Spring Mantel, Decor and Styling Struggles

I love spring! I wish it were a tad bit warmer, but spring just refreshes me. And after last week, a little refreshment is just what I need. 

My living room definitely needed some freshening up also. As winter dragged on, it started to feel cold and drab in my living room.  I wanted to bring in some color! Of course, I forgot to take a pic of my winter mantel...

How many of you love the rustic farmhouse style? I'm raising my hand, I really like how calm and beautiful it can look. But to me, sometimes it can look.... boring. I mean everything starts looking like its the same color. 

I don't know about you, but I like a little pizazz... and little life! Color does that for me.  I know that about myself, but I was trying to tuck it away. That's my struggle right there! I wanted to like the all white farmhouse look, but you know what? It's just not me. 

So, by the time spring had sprung, I was done with my 'all white' mantel! (Which of course, I have no photo to show you...)

When I start to redecorate my mantel, I always look to last year's photos. This next photo was my 2016 spring mantel.

It's okay...but not great. And, yes, I take decor photos every season (except this winter!😜), because if I really like it I want to repeat it. I might tweak it a little here and there, but I like to have something to start with. Anyway... 

So, I started to decorate based on last years...and you know, I just wasn't feeling it.

It was too much color. I don't know... I just didn't like it. 

Hmmm.... I really like the forsythia branches, I'm going to work with those. 

I found that galvanized pitcher in the basement. I have NEVER used it, ever! It has sat down there for over 7 years... Silly me, well, I'm glad I finally found a use for it.

Then I wanted to balance out the other side, and decided to bring up a couple of those candlesticks I made last year. 

Awesome! also adding some more yellow to balance it even more. I forgot about that yellow lantern I spray painted. (That's because I left in in the den on the shelves instead of putting it away)

The last couple of things I added.... I made those green moss balls. Tutorial coming... 

And the last item... To me this completed the whole thing... 

That adorable "hello" sign in turquoise that I picked up at Target for $3. Seriously? Too cute! 

I absolutely love my mantel right now!

It takes me awhile, but I get there eventually. Decorating is a real struggle for me. I've come a long way, but sometimes it feels I've got so far to go... here's my spring mantel from 2014. Uhh...

Can you say busy?? Not a big fan of this one...  

I'm learning to only put out what you love. And right now, I'm loving this... 😍

I worked on one more thing in the living room. The box on the entertainment center. Last year, I had a longer box and filled it with white hydrangeas. Well, I shortened it sometime last year, and this year I really liked the mason jars with flowers. 

So, I pulled the tops off of the hydrangeas and just plopped them on top of the jars. Hey, it works.

I just love how this looks....

So, now I have a colorful spring living room. 😍 

I also freshened up the entry area. I really love this simple look.

I can't wait for my shoulder to heal. I'm ready to start some projects. Problem is I don't even know where I want to start!

Blessings!