Coastal Mantel

See what I brought home from OHIO!

While on a trip to Ohio last month, I spent a little time checking out the Goodwill.  From across the store I spotted two mermaid sculptures on the top of a shelf and they drew me like a magnet. They had been there quite some time and were on sale. I can see why they might be languishing in the Goodwill in the midwest, but I live in the heart of Mermaid Country, just few miles from Weeki Wachee, Florida.  I just knew they had my name on them.

I set about putting together an arrangement on the mantel.  First I borrowed my grandfathers painting. It didn't have a home just now and I've always loved it.  Aren't the colors beautiful?  

The vase with the sea grass holds shells I have collected with my grandchildren. I like the effect of the mermaid swimming out of the sea vegetation.

I added glass bubble tea lights.  I surrounded the candle with chunks of sea glass that I had.  The fire just glows through the colored glass.  

Next I added some shells I bought on our trip to Sanibel Island a few months ago.  It's the world capital for collecting sea shells but when we were there they were all just very tiny ones heaped on the beach.  I found a shop specializing in shells and found a few I really loved.  

The large rock is one that two of my grandchildren found near Pine Island Beach.  There is actually a hole through the middle where tiny fish would swim through.  It doesn't look like much in the photo but it's quite interesting when you can see through it and see the odd shaping the gulf waters made.  

Last I put the mermaids at different levels by placing one on a treasure chest.  It gives it a bit of depth and makes the arrangement more interesting.  I left the metal sculptures on the mantel as it looked like artifacts a deep sea diver might find at the bottom of the sea.  

When I moved here from the midwest with my own special things and much that I inherited from my father-in law's log home in Kentucky, I felt at home in a new world.  Now that I feel that coastal Florida is my home, I am beginning to incorporate that tropical, coastal atmosphere into my decor.  

How fun is that? 

Partying at:
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Adorned From Above Blog Hop
Green Willow Pond
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Transformation Thursday
Favorite Photo Friday
Thrifty Thins Friday
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