Recipes
Thanks Kim!!
This is such a cute idea, how fun to have so many travel souvenirs in one place! It must be so much fun to look at the mantel and remember all of your great trips!
Meg @ Green With Decor recently posted…How to crackle paint using a heat gun
Thanks Meg 🙂
What a fun mantel! I love your travel theme and think it turned out amazing! So cool!
Thank you Samantha!